Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump declares Venezuela a "foreign terrorist organization" and orders naval blockade — Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela and designated the Venezuelan government a "foreign terrorist organization" (FTO). The U.S. Navy deployed 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier, to the region. Legal experts note the FTO designation is legally murky because U.S. law targets non-state organizations, not sovereign governments. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles stated Trump "wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle," suggesting regime change rather than counterterrorism as the objective. The administration seized one tanker carrying 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan crude valued at approximately $95 million.
• Trump declares "total and complete blockade" on Venezuelan oil tankers — On Truth Social, Trump declared a "TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE" on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or departing Venezuela. Trump also warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that the US "will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States IMMEDIATELY."
• Trump orders naval blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers — President Trump announced a "total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, escalating pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government. The order follows weeks of military strikes in the region that have killed dozens and the recent U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude. Trump stated the blockade aims to prevent Venezuela from funding drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government rejected the order as a "grotesque threat" and act of piracy; Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro called it an unauthorized act of war.
• Trump Announces Total Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers — President Trump announced a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela, citing the Maduro regime's designation as a foreign terrorist organization. He claimed that the blockade is necessary to prevent the regime from financing terrorism and other criminal activities. This announcement follows military actions against small boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
• Trump orders total blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers and designates Maduro regime as foreign terrorist organization — Trump posted on social media that Venezuela is surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in South American history and ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela. He claimed Venezuela stole U.S. oil, land, and other assets and demanded their immediate return. Trump designated the Maduro regime as a foreign terrorist organization, citing terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. He stated that illegal aliens and criminals sent by the Maduro regime during the Biden administration are being returned to Venezuela at a rapid pace.
• Trump administration expands travel ban to 39 countries — The Trump administration expanded its travel ban from 19 to 39 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and others. The expanded ban also applies to people holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents, effectively restricting Palestinian travel rights.

Supporting reports

• Trump Holds Military Parade in Washington, D.C. — On Saturday, former President Donald Trump held a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking his 79th birthday. The event, inspired by France's Bastille Day celebrations, featured military vehicles and troops marching through the streets of the U.S. capital. This parade is a rare occurrence in the United States, where such displays of military might in civilian settings are not common. Critics have expressed concerns about the authoritarian undertones of the event, drawing parallels to similar displays in countries like Russia, China, and North Korea.
• Trump Holds Military Parade in DC — President Trump held a military parade in Washington, D.C., reportedly costing $40 million. The event was sponsored by companies like Coinbase, Lockheed Martin, and Palantir. Despite claims of high attendance, reports indicated the turnout was lower than expected. The parade coincided with Trump's birthday and was criticized for its extravagant spending.
• Trump’s military parade fails to attract significant attendance — A military parade organized in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Army and former President Trump's birthday was poorly attended and criticized for its disorganization. The event contrasted sharply with the nationwide protests, highlighting a shift in political culture.
• Trump’s military parade poorly attended and criticized — A military parade in Washington, D.C., intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Army and Trump’s birthday, was poorly organized and attended. Reports indicated empty bleachers and a lack of enthusiasm among attendees, contrasting sharply with the nationwide protests occurring simultaneously.