Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration claims executive privilege over Kennedy Center renovation conversations — The White House claimed that all conversations between Trump and advisors regarding plans to renovate the Kennedy Center are protected by executive privilege and therefore must be kept secret. This represents a dramatic expansion of executive privilege doctrine, which traditionally shields only communications with key advisors from public scrutiny, extending it to cover virtually all presidential conversations. Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo upon taking office asserting that presidents can shield "presidential communications with private advisers so long as the communications relate to official presidential decisionmaking."

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• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee overseeing the classified documents case, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report on the investigation. This action departed from standard practice, as special counsels routinely release final reports upon conclusion of their work. The report's suppression prevents public disclosure of the factual findings and legal analysis underlying the investigation into Trump's retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

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• Stars and Stripes staff sue Pentagon for First Amendment violation — Erik Slavin, Lara Korte, and Max Lederer sued Defense Secretary Hegseth, the Defense Department, Principal Deputy Assistant Andrew Brey, and Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, alleging they were fired in retaliation for speaking as private citizens in support of press freedom and for the publication's reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. The suit alleges a "blatant violation" of the First Amendment and "extraordinary censorship efforts."

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• Complaint filed: National Housing Law Project v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — The National Housing Law Project filed a FOIA lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against HUD, DHS, and USCIS, alleging that the agencies failed to respond to eight FOIA requests submitted between April and June 2026 seeking records on data-sharing agreements related to HUD's directive requiring immigration eligibility verification of HUD-assisted households. The complaint alleges violations of the Freedom of Information Act and seeks an order compelling production of non-exempt records, a Vaughn index, expedited processing, and an injunction against continued withholding.

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• Complaint filed: Knight First Amendment Institute v. Office of Management and Budget — The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed a FOIA lawsuit in federal court challenging the Office of Management and Budget's failure to release records concerning decisions by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to approve or disapprove four proposed policies requiring foreign travelers and immigrants to disclose their social media identifiers to the government. The complaint alleges unlawful withholding of responsive records and failure to act on fee waiver requests, seeking an order compelling disclosure and barring assessment of search and review fees.

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• ABC files First Amendment lawsuit against FCC, alleging retaliatory campaign by Trump administration — ABC filed an unprecedented First Amendment lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday against the FCC, alleging that the agency and its chairman Brendan Carr are conducting a retaliatory campaign to curb the network's free speech. The lawsuit seeks to halt an FCC proceeding demanding that ABC put its eight stations up for early license renewal. The action follows Trump's public attacks on the network, including criticism of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, and ABC News coverage the administration disapproved of.
• ABC sues FCC over early license renewal demand, alleging content-based retaliation — ABC filed a federal lawsuit in the District of Columbia against the FCC, challenging an order by FCC Chair Brendan Carr requiring the network to apply early to renew licenses for eight local television stations it owns. ABC alleges the demand is retaliatory punishment for editorial content the Trump administration disapproves of, and warns the action threatens press independence. The network faces potential license denial or prolonged costly litigation, and conservative groups have filed petitions urging the FCC to deny renewals based on alleged political bias in ABC's journalism.
• ABC and Disney sued the FCC alleging First Amendment violations and government censorship — ABC and its parent corporation The Walt Disney Company launched a federal lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission, alleging that the Trump administration violated their free speech rights. The lawsuit claims that administration officials attempted to launch investigations and challenge broadcast licenses because Trump objected to the network's talk show opinions, news coverage, and late-night comedians. The lawsuit begins with the statement: "Government censorship is deeply un-American."
• Complaint filed — American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission — ABC, The Walt Disney Company, and eight ABC-owned television stations filed a federal complaint in D.D.C. challenging an April 28, 2026 FCC order requiring early broadcast license renewal applications. The plaintiffs allege the order and related investigations constitute First Amendment retaliation for editorial decisions, including coverage of a presidential address and personnel decisions regarding late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The complaint cites over 600 document requests and 13,000 pages of production demands, and alleges the regulatory pressure has chilled editorial discretion, including candidate bookings on The View. Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction barring further FCC action on the renewal applications and any coercive conduct aimed at altering editorial decisions.
• ABC sues Trump administration over FCC retaliation — ABC News filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging that the Federal Communications Commission retaliated against the network. The lawsuit represents a legal challenge to alleged government action targeting a news organization.
• Disney and ABC sued Trump's FCC over license renewal — Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday to stop an early review of broadcast licenses for eight ABC-owned television stations. Disney alleged that the government is attempting to punish the network over its programming and editorial decisions. Reuters reported this is the first time in more than 50 years that a major television broadcaster has been ordered into early license-renewal process.

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• Complaint filed: Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. U.S. Department of the Treasury — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint in D.D.C. alleging that the Department of the Treasury unlawfully withholds names of claimants, their counsel, and factual bases for settlements paid from the Judgment Fund, citing the Privacy Act as justification. CREW contends the policy prevents identification of recipients—including pardoned January 6 defendants and Trump allies—and verification of settlement facts, impairing transparency of federal spending. CREW argues the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the Judgment Fund statute's 30-day disclosure requirement, and the Paperwork Reduction Act. CREW seeks a declaration that the policy is unlawful, an order vacating it, and an order requiring Treasury to publish required disclosures going forward and retroactively since January 20, 2025.

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• FCC receives petitions to deny ABC license renewals; ex-officials warn of constitutional violation — The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, received petitions from conservative groups (Media Research Center and Center for American Rights) to deny license renewals for eight ABC-owned television stations. The petitions followed an "extremely unusual" early renewal order issued by the FCC in late April after criticism of ABC by Donald Trump. A coalition of former FCC chairs and senior officials from both parties filed a response warning the proceeding is "unprecedented" and violates the Communications Act and Constitution by seeking to censor speech and send a "chilling message" to broadcasters based on editorial content the administration dislikes.

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• Twelve US states obtain temporary restraining order blocking Paramount-Warner Bros merger for 28 days — A coalition of 12 US states, led by California, obtained a temporary restraining order this week blocking Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery from closing for 28 days pending a preliminary injunction ruling. The states allege the merger reduces competition in cable and theatrical markets. Paramount and Skydance agreed to pause the deal until a court ruling or 1 June 2027. The delay could cost Paramount Skydance approximately $7 million daily in fees owed to Warner Bros shareholders if the merger does not close by 30 September.
• Paramount-Warner Bros Merger Paused — The merger between Paramount and Warner Bros has been paused, raising questions about the future of media consolidation. This pause may affect the media landscape, competition, and content distribution. The reasons for the pause have not been fully disclosed, leading to speculation about regulatory or financial challenges.

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• Democratic States Sue to Block Media Merger — A coalition of twelve Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit to block the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The states argue that the merger would reduce competition and harm consumers by consolidating media power.

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• US appeals court rules Trump administration need not reinstate removed climate, immigration, and slavery materials from national parks — A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled Thursday that the Trump administration does not have to reinstate materials related to climate change, immigration, and slavery that it removed from national parks. The decision reversed a June district court order requiring reinstatement within 21 days. The appeals court found the advocacy groups challenging the removals had not demonstrated "irreparable harm" or specific evidence linking the removals to reputational or membership damage, despite the lower court's finding that the administration's actions set "a dangerous precedent of censorship and sanitization."

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• Congressional investigation found Trump administration misused 250th anniversary celebration — A congressional investigation titled "From Vanity to Insanity: How the WH Cheated the American People Out of Their 250th Birthday" found that Trump staged a hostile takeover of the United States' 250th anniversary celebration to enrich political allies, harvest voter data, and promote Christian nationalist ideology. The report outlined a web of alleged corruption, wire fraud, and pay-to-play schemes orchestrated through a shadow corporation embedded within the National Park Service.
• House Democratic subcommittee releases report alleging Trump administration hijacked US 250th anniversary celebration for corruption, partisan gain, and ideological purposes — A House Democratic natural resources subcommittee released an interim report titled "From Vanity to Insanity" alleging that the Trump administration orchestrated a hostile takeover of the US semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) celebration. The report documents alleged corruption, wire fraud, pay-to-play schemes, and misuse of the National Park Foundation (NPF) through a shadow corporation called Freedom 250. The administration allegedly diverted resources from the non-partisan America250 Foundation, installed campaign operatives on the NPF board, misled donors, steered federal contracts to Trump loyalists, harvested voter data through event registration, and replaced civic programming with Christian nationalist content while erasing historical narratives about slavery and Indigenous removal from national parks.
• House Democrats released report on Freedom 250 corruption allegations — Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Rep. Jared Huffman, released a report titled "From Vanity to Insanity" accusing Trump's allies of turning the nation's 250th birthday into a "hotbed of corruption and self-enrichment." The report alleges that when the bipartisan America250 commission would not bend to Trump, the White House created a rival group, Freedom 250, and placed it inside the National Park Foundation to avoid transparency rules. The report describes alleged wire fraud (donors directed to Freedom 250 instead of America250), selling presidential access through sponsorship packages, soliciting foreign money, and steering contracts to Trump allies. Freedom 250 denies the allegations.

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• Complaint filed — Biden v. Department of Justice (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-01818) — Former President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the Department of Justice's planned June 15, 2026 release of audio recordings and transcripts of his private 2016–2017 conversations with ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer, recorded at his home during the writing of his memoir. The Department obtained the materials during Special Counsel Robert K. Hur's 2023 investigation into Biden's handling of classified records. Biden alleges the DOJ's decision to release the materials to the Heritage Foundation and House Judiciary Committee is arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion under the Administrative Procedure Act, and violates the Privacy Act because he did not consent. He seeks declaratory judgment, vacatur of the disclosure decision, and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief barring release.
• Biden sues DOJ to block release of Hur interview audio and transcripts — Former President Joe Biden filed a federal lawsuit in Washington DC on May 27, 2026, seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from releasing audio recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted by Special Counsel Robert Hur. The conversations, from 2016–2017 with Biden's biographer, were obtained during Hur's classified-documents investigation. Biden's attorneys argue the release violates his privacy rights and that the DOJ bears responsibility to protect personal information obtained during criminal investigations. The lawsuit targets disclosure to the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee and the Heritage Foundation.

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• Howard Lutnick testifies before House oversight committee on Jeffrey Epstein ties — US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on May 6 to answer questions about his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick answered approximately 400 questions in a closed-door, transcribed session. Democrats criticized his testimony as evasive and dishonest, with some calling for his resignation, while Republicans defended his voluntary appearance and claimed he was transparent. The hearing followed the Justice Department's release of documents showing Lutnick maintained contact with Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction.
• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before House Oversight Committee on Epstein ties — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared for a closed-door interview before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick testified without being under oath, a practice Democrats oppose and committee chair James Comer (R-KY) does not require. Lutnick had previously claimed he severed ties with Epstein in 2005, but evidence emerged showing the two maintained contact until at least 2018, years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution for a minor. When asked why he took his wife and four young children to Epstein's private island in 2012, Lutnick said he did not remember and called it "inexplicable."
• Commerce Secretary Testifies on Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick, who was not under oath during his testimony, faced scrutiny over his claims of severing ties with Epstein in 2005, as evidence emerged indicating continued contact until 2018.

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• Complaint filed — Doe v. Mullin (N.D. Cal.) — A Canadian citizen residing outside the United States filed suit in federal court challenging a Department of Homeland Security administrative summons issued February 4, 2026, demanding comprehensive Gmail records, location data, and activity logs from Google LLC. The plaintiff, who posts political commentary critical of the Trump administration pseudonymously online, alleges DHS issued the summons to unmask his identity and suppress protected speech rather than to investigate any customs violation. The complaint asserts the summons exceeds DHS's statutory authority under 19 U.S.C. § 1509 and violates the Stored Communications Act, and seeks a declaration of invalidity and an injunction barring enforcement.

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• Section 702 FISA reauthorization deadline — Thursday, April 30 is the deadline for the short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Trump signed a temporary extension through April 30 after longer renewal efforts collapsed, setting up another congressional fight over surveillance powers. Critics seek warrant requirements before authorities can access Americans' emails, calls, or texts. Advocacy groups including 5 Calls and the Brennan Center are mobilizing public contact to members of Congress opposing extension without warrant protections.
• House Votes to Reauthorize FISA Section 702 — The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This section allows the government to conduct surveillance on foreign targets outside the United States. The reauthorization is a significant legislative action concerning national security and privacy rights.
• Became Law: FISA Amendments Act Extension (Public Law 119-87) — Congress enacted Public Law 119-87, amending the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend Title VII authorities of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. The law reauthorizes surveillance powers governing bulk collection and targeting of foreign intelligence subjects. The extension preserves existing legal frameworks for electronic surveillance without stated modifications to oversight or transparency mechanisms.

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• Katie Phang files federal lawsuit against DOJ over Epstein files — MeidasTouch host and legal analyst Katie Phang filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice regarding Epstein files. No further details on the suit's claims, jurisdiction, or filing date are provided in the source text.
• Journalist Katie Phang sues acting attorney general Todd Blanche over Epstein files non-compliance — Investigative journalist Katie Phang filed a federal lawsuit in Washington DC on Monday against acting attorney general Todd Blanche, alleging the Department of Justice violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act by withholding documents and over-redacting disclosures. The act, passed by Congress in November, mandated full release of Epstein-related records by December 19, 2025. Phang seeks a court declaration of DOJ violation, release of all required documents without unlawful redactions, and appointment of an independent special master to oversee compliance.

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• DOJ Inspector General launches audit of Epstein Files Transparency Act compliance — The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General announced an audit of the DOJ's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein with limited exceptions. The audit will examine the department's processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records. This follows criticism over missed deadlines (the DOJ failed to meet a December 19 deadline, releasing files on January 31), improper exposure of victims' personal information, and excessive redactions. The OIG will evaluate identification, collection, production, redaction guidance, and post-release publication processes.

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• House Oversight Committee subpoena of former AG Bondi withdrawn after her removal from office — The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee subpoenaed former Attorney General Pam Bondi in March to testify about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein investigation and compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. After Trump ousted Bondi from her role in April, the DOJ's assistant attorney general Patrick Davis sent a letter arguing the subpoena no longer applies because Bondi no longer holds the office to which it was issued. The DOJ requested the committee withdraw the subpoena. As of April 8, the committee had not formally withdrawn it, but the DOJ's position effectively blocked her appearance scheduled for April 14.

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• House reauthorized Section 702 FISA surveillance powers for three years — The House of Representatives passed a three-year reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA on Wednesday by a vote of 235–191. The program permits U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept communications of foreign nationals abroad without a warrant, but data of Americans communicating with those targets is swept up incidentally, and the FBI can search that data without a court order. Civil liberties advocates have sought a warrant requirement for nearly two decades, which was not included in the bill. House leaders attached an unrelated ban on central bank digital currency to secure conservative votes; Senate Majority Leader Thune has called this provision a nonstarter.
• Congress passes a 10-day extension of Section 702 — Congress has passed a short-term 10-day extension of Section 702, a surveillance law that allows the government to collect communications. The extension is set to expire on April 30, 2026. The debate continues over whether to renew the law with reforms, such as a warrant requirement for searches involving Americans' data and closing the data broker loophole. The Senate is also considering a separate three-year FISA extension bill, keeping the issue active this week.
• Senate Republicans proposed three-year extension of Section 702 surveillance authority without reforms — Senate Majority Leader John Thune scheduled a vote on a bill to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for three years, until April 2029, without substantive reforms. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed concern that the system for collecting information on foreign threats can sweep in U.S. citizens and enable warrantless government surveillance. The House has attempted to negotiate cosmetic reforms, but if those negotiations fail, Thune plans to pass a three-year extension with no reforms, removing Congress's ability to revisit and strengthen constitutional safeguards for three years.

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• Texas judge blocks Onion's purchase of Infowars; leasing deal proposed instead — A Texas court initially blocked the Onion's (via parent company Global Tetrahedron) outright purchase of Alex Jones's Infowars misinformation platform. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled she was not convinced the Onion's bid had more value than competing offers from Jones-associated bidders. In response, the Onion proposed a six-month lease at $81,000 monthly, with creative director Tim Heidecker planning to parody the platform. The deal requires Gamble's final approval, expected within two weeks. Jones continues operating Infowars and may appeal any ruling.

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• Dhillon directs civil rights division to investigate Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for alleged race discrimination — After Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is Black, spoke about hiring Black people in his administration to ensure they "look out for the interest of Black folks," the civil rights division's official account posted a letter from Dhillon informing Johnson he was under investigation for violating the 1964 Civil Rights Act's prohibition on race discrimination. The investigation was announced publicly on social media the day after Johnson's remarks, a highly unusual practice that alarmed former civil rights lawyers and signals the weaponization of civil rights law against efforts to address racial equity.
• Dhillon directs investigation into Cassidy Hutchinson, January 6 committee witness — The civil rights division, under Dhillon's oversight, is investigating Cassidy Hutchinson, the former Trump aide who gave vivid testimony to the January 6 committee about the president's actions on that day. The source notes it is unclear what civil rights violation, if any, Hutchinson committed. The investigation appears retaliatory against a witness who testified against Trump.
• Dhillon directs investigation into Pennsylvania school bus driver firing over "English only" sign — In December 2025, after a local news outlet published a story about a Pennsylvania school bus driver being fired for posting an "English only" sign on her bus, Dhillon posted that she had directed the civil rights division to open an investigation into "this situation implicating DEI wokeness." The investigation was announced on social media days after learning of the incident, departing sharply from standard practice in which the civil rights division does not publicly announce investigations or release letters informing targets they are under investigation.
• Dhillon posts on social media about ongoing DOJ investigations in early stages — Harmeet Dhillon, with 1.3 million followers on her personal X account, has posted official department letters on X announcing civil rights investigations, a highly unusual practice that has alarmed former civil rights division lawyers. The practice violates longstanding norms that investigations remain confidential until formal notice is provided. Dhillon has also posted about investigations in early stages, departing from standard practice in which the civil rights division does not publicly announce investigations.

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• US Congress passes 10-day extension of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act section 702 — Both chambers of Congress voted on April 18 to pass a brief 10-day extension of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), a warrantless surveillance law, after Republican infighting blocked attempts at a longer reauthorization. The law allows national security agencies to collect texts and emails sent to and from foreigners outside the US without a warrant, with Americans' communications potentially swept up incidentally. A rare coalition of progressive Democrats and hardline Republicans opposed an unchanged extension, demanding a warrant requirement for Americans' communications. The House vote occurred after midnight following two failed procedural votes.
• Became Law: FISA Amendments Act Extension — Congress passed and the President signed legislation extending Title VII surveillance authorities of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through April 30, 2026. The measure amends the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, preserving federal intelligence-gathering powers on foreign targets and their communications. The law became Public Law 119-84, authorizing continued bulk collection and monitoring frameworks.

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• Justice Department settles lawsuit alleging Biden State Department social media censorship — The Department of Justice announced settlement of litigation alleging the Biden State Department censored disfavored speech through its Global Engagement Center by funding private companies' development of technologies to suppress protected speech online. The settlement implements President Trump's Executive Order on "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship." The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas had denied the government's motions to dismiss and transfer venue, finding good cause for discovery. The settlement avoids continued litigation.

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• Complaint filed: National Health Law Program v. Department of Health and Human Services (D.D.C.) — The National Health Law Program filed a FOIA lawsuit against HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for failure to respond to requests submitted February 17, 2026, seeking records on data-sharing practices with DHS and ICE, including policies governing transfer of Medicaid enrollee information to ICE for immigration enforcement. The plaintiff alleges HHS and CMS departed from prior policy in summer 2025 and began sharing Medicaid data with ICE without full disclosure, and have failed to conduct adequate searches or respond to five sets of paired FOIA requests. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, production of non-exempt records, Vaughn indexes for withheld materials, and attorneys' fees.