Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• White House press secretary Katie Zacharia repeatedly claims to be a licensed attorney without evidence of bar admission — Katie Zacharia, appointed as Trump's press secretary, has publicly identified herself as a lawyer in multiple media appearances (Fox News, CNN, podcasts) since at least February 2026. Popular Information searched all 50 states and D.C. and found no evidence she has ever been admitted to practice law or passed a bar exam. She is not listed with the State Bar of California (where she claims to have worked as General Counsel), Texas, or D.C. When asked by Popular Information, the White House declined to provide evidence of her legal credentials, referring only to a Trump social media post calling her an attorney. In California, falsely holding oneself out as a lawyer while not admitted to the bar is a misdemeanor.
• White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia's false claims about legal credentials exposed — Popular Information reported that White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, appointed by President Trump, has publicly claimed for years to be a lawyer and held positions as "outside counsel" to the World Bank and "general counsel" to a California non-profit, but has no evidence of ever being licensed to practice law in any U.S. state. When confronted by reporters on the White House South Lawn on October 13, Zacharia gave incoherent responses about passing a bar exam in China—a jurisdiction where U.S. citizens cannot take bar exams and where states do not administer exams. Georgetown Law professor Mark Jia confirmed that even her claimed work as a "foreign legal consultant" at a Chinese law firm from 2011–2013 would not constitute being a licensed attorney, and questioned whether she held that position at all.
• White House declines to provide evidence of press secretary's legal credentials — Popular Information sent detailed questions to White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly asking whether Katie Zacharia was ever admitted to practice law in any state. The White House declined to answer substantively, responding only: "Refer you to the President's TRUTH on Katie," directing the inquiry to a Trump social media post that calls Zacharia an attorney. The White House provided no documentation, bar admission records, or other evidence supporting her claimed legal credentials.
• Katie Zacharia's bar exam failure revealed; investigation requested — White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, whom Trump has described as an "attorney," failed the California bar exam and is not licensed to practice law in any state. After Judd Legum of Popular Information noted the absence of evidence that Zacharia had passed the bar, the Wall Street Journal confirmed she failed the California bar exam. Democracy Defenders Fund, a nonpartisan organization led by attorney Norm Eisen, requested that the California State Bar and California Attorney General Rob Bonta investigate whether Zacharia practiced law without a license, which is a crime in California.

Supporting reports

• Government investigations into Musk's businesses ended after he entered government — According to a February 2025 Washington Post investigation, Elon Musk has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars in history, receiving at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies, and tax credits over more than 20 years. Once Musk entered power in Trump 2.0, government investigations into those businesses ended, eliminating oversight of his financial relationship with the state.

Supporting reports

• Corey Lewandowski allegedly sold government services for personal gain at DHS — On September 8, 2026, the Wall Street Journal published an investigation reporting that Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former 2016 campaign manager, appeared to offer aid to foreign countries navigating U.S. bureaucracy in the Department of Homeland Security for a fee, selling government services for his own gain. Lewandowski may have also been involved in awarding government contracts improperly. Congress had given DHS an additional $75 billion during Trump's term for deportations, detention facilities, and technology, creating opportunities for corruption.
• Lewandowski may have improperly awarded government contracts — The Wall Street Journal and ProPublica investigations report that Corey Lewandowski may have been involved in awarding government contracts improperly while serving in the Department of Homeland Security. A ProPublica article from November 14, 2025, covered similar accusations of improper contract awards.
• Lewandowski expects presidential pardon for potential criminal case — According to the Wall Street Journal investigation, Corey Lewandowski has told people close to him that he expects President Trump would pardon him in the event of a criminal case. This statement reflects an expectation of immunity from prosecution based on personal loyalty to the president.

Supporting reports

• DOGE accessed and shared sensitive Social Security Administration data — A documentary about Elon Musk by filmmaker Alex Gibney reports that under Musk, DOGE had access to federal IT systems. A whistleblower warned that members of DOGE accessed and shared sensitive data from the Social Security Administration, representing a breach of federal data security and privacy protections.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon secretly hired military veterans as paid right-wing influencers to promote Pete Hegseth — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has secretly hired military veterans with large social media followings to act as paid right-wing influencers to push Pete Hegseth's propaganda. Although these individuals are now government employees, the Pentagon refuses to provide details on their assignments. Their taxpayer-funded job is to "amplify Pete Hegseth's" messaging.
• Pentagon hires right-wing social media influencers as government employees — The Pentagon has hired right-wing social media influencers as special government employees using taxpayer money to amplify Defense Secretary Hegseth's viewpoints and attack critics of the Trump administration. Reported hires include Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Thomas Anderson. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on their job content, salaries, or employment duration.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers as Pentagon employees — Washington Post Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers to work at the Department of Defense as Special Government Employees (SGEs) to promote him on social media platform X. Retired Colonels Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Tom Anderson acknowledged being SGE employees for the Pentagon after the article's publication. The Pentagon had previously declined to comment on the issue and withheld information about the SGEs' status for days, including after speculation on social media.

Supporting reports

• Kennedy suggests measles deaths in Pennsylvania were fabricated — As the U.S. faces a measles outbreak that has killed two unvaccinated people in Pennsylvania—including a newborn too young for vaccination—HHS Secretary Kennedy suggested that Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro's announcement of the deaths might have been "altogether fabricated by one of the Governor's hopeful staffers." The claim contradicts documented public health data.
• HHS Secretary RFK Jr. testified falsely about 2019 Samoa visit, documents show — According to the Associated Press, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. repeatedly told lawmakers who held the key to his confirmation last year that a 2019 visit to Samoa before a deadly measles outbreak had "nothing to do with vaccines." New documents refute that testimony. Kennedy, then a prominent anti-vaccine activist, preceded the visit with a letter to the Samoan Prime Minister requesting to study the Pacific island nation's measles, mumps and rubella vaccines after the deaths of two children who had received them.
• RFK Jr. praised low vaccine uptake in Lancaster County in 2021, preceding measles deaths — The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that two unvaccinated people in Lancaster County died from measles. In 2021, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then chair of the Children's Health Defense, spoke at an Amish country fair in Lancaster County where he praised the low childhood vaccine uptake and downplayed the severity of measles. The timing and location of Kennedy's remarks preceded the recent measles deaths in the same community.
• RFK Jr. falsely testified to Congress about Samoa vaccine visit — Documents obtained by the press reveal that RFK Jr., now HHS Secretary, made false statements during his 2025 Senate confirmation hearings when he claimed his 2019 Samoa visit had "nothing to do with vaccines." Letters show Kennedy explicitly told the Samoan prime minister he intended to investigate the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Kennedy's visit is reported to have empowered anti-vaccine activists; a measles epidemic followed that killed 83 people. Knowingly lying to Congress is a federal crime, though rarely prosecuted.

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

• Kennedy's financial ties to Scientology-linked law firm — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, has a financial relationship with Wisner Baum, a law firm connected to Scientology. The firm has led numerous lawsuits against antidepressant manufacturers, aligning with Scientology's anti-psychiatry stance. Kennedy has a contingency fee agreement with the firm, earning over $850,000 in fees. Despite criticism during his nomination process, Kennedy chose to assign most of his payouts to a family member rather than relinquish them. This financial connection raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest in his role as Health Secretary.

Supporting reports

• Trump falsely claimed vandals damaged reflecting pool — On Friday night and Saturday morning, Trump posted on social media that "Radical Left Lunatics" and "Dumocrats" had vandalized the reflecting pool, claiming vandals used "some form of a knife or blade" to create a "250 foot long gash" and poured "corrosive and destructive chemicals" into the water. He stated multiple people had been arrested for vandalism. However, no evidence of such vandalism was offered, multiple cameras line the mall, and workers were visibly dumping hydrogen peroxide into the pool to kill algae caused by the failed renovation.
• Trump announces immediate repair work on Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool — President Trump announced on Sunday that repair work would begin "immediately" on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC, which has suffered algae blooms and peeling paint following a $14.2 million renovation. Trump blamed vandals for the damage, claiming five people had been arrested and another five issued federal citations. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that those caught vandalizing would face criminal prosecution. Trump stated the pool would likely need to be drained for repairs.
• Algae bloom returned to Reflecting Pool — The Atlantic reported that after the Interior Department claimed to have "killed the algae" in the Reflecting Pool, a new type of algae—Scenedesmus, a green algae nicknamed "Skinny Dead Mouse" by scientists—began flourishing. The treatments being used (hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble technology) were more effective against blue-green algae and were not discouraging the new green algae growth. Scientists noted that the decision to paint the pool bottom a deep blue shade raised water temperature and accelerated algae growth.
• Reflecting Pool coating peeling and failing — The New York Times reported that the Reflecting Pool's new coating was failing, with large chunks peeling off the basin. The coating was missing at least two large sections, with one gap about the size of a park bench and a sheet several inches long flapping in the waves. The underlying original concrete basin was visible beneath the peeling coating. The pool's appearance was described as "rejecting its makeover."
• Trump blamed vandals for Reflecting Pool damage in third post — Trump posted on Truth Social for the third time about the Reflecting Pool, stating: "Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it?" Trump blamed unidentified vandals rather than acknowledging responsibility for the failed project.
• Trump described alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism in detail — Trump posted on Truth Social describing alleged vandalism of the Reflecting Pool in detail, claiming vandals had used "some form of knife or blade" to create a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade and had poured "corrosive and destructive chemicals" into the pool. Trump characterized the damage as an affront to the work and money invested in the project.
• Trump announced additional arrests for Reflecting Pool vandalism — Trump posted on Truth Social that many additional people had been arrested for vandalism of the Reflecting Pool. Trump characterized the vandalism as "disgraceful" and "a true affront to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln." Trump stated that contractors would likely be forced to drain much of the water to complete repairs.
• Trump blamed Antifa for Reflecting Pool damage and announced arrests — Trump posted on Truth Social that US Park Police arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial. Trump blamed the vandalism on Antifa and announced that work would begin immediately on repairs. Trump claimed vandals had created a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade and poured corrosive chemicals into the water.
• Trump blamed Antifa for Reflecting Pool vandalism — Trump posted on Truth Social that the US Park Police arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool and blamed the vandalism on Antifa. Trump claimed vandals had created a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade and poured corrosive chemicals into the water. Trump announced that work would begin immediately on repairs and that those responsible would face years in jail.
• Trump Blames Vandalism for Reflecting Pool Issues — Following the completion of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovations, President Trump claimed on June 20, 2026, that "Radical Left Lunatics" were responsible for vandalism at the site, despite no evidence being presented. He suggested that serious crimes had occurred, which he attributed to multiple individuals.
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool maintenance escalates amid controversy — The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool situation escalated, with reports of a foul smell and President Trump blaming "vandals" for the pool's condition. The controversy centers on the maintenance and cleanliness of the iconic national monument, with Trump attributing the problem to vandalism rather than administrative failure.
• Trump blamed vandalism for Reflecting Pool damage and threatened 10-year prison sentences — Trump posted on Truth Social claiming the Reflecting Pool's damage—including a 300-foot gash, chemical contamination, and an "86 47" carved into the grass—resulted from vandalism, not construction failure. He threatened 10-year prison sentences for destruction of federal monuments and stated five people were under investigation. Civil engineers and coating specialists disputed this, attributing the damage to improper surface preparation, adhesion failure, and inadequate curing time by Trump's contractor.
• Trump blamed "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE" for Reflecting Pool damage — Trump doubled down on claims that vandalism by "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE" caused the Reflecting Pool's problems. Administration officials stationed National Guard personnel around the Reflecting Pool and appeared to be issuing citations to individuals who touched the water. When questioned about the project's cost escalation from one million dollars in April to sixteen and a half million dollars two months later, Trump deflected by attacking former President Obama's prior repairs to the pool.
• Trump announced false claims of vandalism at the Reflecting Pool with escalating damage estimates — Trump claimed vandals had damaged the Reflecting Pool with a "gash" that he described as growing from 250 feet to 350 feet in length, allegedly using sharp implements and chemicals. He threatened 10-year prison sentences for the destruction and claimed to possess photographic evidence. No evidence of sabotage exists, and cameras monitor the pool. The Interior Department subsequently placed fencing around the Reflecting Pool in response to Trump's claims.
• Trump posted false claims about Reflecting Pool vandalism and spending history — Trump posted on Truth Social claiming six people were arrested and seven cited for vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, describing a "350 foot gash" made by knife or razors. He also claimed Obama and Biden spent over $100 million on the pool that "never worked" and that he spent $16 million to make it "come out great." The article notes Obama and Biden did not spend anything close to $100 million on the pool. Trump also announced plans to sue ABC News for $16 million in alleged past bad reporting.
• Trump claims vandalism at DC reflecting pool; acknowledges July 4 repair deadline may not be met — President Trump acknowledged that repairs to the algae-stricken Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool may not be completed before July 4, when he plans a major 250th birthday celebration on the National Mall. Trump claimed without evidence that vandals with knives damaged the pool, stating six people had been arrested and seven cited. National Park Service documents reviewed by the New York Times indicated damage was discovered days after the pool was refilled on June 5, but did not link it to the algae outbreak or the blue coating. The pool's renovation, ordered by the Trump administration at $14.2 million, has become emblematic of broader concerns about wasteful spending.
• Interior Department spokesperson attributes pool damage to "leftist activists" without evidence — Katie Martin, an Interior Department spokesperson, told the Associated Press that fencing erected around the reflecting pool was brought forward due to an "increase in vandalism by leftist activists." She offered no evidence to support this characterization. The fencing had been originally scheduled for installation ahead of the Fourth of July but was accelerated following Trump's initial insistence that vandals were responsible for the pool's deterioration.
• Trump claims sabotage at Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool without substantiating evidence — President Trump alleged that vandals deliberately damaged the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool's lining with a "350-foot gash," claiming it was done "criminally" and "in the dark of night." He posted an image on Truth Social purporting to show the pool before refilling and promised the Department of the Interior would release photographic and video evidence. As of Wednesday afternoon, no such evidence had materialized. The New York Times obtained government documents indicating peeling paint and algae blooms were not intentionally caused. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal requested documents from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service acting director Jessica Bowron, citing "blatant corruption" and "lack of transparency."
• White House issues release on Reflecting Pool vandalism incident — The White House issued a promotional release characterizing vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a deliberate "targeted sabotage" by "anti-American" actors. The release states that surveillance video captured suspects, at least seven individuals have been arrested, seven others issued federal citations, and 18 police reports filed. It claims the Trump Administration deployed "advanced nanobubble ozone technology" to neutralize algae and repair damage. The release frames the incident as vindication of the President's prior statements and criticizes media coverage.

Supporting reports

• Treasury Department restricts employee photography of White House construction — Officials at the Treasury Department, which has a front-row view of the White House ballroom demolition and construction, told employees not to share photos of the grounds. The restriction appears designed to limit public visibility of the demolition work.
• Treasury Department Restricts Photo Sharing of White House Construction — The Treasury Department instructed employees not to share photographs of the demolition of the White House East Wing without prior approval from the Office of Public Affairs. The directive came after images of construction equipment dismantling the building facade went viral online.
• — The Treasury Department has instructed its employees not to share photos of the ongoing construction at the White House, which involves the demolition of parts of the East Wing for a new ballroom. This directive comes amid concerns about the transparency of the project, which has been described as a desecration of the historic site. The Treasury building's proximity to the White House provides its employees with a clear view of the construction activities.

Supporting reports

• Kristi Noem administration spending hundreds of millions on propaganda ads — Trump loyalist Kristi Noem's administration was spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on propaganda advertisements glorifying Trump and demonizing migrants, diverting resources from family protection programs.

Supporting reports

• Kristi Noem released a TSA video blaming Democrats for shutdown impacts. — Kristi Noem, as head of the Department of Homeland Security, released a video to be played in U.S. airports stating that TSA's top priority is ensuring pleasant and efficient airport experiences while keeping travelers safe. However, she blamed Democrats in Congress for refusing to fund the federal government, stating that because of this "most of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay." The video uses federal resources and airport infrastructure to deliver a partisan political message blaming one party for the shutdown.
• Seattle and Portland airports refuse to air Kristi Noem video — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport announced they will not broadcast a video by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that criticizes Democrats and blames them for flight delays. The airports determined the video violates the Hatch Act by using federal resources for partisan political messaging.
• Multiple U.S. airports refused to show Homeland Security partisan video — Many U.S. airports refused to show a new video intended to play on screens near security lines that features Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democratic lawmakers for the government shutdown. Some airports raised concerns that the video is a violation of the Hatch Act, which generally prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.
• Multiple airports refuse to air Kristi Noem partisan political advertisement — Thirteen major U.S. airports have confirmed they will not play a partisan political PSA video by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for airport delays. The airports refusing to air the video include Portland International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Niagara Falls International, Buffalo Niagara International, Westchester County, Phoenix International, Las Vegas International, Charlotte International, Cleveland International, LAX, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark International.
• Airports refuse to air DHS shutdown video citing Hatch Act violation — Airports around the country refused to air a video recorded by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for display at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. The video blamed Democrats for the government shutdown. Some airports noted the video violates the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of government assets for partisan purposes.
• Kristi Noem administration spending hundreds of millions on propaganda ads — Trump loyalist Kristi Noem's administration was spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on propaganda advertisements glorifying Trump and demonizing migrants, diverting resources from family protection programs.

Supporting reports

• HUD website displays partisan shutdown message blaming "radical left" — The Department of Housing and Urban Development posted a large red banner on its homepage blaming the "radical left" for the looming government shutdown and stating the Trump administration wants to keep government open. The message appeared after Republican and Democratic leaders failed to reach a spending agreement by the Tuesday night deadline. HUD spokesperson Matthew Maley defended the banner as reporting on shutdown impacts, while critics characterized it as inappropriate partisan propaganda on a public agency website.
• Veterans Affairs spokesperson issues partisan shutdown statement — A Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson issued a statement on Tuesday using charged political rhetoric, blaming "radical liberals in Congress" for attempting to shut down the government to achieve "open borders" and other partisan characterizations, while warning of impacts to veterans care and assistance programs.
• HUD posted banner blaming "radical left" for shutdown — The Department of Housing and Urban Development posted a bright red banner on its website on September 30 blaming the "radical left" for the impending government shutdown. The banner read, "The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands. The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people." The non-profit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen subsequently filed a complaint with the US Office of Special Counsel, calling the banner a "blatant violation" of the Hatch Act.

Supporting reports

• DOGE official placed Social Security database on unsecure server — A whistleblower identified as Social Security Administration chief data officer Charles Borges alleged that a former senior DOGE official copied a key Social Security database containing the names, birthdays, and Social Security numbers of more than 300 million Americans to an unsecure cloud server accessible to other former DOGE employees. Borges alleged the copy constitutes violations of laws, rules, and regulations, abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, and creation of a substantial and specific threat to public health and safety. As of late June, there were no verified audit or oversight mechanisms in place to oversee where DOGE was sharing the data or what it was using it for. The agency assessed that a breach would be "catastrophic" for Social Security beneficiaries, making them susceptible to identity theft and loss of benefits.

Supporting reports

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting defunded, eliminating severe weather alert system — The Trump administration defunded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with $1.1 billion in cuts, claiming to target "bias" at NPR and PBS. The cuts mean that CPB can no longer provide public broadcasting stations with severe weather alerts. CPB had administered the Next Generation Warning System in partnership with FEMA to issue alerts and information over radio and television stations, many in rural America, which can continue to operate when other systems fail.

Supporting reports

• ICE and CoreCivic Plan to Open California's Largest Immigration Jail — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has partnered with CoreCivic, a private prison contractor, to convert a shuttered 2,500-bed prison in California City into the state's largest immigrant detention center. This move is part of the Trump administration's efforts to increase detention capacity amid a crackdown on immigration. CoreCivic has received $10 million in initial funding for a six-month contract to transform the facility. The plan has sparked significant opposition from advocacy groups and local residents, who argue it will lead to long-term harm and economic detriment to the community.
• Gavin Newsom sues Fox News for defamation over edited Trump call footage — California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Friday, demanding $787 million in damages. The suit alleges that Fox host Jesse Watters aired a deceptively edited clip of Donald Trump to falsely claim Newsom lied about the timing of a phone call with Trump regarding military deployment to Los Angeles. Records show the call occurred on June 7, not immediately before the June 10 deployment announcement. The lawsuit also invokes California's Unfair Competition Law and mirrors the $787.5 million Dominion settlement Fox paid in 2023.
• Gov. Newsom filed defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Jesse Watters — California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News and host Jesse Watters after Watters aired a deceptively edited clip and made false claims about Newsom's communications with Trump. Newsom's legal team stated they would drop the suit if Fox issues a public retraction and Watters apologizes on air. The damages figure matches Fox's 2023 Dominion settlement.

Supporting reports

• Smithsonian Institution rebuffs Trump's attempt to fire Kim Sajet — The Smithsonian Institution's governing board rejected former President Donald Trump's attempt to fire Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery. Trump had announced on May 30 that he had fired Sajet, accusing her of being "highly partisan" and a supporter of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), which he deemed inappropriate for her position. The Smithsonian's board asserted its independence, stating that all personnel decisions are made by the secretary with board oversight, thus maintaining its governance structure against political interference.

Supporting reports

• US Immigration Agency Deploys Surveillance Drones Over LA Protests — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the deployment of MQ-9 Predator drones over Los Angeles protests. These drones, capable of high-altitude surveillance, were used to support federal law enforcement operations, including those by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CBP stated that the drones were not used for surveilling First Amendment activities but for officer safety surveillance when requested. The Department of Homeland Security also released drone footage showing protestors, raising concerns about privacy and the monitoring of protest activities.

Supporting reports

• FCC Chair Carr threatens action against Comcast over coverage of Kilmar Garcia story — FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened to take action against Comcast, the parent company of MSNBC and CNN, over what he characterized as biased coverage of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia story. Carr stated that Comcast outlets "spent days misleading the American public—implying that Abrego Garcia was merely a law abiding US citizen, just a regular 'Maryland man'" and claimed that when the truth emerged, they ignored it. Carr asserted that Comcast knows federal law requires its licensed operations to serve the public interest and that "news distortion doesn't cut it."
• FCC Chair Carr launched investigations of ABC and NBC at Trump's direction — FCC Chair Brendan Carr, demonstrating his MAGA credentials, launched FCC investigations of media outlets ABC and NBC that Trump had derided, as part of a pattern of Trump encouraging his appointees to apply government pressure against his critics.

Supporting reports

• Musk's Doge deletes savings claims from website — Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) removed five major savings claims from its "wall of receipts" after they were debunked. The deletions, which included erroneous savings figures for agencies like ICE and USAid, were made without explanation. The New York Times reported these changes, highlighting discrepancies such as a misreported $8 billion saving for ICE, which should have been $8 million. The initiative, part of Musk's cost-cutting drive, has faced criticism for errors and lack of transparency.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration shuts down national police misconduct database — The Trump administration has shut down the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD), which was created to track police misconduct and prevent officers with records of misconduct from moving undetected between agencies. The database, established by an executive order from President Biden in 2023, is no longer accessible, as confirmed by the US Department of Justice. The Trump administration rescinded Biden's executive order, citing concerns over "woke, anti-police concepts" and emphasizing law enforcement's ability to fight crime without such oversight.

Supporting reports

• Trump takes control of Kennedy Center and bans drag shows — Trump took control of the Kennedy Center in February and announced he would stop the performing arts center from hosting drag shows. This action prompted Free DC and allied groups to organize a drag show nearby in response, asserting the right to cultural expression against federal censorship.
• Trump attends Les Misérables at Kennedy Center after seizing control of the institution — President Trump attended a production of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on June 12, 2025, his first production there since taking control of the institution in February. He had previously pushed out the center's former chair, fired its longtime president, and pledged to overhaul the institution, which he criticized as "too woke." Trump was greeted with mixed cheers and boos. Ticket sales have fallen since his takeover and some performers have cancelled shows. The president's appearance was intended to boost fundraising, with donors reportedly raising over $10 million.
• Trump takes control of Kennedy Center, fires board chair and appoints himself — In February 2025, Trump took control of the Kennedy Center by firing board chair David Rubenstein and appointing himself to preside over the institution. Following the shake-up, ticket sales for the Kennedy Center's three largest performance spaces fell to their lowest levels in years, indicating significant disruption to the cultural institution's operations and public engagement.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration deletes DEI mentions from IRS handbook — The Trump administration has ordered the deletion of terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from federal documents, including the Internal Revenue Service's procedural handbook. This action is part of a broader effort to eliminate DEI programs across the government. The removal of these terms has led to the erasure of unrelated federal pages that mentioned "inequity" and "inclusion" in contexts not directly related to DEI initiatives. The administration has also set up a tip line for reporting DEI-related activities, which has been misused by internet users.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders review of FEMA — Trump ordered a review of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the disaster response agency, and suggested there is "political bias" in the agency. Trump previously criticized the agency's response to Hurricane Helene. The order states "Despite obligating nearly $30 billion in disaster aid each of the past three years, Fema has managed to leave vulnerable Americans without the resources or support they need when they need it most." A review council – which includes the secretaries of defense and homeland security, Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem – will report to Trump within 180 days.
• White House issued memorandum directing FAA and Transportation Secretary to review hiring decisions and safety protocols from prior four years — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on January 30, 2025, directing the Secretary of Transportation and FAA Administrator to review all hiring decisions and safety protocol changes made during the prior four years and take corrective action including replacement of individuals who do not meet qualification standards. The memorandum attributes a January 29 aircraft-helicopter collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to prior administrations' hiring practices, specifically citing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. It orders a return to merit-based recruitment and a systematic assessment of hiring and safety standard deterioration.
• Trump signed executive order on aviation safety — President Trump signed an executive order on aviation safety that rolls back diversity initiatives. This action was taken following a tragic plane crash involving a mid-air collision between a commercial flight and a US military helicopter. Trump claimed, without evidence, that diversity initiatives contributed to the crash. The executive order aims to reverse changes made under the Biden administration regarding air traffic controller hiring standards, which Trump criticized as part of diversity programs.
• Trump fires TSA chief — President Trump fired Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief David Pekoske as part of a broader effort to reshape leadership within federal transportation agencies following the air disaster.
• Trump freezes federal hiring — The Trump administration implemented a freeze on the hiring of all federal employees, including air traffic controllers, despite warnings from the Department of Transportation about staffing shortages at critical air traffic control facilities.
• Trump signs executive order on FAA staffing — President Trump signed an executive order that blames previous administrations for "problematic and likely illegal decisions" regarding staffing and diversity initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The order emphasizes a return to "merit-based recruitment" to ensure aviation safety.
• — President Trump signed an executive order that blames previous administrations for "problematic and likely illegal decisions" that he claims minimized merit and competence in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The order emphasizes a return to "merit-based recruitment, hiring, and promotion" within the FAA.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Educational Freedom — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14191 to expand educational freedom and opportunity for families. The order directs the Secretary of Education to issue guidance on using federal funds for K-12 educational choice initiatives and prioritizes education freedom in discretionary grant programs. It also involves the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Defense, and the Interior in reviewing and recommending mechanisms to support educational choice for low-income, military, and Bureau of Indian Education-connected families.
• Executive Order: Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday — President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The task force, chaired by the President and vice-chaired by the Vice President, is tasked with organizing a grand celebration for the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026. The order also reinstates previous executive orders related to the National Garden of American Heroes and protecting monuments from vandalism. The task force will coordinate with various federal agencies and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan the celebrations.
• Trump issues executive order on educational freedom — President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families" on January 29, 2025. The order directs the Secretary of Education to issue guidance on using federal funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives. It also mandates reviews by the Secretaries of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Defense, and the Interior to explore mechanisms for expanding educational options, including private and faith-based schools, for various groups such as low-income families, military families, and those eligible for Bureau of Indian Education schools.
• White House issues fact sheet promoting school choice executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on January 30, 2025, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump on educational freedom and school choice. The fact sheet states the order directs the Department of Education to issue guidance on using federal K-12 funding for scholarship programs, prioritizes school choice in discretionary grants, and directs HHS, Defense, and Interior to submit plans enabling families to redirect federal funds toward private, faith-based, and alternative educational options. The document claims school choice improves academic performance and saves taxpayer dollars.
• White House signed Executive Order 14191 directing federal agencies to support state-based K-12 educational choice programs — The White House issued Executive Order 14191 on January 29, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to issue guidance within 60 days on how states can use federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives. The order also directs the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Defense, and Interior to review discretionary grant programs and submit plans within 90 days for expanding education freedom through private, faith-based, and charter school options for low-income families, military families, and students eligible for Bureau of Indian Education schools.