Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Richard Grenell calls for shutdown of US-funded media — Richard Grenell, Trump's envoy for special missions, called for the shutdown of US-funded media organizations Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. This move is part of a broader effort to control media narratives and limit independent journalism.

Supporting reports

• White House issues promotional release claiming multiple policy achievements — The White House published a promotional release titled "Wins Come All Day Under President Donald J. Trump" on February 14, 2025, cataloging claimed achievements from the preceding week. The document asserts actions including: hostage releases from Russia and Belarus; tariff impositions on steel and aluminum; trade policy announcements; diplomatic engagement with Russia, Ukraine, Jordan, and India; energy project approvals; federal workforce reductions (75,000+ resignations); executive orders on vaccine mandates, federal hiring freezes, and DEI program restrictions; agency investigations; name changes (Gulf of America); and various regulatory and personnel actions. The release attributes supportive statements to industry groups and foreign officials.

Supporting reports

• Elon Musk's DOGE website posts classified information — Elon Musk's new DOGE website posted classified information about the size and staff of a U.S. intelligence agency, raising concerns about the source of this information and its implications for national security. The details pertain to the National Reconnaissance Office, which manages U.S. intelligence satellites.

Supporting reports

• Musk's agency site adds data from rightwing thinktank — Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) website added data from the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a rightwing thinktank known for opposing climate-focused policies. The CEI's "unconstitutionality index" was included on the website's regulations page. CEI has a history of lobbying against climate treaties and regulations, and has ties to the Koch brothers' network. The addition of CEI data to the Doge website raises concerns about the influence of controversial thinktanks on government transparency and policy.

Supporting reports

• Associated Press barred from Oval Office — The Associated Press (AP) was barred from attending an Oval Office event where President Donald Trump signed an executive order. The exclusion was reportedly a punitive measure against AP for not adhering to Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. AP maintained its style guide, referring to the Gulf by its historical name. The White House Correspondents’ Association condemned the action as a violation of press freedom, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism.
• White House bars AP reporters from press events — The White House barred two Associated Press (AP) reporters from attending press events after the AP refused to use the term "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico." This decision followed a complaint over AP's editorial choices. The AP's executive editor, Julie Pace, criticized the move as a violation of free speech and the First Amendment, arguing it was intended to punish the AP for its editorial stance. The White House press secretary stated that access to the Oval Office is a privilege and defended the decision.
• Establishment of the National Energy Dominance Council — President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing the National Energy Dominance Council within the Executive Office of the President. The Council, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, aims to advise the President on strategies to enhance U.S. energy production and achieve energy dominance. It will focus on improving energy permitting processes, increasing production, and reducing regulatory barriers. The Council will also coordinate with federal agencies and private sector partners to implement a National Energy Dominance Strategy, aiming to boost economic growth and national security through energy initiatives.
• White House bans AP journalists from Oval Office — The White House has announced an indefinite ban on Associated Press (AP) journalists from accessing the Oval Office and Air Force One. This decision is part of an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the AP over the naming of the Gulf of Mexico, which the administration has renamed the Gulf of America. The White House accuses the AP of misinformation for not adopting the new name. Despite the ban, AP journalists retain their credentials for the White House complex. The AP and other media outlets have criticized the move as a violation of press freedoms.

Supporting reports

• State Department orders cancellation of media subscriptions — The U.S. State Department has issued a directive to its global outposts to cancel all "non-mission critical" media subscriptions. This directive, reportedly issued on February 11, 2025, aims to cut costs by stopping work orders on contracts for publications, periodicals, and newspapers that are not academic or professional journals. The move affects hundreds of U.S. diplomatic offices worldwide and has raised concerns among staff about the potential impact on their ability to assess threats and arrange diplomatic activities safely.

Supporting reports

• Congressman Begich promotes false claims about Social Security — On February 11, Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had uncovered illegal activity in the federal government. On February 20, he promoted Elon Musk's false claim that millions of people over 100 years old were receiving Social Security benefits. This claim has been debunked, as Social Security suspends benefits for anyone aged 115 or older. Begich has not corrected or removed his claim, despite its inaccuracy.

Supporting reports

• Elon Musk shares personal information of judge's daughter — Elon Musk reposted a tweet by Laura Loomer to his large following, which included the name and employment details of a judge's daughter. The judge had ruled against Musk's interests. This act raises concerns about privacy and potential intimidation of judicial figures and their families.

Supporting reports

• Hakeem Jeffries introduces legislation to protect taxpayer data — Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, introduced legislation aimed at protecting taxpayers' personal data from Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge). This move comes in response to revelations that Doge accessed sensitive taxpayer data. Jeffries denounced Musk as an "unelected, unaccountable, out-of-control billionaire puppet master" and vowed to use Democrats' leverage in the narrowly divided chamber to protect federal programs targeted by Trump.

Supporting reports

• FBI class action lawsuit filed — FBI employees filed a class action lawsuit against acting Attorney General James McHenry, seeking to block the release of names of workers involved in Jan. 6 investigations. This legal action aims to protect employee privacy and prevent potential retaliation.

Supporting reports

• Steve Wynn petitions SCOTUS to overturn NYT v. Sullivan — Billionaire Steve Wynn filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to overturn the 1964 decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, which protects press freedom to report on public officials. This legal challenge could significantly impact media protections.

Supporting reports

• Unions sue over privacy violations — Federal employee unions filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of violating federal privacy laws by granting DOGE access to sensitive government payment systems. This legal action seeks to protect employee privacy and data security.

Supporting reports

• FBI provides Jan. 6 investigation details — FBI officials provided the DOJ with details of over 5,000 employees involved in Jan. 6 investigations, including ID numbers and roles. This action raises concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive employee information.

Supporting reports

• DEI Watch List targets federal workers — Dozens of federal health workers discovered they were listed on a doxxing website called "DEI Watch List," targeting those involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The list, created by a right-wing group, raises concerns about privacy and safety.

Supporting reports

• DOGE accesses CMS systems — Unvetted representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessed payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to search for fraud or waste. This unauthorized access raises concerns about data security and oversight.

Supporting reports

• Energy Department grants DOGE IT access — Energy Secretary Chris Wright granted a DOGE associate access to the Energy Department's IT system despite objections from the department's general counsel. This decision raises concerns about the security and integrity of sensitive government systems.

Supporting reports

• FCC investigates KCBS reporting — The FCC launched an investigation into the San Francisco-based radio station KCBS for its reporting on immigration enforcement actions in San José. This investigation reflects the administration's scrutiny of media coverage critical of its policies.

Supporting reports

• Musk calls for firing of WSJ reporter — Elon Musk called for the firing of Wall Street Journal reporter Katherine Long after she reported on racist social media posts by a DOGE employee. Musk accused her of "criminal" behavior, reflecting his antagonism towards critical journalism.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for firing of columnist Eugene Robinson — President Trump called for the firing of Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson in a post on Truth Social. Robinson has been critical of Trump and Musk, and this call reflects the administration's antagonism towards dissenting voices in the media.

Supporting reports

• USAID website and Twitter removed — The USAID website went offline, and the agency's Twitter profile was removed. This follows the administrative leave of top security officials and reflects the Trump administration's efforts to control information and limit the agency's public presence.

Supporting reports

• Musk's DOGE team targets NOAA for elimination — Bloomberg reports that Elon Musk's DOGE team has targeted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for possible elimination. NOAA is a critical agency providing weather forecasts and cooperating internationally on climate data. The potential elimination of NOAA raises concerns about the impact on global weather forecasting and scientific cooperation.
• Musk's DOGE team disrupts government agencies — WaPo reports that Musk's DOGE team has sought access to sensitive data and disrupted operations in at least 15 government agencies. The team has focused on gaining control of key agencies like OPM, GSA, and the Treasury Department. The lack of transparency about DOGE's personnel and actions raises concerns about government integrity and data security.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration instructed Department of Education to end investigations into book bans — The Trump administration directed the Department of Education to cease investigations into book bans, labeling them a "hoax." This move comes amid a surge in book bans across the United States, particularly targeting discussions of race, LGBTQ+ issues, and diversity in public schools. The directive reflects a broader conservative backlash against certain educational materials and has been criticized for undermining free expression and educational diversity.

Supporting reports

• ICE updated timestamps on old press releases — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has updated timestamps on old press releases, making them appear more recent in Google searches. This action has caused outdated enforcement actions to surface as current events, creating a misleading impression of ongoing mass deportations. The press releases, some dating back over a decade, were marked with a new timestamp of January 24, 2025. This manipulation of search results has led to confusion and fear among immigrant communities, as well as misinformation about ICE's current activities.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for CBS to cancel '60 Minutes' — President Trump called for CBS to cancel '60 Minutes' and suggested the network should lose its broadcasting license. This statement reflects the administration's antagonism towards media outlets critical of its policies.
• Trump calls for CBS News to be terminated — On February 6, 2025, Trump claimed that CBS News "defrauded the public" regarding an edited interview with Kamala Harris, calling for the network to be "immediately terminated." This statement reflects an attack on press freedom, as it seeks to punish a media outlet for its editorial choices.

Supporting reports

• FCC cancels POLITICO subscriptions — The White House announced the cancellation of $8 million worth of POLITICO subscriptions following a conspiracy theory that the news organization was subsidized by USAID funds. This decision reflects the administration's antagonism towards critical media outlets.