Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump orders Interior Department to display signs outside Smithsonian Museum of American History — President Trump issued an order directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to coordinate with the National Park Service and White House domestic policy staff to install temporary signs outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The signs are to notify visitors that museum exhibits require renovation and direct them to alternative sources for American history information. A separate directive requires signs criticizing the museum's commemoration of the Declaration of Independence during its 250th anniversary. The order follows Trump's broader campaign against the Smithsonian, which he accuses of politicizing history by emphasizing American injustices rather than triumphant moments.
• Trump signs executive order directing federal agencies to install signage at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History warning visitors of alleged "ideological capture" and mandating exhibit corrections. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14416 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service–maintained sidewalks and walkways warning visitors that Museum exhibits reflect "ideological capture" and directing them to alternative sources for "accurate" American history. The order also requires temporary exhibits or signage correcting what the administration deems inaccurate information, citing the Museum's alleged failure to honor the Declaration of Independence signers during the 250th anniversary year.
• Trump issues executive order directing federal agencies to "restore trust" in Smithsonian Institution and install signage criticizing its exhibits — President Trump issued Executive Order 14254 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to address findings in a Domestic Policy Council report alleging "ideological capture" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service-maintained walkways warning visitors of alleged bias in museum exhibits and directing them to alternative historical resources. The order frames the Smithsonian's approach to American history as advancing "social justice" rather than presenting history as "shared national inheritance."
• Trump signed executive order directing federal agencies to install signage at Smithsonian museum warning of "ideological capture" — President Trump signed Executive Order 14416 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of American History. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service-maintained walkways informing visitors of findings from a Domestic Policy Council report titled "Saving America's Story," which claims the museum presents American history as a tool for "social justice" rather than as "shared national inheritance." The order also directs installation of corrective exhibits or signage on NPS land.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting executive order on Smithsonian Institution governance — The White House published a fact sheet on July 24, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution. The order directs installation of temporary signage and exhibits correcting what the administration characterizes as "inaccurate information" in the National Museum of American History. The fact sheet claims the Smithsonian has been captured by "extreme political activism, rooted in Marxism" and asserts the order aims to restore "truth" to the nation's historical narrative.
• White House issues "What They Are Saying" compilation on Ratepayer Protection Pledge expansion — The White House published a compilation of statements from utility executives, state governors, federal officials, and industry groups endorsing an expansion of the administration's Ratepayer Protection Pledge announced at EPA Headquarters on July 24, 2026. The pledge commits signatories to ensure that data center and AI infrastructure costs do not increase electricity rates for existing residential and business customers. The document presents no new policy instrument but aggregates third-party endorsements of the pledge previously announced.

Supporting reports

• Major media outlets omitted Kushner's financial conflicts from nuclear deal coverage — Nearly all major media coverage of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement ignored Jared Kushner's financial conflicts of interest, including articles by the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, AP, and CNN. As of July 23, 2026, Popular Information identified only one article from a prominent outlet (Mediaite) mentioning Kushner's funding from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. The New York Times explained how the deal broke precedent but did not examine Trump's unprecedented relationship with Saudi Arabia through Kushner. This pattern follows April 2026 reporting showing that in 202 articles about Kushner's role in Iran negotiations, only six mentioned his financial connections to Saudi Arabia.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon removes four recently killed service members from official casualty list — The Pentagon's official Defense Casualty Analysis System website reduced its count of US military personnel killed in Operation Epic Fury (the Iran war) from 18 to 14 on Thursday, removing four soldiers killed over the weekend despite their names appearing in a Pentagon press release on Wednesday announcing the transfer of their remains. Military officials told the New York Times the Trump administration removed them because their deaths occurred after Trump declared a ceasefire in April; a Pentagon spokesperson attributed the change to "temporary data disruptions."
• Pentagon altered casualty figures to exclude deaths after declared ceasefire — The Pentagon reported 18 American service members killed in the Iran war on Wednesday, then reduced the figure to 14 on Thursday. Military officials stated the Trump administration removed four service members killed the previous weekend—three in Jordan and one in northern Iraq—from official casualty counts because their deaths occurred after Trump declared a ceasefire in April. The alteration raised questions about the accuracy of casualty reporting and the administration's characterization of the conflict's status.
• Pentagon removes four service members from Iran conflict death toll — The Pentagon removed the names of four Americans killed in Jordan and Iraq from its official count of personnel killed in the Iran conflict, reducing the total from 18 to 14. Three military officials told reporters the revision occurred because the four deaths happened after Trump announced a ceasefire in April 2026. Pentagon acting press secretary Joel Valdez attributed the removal to "temporary data disruptions." The revision supports the administration's argument that congressional approval is not required for continued operations against Iran because the April ceasefire declaration ended the initial operation.
• Pentagon revises U.S. death toll downward — The Pentagon quietly reduced the reported U.S. death toll from military operations from 18 to 14. The bulletin does not explain the reason for the revision or provide context on when the original figure was released.

Supporting reports

• Republicans promoted SAVE Act using Olive Garden pasta pass analogy. — Multiple Republican officials and media figures promoted the SAVE Act (voter ID requirement) by comparing voting security to Olive Garden's photo ID requirement for its "never-ending pasta pass." House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Stephen Miller, Rep. David Kustoff, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, Fox host Will Cain, and Sen. Dave McCormick all used variations of this talking point to argue that voting should require photo ID.

Supporting reports

• Trump blamed immigrants for fire at Federal Building in New York set by U.S. Army veteran. — Trump attributed a fire set at a Federal Building in New York to immigration policy, stating "this is what's happening with the people that they're allowed to come into our country. They shouldn't have allowed them to come in." The actual arsonist was identified as a U.S. Army veteran born in New York, contradicting Trump's immigrant-focused narrative.

Supporting reports

• Trump mischaracterized Venezuela's humanitarian crisis as a natural disaster. — Trump described Venezuela as "a very happy place" and attributed recent suffering to an earthquake, stating "They had a tragic event that took place a couple of days ago, a couple of weeks ago. They had a movement, a shifting of earth that was unbelievable." State Department guidance warns against travel to Venezuela due to violence and crime, contradicting Trump's characterization.

Supporting reports

• 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.

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration Sought Phone Records of NYT Reporters and Relatives — The Trump administration issued subpoenas seeking phone records of New York Times reporters dating back to January 1, as well as records of their relatives, in connection with an investigation into the Times's reporting on security concerns regarding Trump's new Air Force One, donated by Qatar. The Times characterized the move as a "bad-faith effort to intimidate the journalists and chill their ability to report on the administration." The DOJ later withdrew the subpoenas.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon provides minimal information on Iran war strategy after nearly five months of conflict — The Pentagon has provided little information about American military strategy in the Iran conflict after nearly five months of war. The last major Pentagon briefing on the war was in early May. The Trump administration has failed to disclose how the Iran war has drained U.S. supplies of critical, costly weapons and how Iran retained and rebuilt substantial missile capabilities.
• Pentagon Transparency Questions — Questions have arisen regarding the Pentagon's transparency about the true scope of U.S. casualties in the Middle East. This follows reports of increased military activity and direct hits in the region, including in Kuwait and Bahrain. The lack of clear information from the Pentagon has led to concerns about the accountability and oversight of military operations abroad.

Supporting reports

• Third immigrant death at Delaney Hall; DHS changes reporting policy — Federal officials announced that a third immigrant detained at New Jersey's Delaney Hall has died. Jose Chajon-Raxon experienced a medical emergency on July 19 and died in the hospital. DHS implemented a new policy to stop reporting the deaths of detainees released from federal custody, classifying Chajon-Raxon as "released from ICE custody" on July 22, despite his death occurring after that date. The policy change obscures the circumstances and frequency of detainee deaths.

Supporting reports

• CENTCOM statement omits disclosure of service members injured in prior Iranian attacks — In a statement on Saturday, July 19, CENTCOM said that four American service members wounded in Friday's attack were taken to Jordanian hospitals and had been discharged. The statement noted that more American troops received minor injuries and returned to duty but did not specify how many. Critically, the statement did not mention service members injured in the three previous attacks in Jordan the prior week.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon failed to disclose three prior Iranian strikes on U.S. forces in Jordan — In the week leading up to the Iranian attack on Friday, July 18, that killed two U.S. soldiers and left one service member missing in Jordan, Iran carried out three other strikes against U.S. forces in the country. Those attacks injured dozens of U.S. service members and damaged several helicopters. However, the Pentagon did not disclose the earlier strikes, nor the casualties and damage they inflicted, citing operational security concerns.