Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration halts Revolution Wind offshore project via BOEM stop-work order — The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), under Trump administration direction, issued a stop-work order on Friday halting construction of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm off Rhode Island and Connecticut coasts. The project was approximately 80% complete with 45 of 65 turbines installed. BOEM acting director Matt Giacona cited national security concerns and Trump's first-day executive order to reconsider wind energy leases. The order prevents Ørsted from resuming work pending agency review. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont vowed to fight the decision; Senator Chris Murphy alleged the move reflected oil industry demands made in exchange for campaign donations.
• Trump administration halts Revolution Wind offshore project via stop-work order — On August 22, 2025, the Trump administration's Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop-work order halting the Revolution Wind offshore electricity project off the northeast U.S. coast, which was 80% complete. The order cited unspecified "concerns" without identifying legal violations or safety threats. Rhode Island and Connecticut filed suit on September 5, 2025, challenging the order as unlawful; the project developers (Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables) separately filed in federal court seeking preliminary injunction. The project, expected to power 350,000 homes and reduce Rhode Island emissions by 11 million metric tons annually, has already cost $5 billion with another $1 billion in potential losses.
• Interior Department halted Revolution Wind offshore project construction — On August 22, the Interior Department suddenly stopped construction of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm off Connecticut and Rhode Island without stated explanation. The project was 80 percent complete and scheduled for completion in early 2026. Revolution Wind was designed to power over 350,000 homes, employ more than 1,000 local union workers, and support Rhode Island's goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2033. The halt disrupted a $20 billion multinational investment in American energy infrastructure and manufacturing across 40 states.

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• FEMA implements mandatory email requirement for disaster aid applications — The Trump administration's FEMA agency has implemented a new rule requiring disaster victims to provide an email address to apply for federal emergency assistance. The policy eliminates email as optional and makes it mandatory, following a March executive order discontinuing federal paper-based payments. Current and former FEMA officials warn the change will create barriers for approximately 12% of Americans without internet access, elderly people, disabled individuals, and those in disaster zones where internet access is compromised. The requirement is compounded by concurrent FEMA cuts to door-to-door canvassing and field office closures.

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• New York appeals court dismisses $515m civil fraud penalty against Trump — A divided panel of five judges in New York's appellate division ruled Thursday that the $515m civil fraud penalty imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron against Donald Trump was "excessive" and violated the Eighth Amendment. The court upheld the injunctive relief barring Trump from corporate leadership but struck down the financial penalty, leaving room for further appeal to New York's highest court. Trump called the ruling a "great win for America" while New York Attorney General Letitia James announced she would seek an appeal.

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• Federal judge blocks Trump administration from defunding 34 sanctuary cities and counties — US District Judge William Orrick issued an order on Friday blocking the Trump administration from cutting federal funding to 34 "sanctuary cities" and counties that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ruling expands a previous April decision finding the administration's funding freeze unconstitutional. Cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, Denver, and Albuquerque are now protected from defunding. The administration had signed executive orders in January and February threatening to withhold funds from Democratic-led cities refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

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• DOJ releases redacted Maxwell interview transcripts; Trump distancing from Epstein — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for involvement in Epstein's abuse, in July 2025. On August 22, the DOJ published redacted transcripts of these interviews. Maxwell's statements largely supported Trump's efforts to distance himself from Epstein, stating she never witnessed them as close friends and never saw Trump in "massage settings." The transcripts also contained extensive questioning about Bill and Hillary Clinton's connections to Epstein, though Maxwell provided limited incriminating information about either political figure.
• Proffer interview recording of Ghislaine Maxwell released by DOJ — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, conducted and released a proffer interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In the recording, Maxwell stated Trump "was never inappropriate with anybody" and claimed she was innocent of all charges and victims were lying. Following the interview, Maxwell was transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp and placed atop the presidential pardon list.
• Administration released Ghislaine Maxwell interview transcripts — The Trump administration released portions of transcripts from Todd Blanche's interview with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In the transcripts, Maxwell praised Trump, stating he was "always very cordial and very kind" to her and expressing admiration for his presidency. Maxwell is currently serving a sentence for sex trafficking convictions and is reportedly seeking a pardon.

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• Trump dismissed Epstein documents as "Democrat hoax" — When asked about the DOJ's transmission of Epstein documents to the House Oversight Committee, Trump characterized the entire matter as a "Democrat hoax," stating: "The whole Epstein thing is a Democrat hoax." He also noted that many people mentioned in the files "don't deserve to be" named because Epstein "knew everybody in Palm Beach."

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• Trump stated no deadline for keeping troops in DC — When asked if there is a limit to how long he will keep troops in the nation's capital, Trump responded: "I don't know if there is a deadline. If I have a national emergency, I can keep the troops there as long as I want. People aren't going to want to have the troops out in 30 days." The statement indicates indefinite military occupation of the capital.
• Trump suggested Gaza-like depopulation of DC — During the same press conference, Trump suggested a potential Gaza-like depopulation strategy for Washington, D.C., stating: "We could take everybody out and you have a great capital" and warning visitors "they're not going to go home in a body bag." The statement implied forced removal of DC residents as a crime-reduction strategy.

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• Trump acknowledged potential involvement in Bolton raid — When asked whether he knew about the FBI raid on John Bolton ahead of time or had involvement, Trump stated: "I could know about it. I could be the one starting it. I'm actually the chief law enforcement officer." The statement suggests potential presidential direction or knowledge of law enforcement action against a political critic.

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• Texas representative Nicole Collier threatened with felony charges for phone call — Texas state representative Nicole Collier, a Black woman, was threatened with felony charges for talking on the phone from a bathroom to Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin, Senator Cory Booker, and California governor Gavin Newsom. The threat was issued by state authorities enforcing the House speaker's directive to prevent Democratic members from leaving the chamber.

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• Texas redistricting maps dilute minority voting power — New Texas redistricting maps were drawn such that people of color, who make up 60% of Texas's population, would be placed in districts where white voters control at least 26 of the state's 38 congressional districts. The maps require approximately 445,000 white residents to elect a member of Congress, compared to 1.4 million Latino residents or 2 million Black residents.

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• Trump administration announces "continuous vetting" review of 55 million US visa holders for potential rule violations — The Trump administration, through the State Department, announced a policy of "continuous vetting" for all 55 million current US visa holders, including those already admitted into the country. The policy permits revocation of visas and deportation if any indication of ineligibility emerges, including social media activity deemed "anti-American." This expands earlier guidance requiring vetting for "antisemitic ideologies" and views against US foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel. The administration has already revoked 6,000 student visas since January for overstays and alleged violations.

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• Federal judge rules Trump-appointed US attorney unlawfully serving without Senate confirmation — Chief US District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Alina Habba, Trump's former lawyer appointed as interim US attorney for New Jersey in March 2025, has been unlawfully serving in the role. The judge found that her four-month temporary appointment ended in July and that the Trump administration's legal maneuvers to retain her without Senate confirmation violated federal law. Brann disqualified Habba from prosecuting three defendants who challenged her appointment and placed his order on hold pending appeal.
• Federal judge rules Alina Habba illegally serving as acting US attorney for New Jersey — District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Alina Habba is not lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of US Attorney for New Jersey and must be disqualified from participating in any ongoing cases. The judge concluded she is not currently qualified to exercise the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity, effectively removing her from the role.

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• Attorney General Bondi retaliates by firing career prosecutor and reinstalling Habba as acting US attorney — After federal judges in New Jersey exercised their statutory power to replace Alina Habba with a career prosecutor when her temporary appointment lapsed in late July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi retaliated by firing that prosecutor and moved to reinstall Habba as acting US attorney. This action directly contradicted the judicial order and the statutory succession mechanism designed to fill the vacancy.

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• Federal judge orders closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility in Florida Everglades — Miami district court judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction ordering the closure of "Alligator Alcatraz," a tent-based immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades, within 60 days. The judge found that state and federal authorities violated environmental laws in constructing and operating the facility. Despite arguments that the facility was state-operated independently of ICE, the judge determined it was a federal project built to federal standards, staffed by deputized federal officers, and operated solely for federal immigration enforcement. The state of Florida filed a notice of appeal to the 11th Circuit Court on Thursday night.
• Federal judge orders closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility; DeSantis administration appeals but signals compliance — Federal judge Kathleen Williams ordered the closure of Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention camp in the Everglades within 60 days, citing environmental damage and civil rights violations. The facility, opened in July 2025 to hold up to 3,000 undocumented immigrants, faced lawsuits from environmental groups, the Miccosukee Tribe, and civil rights organizations over harsh conditions, lack of due process, and ecological harm. Despite DeSantis's appeal, a state official's email indicated the facility would be emptied within days, with detainees transferred to other facilities.
• Florida files appeal of judge's closure order for immigration detention facility — The state of Florida filed a notice of appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Thursday night, within one hour of Judge Williams's preliminary injunction. Attorneys for the defendants—including the Florida emergency management department and the federal Department of Homeland Security—will seek to stay the closure order while legal arguments continue. They plan to argue that federal environmental laws do not apply because the facility was established, managed, and operated by the state using state taxpayer funds independently of ICE.
• Federal judge prohibited further detainee transfers to Everglades immigration facility — U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida issued an order prohibiting Florida officials from incarcerating additional detainees at an immigrant detention center in the Everglades, commonly referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz." The judge ordered that after 60 days, officials must begin dismantling parts of the facility due to environmental damage to the protected Everglades ecosystem. The judge noted that every Florida governor, senator, and numerous national political figures, including presidents, have publicly pledged support for Everglades restoration and protection since 1947.
• Federal judge orders closure of Trump's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami issued an 82-page order on Thursday, August 22, 2025, mandating the closure of the Trump administration's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration jail within 60 days. The ruling prohibits further detainee transfers to the facility and halts all construction. Williams determined the hastily constructed tented camp at a disused airfield in the Florida Everglades caused severe and irreparable environmental damage to protected wetlands and endangered species. The decision upheld environmental protection laws and rejected the administration's detention expansion agenda.

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• Trump visits DC police station and touts federal takeover of Metropolitan Police Department — President Trump visited the Anacostia park police station in Washington DC on August 21, 2025, to tout his administration's takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department as a crime-fighting success. Flanked by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Interior Secretary Doug Bergum, Trump declared the takeover successful despite restaurants reporting drops in reservations. He also announced plans to re-grass DC parks to resemble his golf courses and referenced his recent legal victory in the New York civil fraud case.

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• Attorney General Bondi orders DC police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order compelling the DC Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal officials focused on immigration and homeless enforcement. This directive tied the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda to its crime-reduction efforts in DC, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed on local patrols to detain immigrants in traffic stops. The surge in federal law enforcement has resulted in higher daily arrest numbers.

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• Trump calls for release of imprisoned Colorado election clerk Tina Peters, threatens "harsh measures" — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social demanding the immediate release of Tina Peters, a former Colorado election clerk serving a nine-year sentence for breaching election data and allowing unauthorized access to voting equipment. Trump called her a "brave and innocent Patriot" and threatened unspecified "harsh measures" if she was not released. Peters was convicted in 2024 by a jury on seven counts including felony misconduct and conspiracy; the judge noted she showed no remorse. Trump cannot pardon her as she was convicted of state crimes, though his DOJ previously filed a court notice indicating it would review the case for potential "abuses."
• Trump demanded release of convicted election officer Tina Peters — Trump demanded that Colorado officials release former election officer Tina Peters, whom a jury found guilty of four felonies for breaching election equipment to support Trump's false claims about election fraud. Trump posted on social media that Peters "did nothing wrong" and threatened "harsh measures" if she was not released.

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• Trump administration pursues equity stake in Intel via Chips Act conversion — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration is pursuing conversion of Chips and Science Act funding into equity ownership in Intel. The administration seeks non-voting equity in the semiconductor manufacturer, framing the move as ensuring taxpayer return on investment rather than a grant. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the stake would not obligate US businesses to purchase Intel chips. The announcement followed days of circulating reports and preceded SoftBank's $2 billion investment in the company.

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• Representative Nicole Collier filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge her confinement as illegal. — Representative Nicole Collier filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus against the Texas House of Representatives' Sergeant-at-Arms, seeking immediate release from what she characterized as "illegal confinement." The petition challenged the authority of legislative leadership to restrict her liberty and movement as a condition of performing her duties as an elected representative.

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• Federal appeals court allows TPS terminations to proceed — A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration can temporarily move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status for more than 60,000 immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal, as a challenge to the terminations continues in court.

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• Representative Nicole Collier refused to sign the commitment statement and spent the night confined in the House chamber; state troopers arrested demonstrators supporting her. — State Representative Nicole Collier, a Black woman representing a majority-minority district in Fort Worth, refused to sign the commitment statement, declaring she would not surrender her dignity or agree to police custody. When told she could not leave the Capitol building without arrest, Collier remained in the House chamber overnight. When demonstrators gathered outside to support her with chants of "Let Her Go!", state troopers arrested them.

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• Texas House locks Democratic representative in chamber to prevent redistricting walkout — Texas State Rep. Nicole Collier was locked inside the House chamber after refusing to sign a monitoring agreement required by Speaker Dustin Burrows. Collier was one of 51 Democratic representatives who fled the state to block a radical redistricting plan that would eliminate five Democratic congressional seats. Upon their return, Democrats were forced to accept 24/7 police monitoring by state troopers through Wednesday's redistricting vote. Collier refused to sign away her dignity and was confined to the chamber floor without permission to leave.

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• Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier sues over detention and surveillance — Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier filed a lawsuit claiming the state legislature's Republican majority has illegally detained her in the state Capitol after she refused to consent to 24-hour police surveillance. Collier, who slept on the floor of the Capitol in protest on Monday night, was one of the more than 50 House Democrats who fled the state for two weeks to block a new gerrymandered Congressional map. Since returning, the lawmakers have been subjected to new rules preventing them from leaving the House floor without written permission and a law enforcement escort until the chamber reconvened on Wednesday.

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• State Department revokes over 6,000 international student visas — The State Department said that the Trump administration has revoked more than 6,000 international student visas, and claimed, without providing evidence, that approximately two-thirds of the revocations were based on crimes including assault, burglary, and driving under the influence, though it's unclear whether those students were convicted of any crimes. The department also said that between 200 and 300 student visas were revoked over "support for terrorism," but the spokesperson didn't elaborate on their claim.

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• California Republicans file suit to block Newsom's fast-track redistricting plan — Republican state legislators in California filed an emergency petition on Tuesday to block Governor Gavin Newsom's mid-year redistricting plan, which aims to counter Texas's redrawn congressional maps. The suit argues the legislative process violates a 30-day introduction-to-vote requirement and bypasses the state's independent citizens redistricting commission. Newsom announced the plan to use California's voting power to counteract Republican gains expected from Texas redistricting, framing it as a response to Trump's influence over mapmaking in Republican-led states.
• Texas House Republicans impose surveillance protocols and "permission slips" on Democratic lawmakers — Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows ordered around-the-clock police escorts and mandatory "permission slip" forms for Democratic representatives who had left the state to break quorum on redistricting votes. Democrats, who had fled to California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York to delay Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts favoring Donald Trump, returned to Austin on Monday. Upon return, they faced surveillance including plainclothes officers following them to homes and grocery stores. On Tuesday, Democrats tore up the permission slips and occupied the House floor in protest, calling the protocol "demeaning" and an attack on their dignity and freedom of movement.
• Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows demanded Democratic representatives sign commitment statements and assigned state troopers to monitor their movements to ensure attendance at redistricting vote. — After 51 Democratic Texas state representatives returned from a quorum-breaking absence on August 19, House Speaker Dustin Burrows required them to sign statements committing to appear for a Wednesday vote on congressional redistricting maps. Refusal to sign risked arrest. Burrows also assigned state troopers to monitor the Democrats' movements around the clock until the final vote. The measure would convert five Democratic congressional seats to Republican-dominated districts at President Trump's direction.
• Texas House speaker assigned state troopers to police Democratic members — The Republican Texas House speaker assigned state troopers to police Democratic members to ensure they show up and provide enough lawmakers present to conduct business. This enforcement mechanism was used to compel attendance during legislative sessions, including redistricting votes.