Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump proclaims October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day with rhetoric defending Columbus against "left-wing" criticism. — President Trump issued Proclamation 10980 on October 9, 2025, officially designating October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day. The proclamation characterizes Columbus as "the original American hero" and "a giant of Western civilization," and explicitly frames the observance as a defense against what the proclamation calls "left-wing radicals" who have "toppled his statues" and "vandalized his monuments." The proclamation invokes statutory authority (36 U.S.C. 107) and directs display of the U.S. flag on public buildings and "appropriate ceremonies and activities" in Columbus's honor.
• Trump issued Columbus Day proclamation presenting white Christian nationalist historical narrative — On October 9, President Trump's office issued an official proclamation declaring October 13 Columbus Day, presenting Columbus as "the original American hero" and "a giant of Western civilization." The proclamation emphasizes Christianity, claiming Columbus was guided by a "noble mission" to "spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and that he "planted a majestic cross" dedicating the land to God. It frames modern historical scholarship on Columbus's role in Indigenous decimation as "left-wing arson" seeking to "erase our history" and "attack our heritage," asserting that "every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination."
• White House issued Columbus Day proclamation — The White House issued a proclamation on October 9, 2025, designating October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day. The proclamation characterizes Columbus as "the original American hero" and "a giant of Western civilization," frames recent efforts to remove Columbus statues and monuments as a "vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history," and states that "under my leadership, those days are finally over." The proclamation directs that the U.S. flag be displayed on all public buildings on Columbus Day.

Supporting reports

• Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters resigns to lead conservative education non-profit — Ryan Walters, superintendent of Oklahoma public schools since 2022, announced his resignation on Fox News to become leader of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative education non-profit. Walters had pursued a Christian nationalist agenda in Oklahoma schools, including placing Trump-endorsed Bibles in classrooms, requiring teaching of 2020 election conspiracy theories, and attempting to inject Christian viewpoints into public education while opposing teachers unions. He stated his intention to expand this fight nationally.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth orders approximately 800 top military generals and admirals to Quantico for unusual meeting — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered approximately 800 of the military's top generals and admirals, along with their senior enlisted advisors, to gather at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia the following week. The demand is highly unusual; no official explanation was provided for the meeting. Military experts noted the cost in flights and accommodations would be millions of dollars and the lost focus would affect military readiness, while the sudden global recall signals potential instability to adversaries and allies. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance downplayed the meeting when questioned by reporters.
• Trump threatened political violence in response to ICE facility shooting — During remarks, Trump stated: "Bad things happen when they play these games. I'll give you a little clue, the right is a lot tougher than the left. And they better not get them energized because it won't be good for the left," in reference to a shooting at an ICE facility in Texas. House Homeland Security Democrats responded that Trump was "openly threatening political violence."
• Defense Secretary Hegseth affirmed Medal of Honor awards to soldiers involved in 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that twenty men awarded the Medal of Honor for their participation in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre would retain their medals, reversing the review initiated by his predecessor General Lloyd Austin. Austin had ordered the review to ensure awardees were not recognized for conduct inconsistent with the nation's highest military honor. Hegseth called the soldiers "brave soldiers" and stated they deserved the medals, effectively closing the review process.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth announces decision to allow Wounded Knee soldiers to retain their medals — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video announcing that soldiers who fought at the Battle of Wounded Knee will be permitted to keep their medals, declaring the decision final and their place in history settled. The Atlantic's James Surowiecki noted that the U.S. awarded 20 Medals of Honor to cavalrymen who killed hundreds of Lakota people, mostly women and children, at Wounded Knee—twice as many as the 10 awarded to troops who fought at Normandy on D-Day.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summons hundreds of senior military officers to Washington for speech on military standards — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals and admirals stationed worldwide to travel to Washington on short notice to hear him deliver a speech on military standards and "warrior ethos." A source described the gathering as an "eyeball-to-eyeball" conversation where Hegseth wanted to see the generals in person. The Washington Post reported the unusual summons of senior military leadership.