Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Kash Patel admits FBI purchasing location data on Americans without warrants — FBI Director Kash Patel testified under oath before the Senate Intelligence Committee that the FBI purchases commercially available location data on Americans, stating it is "consistent with the constitution and the laws under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act." Senator Ron Wyden challenged this practice as an unconstitutional end-run around the Fourth Amendment, noting that law enforcement must obtain warrants to get location data directly from telecom companies but can circumvent this by buying from private data brokers. Wyden called for passage of the bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act to close the data broker loophole.
• FBI Director Kash Patel admits agency buys Americans' location data — During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on March 18, FBI Director Kash Patel admitted under oath that the FBI purchases Americans' location data. The admission drew criticism from Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), who called the practice "a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment" and called for passage of the Government Surveillance Reform Act to close the data broker loophole allowing intelligence agencies to purchase private data.
• FBI Director Patel admits FBI purchases location data on Americans — During Senate Intelligence Committee testimony on March 19, FBI Director Kash Patel admitted that under Trump, the government has been buying location data derived from internet advertising on Americans from private companies. When asked by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) if the FBI would commit to stopping this practice, Patel stated: "We do purchase commercially available information that's consistent with the Constitution and the laws under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and it has led to some valuable intelligence for us." This represents a reversal from 2023, when FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that the FBI did not buy such information.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration sues California cities over natural gas restrictions — The Trump administration's Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court (Northern District of California) against the San Francisco-area cities of Morgan Hill and Petaluma, seeking to block local ordinances restricting natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction. The complaint alleged the ordinances violated a 1975 federal law preventing states and cities from regulating the "energy use" of products subject to federal standards. The suit represents the administration's latest effort to challenge local climate policies.
• Justice Department sued Arizona and Connecticut for failure to produce voter registration lists — The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division announced federal lawsuits against Arizona and Connecticut for failing to produce complete voter registration lists upon request. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated this brings the total number of states sued to 23 plus the District of Columbia. The department cited authority under the National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and Civil Rights Act of 1960 to demand production and inspection of statewide voter registration lists.
• Justice Department sued California cities over natural gas bans in new construction — The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California against the cities of Morgan Hill and Petaluma, alleging their ordinances banning natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction violate federal law and preemption doctrine. The complaint seeks a declaration that the bans are preempted and a permanent injunction against their enforcement. Attorney General Pamela Bondi characterized the ordinances as "radical" and stated they harm consumers and American energy dominance.
• Trump administration demands voter lists from states; DOJ sues 22 states refusing compliance — The Trump administration has demanded that states surrender complete voter lists including sensitive personal information. The U.S. Justice Department is suing 22 states—many led by Democratic secretaries of state—that have refused to comply. The administration is reportedly attempting to build a national voter file and push states to more aggressively remove people from voter rolls. This action occurs amid heightened attention to secretary of state races in 2026, particularly in swing states critical to the 2028 presidential election.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on State and Local Preparedness — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14239, titled "Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness," on March 18, 2025. The order empowers state and local governments to enhance national resilience and preparedness, emphasizing infrastructure prioritization and strategic investments. It mandates the development of a National Resilience Strategy and a National Risk Register, and calls for reviews of existing policies to streamline federal preparedness operations.
• White House issued Executive Order 14239 on state and local preparedness and federal resilience policy — The White House signed Executive Order 14239 directing a comprehensive review and restructuring of federal preparedness, resilience, and continuity policies. The order mandates the National Security Advisor coordinate development of a National Resilience Strategy (90 days), review critical infrastructure policies (180 days), national continuity policies (180 days), and preparedness and response policies (240 days), and establish a National Risk Register (240 days). The order states it aims to shift federal policy from an "all-hazards approach" to "risk-informed" decision-making and to empower state and local governments in infrastructure and preparedness decisions.
• White House issued fact sheet on executive order for state and local disaster preparedness — The White House published a fact sheet on March 18, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that day. The order directs a shift in federal disaster preparedness policy from an "all-hazards" to a "risk-informed" approach, establishes a National Resilience Strategy and National Risk Register, and calls for review and modernization of federal infrastructure, continuity, and preparedness policies. The fact sheet states the order aims to reduce federal complexity and empower state and local governments in emergency response.
• Trump issues executive order on state and local preparedness — President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness" on March 19, 2025. The order aims to enhance national security and resilience by empowering state and local governments to take a more active role in infrastructure preparedness. It mandates the development of a National Resilience Strategy and a National Risk Register, and calls for the review and revision of existing federal policies related to critical infrastructure and national continuity. The order emphasizes reducing federal complexity and increasing efficiency in preparedness operations.
• Executive Order on Eliminating Information Silos — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14243 to eliminate information silos within federal agencies. The order mandates agency heads to ensure full access to unclassified records for detecting waste, fraud, and abuse. It requires rescinding or modifying guidance that hinders data sharing and mandates a review of classified information policies. The order aims to enhance inter-agency data sharing and improve government efficiency.
• Executive Order on Procurement Consolidation — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14240 to consolidate federal procurement under the General Services Administration (GSA). This order aims to eliminate waste and duplication by centralizing procurement of common goods and services, allowing agencies to focus on their core missions. The order mandates agency heads to submit proposals for GSA-led procurement and designates the GSA Administrator as the executive agent for government-wide acquisition contracts for information technology.
• Executive Order to Eliminate Information Silos — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 20, 2025, aimed at eliminating information silos within federal agencies to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. The order mandates agency heads to ensure federal officials have full access to unclassified agency records and data, promoting inter-agency data sharing. It requires the rescission or modification of agency guidance that hinders data sharing and mandates a review of classified information policies. The order also grants the Secretary of Labor access to unemployment data and supersedes prior orders that obstruct information sharing.
• Trump issues executive order to boost U.S. mineral production — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 20, 2025, aimed at increasing American mineral production. The order directs federal agencies to expedite permits and approvals for mineral production projects, prioritize mineral production on federal lands, and facilitate private and public capital investment in domestic mineral production. The order also involves the National Energy Dominance Council and the Department of Defense in identifying and developing mineral production sites. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign minerals and enhance national security.
• Trump issues executive order to consolidate federal procurement — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 20, 2025, aimed at consolidating federal procurement processes to eliminate waste and save taxpayer dollars. The order directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to centralize procurement of common goods and services across federal agencies, reducing duplication and inefficiencies. Agencies are required to submit proposals for GSA to handle their procurement within 60 days, and the GSA must present a comprehensive plan to the Office of Management and Budget within 90 days. This move is intended to streamline procurement and focus agencies on their core missions.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14241 to accelerate domestic mineral production through expedited permitting, federal land prioritization, and delegated Defense Production Act authority. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14241 on March 20, 2025, directing federal agencies to expedite permitting for mineral production projects, prioritize mineral extraction on federal lands, and delegate Defense Production Act authority to the Secretary of Defense and CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. The order waives certain DPA procedural requirements, instructs agencies to identify priority projects for immediate approval within 10 days, and mandates the Secretary of Interior to prioritize mineral production as a primary land use on federal lands holding mineral deposits. The order also directs the Secretary of Defense to facilitate private capital investment in domestic mineral projects and authorizes extended-use leases on federal lands for commercial mineral production enterprises.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order directing agency data sharing to combat waste and fraud — The White House issued a fact sheet on March 20, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that directs agency heads to grant federal officials full access to unclassified agency records, data, and systems to identify waste, fraud, and abuse. The order authorizes intra- and inter-agency sharing of data, requires access to state program data receiving federal funding, and grants the Secretary of Labor access to unemployment data. The fact sheet states the order aims to eliminate duplicated efforts and undetected overpayments, citing figures of $236 billion in improper payments in fiscal 2023 and $2.7 trillion over 20 years.
• White House issues fact sheet on federal procurement consolidation executive order — The White House issued a fact sheet on March 20, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that directs consolidation of federal procurement for common goods and services within the General Services Administration (GSA). The order directs agency heads to submit consolidation proposals to GSA, instructs GSA and OMB to develop a comprehensive consolidation plan, and designates GSA as executive agent for government-wide acquisition contracts. The fact sheet claims the initiative could save approximately $50 billion annually through reduced spending and cites examples of past GSA savings on software licenses, band saw blades, televisions, and computers.
• White House signed Executive Order 14240 consolidating federal procurement in the General Services Administration — The White House issued Executive Order 14240 on March 20, 2025, directing the consolidation of domestic federal procurement functions into the General Services Administration (GSA). The order requires agency heads to submit proposals within 60 days for GSA to conduct procurement of common goods and services; the GSA Administrator must submit a comprehensive plan within 90 days; and the Director of OMB must designate the GSA Administrator as executive agent for government-wide information technology acquisition contracts within 30 days. The order states this consolidation will "eliminate waste and duplication" and allow agencies to focus on core missions.
• White House signed Executive Order 14243 directing federal agencies to eliminate information barriers and share unclassified data to identify waste, fraud, and abuse. — The White House issued Executive Order 14243 on March 20, 2025, directing all federal agency heads to remove barriers to inter- and intra-agency sharing of unclassified records, data, and IT systems. The order mandates that designated federal officials receive "full and prompt access" to agency data for purposes of identifying waste, fraud, and abuse. Within 30 days, agencies must rescind or modify guidance blocking data sharing and submit reports on regulations governing unclassified data access. The order also directs immediate access to unemployment data and state program data funded by the federal government, and requires a 45-day review of classified information policies.