Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• California and North Carolina experience delayed or denied disaster relief — California has experienced disaster relief delayed or denied, and North Carolina is still waiting for aid after Hurricane Helene, even as previous assistance approved under former President Biden remains slow-rolled. This pattern of selective relief distribution follows the Colorado denial.

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• Homeland Security announces tripled self-deportation bonus for undocumented immigrants — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Fox that the Trump administration would triple the "bonus" offered to undocumented immigrants to "self-deport" using the CBP Home App, raising it to $3,000 through the end of the year. The program incentivizes voluntary departure without legal process.
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces "home for the holidays" program offering cash to undocumented immigrants for self-deportation — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a "home for the holidays" program offering cash payments to undocumented immigrants who self-deport, paired with threats of permanent exclusion if they do not comply. The program combines financial incentive with coercive threat.

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• Trump administration suspends offshore wind leases citing national security — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that the Trump administration is suspending leases for five large offshore wind projects under construction, citing national security concerns and alleged radar interference. Burgum stated the Department of Defense concluded the wind programs create radar clutter that impairs military ability to distinguish friend from foe in airspace. Critics, including foreign policy journalist Kevin Baron and energy policy experts, characterized the stated rationale as false and attributed the action to Trump's long-standing ideological opposition to wind energy stemming from disputes over turbines near his Scottish golf course.
• Trump administration suspends offshore wind project leases citing national security concerns — The administration suspended leases for major offshore wind projects, citing "national security concerns." The stated rationale was framed as protecting radar systems, though the underlying motivation was to protect fossil fuel interests and prevent lower energy prices for consumers.
• Department of the Interior suspends offshore wind projects — The Department of the Interior announced the suspension of five offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns. The decision affects billions in investments and thousands of jobs, with the projects intended to provide electricity to millions of households. The justification referenced the "Department of War," a defunct entity, raising questions about the validity of the reasoning. A federal judge had previously ruled a related suspension effort as "arbitrary and capricious."
• Department of Interior suspends five offshore wind projects citing national security — The Department of Interior announced suspension of five offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns and referencing a non-existent "Department of War." The projects represent billions in investment, thousands of jobs, and electricity generation capacity for millions of households. A federal judge had previously ruled a related suspension effort "arbitrary and capricious" and contrary to law. The suspension was announced three days before Christmas.
• Interior Department suspended offshore wind projects on national security grounds — The Interior Department suspended five offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns and referencing "the Department of War," an agency that has not existed since 1947. A federal judge had recently declared a similar suspension "arbitrary and capricious."

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• Rubio confirms US goal is regime change in Venezuela — At a state department press conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that "the current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States" and confirmed "our goal is to change that dynamic." Rubio also asserted the US "reserves the right" to use "every element of national power" to defend US interests, framing regime change as a national security objective.

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• White House endorses possibility of Trump third term — White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated the US would be "lucky" if Donald Trump remained in office for a constitutionally prohibited third term, following reports that Trump discussed the idea with constitutional scholar Alan Dershowitz. Dershowitz presented Trump with a book arguing the 22nd Amendment is ambiguous on third-term eligibility, a position contradicted by most constitutional experts. The statement represents an official endorsement of exploring constitutional workarounds to term limits.

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• Trump stated intention to seize Venezuelan oil resources — President Trump stated that the administration wants to reclaim oil rights in Venezuela that were allegedly taken away during previous administrations. He framed the objective as recovering resources that "we had" and that "they took it away because we had a president that maybe wasn't watching." The statement indicates that military action toward Venezuela is motivated by resource extraction rather than stated concerns about drugs or humanitarian issues.

Supporting reports

• Trump declares Venezuela a "foreign terrorist organization" and orders naval blockade — Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela and designated the Venezuelan government a "foreign terrorist organization" (FTO). The U.S. Navy deployed 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier, to the region. Legal experts note the FTO designation is legally murky because U.S. law targets non-state organizations, not sovereign governments. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles stated Trump "wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle," suggesting regime change rather than counterterrorism as the objective. The administration seized one tanker carrying 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan crude valued at approximately $95 million.
• Trump declares "total and complete blockade" on Venezuelan oil tankers — On Truth Social, Trump declared a "TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE" on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or departing Venezuela. Trump also warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that the US "will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States IMMEDIATELY."
• Trump orders naval blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers — President Trump announced a "total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, escalating pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government. The order follows weeks of military strikes in the region that have killed dozens and the recent U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude. Trump stated the blockade aims to prevent Venezuela from funding drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government rejected the order as a "grotesque threat" and act of piracy; Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro called it an unauthorized act of war.
• Trump Announces Total Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers — President Trump announced a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela, citing the Maduro regime's designation as a foreign terrorist organization. He claimed that the blockade is necessary to prevent the regime from financing terrorism and other criminal activities. This announcement follows military actions against small boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
• Trump orders total blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers and designates Maduro regime as foreign terrorist organization — Trump posted on social media that Venezuela is surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in South American history and ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela. He claimed Venezuela stole U.S. oil, land, and other assets and demanded their immediate return. Trump designated the Maduro regime as a foreign terrorist organization, citing terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. He stated that illegal aliens and criminals sent by the Maduro regime during the Biden administration are being returned to Venezuela at a rapid pace.
• Trump administration expands travel ban to 39 countries — The Trump administration expanded its travel ban from 19 to 39 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and others. The expanded ban also applies to people holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents, effectively restricting Palestinian travel rights.

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• Trump began construction on White House ballroom without legal approvals — President Trump has begun construction on a proposed ballroom addition to the White House without securing required legal approvals or permits. The White House has expressed the position that the president does not need permits or permission to tear down buildings, only to construct them. The initial architect selected for the project has stepped aside.
• Department of Justice argues Trump ballroom project must proceed for national security — The Department of Justice argued in court that Trump's ballroom project must go forward for reasons of national security despite a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to stop the project without legally required reviews and public input. Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told the court that when Trump tore down the East Wing in October, he destroyed security infrastructure, and that any pause in construction would hamper the Secret Service's ability to meet its statutory obligations.
• Federal judge allows Trump White House ballroom construction — A federal judge allowed Trump to move forward with the construction of his new White House ballroom for now. Later, Trump said the price tag of the ballroom would be $400 million, up from his last estimate of $300 million and double the White House's initial estimate.

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• Trump signed executive order designating fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" — On December 15, Trump signed an executive order formally classifying illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as "Weapons of Mass Destruction," arguing fentanyl is "closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic." The order directs DOJ to pursue fentanyl trafficking prosecutions, contemplates DoD resources supporting enforcement, and instructs DHS to identify fentanyl threat networks using WMD and nonproliferation intelligence tools. The classification empowers the Pentagon to assist law enforcement and allows intelligence agencies to deploy tools normally reserved for countering weapons proliferation.
• Trump designates illicit fentanyl and precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction via Executive Order 14367 — President Trump signed Executive Order 14367 on December 15, 2025, designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction. The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced investigations and prosecutions; the Secretaries of State and Treasury to pursue asset and financial sanctions; the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ enforcement; the Secretary of War to update Armed Forces directives on chemical incident response to include fentanyl threats; and the Secretary of Homeland Security to employ WMD and nonproliferation threat intelligence for counter-fentanyl operations.
• Trump designates illicit fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on December 15, 2025, designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced prosecutions and sentencing; the Secretaries of State and Treasury to target assets and financial institutions involved in fentanyl trafficking; the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ enforcement; and the Secretary of Homeland Security to integrate WMD-related threat intelligence into counter-fentanyl operations. The order frames fentanyl as a national security threat comparable to chemical weapons.
• Trump signed executive order designating illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction — President Trump signed Executive Order 14367 on December 15, 2025, designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction. The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced prosecutions and sentencing; the Secretaries of State and Treasury to pursue asset seizures and financial sanctions against fentanyl traffickers; the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ enforcement; the Secretary of War to update armed forces directives on chemical incidents to include fentanyl; and the Secretary of Homeland Security to use WMD and nonproliferation threat intelligence for counter-fentanyl operations.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order designating fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction — The White House published a fact sheet on December 15, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that designates illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction. The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced criminal charges and sentencing in fentanyl cases; instructs the Secretaries of State and Treasury to pursue asset seizures and financial sanctions against fentanyl networks; directs the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ in WMD-related emergencies; and orders updates to chemical incident response protocols and enhanced intelligence gathering on fentanyl smuggling networks.
• Trump signs executive order designating fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction — Trump signed an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The order directs the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute groups trafficking fentanyl and orders the Defense Department to determine if military resources are needed to help the DOJ conduct federal law enforcement to combat the threat of fentanyl.
• Trump signed executive order designating illicit fentanyl as "weapon of mass destruction" — Trump signed an executive order classifying illicit fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction," a designation typically reserved for chemical and biological threats. The move activates national-security enforcement tools and reframes drug enforcement as wartime escalation. The White House issued a fact sheet detailing the directive to federal agencies.

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• Trump threatened Republican state senators in Indiana over redistricting vote — Trump threatened Republican state senators in Indiana who voted against redistricting legislation. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) was asked on Fox whether going after every Republican lawmaker who voted against the measure was the right move. Banks responded: "I support the president. You don't want to be on the other side of Donald Trump." The statement indicates Trump is using threats and intimidation against members of his own party who do not comply with his preferred policies.

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• Trump attacks Colorado governor over refusal to release election denier — Speaking to reporters, Trump baselessly called Colorado Governor Jared Polis "a weak and pathetic man who was run by Tren de Aragua" for refusing to release Tina Peters, the former Colorado county clerk who was convicted of tampering with voting machines following the 2020 presidential election, from prison.

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• Defense Department escalates review of Senator Mark Kelly — The Defense Department said it was "escalating" its review into Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) to "an official Command investigation" probing his role in a recent viral video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on members of the military to refuse illegal orders. Kelly's lawyers said "there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding" against Kelly and that "any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power."
• Senator Mark Kelly and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth engaged in heated argument during classified briefing — During a classified briefing on boat strikes, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about operations. Hegseth responded by referencing lawful versus unlawful orders and went after Kelly regarding a video Kelly participated in with other Democrats telling service members to disobey "illegal orders." Kelly interrupted Hegseth, noting his question had nothing to do with that topic. The Pentagon is escalating a preliminary review into Kelly over his participation in the video to an "official Command Investigation" for "serious allegations of misconduct."
• Senator Mark Kelly stated he is under investigation for repeating constitutional duty taught to service members — Senator Mark Kelly issued a statement saying that President Trump called for his execution, Defense Secretary Hegseth threatened him with court martial, and now the Pentagon is investigating him for "serious allegations of misconduct" related to a video where he repeated something "every service member is taught" about following constitutional orders. Kelly characterized the investigation as retaliation for his protected speech and service.

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• Interior Department issued default notice to National Links Trust over DC public golf courses — The Interior Department delivered an official default notice to the National Links Trust, a non-profit holding a 50-year lease to operate three public golf courses in Washington, D.C. (East Potomac Golf Links, Rock Creek, and Langston Golf Course). Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration ordered the group to accept dirt from White House East Wing demolition or risk defaulting on its lease. After the group accepted and trucks dumped soil on one course, the Interior Department claimed the group violated its lease terms. Trump stated the courses would fall under administration control if violations were not remedied by year's end. Trump indicated plans to redevelop the courses.
• Trump dumped White House East Wing demolition dirt on public golf course — President Trump arranged for dirt from the demolition of the White House East Wing to be dumped on the East Potomac Golf Links, one of three public golf courses in the Washington, D.C., area that Trump is seeking to renovate. Trump is attempting to push aside the nonprofit group holding a 50-year lease to restore and operate the courses. All three courses—East Potomac, Rock Creek Park Golf, and Langston Golf Course—are on the National Register of Historic Places. Trump claims that if he takes control, D.C. residents will pay lower fees than outside golfers.
• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum discussed D.C. golf course plans with Trump — During a Wall Street Journal interview on Friday with reporter Meridith McGraw about the economy, President Trump took repeated calls from friends and allies, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who joined by speakerphone to discuss the administration's plans for Washington, D.C., golf courses.

Supporting reports

• US military conducts lethal strikes on boats in Eastern Pacific — The US Southern Command announced that, at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US military conducted lethal strikes on three boats in the Eastern Pacific, killing a total of eight people.
• U.S. military strikes three boats in eastern Pacific, killing eight people — U.S. Southern Command announced that the military conducted strikes on three small boats in the eastern Pacific at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, killing eight people. The command claimed intelligence confirmed the vessels were engaged in narco-trafficking. This brings the total death toll from U.S. strikes to at least 95. Legal experts dispute the administration's claim of an "armed conflict" against drug cartels and say the U.S. has no legal basis for the strikes.
• Sen. Rand Paul warned against regime change wars in South America — Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) warned on NBC that if the Trump administration continues toppling regimes in South America, there is "no amount of money that could be printed to pay for that" and lives should not be lost without a congressional vote. Paul's statement was made in response to Trump's warning to Colombia that it "could be next" after the administration's military escalation against Venezuela.
• Rep. Mike Turner expressed grave concern about boat strikes in Venezuela — Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) stated on ABC that there is "very grave concern in Congress" about boat strikes occurring in Venezuela. Turner noted that the individuals conducting the strikes are not being subject to criminal prosecution, and if they were, there would be no capital punishment available. Turner's statement indicates congressional concern about the legality and accountability of military operations against Venezuela.
• Sen. Jack Reed warned about consequences of violating laws of war — Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) stated on Fox that the U.S. must follow the law of war and can expect other countries to do the same. He warned that if the U.S. does not follow the law of war, it cannot expect other countries to protect American service members in distress, refrain from shooting wounded personnel in the water, or avoid leaving wounded soldiers to die. Reed's statement was made in response to the administration's military operations against Venezuela.
• Pentagon lawyers proposed sending boat strike survivors to El Salvador megaprison — The New York Times reported on December 9 that Pentagon lawyers raised the prospect of sending survivors of a mid-October boat strike in the Caribbean to El Salvador's megaprison in an effort to ensure they don't end up in the US court system, where the Trump administration could be forced to present evidence justifying their strikes in the region. The proposal represents an attempt to evade judicial accountability.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced mounting Republican criticism over a potentially illegal order to kill survivors of a Caribbean boat strike. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding an order that allegedly directed the killing of survivors from a Caribbean boat strike. The order was characterized as potentially illegal. This incident contributed to broader concerns about dysfunction within the Trump administration and raised questions about the legality and ethics of military directives under the current leadership.
• Pentagon conducts military strikes on Venezuelan vessels; at least 95 killed since September — The Pentagon conducted strikes on three boats accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific near Venezuela, killing eight people. This action is part of an escalating campaign that has included more than 20 strikes since September 2, resulting in at least 95 deaths. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refused to release video footage of a September 2 attack, citing national security and "longstanding Department of War policy." The administration defends the strikes as preventing drugs from reaching U.S. shores, though Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles confirmed in a Vanity Fair interview that the campaign aims to oust Maduro.

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• Indiana Senate rejected Trump's redistricting demands despite federal funding threats — The Indiana State Senate voted against a redistricting bill that Trump had publicly demanded for six weeks, including through threats to withhold federal funding. Trump subsequently claimed he was not heavily involved. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith confirmed the Trump administration had explicitly threatened to withhold federal funding if the bill did not pass, then deleted the post. A majority (21 of 40) Republican state senators voted against the measure, contradicting Gov. Mike Braun's characterization of them as "a small group."
• Trump and administration officials pressured Indiana legislature on congressional redistricting — Trump and members of his administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Don Trump Jr., pressured Indiana state legislators to redraw congressional districts to favor Republicans. Heritage Action, the lobbying arm of the Heritage Institute, posted on social media that Trump had threatened to strip all federal funding from Indiana if the state senate failed to pass a gerrymandered map. Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith confirmed the Trump administration's threats. The pressure campaign included death threats against Republican state senators who resisted.

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• Trump signs Executive Order 14365 establishing federal AI policy framework and authorizing legal challenges to state AI laws — President Trump signed Executive Order 14365 on December 11, 2025, establishing a national policy framework for artificial intelligence designed to minimize regulatory barriers to AI innovation. The order directs the Attorney General to establish an AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state AI laws deemed inconsistent with federal policy, authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate and identify "onerous" state AI laws within 90 days, and empowers federal agencies to condition discretionary grants on states either refraining from enacting conflicting AI laws or agreeing not to enforce them. The order also directs the FCC and FTC to initiate proceedings on federal AI reporting standards and preemption of state laws requiring "deceptive" AI outputs.
• Trump signs executive order to preempt state AI regulation and establish federal litigation taskforce — On December 11, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Ensuring a national policy framework for artificial intelligence" that seeks to block states from regulating AI technology. The order creates a Department of Justice "AI Litigation Task Force" with the sole responsibility of challenging state AI laws. Though the order lacks the force of law, it resurrects a failed legislative effort to impose a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation and directs review of existing state laws requiring AI safety disclosures or algorithmic discrimination assessments. The order prioritizes Silicon Valley interests over state consumer protections and civil liberties concerns.
• Trump issues executive order establishing national AI policy framework and challenging state AI laws — President Trump signed an executive order on December 11, 2025, directing the federal government to establish a minimally burdensome national policy framework for artificial intelligence and to challenge state AI laws deemed inconsistent with federal policy. The order creates an AI Litigation Task Force within the Department of Justice to sue states over AI regulations, directs the Commerce Secretary to evaluate and identify "onerous" state AI laws within 90 days, and conditions federal broadband funding on states' compliance with the national framework. The order explicitly targets state laws requiring AI models to alter outputs or disclose information in ways the administration views as unconstitutional.
• Trump announces executive order to preempt state AI regulations — President Trump announced on Truth Social that he will sign an executive order this week to preempt state-level AI regulations. A leaked draft of the order, drawn from an Andreessen Horowitz policy memo, would require the Attorney General to assemble an "AI Litigation Task Force" to overturn state AI laws using Commerce Clause arguments and would withhold federal broadband grants from states implementing AI regulations. Legal experts dispute this interpretation of the Commerce Clause.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order establishing national AI policy framework — The White House issued a fact sheet on December 11, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to establish a national policy framework for artificial intelligence. The order directs the Attorney General to establish an AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state AI laws; instructs the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate and potentially defund states with conflicting AI laws; and directs the FTC and FCC to limit states' ability to regulate AI companies. The fact sheet states the order aims to preempt a "patchwork" of state regulations and characterizes certain state laws as requiring "DEI ideology" and "Woke AI."
• White House signed Executive Order 14365 establishing federal preemption framework for state AI regulation — President Trump signed Executive Order 14365 on December 11, 2025, directing the establishment of a national AI policy framework designed to preempt state-level AI regulations. The order creates an AI Litigation Task Force within the Department of Justice to challenge state AI laws deemed inconsistent with federal policy, directs the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate and identify "onerous" state AI laws within 90 days, and authorizes withholding of federal broadband funding from states with AI laws conflicting with the order's policy. The order also directs the FCC and FTC to issue preemption standards and policy statements regarding AI disclosure and deceptive conduct.

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• Trump signed Executive Order 14366 directing SEC, FTC, and Labor Department to investigate and restrict proxy advisors' influence over corporate governance and shareholder voting. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14366 on December 11, 2025, directing the SEC Chairman to review and revise rules governing proxy advisors, particularly targeting their promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental/social/governance (ESG) policies. The order instructs the FTC to investigate proxy advisors for antitrust violations and unfair practices, and directs the Labor Secretary to revise ERISA fiduciary standards and enhance transparency regarding proxy advisor use. The order names Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC as foreign-owned firms controlling over 90 percent of the proxy advisor market.
• Trump issued executive order directing SEC and FTC review of proxy advisors' ESG and DEI recommendations — President Trump issued an executive order on December 11, 2025, directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to review and potentially revise rules governing proxy advisors (primarily Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC), with emphasis on eliminating guidance tied to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" and "environmental, social, and governance" factors. The order also directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether proxy advisors engage in unfair or anticompetitive practices, and instructs the Department of Labor to revise fiduciary standards for pension and retirement plans using proxy advisors.
• White House issued fact sheet on executive order directing SEC, FTC, and Labor Department to review and restrict proxy advisor regulations related to DEI and ESG — President Trump signed Executive Order 14366 on December 11, 2025, directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to review and revise rules governing proxy advisors, particularly targeting their promotion of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" and "environmental, social, and governance" policies. The order instructs the SEC to enforce anti-fraud provisions against proxy advisors, assess whether they should register as investment advisers, and examine whether investment advisers' use of proxy advisors violates fiduciary duties. The FTC is directed to investigate proxy advisors for antitrust violations and unfair practices. The Labor Department is instructed to revise ERISA regulations and strengthen fiduciary standards for pension and retirement plans using proxy advisors.
• — The White House published a fact sheet on December 11, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that directs the SEC to review and rescind or revise rules related to proxy advisors' DEI and ESG priorities; directs the FTC to investigate proxy advisors for unfair competition; and directs the Labor Department to strengthen ERISA fiduciary rules and increase transparency regarding proxy advisor use. The fact sheet characterizes proxy advisors as "foreign-owned" entities that prioritize "radical political agendas" over investor returns.

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• Trump administration seizes Venezuelan oil tanker off nation's coast — On December 11, 2025, US forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off Venezuela's coast. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and Coast Guard executed a seizure warrant, claiming the vessel had transported sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran for years supporting foreign terrorist organizations. Trump confirmed the seizure, stating "We keep the oil, I guess!" The action prompted bipartisan congressional concern about escalating military posture in the Caribbean and potential war with Venezuela.

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• Trump granted full pardon to Colorado election official Tina Peters — Trump granted a "full pardon" to Tina Peters, a Colorado election official convicted by jury for state crimes in facilitating a data breach while attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Peters is serving a nine-year prison sentence. Because presidents cannot issue pardons for state crimes, the pardon has limited legal effect unless Colorado Governor Jared Polis also pardons her. Trump has repeatedly attacked Polis, a Democrat, since Polis's refusal to pardon Peters.

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• Trump administration transfers 760 acres of California public land to US Navy for militarized border defense zone — The Trump administration's Department of Interior announced the transfer of 760 acres of public land in California's San Diego and Imperial counties to the US Navy for a three-year period to establish a "National Defense Area" supporting border security operations. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the action addresses security gaps and supports the President's border and sovereignty agenda. The region, spanning from the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area to approximately one mile west of the California–Arizona border, is claimed by officials to be among the highest-traffic areas for unlawful crossings.

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• Trump pressured Supreme Court on tariff authority via social media — Trump posted on social media framing tariffs as a national security matter and asserting that the president has inherent constitutional authority to impose them. He claimed to have "settled 8 Wars in 10 months" based on presidential rights and urged the Court to uphold his tariff policy. The post came as the Supreme Court prepared to rule on whether Trump's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs was constitutional, with justices' questioning suggesting skepticism of his authority.
• Trump Pressures Supreme Court on Tariffs — President Donald J. Trump pressured the Supreme Court to uphold his tariffs, claiming authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act after declaring a national economic emergency. Observers expect a decision on the constitutionality of these tariffs soon, with indications that the justices may not support Trump's expansive interpretation of presidential power. Trump's administration has also indicated it will continue its tariff agenda regardless of the Court's decision.

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• Trump pardoned David Gentile, architect of 1.6 billion dollar Ponzi scheme — Trump issued a presidential pardon for David Gentile, the architect of a 1.6 billion dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of regular investors. The pardon received minimal national media coverage compared to the scale of the fraud and harm to victims.

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• Trump pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and later attacked him for not switching parties — Trump pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife Imelda, who faced 15-year prison sentences. Trump posted that he made the pardon "in the interest of justice" after reading a letter from Cuellar's daughters. However, after Cuellar announced he would run for Congress again as a Democrat, Trump posted: "Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry's daughters, will not like. Oh' well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!" effectively admitting he expected Cuellar to switch parties in exchange for the pardon.
• Trump publicly demanded party switch from pardoned congressman Henry Cuellar in exchange for pardon — Trump posted on social media attacking pardoned Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar for refusing to switch to the Republican Party after receiving a presidential pardon. Trump claimed Cuellar's daughters "wrote me a letter" and that he "saved" the family, implying the pardon was conditional on party loyalty. Trump characterized Cuellar's refusal as a "lack of LOYALTY" and berated his daughters. The incident was characterized as an open admission of a quid pro quo bribery scheme linking official acts to private political allegiance.
• Trump attacked Rep. Henry Cuellar for seeking re-election as Democrat — On December 7, Trump lashed out on Truth Social at Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, whom he had pardoned the previous week, for announcing he would seek re-election as a Democrat rather than switching parties. Trump called the move "such a lack of LOYALTY" and threatened, "next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!" The attack illustrates Trump's expectation of partisan loyalty in exchange for clemency.

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• Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, former Honduran president convicted of cocaine trafficking — Trump issued a presidential pardon for Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras who was convicted at federal trial of trafficking more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. Trial testimony linked Hernández directly to the Sinaloa Cartel, with statements such as "Stuff the drugs right up the noses of the gringos." Republican senators questioned about the pardon claimed ignorance of the facts and circumstances, despite national security being part of their oversight responsibilities.
• Trump pardoned former president of Honduras convicted of drug trafficking — In a new interview with Politico, Trump stated that he pardoned the former president of Honduras who was convicted in a massive international drug trafficking scheme. When asked how this aligns with his zero-tolerance drug trafficking policy, Trump responded that he does not know the individual and knows very little about him other than that people said it was like an "Obama-Biden type set up where he was set up."

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• Trump signals potential approval of Paramount's hostile bid while warning against Netflix acquisition — On Sunday, the day before Paramount's hostile takeover bid was announced, President Trump stated that Netflix's planned $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery "could be a problem" due to market concentration concerns, while emphasizing he would personally be involved in the regulatory decision. Trump also stated he had not spoken with Kushner about the competing Paramount bid. The timing and Trump's antitrust framing created conditions favorable to Paramount's counter-offer, which is backed by Kushner's firm and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.
• Trump stated he would be involved in DOJ's decision on Netflix-Warner Bros merger — When asked whether Netflix should be allowed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, Trump stated "That's a question. They have a very big market share. I'll be involved in that decision." This public declaration of involvement in an antitrust matter traditionally left to the DOJ broke with precedent of presidents avoiding public statements about merger decisions. White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett later defended the statement, saying it is not rare for presidents to have opinions about "big society changing mergers."