Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump offered mass pardons to White House staff before leaving office — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has repeatedly offered mass pardons to White House staff, initially stating he would pardon "everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval Office." The offer was made to encourage staff to conduct themselves without concern about future prosecution for illegal conduct. Trump indicated he would host a news conference to announce mass pardons before leaving office, with the radius of the pardon offer reportedly expanding over time.
• Trump promises mass pardons to staff before leaving office — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has privately promised mass presidential pardons to his staff before leaving office, stating in a private meeting that he would "pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval." The White House did not deny the promise but claimed the president was joking, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating "the president's pardon power is absolute."

Supporting reports

• United States sells Venezuelan oil and holds proceeds in Qatar — The United States has sold $500 million worth of Venezuelan oil and is holding the proceeds in a Qatar account rather than in U.S. banks. Trump claims he has the power to manage this money and is attempting to prevent its capture by oil companies with prior claims against Venezuela. Senator Elizabeth Warren stated there is no legal basis for a president to set up an offshore account to control assets seized by the American military.
• Trump administration completed first Venezuelan oil sale valued at $500 million — The Trump administration executed its first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at $500 million following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. Trump signed an executive order detailing how the U.S. plans to block courts and creditors from accessing revenue from oil sales. Revenue is being held in bank accounts controlled by the U.S. government, with the main account located in Qatar and additional funds held in U.S. Treasury accounts. Trump indicated the U.S. would effectively run Venezuela and take control of up to 50 million barrels of oil.
• Trump discusses Venezuelan oil sales — Trump revealed that the U.S. has sold $500 million worth of Venezuelan oil and is keeping the proceeds in Qatar, claiming he has the authority to manage these funds.

Supporting reports

• United States signs economic stabilization agreement with Argentina, commits $20 billion currency swap — The United States signed an "economic stabilization agreement" with Argentina's central bank, committing to swap $20 billion in currency to prop up the Argentine peso, in addition to at least two previous direct purchases of pesos. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the government is arranging for private lenders or sovereign wealth funds to contribute another $20 billion into the Argentine economy. Banks have requested security from the United States that they will recover their money if the Argentine economy continues to decline.
• Trump Announces $40 Billion Aid to Argentina — President Trump has announced a $40 billion aid package to Argentina, intended to stabilize the country's currency. However, the move has been criticized for benefiting Trump-aligned investors while failing to address economic challenges faced by Americans. The aid has not succeeded in stabilizing Argentina's currency as intended.
• U.S. Treasury peso purchases fail to stabilize Argentine currency — The Argentine peso fell below levels reached before the U.S. Treasury began purchasing pesos earlier in October, indicating that the Trump administration's financial support has failed to halt the currency's decline ahead of crucial midterm elections for President Milei. The Treasury has made approximately three purchases totaling roughly $400 million since October 9, and a $20 billion currency swap line was announced, but the peso continued to slide.
• Trump’s $40 billion bailout of Argentina fails — Donald Trump’s $40 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of Argentina has failed, with the Argentine peso losing 10% of its value in the first two weeks of October. The economic situation in Argentina has worsened, with interest rates soaring to 157% and inflation rising. Trump's intervention has not stabilized the economy and has drained U.S. resources.
• Trump administration approves $40 billion bailout of Argentina — The Trump administration approved a $40 billion bailout of Argentina. Representative Hakeem Jeffries criticized the expenditure during a government shutdown, stating Trump had "found time to bail out a right-wing wannabe dictator in Argentina with $40b" while refusing to negotiate with Democrats on reopening the government. Senator Rand Paul also criticized the bailout as inconsistent with "America First" policy, noting the funds are borrowed and the country faces a $2 trillion deficit. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association opposed the bailout, stating it undermines family farmers and ranchers by allowing importation of Argentine beef.

Supporting reports

• White House demolition of East Wing began without National Capital Planning Commission approval — Demolition of the White House East Wing commenced on October 20, 2025, without formal submission to or approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency statutorily required to review major construction and renovation projects on federal property in Washington, D.C. The East Wing, which housed First Lady offices for 48 years and served as a workspace for policy initiatives by multiple First Ladies, is being demolished to make way for a privately funded ballroom estimated at $250–$300 million. President Trump appointed Will Scharf, his White House Staff Secretary, to chair the Commission; Scharf argued the Commission has jurisdiction only over construction, not demolition, creating a procedural loophole.
• National Nuclear Security Administration furloughs 80% of workforce during government shutdown — The National Nuclear Security Administration announced it will furlough approximately 1,400 employees (80% of its workforce) starting Monday, October 20, 2025, due to exhausted carryover funding during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Only 375 essential staff will remain to handle critical safety operations including nuclear material monitoring, equipment maintenance, and reactor safety. The shutdown has now become the longest complete government-wide funding lapse in U.S. history, surpassing the 16-day 2013 shutdown. Most scientific research, stockpile maintenance, and global security programs will be suspended.
• Trump administration begins demolition of White House East Wing for $250 million ballroom construction — Construction crews began demolishing part of the White House East Wing to make way for a $250 million ballroom project announced by Trump in July. Trump announced on Truth Social that "ground has been broken on the White House" and stated the project would be privately funded with zero cost to taxpayers, though it involves unnamed donors and corporate representatives including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin. The project is expected to be completed by January 2029. Democratic congressman Mark Takano proposed legislation to prohibit federal funds for White House construction during government shutdowns.
• Trump administration begins demolition of White House East Wing without approval — Demolition crews began tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make way for Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction of federal buildings, has not signed off on the destruction. In September, the Trump-appointed head of the commission, Will Scharf, claimed the board has no jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation. As of the time of reporting, the White House had not submitted building plans to the National Capital Planning Commission.
• Trump bulldozes East Wing of the White House on October 20 — On Monday, October 20, President Trump began to bulldoze the East Wing of the White House, the People's House. The demolition of a historic structure symbolized the administration's disregard for institutional continuity and public property.
• Trump ordered physical destruction of White House East Wing to construct ballroom — Trump began demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make room for a ballroom styled after his Mar-a-Lago property. The work commenced on the date reported, representing a significant alteration to the historic structure. No congressional authorization or public process was described in the source material.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration plans to accept luxury jet from Qatar — ABC News reported that the Trump administration is planning to accept a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family, which Trump is expected to use as the new Air Force One. The arrangement has been characterized as highly unusual and unprecedented.
• Trump comments on luxury jet from Qatar — Trump confirmed the report about the luxury jumbo jet from Qatar on Truth Social, calling it a "very public and transparent transaction" with the Defense Department.
• Trump Administration Defends Foreign Gift of Plane — Administration officials defended the acceptance of a Qatari plane as a gift to former President Trump, despite constitutional prohibitions against foreign gifts to U.S. presidents. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent compared the situation to historical gifts like the Statue of Liberty, which mischaracterizes the nature of those gifts and raises ethical concerns about foreign influence in U.S. governance.
• White House Initiates Talks with Qatar Over Air Force One Jet — CNN reported that the Trump administration initiated talks with Qatar about acquiring a Boeing 747 for use as Air Force One, contradicting claims that Qatar offered the jet as a gift. This negotiation reflects the administration's approach to international agreements.
• Defense Department Confirms Acceptance of Jet Gift from Qatar — The Defense Department confirmed the US government's acceptance of a jumbo jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One. This acceptance raises questions about the transparency and propriety of accepting gifts from foreign governments.
• Trump administration accepts gift of aircraft from Qatar — The Trump administration officially accepted a 747 aircraft as a gift from the Qatari government, despite constitutional prohibitions against accepting gifts from foreign governments. Although Trump claims he will not use the plane after leaving office, the acceptance raises ethical concerns regarding foreign influence and corruption.