Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Pentagon briefers tell Congress Iran had no plan to attack U.S. unless Israel struck first — Briefers from the Pentagon told congressional staff that Iran had not been planning to attack U.S. forces or bases in the Middle East unless Israel attacked first. This contradicted Trump administration claims made on Saturday that Iran was planning to strike the U.S. preemptively and posed an imminent threat. The Pentagon briefers stated there was no intelligence to support the administration's imminent-threat claim.
• Pentagon admitted no intelligence supported imminent Iranian threat — During closed-door congressional briefings on March 1, 2026, the Pentagon disclosed that it possessed no intelligence indicating Iran was planning to attack U.S. forces first. This admission directly contradicted Trump's public justification for the military campaign. Trump separately told the New York Times the war could last "four to five weeks" and acknowledged there would "likely be more" deaths of U.S. troops before it concludes.

Supporting reports

• Trump confirms authorization of CIA covert action in Venezuela — Trump confirmed on October 15 that he had authorized "covert action" by the CIA in Venezuela as part of the administration's broader military campaign against drug cartels and efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government. The Guardian reported that the CIA has been providing bulk intelligence used in the airstrikes. The authorization occurred without public disclosure of scope, legal basis, or congressional notification at the time of announcement.
• Trump administration authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela including lethal force for regime change — The New York Times reported that the United States authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela, including lethal force, to force regime change. The authorization represented a significant escalation of U.S. intervention in Venezuelan affairs.
• Trump administration escalates covert operations against Venezuelan government — The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, is conducting covert operations against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro authorized by a presidential finding. The administration previously declared Venezuelan drug cartels "nonstate armed groups" whose actions constitute an armed attack on the United States, providing legal cover for military strikes on Venezuelan vessels. Multiple administration officials disclosed the classified directive to the New York Times, suggesting deliberate leaking to justify ongoing operations.
• Trump authorized CIA covert action campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — The New York Times reported that Trump has secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela aimed at driving President Nicolás Maduro from power. Trump acknowledged the authorization and stated the U.S. is considering strikes on Venezuelan territory. The military buildup includes 10,000 U.S. troops in the region, 8 surface warships, and a submarine in the Caribbean.