Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Became Law: Chiricahua National Park Act — Congress enacted H.R. 6380, designating Chiricahua National Park in Arizona. The bill became Public Law 119-133 on October 20, 2026. This legislative action establishes federal protection and management authority over the Chiricahua mountain region, affecting land use, conservation policy, and recreational access in southeastern Arizona.
• Became Law: Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act — Congress passed and the President signed H.R. 1721, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, into Public Law 119-127 on October 20, 2026. The measure addresses domestic manufacturing capacity for critical infrastructure components. The law's specific provisions and policy effects are not detailed in the legislative record provided.
• Became Law: License to Drill Act — The License to Drill Act became Public Law 119-134 on October 20, 2026. Congress enacted legislation governing federal drilling permits and licensing procedures. The law establishes new regulatory frameworks for oil and gas exploration on federal lands and waters, affecting environmental policy and energy development authority.
• Became Law: Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site Conveyance to Gila County — Congress enacted Public Law 119-126, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona. The measure transfers federal land management authority over the administrative facility from the U.S. Forest Service to local county control, affecting resource management and governance of the site.
• Became Law: Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 — Congress enacted Public Law 119-130, authorizing a land transfer to Southcentral Foundation. The bill completed the legislative process and was signed into law on October 20, 2026. This measure transfers specified federal or trust lands to the foundation, likely affecting Alaska Native land rights, resource management, or community development in the Southcentral Alaska region.

Supporting reports

• Arlington County filed lawsuit against Trump's triumphal arch project — Arlington County Board in Virginia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block the construction of the President's proposed triumphal arch in Washington, DC. Lawyers for the county cited concerns about the project's impact on the county and its residents, as well as on tourists. Arlington County is home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. The lawsuit stated that "The Trump-Vance Administration has made it a priority to remake the physical landscape of the Nation's Capital in President Trump's image and based on his whims, destroying treasured public spaces in the process."

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed military requested conversion of Triumphal Arch to military complex for drones and sniper ammunition — Trump announced plans to convert a planned Triumphal Arch near Arlington Memorial Bridge into a military complex to house drones and sniper ammunition, claiming the military made a "strong request" for the conversion. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) criticized the plan as dangerous and suggested Trump was creating a pretext to defend against a lawsuit by falsely linking the arch to national security. Democratic lawmakers indicated they could subpoena Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine to verify whether the military actually requested this use.
• Trump announces plan to convert Arlington Memorial Bridge area into military complex and triumphal arch — Trump announced on social media that he has agreed to convert the area at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge into a military complex and triumphal arch, citing national security purposes and a request from the U.S. Military. The structure would house drones, snipers, and ammunition storage. Trump claimed Washington, D.C. is the only major capital without a triumphal arch and that this would be "by far, the greatest of them all."

Supporting reports

• Thousands protest Trump's takeover of Kennedy Center and threat to demolish or rename it — Thousands gathered outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday evening to protest Trump's takeover of the building and his threat to shut it down or demolish it unless his name is added to the facade. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper of the District of Columbia had previously ordered the Kennedy Center board to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building.
• Kennedy Center ceiling collapse and Trump-ordered closure — A 5-foot piece of ceiling plaster fell at the Kennedy Center in mid-September. Rather than repair the damage immediately, staff documented it extensively for a 55-page board briefing. Trump claimed online that a security guard narrowly avoided "certain death." Within two hours, Trump-allied board members voted to close the center, citing safety concerns. Trump, who serves as the center's chairman, had previously announced in February a two-year closure for renovations. Democratic board members alleged the closure was a pretext to avoid humiliation from plummeting ticket sales and fleeing artists.

Supporting reports

• Trump and Hegseth use 9/11 memorial ceremony to defend unpopular Iran war — At a Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used memorial remarks to defend the US-Israel war on Iran launched six months prior. Trump linked the Iran conflict to the 9/11 legacy, stating "That's why we fight today." Hegseth delivered a bellicose speech claiming Iran's defenses "are gone" despite contrary evidence, and warned of threats from "Islamic terrorists abroad and at home." The remarks repurposed a solemn commemoration of 2,606 victims to justify an unpopular military campaign.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for renaming New Mexico to "New America" — President Trump posted on social media calling for New Mexico to be renamed "New America," citing the state's name as having problematic connotations. The proposal drew widespread outrage from New Mexican residents, particularly Latinos and Native Americans, who viewed it as an attack on their state's identity and history. Some Republicans dismissed it as satire. The call came 10 days after the Trump administration sued New Mexico over in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant students, intensifying perceptions of targeting communities of color.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court permits Trump White House ballroom construction to continue — The US Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling permitting the Trump administration to block a lower court order that had halted above-ground construction of a controversial $400 million White House ballroom. The conservative majority found that the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacked standing to challenge the project, sidestepping the question of whether Congress had authorized the demolition of the historic East Wing. Chief Justice Roberts and three liberal justices dissented, arguing the project likely violated separation of powers and congressional authority over federal property.
• Supreme Court allows Trump White House ballroom construction to proceed — By a 5–4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the National Trust for Historic Preservation lacked legal standing to challenge Trump's construction of a ballroom at the White House. The majority cited national security considerations as favoring construction. Chief Justice Roberts dissented, writing that the project is "likely unlawful" and that the White House's iconic status requires adherence to legal procedures for alterations. The ruling permits construction to advance before the legality question is resolved.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04316 — The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 per curiam ruling, granted the government's application for a stay of the district court's preliminary injunction pending disposition of the government's forthcoming petition for certiorari, holding that the government was likely to show the National Trust lacked Article III standing to challenge the East Wing construction project and the government would likely suffer irreparable harm without a stay, with the balance of equities tipping in its favor. The Court noted it did “not pass upon the legality of the government's East Wing project.” Chief Justice Roberts, joined by Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, dissented , arguing the National Trust has adequate standing and the construction likely violates 40 U. S. C. §8106's requirement of express congressional authorization for building new structures on federal park land in D.C., which Congress has not necessarily provided.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in National Park Service v. National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States (26A203) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in National Park Service v. National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States. Docket number(s): 26A203.

Supporting reports

• Trump posts AI-generated video mocking Lake Ontario sign and dancing to YMCA — On Saturday, President Trump posted AI-generated video content depicting himself kicking over a Lake Ontario sign, replacing it with a Lake America sign, and dancing to the Village People's "YMCA." He also posted another AI video showing an army of Canada geese with Trump-like blond hair firing rifles in protection of Lake America. These posts escalated the rhetorical conflict with Canada over the lake's name during an ongoing trade dispute.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America — President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing US federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as "Lake America," effective immediately. The order affected the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which sets the standard for official US maps. Google Maps complied, changing the lake's name for US users. The renaming escalated an existing trade dispute between the US and Canada involving 50% US tariffs on Canadian steel and Canadian retaliatory tariffs. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the renaming, citing the lake's Indigenous Wendat origin meaning "the lake is beautiful, the lake is great."

Supporting reports

• Google Maps changes Lake Ontario to Lake America — Google Maps changed the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" on its app. Apple Maps has not made the same change.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America — President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing federal agencies to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" on US maps, documents, and databases. The order follows a similar action renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" on his second term's first day. Trump lacks authority to rename Canada's portion of the lake or compel international adoption of the name. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the move, citing the lake's Indigenous Wendat origin and historical precedence. Several US governors in the Great Lakes region also dismissed the renaming.
• Trump signs executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America — Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office designating Lake Ontario as "Lake America," effective immediately. He stated the administration is "changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America" and suggested potentially renaming the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Trump also suggested canceling subscriptions to media companies that refer to the lake by its original name, with an exception for Fox News.
• Trump issues executive order renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on August 27, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" within 30 days. The order asserts that the United States is the "greatest protector" of the Great Lakes, citing U.S. Coast Guard ice-breaking operations and $4 billion in ecosystem investments. The Secretary must coordinate with the Board on Geographic Names to update all federal references, maps, contracts, and the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the new name.
• Honoring the American History of the Great Lakes and Renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America — The White House published this executive order on 2026-08-27 through its executive-orders channel.
• Trump signed executive order renaming Lake Ontario — On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to refer to Lake Ontario as "Lake America." The change applies only to the U.S. federal geographic naming system; Trump cannot force Canada to use the name, as the United States and Canada share the lake. The action occurred during an escalating trade dispute in which the United States imposed 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion in Canadian goods and Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs. Trump displayed a map with "LAKE AMERICA" printed across the lake and floated the possibility of renaming an ocean, suggesting the Atlantic or Pacific could be next. The original name derives from the Huron word "oniatarí:io," meaning "lake of shining waters."
• Trump signed executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America — Trump signed an executive order directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to change the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" in all official U.S. government documents, communications, and the Geographic Names Information System. Trump framed the action as part of a broader effort to rename geographic features, referencing his earlier change of the Gulf of Mexico's name and suggesting future changes to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The order appears designed to assert U.S. dominance over shared geography and pressure Canada.
• Trump signed executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" during trade war — President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" amid an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada. The action appears to be a symbolic gesture during heightened trade tensions with Canada, which shares sovereignty over the Great Lake.

Supporting reports

• Trump installed signs blaming past administrations for reflecting pool issues — Trump installed signs at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool blaming "past administrations" like Obama and Biden for the pool's maintenance issues, with the signs likely paid for by taxpayer dollars.
• Trump installs signs at Lincoln Memorial blaming previous administrations for infrastructure problems — Trump has installed signs at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool attributing maintenance and operational issues to "past administrations" (Obama and Biden), despite Trump himself having served as a past administration.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration issues executive order targeting Smithsonian Institution — The Trump administration has escalated its conflict with the Smithsonian Institution, resulting in a report accusing the National Museum of American History of "extreme political activism" and an executive order mandating warning signs outside the museum. Popular Information's investigation identified the influence of David Barton, a figure described as a fake historian, and his son Tim on the administration's anti-Smithsonian campaign.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration threatens to withhold federal funding from Smithsonian Institution — As part of a broader campaign against the Smithsonian Institution, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from the institution, which operates 21 museums and the National Zoo. This threat follows Trump's March 2025 executive order "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" and a comprehensive review of eight museums ordered by the administration. The administration has also released a list of exhibits it does not agree with.

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance delays board nominations to allow Trump to substitute conservative candidates — Vice President JD Vance, a member of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents, has delayed action on board nominations because President Trump hoped to substitute more ideologically aligned candidates. Three board vacancies currently exist, with three more opening in October. The board nominates its own members and sends names to Congress for approval. Trump and Congressional Republicans are focused on stacking the board with conservatives to gain control over museum leadership.

Supporting reports

• Congressional Hearings on Smithsonian Report — On July 21 and 22, 2026, Dr. Anthea M. Hartig testified before the House Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee and the House Administration Committee regarding the White House report on the National Museum of American History. During the hearings, Hartig defended the museum's work against accusations of political bias and misrepresentation of American history.
• House Administration Committee member coordinates with Christian nationalist figures on hearing strategy — Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), a member of the House Committee on Administration, coordinated with David and Tim Barton—founders of the Christian nationalist organization WallBuilders—on questions to pose during a July 2026 hearing about the Smithsonian. Tim Barton stated on a podcast that committee members had called the Bartons for advice, and Loudermilk confirmed on a separate podcast that he had spoken with the Bartons on the day of the hearing. Loudermilk also stated he was working with the White House to stack the Smithsonian's Board of Regents with conservatives.
• House subcommittee questions Smithsonian National Museum of American History director on ideological bias — Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, was questioned by a House subcommittee in late July 2026, during which Republican members accused the Smithsonian of being "infected by a woke ideology." Hartig testified that examining difficult chapters of American history is not hostility toward America and that the museum honors founding documents while telling the truth about times the country fell short of its ideals. The hearing was part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against the institution.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposes triumphal arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery — The Trump administration is pursuing construction of a triumphal arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. Congressional ranking members from both chambers with jurisdiction over monuments in Washington, D.C., have opposed the project, stating it would "deface one of the most deliberate and historic sightlines in America" and would violate at least three federal laws. The Section 106 review process for the project fell short of legal requirements, including a comment period of only ten days. Revisions to Section 106 would eliminate legal obstacles to the project's construction.
• Lawmakers Oppose Proposed Triumph Arch Project Near Arlington National Cemetery — On June 15, 2026, a group of lawmakers, including Senators Angus King and Martin Heinrich, expressed strong opposition to a proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, citing concerns that the project violates multiple laws and lacks adequate public comment time. They warned that officials proceeding with the project could face legal consequences.

Supporting reports

• White House Office of Administration begins preparations to paint Eisenhower Executive Office Building white — Deputy Assistant to the President Heather Martin filed a declaration on Monday stating that the White House Office of Administration was beginning preparations to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white. The administration is asserting that the White House Office of Administration has taken control of the building from the General Services Administration (GSA), which normally handles federal building maintenance and is subject to the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act review requirements. More than two dozen experts have sued to stop the plan, arguing the paint could irreversibly damage the stone and create ongoing maintenance costs.

Supporting reports

• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation votes to advance revisions to Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act — On July 25, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, composed of 21 Trump appointees on a 24-member board, voted to move forward with dramatic revisions to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 currently requires federal agencies to "take into account" the impact of their actions on historic properties and mandates consultation with the public, local, state, and tribal governments. The proposed revisions would eliminate these requirements, allowing federal agencies to proceed with projects affecting historic sites without mandatory public input or review.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration releases executive order directing warning signs at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History — President Trump released an executive order on July 25, 2026, directing federal officials to install signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History informing visitors that the museum presents history inaccurately. The order cites a 162-page White House report released July 4 that accuses the museum of "extreme political activism," "anti-White activism," "transgender activism," and supporting illegal immigration. The signs are to direct visitors to "locations and resources for accurate information regarding America's history" without specifying where those resources are located.
• Executive Order on Smithsonian Institution — On July 24, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14415, titled "Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution." The order directed the National Park Service to place temporary signage outside the Smithsonian to correct what the administration deemed inaccurate information presented inside the museum. This action follows the release of a critical report on the museum's portrayal of American history.

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

• Modifying the Bears Ears National Monument — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation modifying the boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument, reducing its size to approximately 121,096 acres. The modification aims to ensure the monument's boundaries are confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects of historic and scientific interest. The proclamation also opens excluded lands to mineral and geothermal leasing and other uses, citing national security and economic reasons. The Bears Ears Commission is disbanded, and a new advisory committee is established with representation from various stakeholders.
• President Trump Modifies Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation modifying the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. The modification reduces the monument to approximately 181,541 acres, divided into the Canyons of the Escalante Unit and the Kaiparowits Horizon Unit. This change aims to align the monument's size with the smallest area necessary for the protection of historic and scientific objects, as required by the Antiquities Act. The proclamation also opens excluded lands to mineral and geothermal leasing and other uses, emphasizing the need for domestic resource security.
• Presidential Proclamation on the Death of Senator Lindsey Graham — President of the United States issued a proclamation ordering the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff in honor of Senator Lindsey Graham's memory and service. This directive applies to the White House, public buildings, military posts, naval stations, and U.S. embassies worldwide until July 18, 2026.
• President Trump issued proclamation ordering flags at half-staff to honor Senator Lindsey Graham — President Trump issued a proclamation on July 13, 2026, directing that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories, as well as at all U.S. embassies and military facilities abroad, until 6:00 p.m. on July 18, 2026, as a mark of respect for Senator Lindsey Graham's memory and service.
• President Trump signed proclamations reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments — President Trump signed two proclamations on July 13, 2026, reducing the size of Bears Ears National Monument from 1.36 million acres to 121,100 acres and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from 1.87 million acres to 181,500 acres. The White House fact sheet states the reductions will allow "multiple-use, sustained-yield management" including grazing, timber harvest, fishing, hunting, resource development, and motorized recreation on the surrounding lands.
• Trump issued proclamation reducing Bears Ears National Monument from 1.36 million to 121,096 acres — President Trump signed Proclamation modifying the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, reducing its protected area from approximately 1.36 million acres to approximately 121,096 acres across two units (Shash Jáa Unit and Indian Creek Unit). The proclamation excludes approximately 1.24 million acres, opening them to mineral leasing, mining, and other resource extraction. The proclamation states the excluded lands contain critical minerals including silver, copper, molybdenum, lead, uranium, vanadium, and zinc needed for national security and economic independence. The proclamation also disbands the Bears Ears Commission and revises the advisory committee structure.
• Trump issued proclamation reducing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from 1.87 million to approximately 181,541 acres — President Trump signed Proclamation 10287 on July 13, 2026, modifying the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. The proclamation reduces the monument from approximately 1.87 million acres (established by President Biden in 2021) to two units totaling approximately 181,541 acres: the Canyons of the Escalante Unit and the Kaiparowits Horizon Unit. The proclamation states that approximately 1.69 million acres are being excluded from monument protection. The excluded lands will be opened to mineral leasing, mining, and other resource extraction 60 days after the proclamation's issuance. The proclamation asserts that the prior expansion lacked sufficient historic or scientific justification under the Antiquities Act and that the reduction will facilitate access to critical minerals and domestic resource development.
• Biden restores national monuments to original size — On October 8, 2021, President Joe Biden announced the restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments to their original sizes, reversing reductions made during the Trump administration. This restoration emphasizes the Biden administration's commitment to environmental protection and Indigenous rights.
• Trump declared a national energy emergency — President Trump declared a "national energy emergency," establishing the policy rationale for his subsequent proclamations shrinking national monuments. The declaration prioritizes energy development over environmental and cultural protections on federal lands.
• Trump signed proclamations shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments — President Trump signed two proclamations reducing the size of Utah's Bears Ears National Monument by 91% and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by approximately 90%, removing nearly three million acres from federal monument protection. These reductions exceed the cuts made during his first term. The proclamations follow Trump's declaration of a "national energy emergency" and align with Project 2025's goal to open federal lands to private development and oil and gas drilling.
• Trump signs proclamations to shrink national monuments — On July 13, 2026, President Donald Trump signed two proclamations that will significantly reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument by 91% and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by approximately 90%. This action removes nearly three million acres from federal protection, continuing his administration's efforts to open public lands to private development and resource extraction. The proclamations are seen as part of a broader strategy to challenge the Antiquities Act and limit presidential powers in land protection.
• Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts urges pushback against Antiquities Act — In March 2021, Chief Justice John Roberts encouraged opponents of land protection to challenge the Antiquities Act, suggesting that the broad protections established under it represent an abuse of power. This statement reflects ongoing tensions regarding the balance of power in land management and the role of the judiciary in environmental policy.
• Trump reduced Bears Ears National Monument by 85% during first term — During his first term, President Trump ordered the largest national monument reduction in U.S. history, slashing the size of Utah's Bears Ears National Monument by 85%, a goal aligned with uranium-mining interests, and reducing Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by approximately half, favoring coal interests.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted video depicting himself on Mt. Rushmore sculpture — Before his trip to South Dakota, Trump posted a video showing his own likeness on a golden sculpture of Mt. Rushmore, alongside images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, with voiceover stating "I will be the greatest president for many, many years to come." The video opened with text reading "Art of the vision" over an American flag.

Supporting reports

• Interior Secretary Burgum claimed vandals damaged Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — On July 5, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made rounds of Sunday talk shows claiming that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool—including gashes totaling the 350 feet Trump claims—was caused by vandals and that video evidence exists. When CNN's Dana Bash asked whether the administration had photographs of people cutting the pool's liner, Burgum deflected from the question.

Supporting reports

• Trump falsely claimed Declaration of Independence references God's image — During his July 4th speech, Trump stated: "And as our Declaration of Independence tells us, we are all made in the image of one almighty god. And a communist will never say that." The Declaration of Independence does not contain this language. The phrase "made in the image of one almighty god" does not appear in the founding document.