Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump posted demands to condition legislation on passage of voting restrictions bill — Trump posted on social media that he will not sign other bills until the "SAVE AMERICA ACT" is passed, demanding voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship, elimination of mail-in ballots except for military/illness/disability, prohibition of transgender athletes in women's sports, and bans on gender-affirming care for minors. He stated the bill "supersedes everything else" and "MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE."
• Trump threatens legislative veto unless Congress passes strict voter ID act — On Sunday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he will not sign any bills until Congress passes the Save America Act, a voting restriction measure. On Monday, he reiterated this demand at a Republican event in Miami, calling for proof of citizenship, elimination of mail-in ballots except in narrow cases, and unrelated provisions banning transgender participation in women's sports. The bill has passed the House but faces steep odds in the Senate due to the filibuster rule. Trump's threat represents an attempt to leverage executive power to force legislative action on a measure voting rights advocates say would disenfranchise millions of Americans.
• Trump announced refusal to sign legislation until Congress passes SAVE America Act — On Sunday, President Trump announced he would not sign any other legislation until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, which passed the House on February 11, 2026, by a vote of 218 to 213. The bill requires documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. A Center for American Progress analysis estimated that approximately 69 million American women and 4 million men lack birth certificates matching their current legal names due to marriage or name changes, and would be blocked from voting under the bill. The measure would also apply to routine voter registration updates and threatens election officials with civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
• Trump threatened to withhold bill signatures unless Senate passes SAVE Act — Trump posted on social media threatening that unless the Senate weakens the filibuster to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act over Democratic objections, he will not sign other bills. His message demanded voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements, elimination of mail-in ballots except for military and disability cases, and other restrictions. The message also included demands unrelated to voting, including bans on transgender medical care for minors and transgender athletes in women's sports.
• Trump threatens Congress over voting legislation — Donald Trump threatened Republican senators on social media, stating he would not sign any bills unless they passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which includes strict voter ID requirements and limits on mail-in ballots. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer criticized the act as a modern form of Jim Crow that would disenfranchise millions.
• House passes Save America act with restrictive voting provisions — The House approved the Save America act, legislation requiring documented proof of U.S. citizenship to register and vote, voter ID requirements, prohibitions on mail voting, bans on gender-affirming care for minors, and restrictions on transgender women in sports. The bill would allow private parties to sue election officials and impose criminal penalties for registration without citizenship documentation. Voting rights advocates warned the measure would prevent millions of Americans from voting, particularly affecting married women whose documents may not match current names.
• Trump demands Senate majority leader alter filibuster rules to force vote on Save America act — Donald Trump publicly pressured Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune to change Senate filibuster rules to force a vote on the Save America act, a bill that would impose strict voter ID and citizenship documentation requirements, ban mail voting, and restrict transgender medical care and sports participation. Trump declared he would not sign any other legislation until the bill reached his desk. Thune refused, citing lack of votes, but some Republicans including John Cornyn reversed prior positions to support rule changes to advance the bill.
• Trump escalated pressure on Congress to pass SAVE America Act — Trump escalated pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Court records indicate that approximately 69 million American women do not have a birth certificate matching their current legal name, often due to marriage, making compliance with such a requirement difficult for a large eligible voter population.
• Save America act introduced with expansive voting restrictions and election worker liability provisions — The Save America act, a rebranded expansion of last year's failed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility act, includes four major provisions: mandatory documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and any registration changes; strict photo ID requirements for all voting methods including mail ballots; criminal penalties and private right of action against election officials who register voters without citizenship proof; and mandatory transfer of state voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security for comparison against federal benefit eligibility databases. The bill would take immediate effect upon signature, requiring states to overhaul voter registration systems mid-election cycle.
• Trump vows to block all legislation until Senate votes on Save America voting restrictions bill — Donald Trump announced he will not sign any other legislation until Republicans pass the Save America act, a sweeping voting restrictions bill that would impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements, strict voter ID mandates for mail and in-person voting, criminal liability for election officials, and mandatory transfer of state voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate is scheduled to vote next week but lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster, making passage unlikely. The bill would take effect immediately upon presidential signature and would affect all American voters.

Supporting reports

• Republican lawmakers push DOJ to prosecute Jan. 6 witness Cassidy Hutchinson — On March 6, 2026, CNN reported that Republican lawmakers are pressuring the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump aide who provided damaging testimony about Trump's role in the January 6 insurrection. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) filed a criminal referral accusing Hutchinson of perjury in her 2022 congressional testimony about Trump's conduct on January 6.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed executive order restricting mail-in ballot procedures — In March 2026, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to tighten citizenship verification for federal elections and change mail-in ballot procedures through the U.S. Postal Service. The order targets mail-in voting, which Trump has falsely claimed enables widespread fraud.
• Trump administration issues executive order targeting mail-in ballot counting — President Trump issued an executive order in March directing the attorney general to "take all necessary action" against states that count mail-in ballots received after election day. The order targets absentee and mail-in ballots in federal elections for presidential electors and congressional seats. The Brennan Center, ACLU, League of Women Voters, and other organizations immediately filed suit to block the order from taking effect, challenging its constitutionality and scope.
• Trump administration executive order restricting mail ballot delivery via USPS — In March 2026, President Trump issued an executive order directing the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to voters on federal pre-approved lists. A federal judge in Massachusetts blocked the directive in June 2026, but the Trump administration and a dozen Republican-led states asked the Supreme Court to lift the block, claiming the lower court acted prematurely because USPS had not finalized the implementing rule. The block currently applies only to 23 blue states and Washington, D.C.

Supporting reports

• Trump explicitly called for Iranian regime change during military campaign — Trump explicitly urged Iranians to "take over" their government in a video announcement, stating: "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations." Netanyahu described the stated objectives as overthrow of the Iranian regime, elimination of the nuclear program, and elimination of the missile threat. The Atlantic Council, in expert analysis, noted this was not a preventive strike against an imminent threat but rather an exploitation of perceived regime weakness to generate political change inside Iran. They described it as an "enormous gamble with questionable legal justification."
• U.S. launches Operation Epic Fury against Iran without congressional authorization — On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military offensive called Operation Epic Fury targeting Iranian military infrastructure, leadership compounds, and air defense systems. CENTCOM reported strikes began at 1:15 a.m. ET from regional bases and the USS Abraham Lincoln, with over 1,000 strikes on Iranian targets within two days. The operation killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and 40 senior Iranian commanders. President Trump stated combat operations would continue "in full force" until objectives are achieved, without defining those objectives to Congress or the public. No congressional authorization was sought or obtained.
• Trump announced "major combat operations in Iran" via social media video from Mar-a-Lago — President Trump posted an 8-minute video on social media from Mar-a-Lago announcing "major combat operations in Iran." He warned that American lives and casualties may be lost, framed the mission as noble and forward-looking, and cited decades of U.S.-Iran tensions. Trump referenced the June 2025 strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and claimed the U.S. had "completely obliterated" Iran's nuclear program. He did not mention the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal that he withdrew from in 2018, after which Iran resumed ignoring nuclear limits within a year.
• Trump initiated military strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, closing the Strait of Hormuz and triggering oil price surge — On February 28, 2026, President Trump unilaterally began military operations against Iran without consulting Congress, presenting evidence of an immediate threat, or heeding military and intelligence experts' warnings. The strikes closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global oil passes. As of April 30, 2026, the blockade remains in place, oil prices have surged to $114 per barrel (highest since June 2022), and 13 service members have been killed with over 400 wounded. Gas prices are rising globally, costing American consumers approximately $700 million daily.
• Trump launched military strikes on Iran without congressional consultation or declaration of war — President Trump initiated military strikes against Iran in February 2026, reportedly at the urging of Saudi Arabia's Mohammad bin Salman and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, despite U.S. intelligence assessments that Iran posed no imminent threat for at least a decade. Trump avoided using the word "war" in public statements, instead calling it a "military operation," and administration officials refused to appear at congressional hearings, briefing Congress only behind closed doors. The strikes proceeded without formal congressional authorization or consultation with lawmakers.
• Trump launched war without congressional authorization — Trump launched a military war against Iran without seeking or obtaining congressional authorization. The Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. The article notes that the Framers, having fought for independence against a king they considered a tyrant, deliberately withheld the power to raise an army from a single executive. Trump assumed the powers of a dictator by unilaterally initiating major combat operations.
• Trump launches Iran War without congressional authorization and exceeds 60-day limit — The administration did not consult Congress about launching the war, as the Constitution requires, and has blown through the 60-day time limit for the use of U.S. military to counter an "imminent threat" without obtaining congressional approval. The War Powers Resolution requires congressional authorization or notification within 60 days; the Iran War began February 28, 2026, and continues without formal declaration or approval.
• Trump posted that Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in strikes — Trump posted on social media that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, was killed in the strikes. Iran later confirmed Khamenei's death. Trump celebrated the death and posted that this represented "the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country." He claimed without evidence that many of Iran's soldiers and police "no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us," and expressed hope they would "peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots" to restore the country to "Greatness it deserves."
• Trump posted that bombing would continue throughout the week to achieve "PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST" — Trump posted that the coordinated bombing campaign had "very much destroyed and, even, obliterated" much of Iran and that "heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" The statement framed ongoing military destruction as a path to peace, without specifying concrete objectives or end conditions for the military campaign.
• Trump told Washington Post reporters his real goal is regime change in Iran — Hours after posting his video announcement, Trump told Washington Post reporters Natalie Allison and Tara Copp in a phone call shortly after 4 A.M. Eastern Time that his real goal is regime change for Iran. He stated "All I want is freedom for the people." In his video, Trump had told Iran's armed forces and police to lay down weapons and accept immunity or face death, and told the Iranian people that "the hour of your freedom is at hand" and to take over their government after the bombing concludes, calling it "probably your only chance for generations."
• Trump administration provides 17 conflicting justifications for Iran war without clear casus belli — Nine days after announcing major combat operations in Iran on February 28, President Trump and senior officials (Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, Press Secretary Leavitt) have publicly offered at least 17 contradictory rationales for the war, ranging from Iran's nuclear program and missile threats to personal retaliation for assassination plots and election interference. The war has killed over 1,500 people and costs approximately $1 billion daily. Officials simultaneously claim the war's objectives are "very clear" and "laser-focused," despite the absence of a consistent, publicly stated justification.
• US and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran, killing senior Iranian military and security officials — The US and Israel conducted a coordinated military operation against Iran, with strikes beginning around 9:40 AM Tehran time on Saturday. The operation targeted a leadership compound in Tehran where senior Iranian officials were gathered, including Ayatollah Khamenei (Iran's supreme leader), IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and other top military and security leaders. US Central Command reported 3 American service members killed in action and 5 seriously wounded. Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social and stated combat operations would continue until objectives were achieved. Israel executed the operation using US intelligence and its own capabilities with long-range, highly accurate munitions.
• U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes across Iran — On February 28, 2026, U.S. and Israeli warplanes conducted a broad, coordinated military campaign against Iran, striking targets in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Bushehr, and other cities. CENTCOM confirmed strikes on IRGC command-and-control facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields using air-, land-, and sea-based capabilities, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and low-cost one-way attack drones. Israel's military reported approximately 200 fighter jets hit roughly 500 targets across western and central Iran, described as the Israeli Air Force's largest-ever strike sortie. Iranian state media confirmed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, age 86, was killed in the strikes. CBS News reported as many as 40 Iranian officials were killed, though verification was unclear. The operation was launched without Congressional authorization.
• Operation Epic Fury military offensive against Iran commenced — On February 28, 2026, the United States launched Operation Epic Fury, a coordinated military offensive against Iran alongside Israel. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, notified deployed troops they were "embarking on a mission of profound consequence," moving "from deterrence into active combat." The operation involves approximately 50,000 military personnel, 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carriers, and bombers. Central Command reported six American service members killed and eighteen wounded. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to rule out sending ground troops to Iran.
• Trump launched U.S. attacks on Iran — Trump launched U.S. military attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026. He notified Congress of the action on March 2, 2026, invoking the War Powers Act's provision allowing presidential action in response to an "imminent threat" without prior congressional approval. Trump claimed the Iranian threat was imminent, though his own advisors testified that Iran lacked the capacity to build a nuclear weapon in less than ten years.
• Trump launched U.S. attacks on Iran alongside Israeli attacks — On February 28, 2026, President Trump launched U.S. military attacks on Iran in coordination with Israeli attacks. Trump notified Congress of these actions on March 2, 2026, triggering the 60-day War Powers Act clock. The article notes that Trump's war of aggression violated the Constitution by sidestepping Congress, which holds sole authority to declare war, and that Trump claimed an "imminent threat" despite his own advisors testifying Iran lacked capacity to build a nuclear weapon in less than ten years. The action also violated the United Nations Charter, which prohibits use of force except in defense against actual attack or legitimate imminent threat.
• U.S. and Israel launched coordinated military assault on Iran, named "Operation Epic Fury" — Early on February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel conducted a major coordinated military assault on Iran. Israel targeted senior Iranian government officials while the U.S. attacked military targets. Iran state media reported at least 200 people killed, including 118 students from a girls' school, and over 700 wounded. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel (1 killed, 121 injured) and on U.S. bases across the Middle East and Gulf region. U.S. Central Command reported no American casualties and minimal facility damage.
• Trump ordered additional airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — In late February 2026, President Trump ordered new military strikes against Iran targeting nuclear facilities. The author notes these strikes were more significant than prior June 2025 attacks, particularly because they resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader and other top officials. The strikes were ostensibly justified as necessary to destroy Iranian nuclear capabilities, contradicting the White House's earlier claim that such facilities had already been destroyed.
• Trump administration justifies Iran war with false claims about nuclear weapons timeline — Between February 22 and March 17, 2026, President Trump and his proxies made repeated public statements claiming Iran was weeks away from acquiring nuclear weapons, with Trump stating Iran was "two weeks away" from a nuclear weapon on multiple occasions and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff claiming Iran was "a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material." These claims formed the public justification for launching major combat operations against Iran on March 1, 2026. However, according to the testimony of Trump's own Director of National Intelligence and prior intelligence community assessments from March 2025, Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and posed no imminent nuclear threat.
• Trump launched military operations against Iran following private lobbying by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — President Trump announced "major combat operations in Iran" on Saturday, March 1, 2026, despite U.S. intelligence assessments that Iran posed no imminent threat. The military action followed private calls in which Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to attack Iran over concerns about Iran's military capabilities. Trump had previously declared in June 2025 that limited strikes had "completely obliterated Iran's nuclear capability." By Sunday, the conflict had resulted in three U.S. service member deaths and hundreds of Iranian casualties, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Trump announced war via edited video from Mar-a-Lago rather than formal Oval Office address — President Trump announced the initiation of "major combat operations in Iran" through a short, edited video rather than a traditional live address from the Oval Office. The video was recorded at his Florida home and private club, Mar-a-Lago, with Trump wearing a baseball cap, and was posted on his social network Truth Social. On the same evening, Trump attended a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago for MAGA Inc., the primary pro-Trump Super PAC.
• Trump announces military operation against Iran via social media video — President Trump released an eight-minute video on Truth Social at 2:30 a.m. Saturday announcing a major military operation ("Operation Epic Fury") against Iran. He declared Iran a threat to US national security, referenced its nuclear program and alleged support for terrorism, and called for regime change, explicitly urging the Iranian people to overthrow their government once US bombing concludes. Trump acknowledged potential American casualties and stated the operation would be "massive and ongoing," signaling a long-term military commitment without prior congressional authorization or public explanation.
• United States launched military strikes on Iran without congressional authorization — The United States conducted Operation Epic Fury, striking Iranian targets including military installations and civilian areas, killing approximately 40 senior Iranian commanders including Iran's Chief of Staff. The operation resulted in the first American combat deaths from a war Congress never voted to authorize. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel and seven other countries hosting U.S. forces, opening a multi-front regional conflict. The Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, affecting global shipping and oil prices.
• U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — The U.S. and Israel conducted military strikes against Iran in late February 2026, with Israeli forces killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian leaders. The author characterizes this as a significant escalation from prior June 2025 strikes, noting that the removal of Iran's head of state represents a crossing of a geopolitical threshold with potential long-term consequences. The strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, which the author notes contradicts a White House statement from June 2025 claiming Iran's nuclear facilities had been "obliterated."
• Trump and Israel launched illegal war against Iran with massive airstrikes — On February 28, 2026, Trump, in coordination with Israel, launched military operations against Iran, conducting massive airstrikes across the country that killed hundreds of people and resulted in the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump posted a video to Truth Social claiming Iran posed an imminent threat, despite previously stating the U.S. had destroyed Iran's nuclear program. He also called on the Iranian people to "take over your government" after the war concludes, framing it as a generational opportunity.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted demands to imprison political opponents over 2020 election — Trump posted demands that political opponents be imprisoned over the 2020 election, shared fabricated electoral maps to claim a victory that did not occur, amplified calls to prosecute investigators like Jack Smith, and circulated communications suggesting federal regulators should pressure private companies like Apple to alter its News app in ways favorable to him.

Supporting reports

• Draft executive order seeks to control voting — Right-wing activists are circulating a draft executive order that would declare a national emergency, allowing President Trump to take control over voting processes. The order claims that China interfered in the 2020 election and seeks to ban mail-in ballots and voting machines. Legal experts have called the plan unconstitutional, as it violates the states' control over elections.
• Right-wing activists circulating draft executive order to control voting — Right-wing activists are circulating a draft executive order that declares a national emergency to give Trump control over voting. The activists state they are working with the White House. The order reiterates a debunked claim that China interfered in the 2020 presidential election and asserts that the president can ban mail-in ballots and voting machines. Matt Cohen of Democracy Docket called the plan "blatantly illegal" and unconstitutional. The U.S. Constitution grants sole control of elections to the states, not the president. Mark R. Warner, top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, refuted the claim of a national emergency and stated: "We've been raising the alarm for weeks about President Trump's attacks on our elections and now we're seeing reports that outline how they may be planning to do it. This is a plot to interfere with the will of voters and undermine both the rule of law and public confidence in our elections."

Supporting reports

• Trump made false election claims and attacked institutions at Angel Families event — At a White House event honoring Angel Families, Trump diverted remarks into grievances about polling, false claims about election results, and attacks on institutions that constrain his power. Trump claimed he received 85 million votes (contradicting official results of 78–79 million), dismissed unfavorable polling as "fake polls," and stated "I suffer for the country." The event was intended to honor families affected by crime but became a platform for Trump's personal grievances.
• Trump made unsubstantiated claims of election fraud at crime victims event — At an event honoring families of crime victims, President Trump made unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was rigged by "millions and millions of votes," that Democrats engaged in ballot fraud, and that he actually received 85 million votes rather than the reported 78-79 million. He stated "They cheated like hell" and "It was a rigged election." The event was intended to honor crime victims' families but Trump used it to air personal grievances.
• Trump claimed Democrats rigged 2024 election and inflated his vote total — In remarks to "Angel Families" on February 24, 2026, Trump complained about "fake polls" showing his popularity falling and claimed "silent support" exists. He returned to complaints about the 2020 election, which he continues to insist Democrats rigged. Regarding the 2024 election, in which he received approximately 77.3 million votes, Trump claimed: "I won, I got probably 85 million votes...they cheated in this election too." He falsely claimed Republicans do not receive mail-in ballots while Democrats receive multiple ballots, calling Democrats "professional cheaters."

Supporting reports

• House Republicans passed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act restricting voting — Republicans in the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which dramatically restricts voting under the guise of election security. Trump promoted the legislation in Georgia, claiming it would ensure Republicans "never lose a race" for 50 years. The law addresses a nonexistent problem of voter fraud while substantially narrowing voting access and eligibility.

Supporting reports

• Iowa Republican lawmakers moved to limit gubernatorial power — Marissa Payne of the Des Moines Register reported that in Iowa, Republican state lawmakers are working to rein in the power of the state governor before the 2026 elections. This action is a sure sign that they are worried that a Democrat is going to win the election.

Supporting reports

• Trump repeats false Epstein exoneration claim — President Trump stated on Air Force One that he has "nothing to hide," has been "exonerated," and has "nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein," claiming he has been "totally exonerated on Epstein." Representative James Walkinshaw (D-VA) responded that Trump "hasn't been exonerated" and that "Trump's relationship with Epstein was much longer and much deeper than he has revealed," citing information from released Epstein files.
• Trump claimed exoneration regarding Epstein and made false statements about 2020 election — On Air Force One, Trump responded to questions about Prince Andrew's arrest by claiming he is "totally exonerated" regarding Epstein, stating "I did nothing." Trump falsely claimed that Epstein "was against me" and "was fighting me in the election" based on "the last three million pages of documents." In fact, Trump has not been exonerated. Later in Georgia, Trump promoted the false claim that he won the 2020 election and urged Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which he claimed would prevent future losses. Trump stated: "We'll never lose a race. For 50 years, we won't lose a race."
• Trump expressed sympathy for Prince Andrew and claimed exoneration regarding Epstein — Trump responded to Prince Andrew's arrest by expressing sympathy for his "old friend," stating he felt it was "a shame" and "a very sad thing." Trump claimed he was "the expert in this because I've been exonerated" and stated "I did nothing" regarding Epstein, while noting that "nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive."
• Trump makes false claims about voter ID support and mail-in ballot prevalence — President Trump claimed that 98 percent of the population supports voter ID requirements and wants to end mail-in ballots, which he characterized as corrupt. Trump stated that the United States is "the only country in the world that has this system of mail in ballots" and asserted that if voter ID and proof of citizenship were required, "Democrats could never win an election." Trump made these claims while promoting the SAVE Act, which extends beyond voter ID requirements to include additional provisions.

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• Federal agents arrested protesters and journalists; White House mocked arrested protester with digitally altered photo — During the Minnesota ICE surge, federal agents arrested protesters and journalists documenting the operations. Following at least one arrest, the White House created and circulated a digitally altered photograph mocking the arrested protester. The action represents use of government resources to ridicule and intimidate dissent.

Supporting reports

• Trump signals potential executive order on voting and voter ID requirements — On February 13, 2026, Trump posted on social media that he would present "irrefutable" legal arguments for an executive order on voting, stating "There will be voter I.D. for the midterm elections whether approved by Congress or not." This statement indicates Trump's willingness to impose voting changes unilaterally, bypassing congressional authority. However, in late February, Trump appeared to cool on the specific draft order Ticktin has been promoting, instead focusing on pressuring the Senate to pass the Save America Act, which mandates proof of citizenship and restricts mail-in voting and machine use.
• Trump threatened executive order to take over elections from states — Trump issued a post threatening to take over elections from the states by executive order if the SAVE Act is not passed by Congress. He stated: "We cannot let the Democrats get away with no voter ID any longer" and "If we can't get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted. I will be presenting them shortly., in the form of an Executive Order."

Supporting reports

• Deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations — Two people, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal immigration agents during "Operation Metro Surge" enforcement actions in Minneapolis. The killings occurred while the individuals were protesting immigration enforcement. These deaths exemplify the violent conduct of federal agents during the surge and have intensified fear within immigrant communities and among those opposing the enforcement operation.
• Secretary Noem contradicted by ICE and CBP on domestic terrorism designation — During Senate hearings, Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott and ICE Director Lyons both denied that they had provided Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem with an assessment that Alex Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism. However, Noem had repeatedly stated publicly that she only referred to Pretti as a domestic terrorist because that is what ICE and CBP told her. The contradiction suggests Noem may have misrepresented the basis for her characterization.
• Sen. Gary Peters questioned whether Noem was told Pretti was domestic terrorist — Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott and ICE Director Lyons whether they had provided Secretary Noem with an assessment that Alex Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism. Both officials answered no. Peters then asked how Noem could possibly have come to that conclusion to tell the American public, and Scott responded that he could not speculate on what someone else would say or why.
• Senate hearing on Minneapolis federal occupation and ICE deployment — Two heated Senate hearings took place: one with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and another with ICE and Border Patrol officials. Ellison testified that Minneapolis felt occupied by the federal government, comparing the experience to the Boston Massacre. He reported being stonewalled by federal authorities in two cases (Alex Pretti and Renee Good) and stated the feds were not investigating the Renee Good matter and had not provided access to evidence.
• VA Secretary Collins refuses to correct false claims about VA nurse Alex Pretti's killing — During a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, VA Secretary Doug Collins declined to correct Trump administration officials' characterization of Alex Pretti—a VA nurse shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24—as a "terrorist." Democratic lawmakers pressed Collins on the killing and his agency's restructuring plans. Collins expressed sympathy but refused further comment, citing an ongoing investigation. The hearing also revealed the VA has lost over 30,000 employees and closed 1,000 hospital beds while posting a $1 trillion contract encouraging private insurers to bid on veteran care.

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• Judge dismisses charges against LA protester, finds DOJ acted in bad faith — US District Judge Cynthia Valenzuela dismissed charges against Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old TikTok creator arrested at an August 2 immigration-policy protest in Los Angeles. Redondo-Rosales had spent six months in jail awaiting trial on allegations of assaulting a Federal Protective Service officer with a cloth hat. The judge found the government acted in "bad faith," noting discrepancies in officer statements, withheld personnel records, and a pretextual dismissal motion designed to avoid disclosure and allow prosecutors to refile. The judge ordered dismissal with prejudice, barring refiling, and emphasized that prosecutorial harassment chills First Amendment protest rights.

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• Trump DOJ moves to dismiss Steve Bannon contempt of Congress case — The Department of Justice, under Trump, filed a motion on February 9, 2026, to dismiss the criminal case against Steve Bannon, Trump's former adviser who was convicted in 2022 of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the House January 6 committee and declining to produce requested documents. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a Trump appointee, requested dismissal "with prejudice," which would bar prosecutors from refiling. Bannon had served four months in federal prison in 2024 before his release.

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• Trump administration attempts to deploy National Guard to Portland ICE facility; federal judge blocks deployment — Trump attempted to deploy the National Guard to quell demonstrations outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. A federal judge ultimately blocked the deployment. However, protests have persisted as federal agents continue regular immigration check-ins at the facility. Tensions escalated in recent weeks after border patrol agents shot two people outside a medical facility in January, ICE agents arrested a seven-year-old and her parents seeking emergency medical care, and federal agents deployed tear gas against thousands of people at a daytime march, including many children.

Supporting reports

• SAVE Act Threatens Voter Disenfranchisement — The SAVE Act, currently under consideration, would require all voters to prove their citizenship, potentially disenfranchising women who have changed their names due to marriage, transgender individuals, and others. While the act may face challenges in the Senate, its passage could lead to significant barriers to voting for many citizens. Advocacy groups are urging the public to contact elected officials to oppose this legislation.
• Congressional Republicans advance restrictive voter eligibility bill — Congressional Republicans have fast-tracked the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a restrictive anti-voting bill based on Trump's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud by noncitizens. The bill would instantly disenfranchise millions of eligible voters by imposing citizenship verification requirements that exceed constitutional and statutory protections.
• Republicans advancing Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — Republicans are advancing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and to vote. Only five states—Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington—have "enhanced" driver's licenses meeting the requirement; in all other states, voters would need either a passport or a birth certificate. Approximately half of Americans lack a passport, others lack birth certificates, and the names of married women who took their husband's last name and transgender Americans would not match their birth certificates. The Brennan Center for Justice found that if the measure passes, approximately 21 million Americans could lose their votes. The bill also calls for state officials to purge voter rolls.
• Republicans propose voter suppression legislation — The Republican Party is advancing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register and vote. This legislation could disenfranchise approximately 21 million Americans who lack the necessary documentation.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting the SAVE America Act and voter ID requirements — The White House issued a fact sheet asserting that voter ID requirements are "overwhelmingly popular" across all demographics and calling on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which the document states requires photo ID and implements "critical measures to protect federal elections from fraud and abuse." The fact sheet cites polling data from Pew Research Center (83% support), Gallup (84% support), and quotes from CNN and NBC anchors, and characterizes Democratic opposition as "placing partisan politics above the clear will of the American people."
• SAVE America Act passed House with narrow margin — The SAVE America Act passed the House of Representatives on February 11, 2026, by a vote of 218 to 213. The bill requires documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and would affect not only first-time registration but also routine voter registration updates. Evidence from Kansas, which implemented a similar proof-of-citizenship law, showed that the documentary requirement prevented approximately 31,000 eligible citizens (12 percent of all applicants) from registering to vote, blocking far more citizens than noncitizens. Noncitizen voting in federal elections is already illegal and documented to be exceedingly rare.
• House Passes Restrictive Election Bill — The Republican-controlled House passed the SAVE America Act, which imposes strict voter ID requirements and mandates frequent voter roll purges. Critics argue it disenfranchises millions, particularly women and minorities, by requiring proof of citizenship that many lack. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces opposition.
• House Passes SAVE Act Requiring Citizenship Proof for Voting — The Republican-controlled House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation requiring proof of citizenship—such as passports or birth certificates—for voters to cast ballots. The Center for American Progress notes that approximately half of Americans lack a valid passport, and 69 million women cannot use birth certificates to prove citizenship due to name changes upon marriage. The bill also eliminates mail-only registration, mandates photo ID in all states, and requires states to conduct voter roll purges every 30 days. The measure now moves to the Senate.
• House passes SAVE America Act — The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act passed the House on Wednesday. The measure would require voters to show either a passport or birth certificate with matching names to register and would require states to purge their voting rolls every month. The bill must overcome a filibuster to pass the Senate.
• House passes SAVE America Act restricting voting for Americans abroad — The House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, which imposes in-person citizenship verification, proof of state residency, and repeated photo ID and citizenship document submission requirements at registration, ballot request, and voting stages. The bill would effectively prevent millions of eligible Americans living abroad—including military service members, diplomats, and expatriates—from voting. The measure centralizes voter eligibility authority in the federal executive, departing from two centuries of state election administration.
• House passes Save America Act, restricting voting access nationwide — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Save America Act on February 12, 2026, by a vote of 218–213, with one Democratic defection. The bill requires proof of citizenship at voter registration, imposes a strict nationwide photo ID requirement (excluding student IDs), and significantly curtails mail-in voting. Implementation would be immediate, forcing states to rapidly realign voting systems. The bill faces a difficult path in the Senate and is expected to face federal court challenges.
• House passed SAVE America Act requiring use of flawed voter-verification system — The House passed the GOP's SAVE America Act this week, which would require states to use a federal voter-verification tool that ProPublica documented as consistently misidentifying U.S. citizens as noncitizens. The tool has a documented error rate that results in approximately 775 legal voters being disenfranchised for every 1 ineligible voter prevented from registering.

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• FBI seizes 2020 ballots and election materials in Fulton County, Georgia — The FBI seized 2020 ballots and election materials in Fulton County, Georgia, described as "the top target of Trump's multi-year, conspiracy theory-fueled campaign against the 2020 presidential election." The operation involved Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. intelligence director, who is leading the Trump administration's effort to re-examine the 2020 election based on claims it was stolen due to alleged foreign government interference.
• FBI raided Fulton County election office and seized 2020 ballots — The FBI raided an election office in Fulton County, Georgia, and seized ballots from the 2020 election. The raid occurred less than one week before Trump's public statements encouraging federal takeover of state elections.
• Court documents reveal FBI Fulton County raid based on debunked 2020 fraud claims — Unsealed court documents show that the FBI raid on a Fulton County, Georgia warehouse that seized 700 boxes of ballots and election-related materials was based on debunked claims of 2020 election fraud from election deniers. The search warrant affidavit was submitted by Kurt Olsen, a lawyer who worked with Trump to overturn the 2020 election and whom Trump recently appointed director of election security and integrity. Olsen recycled numerous debunked fraud theories in the affidavit. Legal analysis indicates the statute of limitations has likely expired on any potential election crimes, and both the Republican-led Georgia General Assembly and State Election Board found no intentional fraud or misconduct in Fulton County's 2020 ballot counting.

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• Trump Proposes "Federalizing" Elections in 15 States — Former President Trump has proposed "federalizing" elections in 15 states, a move that is considered unconstitutional and illegal. This proposal has sparked concerns about federal overreach and the potential undermining of state-controlled election processes. Advocacy groups are mobilizing to resist this effort and protect state election autonomy.
• FBI sent email to state election administrators inviting them to federal coordination meeting, triggering concerns about federal election interference — The FBI's Election Executive Kellie Hardiman sent a routine-appearing email to state election administrators inviting them to a call to discuss election cycle preparations. Multiple secretaries of state, both Democratic and Republican, interpreted the outreach as threatening given recent federal actions: the FBI's seizure of 2020 election materials in Georgia and Trump's stated desire to "nationalize" elections, a power reserved to states under the Constitution. Election officials reported destroyed trust in federal election authorities and expressed concern that federal officials may be attempting to rig elections themselves. Several officials indicated they may not attend the scheduled February 25 meeting out of fear their information could be weaponized against them.
• Trump announced desire to "nationalize" elections and created standing White House working group to investigate past elections and reform future processes — Trump has stated his intention to "nationalize" elections, a power constitutionally reserved to states. Inside the White House, he established a standing working group that meets regularly to coordinate federal efforts to investigate past elections and reform future election processes. Trump has also called for greater use of voter identification, a ban on mail voting, and prohibition on certain voting equipment types. He has stated he will accept election results only "if the elections are honest" and mused that "we shouldn't even have an election" given typical midterm losses for the sitting president's party.

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• House Republicans advanced new voter ID requirement — House Republicans introduced a new version of the SAVE Act with stricter voter ID requirements. The new requirement mandates that voters demonstrate U.S. citizenship at the polls using photo ID that proves citizenship. Only two types of ID prove citizenship: a U.S. Passport or an "Enhanced" driver's license, offered by only five states (Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington). Voters with regular driver's licenses would be required to bring birth certificates or other citizenship documents to the polls on Election Day—a brand-new requirement for federal elections in all 50 states.

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• AOC called for preventing ICE deployment at polling sites — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that preventing ICE agents from deploying near polling sites in November must be part of DHS shutdown negotiations. She characterized ICE agents as "killing US citizens."

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• Trump claims he won 2020 election and needed victory for his ego at National Prayer Breakfast — At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump made a rambling speech claiming "they rigged the second election" and stating he had to win it "for my own ego," adding "I needed it for my own ego. I would've had a bad ego for the rest of my life." He also falsely claimed to have won the popular vote in 2016, contradicting the documented fact that Hillary Clinton won by approximately 2.9 million votes. Trump attributed his false claims about undocumented immigrant voting to this popular vote loss.
• Trump repeats election lies at National Prayer Breakfast — On February 5, President Trump repeated his election lies and grievances about losing to former President Joe Biden at the National Prayer Breakfast, a traditionally nonpartisan event. Trump stated "They rigged the second election" and claimed he needed to win "for my own ego," conflating personal grievance with claims of electoral fraud.
• Trump spoke at National Prayer Breakfast and made false election claims — At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump claimed the 2020 election was rigged, framed his obsession with "winning" as a matter of ego, portrayed himself as a victim despite economic hardship facing working families, and questioned how "a person of faith" could vote for a Democrat. He also boasted about his appearance at Davos. The event was intended to be bipartisan and reflective but was converted into a political attack.

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• Trump calls for federal takeover of election polls before 2026 midterms — President Trump called for his administration to take control of polling places before the 2026 midterm elections, following a special election in Texas where Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican-held state Senate seat by a 32-point margin in a district Trump won by 17 points in 2024. The demand reflects Republican alarm at electoral losses and signals an escalation in rhetoric around election administration and voter legitimacy.

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• Steve Bannon stated ICE will surround polls in November — Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon stated on his podcast that "we're going to have ICE surround the polls come November" and added "we're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again." The statement preceded the White House press secretary's refusal to rule out ICE presence at voting sites.
• Steve Bannon calls for ICE presence at polling sites during midterm elections — Steve Bannon, former White House strategist and influential far-right podcast host, publicly stated on his War Room show that immigration agents should "surround the polls" during November's midterm elections. The statement repeats false claims about undocumented voter participation. Election officials nationwide have expressed concern about potential Trump administration interference in voting, particularly ICE presence at polling places, which can intimidate voters and suppress turnout. Courts have already blocked portions of Trump's citizenship-requirement executive order.
• Steve Bannon announces ICE will surround polls in November — Trump ally Steve Bannon stated on his podcast that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will surround polling places in November, framing it as prevention of election theft. Bannon declared "we will never again allow an election to be stolen," echoing rhetoric used to justify the 1898 Wilmington coup and signaling intent to use federal law enforcement to intimidate voters.
• Steve Bannon calls for ICE to surround polling places in November — On his podcast on February 4, 2026, Steve Bannon openly stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should surround polling places in November to prevent what he falsely characterizes as a stolen election. This statement constitutes a direct threat to free and fair elections and voter access. Bannon's statement has received minimal media coverage despite its severity and Trump's continued public association with Bannon.
• White House press secretary declined to rule out ICE presence at polling locations — During a White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she could not guarantee that ICE would not be present at voting sites during the November midterm elections, though she claimed Trump has no "formal plans" to deploy federal immigration agents to polling locations. Leavitt dismissed the question as "very silly," "hypothetical," and "disingenuous." The statement followed comments from former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who said on his podcast that "we're going to have ICE surround the polls come November" and "we're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again."

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• Trump urges Republicans to "take over" voting nationwide — In a radio interview on "The Dan Bongino Show" on February 2, President Trump urged Republicans to "take over" voting across the country and called for the "nationalization" of elections. While advancing the Great Replacement Theory, Trump claimed immigrants were "brought to our country to vote and they vote illegally" and specifically called for Republicans to seize control of voting in "at least many, 15 places."
• Rep. Gimenez warned GOP of Latino voter defection over mass deportations — Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) stated that Latino voters are fleeing the Republican Party because of mass deportation enforcement. Gimenez said the administration had been warned about the enforcement approach and that there should have been a course correction long ago. He criticized the focus on "grandmothers" rather than "criminals and gang members," calling it "a mistake" that is "coming back to haunt us right now."
• Rep. Sessions attributed Republican election losses to weather — Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) told CNN that Republican voters did not show up for recent special elections because of a severe snow and ice storm in north Texas and central Texas, rather than attributing losses to other factors. The bulletin notes that Democratic turnout in the same weather was very strong and that results in Texas track with election patterns across the country over the past year.
• Trump made false claims about Minnesota election integrity on podcast — On February 2, 2026, President Trump appeared on the Dan Bongino Show and claimed he won Minnesota three times, that the state is "rigged" with "Somalians," and that Republicans should "nationalize" voting. Trump has repeatedly claimed the 2020 election was stolen—claims exhaustively debunked by courts and election officials. He suggested federal control over elections, contradicting the Constitution's assignment of election administration to states.
• Trump encouraged Republicans to "nationalize" elections in 15 states he lost — During an interview on former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino's podcast, Trump encouraged Republicans to "nationalize" elections and "take over" voting in at least 15 "places" that he falsely claims to have won but did not. Trump stated that "states are an agent of the federal government in elections" and referred without evidence to "horrible corruption" in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, arguing that "the federal government should get involved" and "take over."