Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump suggested federal takeover of New York City if Mamdani elected — Speaking to reporters during a Cabinet meeting, Trump suggested he may initiate a federal takeover of New York City if Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor, saying, "We have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to." Trump has no authority to run New York City, but "there are ways in which he can make life difficult," one legal expert told Newsday. Trump added that his administration has been "looking at" doing the same in Washington, DC.
• Trump suggested federal takeover of New York City and Washington D.C. — Trump suggested the administration could take over New York City if voters elect Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. He also suggested the administration could take over Washington, D.C., stating "We could run D.C." and "We want a capital that's run flawlessly, and it wouldn't be hard for us to do it."

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• Trump imposes 25% tariff on South Korean imports — Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imports from South Korea, overriding the existing U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement ratified by Congress. The action was taken unilaterally via letter to South Korea's president, described by observers as unconstitutional and arbitrary.

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• Trump announced 35% tariff on goods from Canada — On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, President Trump announced a 35% tariff on goods from Canada, effective August 1.
• Trump announced 50% tariff on copper effective August 1 — On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, President Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper, effective August 1. Copper is vital to the defense industry, batteries, electric wires, and plumbing. The U.S. imports more than half of the copper it uses. Trump stated he wants the U.S. to produce the copper it needs domestically, but industry experts note that achieving domestic production capacity will take years.
• Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil, citing Bolsonaro trial as "witch-hunt" — On Wednesday, President Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, explicitly linking it to what he called a "witch-hunt" trial against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Trump also announced tariffs on seven other countries (Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, Sri Lanka) ranging from 25–30%, effective 1 August. Trump cited Brazil's regulation of social media platforms and claimed an unfair trade deficit. Brazilian President Lula rejected the demands, asserting Brazil's sovereignty and independent judiciary.

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• Trump administration's TikTok enforcement delay revealed — Newly released letters indicate that the Trump administration instructed the Department of Justice not to enforce a law banning TikTok for 75 days while reviewing it. This decision allowed the app to remain available despite legal restrictions, raising questions about executive overreach and adherence to the rule of law.
• Trump directed DOJ not to enforce TikTok ban for 75 days and instructed Attorney General Bondi to tell companies they face no legal liability — When Trump took office, he directed the Department of Justice not to enforce the congressionally passed TikTok ban for 75 days while his administration reviewed it. He also instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to tell companies they could continue carrying the TikTok app "without incurring any legal liability," despite the law passed by Congress, signed by President Biden, and upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court.

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• Education Secretary warned California over trans athlete policy — On Twitter, Education Secretary Linda McMahon warned California Governor Gavin Newsom that the state could face legal action for refusing to ban trans athletes from girls' and women's sports. McMahon noted that Newsom will be hearing from Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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• IRS announced exemption for churches endorsing political candidates — The IRS announced in a court filing that churches and other houses of worship are free to endorse political candidates, creating an exemption for a decades-old ban preventing tax-exempt non-profit organizations from political activity.
• IRS announces churches may endorse political candidates without tax penalty — The IRS filed in federal court that churches can endorse political candidates without risking loss of tax-exempt status, upending a 70-year interpretation of the Johnson Amendment of the tax code. Other tax-exempt organizations remain barred from candidate endorsements.

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• White House issued fact sheet on federal hiring freeze and merit-based approval requirements — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 7, 2025, describing a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Trump that day. The memorandum requires most federal civilian hires and new positions to be approved by presidentially appointed agency leadership, effective through October 15, 2025. The fact sheet states the policy aims to end "incompetence and 'equity' over results" and claims exemptions apply to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety roles. The document frames the action as promoting fiscal responsibility and government efficiency.
• White House issued presidential memorandum imposing federal hiring freeze through October 15, 2025 — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on July 7, 2025, directing a freeze on federal civilian hiring through October 15, 2025. The order prohibits filling vacant positions or creating new positions in executive departments and agencies, except for military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, public safety roles, and the Executive Office of the President. The memorandum permits exemptions for positions approved by agency heads or presidential appointees and carves out Social Security, Medicare, and veterans' benefits. It references a Merit Hiring Plan issued by the Office of Personnel Management on May 29, 2025.

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• Trump pardons January 6 Capitol attackers — President Trump pardoned supporters who participated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, abandoning the traditional norm that presidential pardons be used sparingly and judiciously. This action signals that political loyalty supersedes accountability for violence against democratic institutions.

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• Trump orders DOJ to scrutinize political opponents — President Trump breached the Department of Justice's traditional independence by ordering it to scrutinize his political opponents and punish his critics through measures such as stripping their Secret Service protections. This action politicizes law enforcement and converts the DOJ into a tool for personal vendetta.

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• Trump announces 50% tariff on copper — During the Cabinet meeting, Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper without prior notice or legislative coordination. The announcement was made casually amid other remarks and represents a unilateral executive action on trade policy.
• Trump confirms August 1 tariff deadline via Truth Social — After being questioned about the firmness of his August 1 tariff deadline and facing social media ridicule for equivocation, Trump posted on Truth Social stating that tariffs will begin August 1, 2025, with no extensions granted and all money due and payable on that date.
• Senior Trump official characterizes trade negotiations as theatrical — A senior Trump administration official told Politico that the administration's "trade negotiations" are fake and that Trump is conducting tariff policy for drama and theater. The official stated: "Trump knows the most interesting part of his presidency is the tariff conversation. It's all fake. There's no deadline. It's a self-imposed landmark in this theatrical show, and that's where we are."

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• Trump administration executive order on homelessness enforcement — In July 2025, the Trump administration signed an executive order designed to make it easier for states to clear homeless encampments and force people into involuntary drug and mental health treatment. The order also called for cutting funding for "housing first" approaches, which research shows are the most effective and cost-effective method for reducing homelessness (88% reduction, $1.80 benefit per dollar spent). The order provides no funding for housing or additional services.
• Trump stated plans for expansion of detention facilities across multiple states — When asked how many detention facilities like the Everglades facility the country needs to enact mass deportations, Trump stated: "Well, I think we'd like to see them in many states, really, many states. This one, I know Ron's doing a second one, at least a second one, and probably a couple of more. And, you know, at some point, they might morph into a system where you're going to keep it for a long time." The statement indicates plans for a permanent, nationwide detention infrastructure.
• Trump visited new detention facility in Florida Everglades — President Trump visited a newly constructed detention facility in the Florida Everglades designed to hold 5,000 undocumented immigrants. The facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," consists of tents with cages and costs $450 million annually, with reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Trump appeared at the facility with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, making public statements about immigration enforcement and detention expansion.
• Trump tours "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in July — Trump toured the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility in the Everglades in July, a hastily constructed tent-like detention center surrounded by mosquito-infested swampland about 50 miles outside Miami. Trump appeared to revel in the facility's harsh conditions in a calculated display of draconian showmanship. Of the 57,000 people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 70% have no criminal record. The facility has become a symbol of the administration's mass deportation era.
• Trump visits and celebrates harsh migrant detention facility in Florida Everglades — President Trump toured "Alligator Alcatraz," a newly constructed temporary migrant detention camp in the remote Florida Everglades near Ochopee, accompanied by Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump publicly celebrated the harsh conditions, making jokes about alligators and snakes, and stated he "couldn't care less" about controversy. The facility, built on mosquito-infested swampland in extreme heat, is designed to hold up to 5,000 detainees and cost $450 million. Environmental groups and Native American tribes have filed lawsuits challenging the project.

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• Trump questioned Zohran Mamdani's immigration status and threatened arrest — Trump questioned the immigration status of Zohran Mamdani, claiming that a "lot of people are saying he's here illegally," despite Mamdani becoming a US citizen in 2018. Trump said his administration is "going to look at everything," and stated that Mamdani would be arrested if he followed through on campaign promises to defy ICE officials. Mamdani responded that Trump's comments represent "an attack on our democracy" and an attempt to intimidate New Yorkers who speak up.
• Trump called for investigation into former Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas — At a press conference in Ochopee, Florida, Trump called for an investigation into Alejandro Mayorkas, who served as Homeland Security Secretary under President Joe Biden. The call for investigation occurred in the context of Trump's broader statements about arresting and deporting individuals.
• Trump threatened arrest of Democratic NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani — Trump threatened to arrest Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, if he does not work with ICE agents to arrest migrants. Trump falsely claimed Mamdani is a communist and stated that "a lot of people are saying he's here illegally," despite Mamdani being a naturalized U.S. citizen. Trump also asserted that local and state governments have no legal obligation to work with federal immigration enforcement, contradicting established law.
• Trump amplifies accusations against naturalized NYC mayoral candidate and signals investigation — President Trump amplified Rep. Andy Ogles' accusations against Zohran Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen who won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, claiming "a lot of people are saying he's here illegally" and stating "We're going to look at everything." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier tacitly approved investigating Mamdani based on Ogles' unverified claims. Trump also stated his administration could deport citizens, which would violate the Constitution and federal law.
• Trump posts attack on naturalized NYC mayoral candidate on Truth Social — President Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Zohran Mamdani, the naturalized U.S. citizen who won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, calling him a "Communist Lunatic" and stating "I hold all the levers, and have all the cards" in reference to his power to act against Mamdani. The post signals Trump's intent to use executive power to prevent Mamdani from winning office.

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• Trump threatens deportation and subsidy cuts against Musk amid tax bill dispute — Donald Trump and Elon Musk's political alliance fractured over Trump's signature tax bill moving through Congress. Musk publicly opposed the legislation, calling it "insane" and threatening to form a new political party if it passed. Trump responded with threats to deport Musk (citing his South African birth), cut government subsidies to his companies, and deploy the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) against him. The feud centers on Musk's concerns that the bill would nullify federal spending cuts and add trillions to national debt, while Trump alleges Musk's opposition stems from the bill's termination of EV tax credits.
• Trump attacked Musk on Truth Social over EV subsidies and threatened DOGE investigation — President Trump posted on Truth Social after midnight on July 1, attacking Elon Musk for receiving subsidies while claiming to oppose EV mandates. Trump stated that without subsidies Musk would "probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa" and suggested that DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) should investigate Musk's subsidies. Trump framed this as potential "big money to be saved."
• Trump suggested deporting Elon Musk — When asked by a reporter whether he would deport Elon Musk, Trump said, "We'll have to take a look," adding that "We might have to put DOGE on Elon … the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon." The statement represents a threat of deportation against a major political figure based on personal conflict.
• Trump suggested deporting Musk in response to subsidy criticism — When a reporter asked Trump on the morning of July 1 whether he might consider deporting Elon Musk, Trump responded: "We'll have to take a look. We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? The monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies." The statement appeared to reference potential deportation as a consequence of Musk's political opposition.

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• Trump threatens Republican senators over bill opposition via Truth Social — After the Congressional Budget Office released its analysis showing the Senate bill would add $3.3 trillion to the deficit, President Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday evening, urging Republicans concerned about debt not to "go too crazy" and reminding them that officials who cross him "tend not to stay in office long." The threat came hours after Senator Thom Tillis voted against advancing the bill on Saturday and faced a torrent of attacks from Trump, leading Tillis to announce he would not seek re-election in 2026.

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• Administration withholds education funding pending review — The Trump administration announced on June 30 that it would not release nearly $7 billion in education funding appropriated by Congress in March, citing the need to conduct a "review." The funds were scheduled for release by July 1 and included support for teacher recruitment and training, arts and music education in low-income areas, English-language learner programs, and assistance for children of migrant farm workers. The Office of Management and Budget stated the funds were being "grossly misused to subsidize a radical left-wing agenda."
• Trump Education Department withheld $6.8 billion in K–12 school funding — The Trump Education Department announced it is withholding $6.8 billion in K–12 school funding that by law was required to be disbursed on July 1, 2025. The administration stated it believes the appropriation is unconstitutional, despite the Constitution providing that Congress alone has the power to write laws and charging the president with ensuring laws are faithfully executed.
• Trump’s Education Department withholds $6.8 billion in school funding — The Trump administration announced it is withholding $6.8 billion in K–12 school funding that was legally required to be disbursed starting today. The administration claims the funding is unconstitutional, defying the law that mandates the disbursement of appropriations passed by Congress.
• Trump administration withheld $7 billion in federal school funding — The Trump administration withheld nearly $7 billion in scheduled federal funding for schools, telling state education agencies that the funds, which support after-school, English-language learning, adult education, and other programs, are unavailable and under review. The withholding removes resources from educational programs.

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• Trump states he authorized Iranian retaliation strike on U.S. base — At a press conference in the Netherlands, President Trump stated he had given Iran permission to conduct a retaliatory bombing of a U.S. air base in Qatar in response to U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear weapons program sites. Trump said he approved the timing and that the base was evacuated except for gunners. The statement has received limited media attention despite its extraordinary nature.

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• Trump administration conducts unilateral bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities without Congressional authorization — The Trump administration conducted direct military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without seeking Congressional approval or presenting intelligence justification to Congress or the public. Ansari characterizes this as a violation of constitutional war powers and notes the lack of transparency regarding the rationale for strikes, particularly problematic given U.S. history of military interventions in the Middle East.
• Trump orders strikes on Iranian nuclear sites — President Trump announced via Truth Social that he ordered more than 125 aircraft and 75 weapons, including 14 bunker-busting bombs, to strike three Iranian nuclear targets to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He followed with a White House speech declaring the strikes "a spectacular military success" and claiming Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities were "completely and totally obliterated." A leaked intelligence report later suggested the operation set back Iran's nuclear program by only a few months.

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• Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship remains in effect after 30-day pause expires — Trump's executive order attempting to unilaterally end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors remains enforceable after a 30-day pause granted by the Supreme Court. The order targets the 14th Amendment guarantee of citizenship to all persons born in the United States. Immigration rights groups and states have filed lawsuits challenging the order's constitutionality, but the Supreme Court's ruling on injunctions means they must now pursue class-action litigation rather than seeking nationwide blocks on enforcement.
• Trump announces intent to end birthright citizenship — In May 2023, Donald Trump, then a presidential candidate, announced his intention to issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship on the first day of his new presidential term. He claimed that the current understanding of birthright citizenship is based on a historical myth and misinterpretation of the law. This statement reflects ongoing debates about citizenship and immigration policy in the U.S.

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• Trump administration terminates Temporary Protected Status for Haitians — The Trump administration announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately half a million Haitians, stripping them of their legal status in the U.S. This decision reflects a broader trend of limiting immigration protections and could lead to significant consequences for affected individuals and families.
• Administration terminates Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals — The Trump administration announced termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 500,000 Haitian nationals, stripping them of their legal status in the United States. The action was characterized as echoing historical discriminatory naturalization laws that restricted citizenship to "free white persons."

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• Trump attacked Rand Paul and Thom Tillis on Truth Social — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking both senators who voted against the reconciliation bill. He questioned Rand Paul's loyalty ("Did Rand Paul Vote 'NO' again tonight? What's wrong with this guy???") and attacked Thom Tillis for opposing the bill, accusing him of "GRANDSTANDING" and announcing he would back a primary challenger against Tillis. Trump later announced he would meet with potential primary challengers to find someone to "properly represent the Great People of NC."
• Trump threatened primary challenge to Senator Tillis — After Senator Thom Tillis voted against the budget reconciliation bill, Trump announced he would support a primary challenger to Tillis. Trump stated he would be "looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina," signaling retaliation against the senator for his vote opposing the administration's fiscal measure.
• Trump threatens primary challenge against Tillis after Senate vote against spending bill — Senator Thom Tillis voted against Trump's "big beautiful bill" on a procedural Senate vote on Saturday. Trump responded with a barrage of social media attacks, calling Tillis a "talker and complainer" and threatening to support a primary challenger against him in 2026. Tillis announced on Sunday he would not seek re-election, citing the increasingly hostile environment toward independent-minded Republicans in Washington.
• Tillis announces retirement from Senate after Trump pressure — Following Trump's threats and attacks over his vote against the spending bill, Senator Thom Tillis announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2026. In his statement, Tillis cited the increasingly hostile environment toward bipartisan and independent-minded leaders in Washington, noting that such leaders have become "an endangered species."
• Senator Tillis announces he will not seek reelection — Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced he will not run for reelection in 2026 after Trump attacked him for not supporting the budget reconciliation bill. Tillis stated his desire to exercise "independent thinking" and called leaders willing to embrace bipartisanship "an endangered species." His departure puts the North Carolina Senate seat in play for Democratic pickup.
• Trump threatens primary challenges against Republican fiscal conservatives — After Senator Tillis announced opposition to the reconciliation bill, Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Tillis as "a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER" and pledged to back a primary challenger. When Tillis subsequently announced he would not seek re-election, Trump called it "good news" and threatened primary challenges against other Republican fiscal conservatives blocking the bill's passage.

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• Israeli court postponed Netanyahu corruption trial after Trump pressure — An Israeli court complied with Trump's demands and postponed Prime Minister Netanyahu's scheduled corruption trial hearings. The court issued a ruling stating: "Following the explanations given, we partially accept the request and cancel at this stage Netanyahu's scheduled hearings." This occurred twelve hours after Trump threatened to withhold U.S. aid if Israel did not reverse its earlier denial of the postponement request.
• Trump threatened to withhold aid to Israel over Netanyahu trial — After an Israeli court denied Trump's demand to postpone Prime Minister Netanyahu's corruption trial, Trump threatened to withhold U.S. aid to Israel if they did not reverse the decision. Trump posted: "The USA spends Billions of Dollar a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this." Twelve hours later, an Israeli court complied with Trump's demands and postponed the trial.
• Trump spoke against Netanyahu corruption trial and hinted at suspending military aid — On Truth Social, Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "War Hero" and characterized his corruption trial as a "POLITICAL WITCH HUNT." Trump hinted that he may suspend military aid to Israel if the trial moves forward. The statement signals potential use of military aid as leverage over Israeli judicial proceedings.
• Israeli court canceled Netanyahu corruption trial hearings following Trump pressure — An Israeli court canceled scheduled hearings in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, citing classified diplomatic and security grounds in its ruling. The cancellation followed Trump's public pressure to halt the trial entirely. The action represents judicial capitulation to foreign political pressure.

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• Trump announces plan to end birthright citizenship via executive order — Following the Supreme Court's Trump v. CASA decision, President Trump announced to reporters his intention to use an executive order to end birthright citizenship, claiming the Fourteenth Amendment was based on a misinterpretation of law and rooted in a fabricated historical narrative about the Civil War ending in 1869 and a case filed on that exact day concerning "babies of slaves."

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• Congressman Ogles calls for Mamdani's deportation and denaturalization — Tennessee Republican congressman Andy Ogles posted on X that NYC mayoral primary winner Zohran Mamdani should be deported and subjected to denaturalization proceedings, claiming Mamdani is "antisemitic, socialist, communist." Ogles attached a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi citing U.S. code provisions on revocation of citizenship for material support to terrorism, based on a New York Post article alleging Mamdani expressed solidarity with individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses before becoming a U.S. citizen. Mamdani was born in Uganda.
• Representative Ogles called for Mamdani's denaturalization and deportation — Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) posted on social media on June 26, 2025, calling Zohran Mamdani "little muhammad" and describing him as "an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York." Ogles then asked the Department of Justice to denaturalize and deport Mamdani, citing a line in a rap song Mamdani performed as evidence of "material support for terrorism." Mamdani is a naturalized U.S. citizen who became a citizen in 2018.
• Representative Ogles calls for deportation of Mamdani — Representative Andy Ogles publicly called for the denaturalization and deportation of Zohran Mamdani, labeling him as an "antisemitic, socialist, communist." Ogles' remarks have drawn criticism for their inflammatory nature and implications for political discourse in the U.S.

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• Tom Homan threatens arrest of California governor and LA mayor — Tom Homan, Trump's "border czar," threatened to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass if they interfere with federal immigration enforcement sweeps. The threat was made in the context of ongoing federal immigration raids in Los Angeles and represents an explicit use of law enforcement authority to coerce state and local elected officials into compliance with federal operations.

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• Trump posted about potential Iranian regime change — After administration officials spent the day on Sunday talk shows assuring the public that the U.S. sought only to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions and not regime change, Trump posted on social media: "It's not politically correct to use the term 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" This contradicted Vice President Vance's explicit statement on ABC's This Week that "We don't want to achieve regime change."
• Trump endorses regime change in Iran after administration denies such goal — On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio repeatedly insisted on television that the Trump administration's goal was not regime change in Iran. Vance stated on Meet the Press: "[W]e don't want a regime change." However, on Sunday afternoon of the same day, President Trump publicly endorsed regime change in Iran. This reversal contradicts the administration's stated position and suggests the bombing campaign may have objectives beyond the stated nuclear justification.
• Trump called for illegal regime change in Iran — On June 22, Trump posted on Truth Social calling for an illegal "Regime Change" in Iran if the current government is "unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN," contradicting Vice President JD Vance's statement on Meet the Press that the US does not seek regime change in Iran.