Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• US judge clears way for Trump's children to be subpoenaed in BBC defamation case — According to The Mirror, a US judge cleared the way for Trump's children—Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka, and Jared Kushner—to be subpoenaed for documents and testimony about events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riots in Trump's £7.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The BBC is pursuing an expanding circle of people with potentially valuable knowledge of Trump's conduct during January 6. Trump attempted to amend his claims to limit the scope of what information the BBC could access, but failed. The BBC's attempts to physically serve the subpoenas have been repeatedly blocked by the Secret Service, but lawyers have been told they can bypass close protection agents by delivering legal demands via registered mail to home and business addresses and through lawyers. The Mirror notes this is a "humiliating setback" for Trump, who launched the lawsuit expecting to put the broadcaster on the defensive after watching US TV bosses hand over millions to settle disputes with him.

Supporting reports

• Administration continues running ads despite court order — Despite U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon's order to immediately stop running taxpayer-funded campaign-style advertisements, the Washington Post reported that the administration ignored the order and continued to run the ads on October 12, the day after the ruling.

Supporting reports

• Administration fells over 400 trees on East Potomac Golf Links despite court warning — The administration felled more than 400 trees on the East Potomac Golf Links course that Trump wants to develop into another of his projects on Saturday, October 12. U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes had previously warned the administration not to make any irreversible changes to the landscape, though she did not forbid routine maintenance work. The administration claimed the cutting was routine maintenance. Judge Reyes expressed fury at the administration's lawyers, stating she did not know how she could have made it any clearer that she was trying to stop precisely what the administration did. She warned that the government had lost all credibility with her. The administration's lawyer stated they still planned to cut several hundred more trees.
• Judge Reyes holds emergency hearing on Trump administration's defiance of court order at East Potomac Golf Course — US District Judge Ana Reyes convened an emergency hearing on a federal holiday to address the Trump administration's violation of her previous order prohibiting major work at the East Potomac public golf course in Washington, DC. The administration cut down approximately 430 trees on Saturday, October 10, despite the court order requiring notification before any such work. Judge Reyes expressed severe disappointment with DOJ attorneys and Trump administration lawyers, stating the government had lost credibility. She ordered a halt to all further work at the golf course until 2 PM the following day and demanded testimony from National Park Service officials and Interior Department staff about the authorization and timing of the tree removal.

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security conducts predawn raid on Representative Ilhan Omar's home — Agents from the Department of Homeland Security conducted a predawn raid on the Washington, D.C., home of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) on October 12. The Justice Department claimed the search stems from a criminal fraud investigation into immigration paperwork filled out by Omar's late father in the 1990s when Omar was a child. Legal analysts noted the timing violates longstanding DOJ norms against overt investigative steps in the period before an election that might influence its outcome.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration threatens to suspend intelligence sharing and weapons sales to Ukraine — The Trump administration warned Ukraine and European allies that the US could suspend intelligence sharing and halt European purchases of US weapons for Ukraine if Kyiv does not cease deep strikes on Russian energy facilities. The Financial Times reported that the administration is threatening to halt the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) weapons procurement program and cut intelligence sharing. National security reporter Michael Weiss noted that PURL represents billions of dollars in weapons sales to Europe for Ukrainian defense, and that Trump's threat would cost American defense industry revenue while benefiting only Moscow.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine — Trump posted on Truth Social that an "energy ceasefire" had been agreed between Russia and Ukraine, instructing both parties not to break it. This followed his earlier blame of Ukraine for high fuel prices and his statement that Ukraine needed "a new leader." Zelenskyy had conditionally offered to stop striking Russian refineries if Russia ceased attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, but Trump's unilateral announcement of a ceasefire without formal negotiation or Ukrainian confirmation raised questions about executive overreach.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces temporary sanctions lift on Russian diesel imports — President Trump announced a deal with Vladimir Putin to temporarily lift US sanctions on Russian diesel imports, claiming it would reduce fuel prices that have surged 70% since the US war on Iran. The agreement involves 300,000 tonnes released immediately, 500,000 in November, and 1 million tonnes thereafter. Energy analysts predict minimal impact due to shipping delays and small quantities relative to US daily consumption. The announcement infuriated President Zelenskyy and prompted Trump to blame Ukraine for high fuel prices.

Supporting reports

• Trump petitions Supreme Court to revive racketeering suit and overturn sanctions — President Donald Trump filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to revive a racketeering lawsuit against Marc Elias, Hillary Clinton, and others, and to overturn sanctions imposed by lower courts. The case was originally filed in 2022 as a private citizen between Trump's two terms. A federal judge dismissed it and sanctioned Trump and his lawyers for nearly $1 million. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld both the dismissal and sanctions. Trump's petition argues he deserves extra time to sue because he set the case aside while serving as president and claims the Court must protect the presidency from judges who punish its lawyers.

Supporting reports

• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin responded to Mamdani — DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin held a press conference to respond to Mayor Mamdani's criticism of ICE. While flexing his fist on a rubber stress ball throughout, Mullin called Mamdani's words "dangerous and incite hostility" and called the shooting subject "a thug, an absolute worst of the worst." When asked whether it was clear to the subject that he was being stopped by ICE given that agents were in plain clothes and vehicles were unmarked, Mullin responded that undercover investigations necessarily involve unmarked cars and uniforms.

Supporting reports

• Trump made inflammatory statements targeting Somali immigrants in Minnesota — Trump accused Somali immigrants of taking over Minnesota and associated them with crime and violence. He repeatedly urged residents to "fight back" and mentioned that the federal government could intervene if requested by Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey. His statements followed reports of criminal investigations involving Somali American individuals, including an alleged plot against the Mall of America.

Supporting reports

• DHS purchases five aircraft at markup from Kristi Noem donor on her last day as secretary — On Kristi Noem's final day as secretary of homeland security, the Department of Homeland Security purchased five aircraft at a considerable markup from one of Noem's political donors. The most expensive aircraft—a Boeing 737 converted into a private jet featuring marble showers and a manta ray skin-covered table—cost the department $108 million. The timing and pricing of the purchase raise questions about whether the transaction was conducted at fair market value and whether Noem's personal political relationships influenced a major government procurement decision.

Supporting reports

• Disney and ABC challenged FCC's early broadcast license review — Disney and ABC filed a federal court challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's decision to initiate an early review of broadcast licenses for eight ABC-owned television stations, despite the licenses not being due for renewal until 2028–2031. Disney argued the review constitutes retaliation for programming and editorial decisions disfavored by the Trump administration. The FCC stated the review was routine regulatory oversight linked to investigations of the company's practices.

Supporting reports

• DHS documents reveal election denier Heather Honey's role in noncitizen voting investigation — Internal Department of Homeland Security documents obtained by Popular Information reveal that election denier Heather Honey is playing a prominent role in DHS efforts to find evidence of noncitizen voting ahead of midterm elections. The documents detail DHS investigations into nonprofit voter registration organizations and outline plans for potential undercover operations targeting these groups. The revelation raises questions about whether election-fraud investigations are being driven by ideological commitments rather than evidence of actual violations.

Supporting reports

• Trump endorsed presidential retreat development at his golf club — Trump endorsed a proposal to develop a Camp David-style presidential retreat at his golf club in West Palm Beach. The proposal involves county-owned land leased to the Trump Organization, with the company offering to finance construction and provide presidential facilities without charging the government for use. Trump stated the facility would serve future presidents.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced oil deal with Putin to supply diesel fuel to the US market — Trump announced via Truth Social that he and Vladimir Putin reached an agreement for Russia to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel immediately, 500,000 tons in November, and 1,000,000 tons thereafter, with an additional 3,000,000 tons to follow. Trump stated the deal would lower diesel prices for Americans, farmers, ranchers, and truckers. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy immediately responded, stating the deal provides additional funding for Russia's war effort and accused Trump of using Ukraine peace negotiations as a smokescreen while colluding with Putin.

Supporting reports

• DOJ seeks criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson for alleged perjury before Congress — The Department of Justice's civil rights division is pursuing criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump White House aide who provided testimony to the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack. Hutchinson testified that Trump attempted to commandeer his SUV to join supporters at the Capitol. The charges involve allegations of lying to Congress. The move is described as highly unusual, as such investigations are typically handled by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
• DOJ seeks federal criminal indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson for perjury — The Department of Justice is pursuing a federal criminal indictment against former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson on charges of lying to Congress during her January 6 testimony. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division presented evidence to a federal grand jury on Tuesday and is expected to present additional evidence and witnesses later in October.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon announces livestreamed military execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan — Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, will be executed by firing squad on December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, Texas. Hegseth stated the execution will be public and livestreamed. A Defense Department official confirmed the livestream plan. This would be the first U.S. military execution in over 60 years. President Trump approved the sentence this week on Hegseth's recommendation after Hasan exhausted his appeals.
• Pentagon announced plan to livestream military execution — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon plans to livestream the December 3 execution of former Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. The execution would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961, though further legal proceedings could delay it.

Supporting reports

• Texas executes Jamaal Howard by pentobarbital despite Pike execution complications — Texas executed Jamaal Howard on October 8, 2026, using pentobarbital, the same drug that failed in Christa Pike's execution. Howard was convicted in 2001 of fatally shooting convenience store clerk Vickie Swartout during a robbery. His legal team argued the execution should be halted given the documented problems with pentobarbital in Pike's case, but multiple courts refused to intervene.

Supporting reports

• HSI considered undercover operations against voter registration groups — According to internal documents, Homeland Security Investigations considered deploying undercover agents to investigate voter registration organizations, with Pennsylvania and New Jersey as priority targets. The stated goal was for undercover agents to engage with organizations to "substantiate recruitment methods and activities related to illegal alien voter registration," gather evidence, disrupt activities, trace financial backing, and ultimately "initiate prosecutions and dismantle illicit facilitation networks." It remains unclear whether undercover operations were actually conducted.
• HSI investigated over 150 voter registration organizations — Homeland Security Investigations conducted investigations into over 150 organizations suspected of facilitating unlawful noncitizen voter registration. For the vast majority, HSI found no derogatory information. Twenty-six organizations remain under review, and two were flagged for further investigation in Pennsylvania: the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Zumiez, a skateboard and clothing retailer. HSI also investigated Black Fork Strategies, a progressive Ohio voter engagement firm, in coordination with the FBI.
• DHS documents reveal election denier Heather Honey's role in noncitizen voting investigation — Internal Department of Homeland Security documents obtained by Popular Information reveal that election denier Heather Honey is playing a prominent role in DHS efforts to find evidence of noncitizen voting ahead of midterm elections. The documents detail DHS investigations into nonprofit voter registration organizations and outline plans for potential undercover operations targeting these groups. The revelation raises questions about whether election-fraud investigations are being driven by ideological commitments rather than evidence of actual violations.

Supporting reports

• ICE collected tens of millions of voter records for deportation targeting — Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under direction of Deputy Assistant Secretary Heather Honey, collected approximately 48.4 million voter records through undisclosed "independent sources" and obtained an additional 50.6 million records from the Department of Justice. Records from ten states—Texas, Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey, Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio—were prioritized. The data was sent to HSI's Innovation Lab and is pending entry into Palantir's ELITE system, used to identify and locate people for deportation. This effort targets noncitizen voters, though noncitizen voting is extremely rare.

Supporting reports

• Billionaires fund California Proposition 39 voter ID ballot measure — Multiple billionaires, including Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, Richard Uihlein, and others, have donated over $36 million to support California's Proposition 39, a ballot measure requiring voters to show identification at polls and including ID numbers on mail ballots. The measure was authored by Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio in response to Trump administration pressure. California currently requires ID only at voter registration, not at polling places. The yes campaign has vastly outraised opponents by approximately $13 million. Democratic groups, the ACLU, and the League of Women Voters oppose the measure.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents shot man in car with 5-year-old in Manhattan — ICE agents surrounded a vehicle in Marble Hill in northern Manhattan and fired multiple rounds into the vehicle, shooting a man in the neck. The vehicle also contained a 5-year-old child. The man was taken to a hospital, remained conscious, and was in stable condition as of Thursday night.
• ICE agent shoots man in New York City during enforcement operation with child in vehicle — An ICE agent shot and wounded a 28-year-old man during an enforcement operation in the Marble Hill neighborhood of Manhattan on Thursday afternoon. Early reports indicated agents surrounded the man and a five-year-old child in a car before firing multiple rounds. The child was physically unharmed. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he negotiated unsuccessfully with President Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin for the man's release and demanded ICE cease enforcement in the city. The shooting sparked immediate protests and clashes between demonstrators and NYPD at a nearby hospital.
• ICE officer shoots man in neck during arrest in Manhattan's Marble Hill neighborhood — On Thursday afternoon, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot Oscar Belgal, 28, in the neck with an assault-style rifle during an arrest in Manhattan's Marble Hill neighborhood. Belgal's young child was in the back of his car at the time. Residents reported the officers were not clearly identified and expressed fear and anger. Belgal was detained and booked into the federal Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn. A federal judge ordered ICE to keep him in the area after his attorneys filed emergency motions requesting release.
• WIRED reported on ICE agent Brenden Cuni's history of unlawful arrests — WIRED reported that an ICE agent on the scene of the Manhattan shooting, identified as Brenden Cuni, has repeatedly been accused in federal court of unlawful arrests and using force during arrests in New York City and Minneapolis. Cuni was photographed at the scene in a high-visibility yellow construction vest brandishing a modified AR-15-style rifle. Federal court cases, social media, and public records reviewed by WIRED suggest Cuni has repeatedly been at the center of illegal ICE street arrests. Court filings accuse him of using a Taser on a handcuffed man, while activists allege he forced a pregnant woman to the ground during a Minneapolis operation. In recent months, federal judges have repeatedly found arrests involving Cuni unlawful, with one judge calling an arrest warrant he signed "fraudulent," another saying video evidence contradicts his sworn account, and a third case where the government withdrew his sworn statements as inaccurate.

Supporting reports

• NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for ICE removal from city — NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a press conference expressing anger at ICE following the shooting in Manhattan. Mamdani called for ICE to be removed from the city, schools, hospitals, and streets, stating that ICE operates with impunity, sows chaos and terror, and has killed more people than it has saved. He criticized the shooting tactics as having no explanation, particularly firing multiple rounds into a car with a 5-year-old. Mamdani noted that ICE agents in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles create confusion about whether they are law enforcement or attackers. He stated he made clear to the president and secretary that ICE agents should leave the scene and cease enforcement actions in NYC, arguing these actions make the city less safe and terrify New Yorkers.

Supporting reports

• FDA extended safety review of mifepristone into 2027 — The FDA announced that its ongoing safety review of mifepristone, the nation's primary abortion pill, will continue into 2027. The agency stated a report on findings is expected no later than March 2027, after which it will decide whether to impose new restrictions on the drug. The review was ordered by RFK Jr. following pressure from anti-abortion groups and their congressional allies seeking to restrict the pill's use.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court guts Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais decision — The Supreme Court issued a decision in Louisiana v. Callais that substantially weakened the Voting Rights Act, removing federal protections that had constrained state redistricting practices. The ruling prompted Republican-controlled legislatures in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee to immediately pursue aggressive congressional redistricting aimed at fragmenting Black voting blocs and concentrating Democratic voters into fewer districts. The decision marked a major shift in voting rights jurisprudence and triggered the subsequent wave of redistricting efforts across the South.
• Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee legislatures pursue aggressive congressional redistricting — Following the Louisiana v. Callais decision, Republican-controlled legislatures in four Southern states moved rapidly to redraw congressional maps with the explicit goal of fragmenting Black voting communities and concentrating them into fewer districts. The redistricting efforts were pursued despite impending primary elections, signaling the priority placed on diluting Black electoral power. The actions represented a coordinated partisan response to the Supreme Court's weakening of federal voting rights protections.