Trump Action Archive

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

• 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

• Trump issues Executive Order 14435 deferring diesel fuel excise taxes through December 31, 2026 — President Trump signed Executive Order 14435 on October 5, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Treasury to defer diesel fuel excise tax payments and provide penalty relief for farmers, truckers, and related workers through December 31, 2026, citing restricted global diesel supply and rising prices. The order instructs the Treasury Secretary to determine eligibility under 26 U.S.C. 7508A, directs the IRS to waive penalties for dyed diesel fuel use on highways, and tasks the Secretaries of Agriculture and Transportation with facilitating implementation. The order also directs the Treasury to explore legislative avenues for permanent tax forgiveness of deferred amounts.

Supporting reports

• Army announced armored vehicle "excess," but Congress continued funding; defense contractor employees donated to key appropriators — The U.S. Army announced last year that it had enough of a specific model of armored vehicle and that further deliveries would be "excess." Despite this, Congress continued funding the vehicle. In the weeks after the appropriations bill passed, employees of AM General or its parent company donated tens of thousands to key appropriations committee members, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA). After the Army's "excess" announcement, employees and the company's PAC donated over $58,000 to committees associated with Collins. The Intercept notes there is no indication this was part of a formal pay-to-play scheme, but it demonstrates how Collins's campaign account has grown with help from defense contractors doing business with the government.
• Congress funds armored vehicle despite Army rejection; manufacturer floods Congress with donations — After the U.S. Army announced it did not need additional units of a specific armored vehicle, Congress passed funding for the vehicle anyway. In the weeks following the funding passage, executives at the manufacturing company donated heavily to key members of Congress, including Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The sequence suggests potential quid pro quo dynamics between defense contractors and congressional appropriators, raising concerns about whether defense spending decisions are driven by military need or corporate influence.

Supporting reports

• Iowa steel mill project costs state $777,000 per job, far exceeding typical incentives — Iowa's $1.36 billion incentive package for a new steel plant announced by Trump will cost the state at least $777,000 per job created—32 times more per full-time job than Iowa officials have provided other projects over the last two years through standard incentive programs. The deal was promoted as part of Trump's effort to influence the Iowa election.