Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration in talks with Intel for government stake — Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is in talks with Intel Corp. to give the federal government a stake in the tech company. The move follows a meeting between Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, whom the president said was "highly conflicted" and should resign on Truth Social last week.
• 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.

Supporting reports

• Trump deploys National Guard and federal agents to Washington DC under emergency authority — President Trump deployed 800 National Guard troops and hundreds of federal agents (FBI, DEA, Border Patrol) to Washington DC in response to what he characterized as an "out of control" crime wave. Invoking a never-before-used clause in DC's governing statute, Trump also assumed direct control of the local Metropolitan Police Department and signaled intent to seek Congressional approval to extend the takeover long-term. Former Capitol Police officers injured on January 6 expressed skepticism about the deployment's effectiveness and concern it signals authoritarian escalation.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration pardons January 6 insurrectionists and removes federal prosecutors — Trump pardoned all individuals convicted or awaiting trial for offenses related to the January 6 Capitol insurrection. His appointees simultaneously moved to clear out federal prosecutors and target FBI agents involved in investigating and prosecuting the cases, ensuring what the article describes as a lack of accountability for the attack.
• Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 January 6 defendants — Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes for their participation in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Many of those pardoned attacked police officers during the riot. The pardons were issued despite Trump's stated commitment to "law and order."
• Trump pardoned drug trafficker Ross Ulbricht — Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who was sentenced to life in prison for drug trafficking. The pardon represents Trump's support for individuals convicted of serious crimes, contradicting his stated commitment to "law and order."
• Department of Justice dismissed all pending cases against January 6 defendants — Under Trump's direction, the Department of Justice dismissed all pending cases against remaining January 6 defendants who had not been pardoned. This action followed Trump's mass pardons of approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6 riot.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration clears homeless people from DC streets under threat of fines or jail — The Trump administration ordered the clearing of homeless people from Washington DC streets, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that those refusing to enter shelters could face fines or jail time. This policy accompanied the broader National Guard and federal agent deployment to the capital.

Supporting reports

• Siembre NC coordinates 4th Amendment Workplace actions — Siembre NC is organizing actions focused on the 4th Amendment in workplaces, aiming to protect individuals' rights against unwarranted searches and seizures. Participants can sign up for these local initiatives.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department and National Economic Council solicit public comments on state laws with interstate economic effects — The Department of Justice and National Economic Council announced a joint effort to identify state laws that adversely affect interstate commerce and the national economy. The agencies invited public comments through September 15, 2025, on state regulations that burden commerce across state lines, asking whether such laws may be preempted by federal authority and what federal legislative or regulatory remedies might apply. The initiative frames state regulatory authority as a burden on national markets and economic growth.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department sues California to block enforcement of emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks — The Department of Justice filed two federal complaints against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) challenging the state's enforcement of emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks through a "Clean Truck Partnership" with manufacturers. The DOJ argues that CARB's standards are preempted by federal Clean Air Act law after Congress invalidated EPA preemption waivers in June 2025 via Congressional Review Act resolutions. The DOJ seeks to enjoin CARB from enforcing the standards and filed motions to intervene in pending cases in the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Illinois.

Supporting reports

• District of Columbia v. Trump, complaint filed challenging federal takeover of DC Police Department — On August 15, 2025, the District of Columbia filed a complaint in federal court challenging Executive Order 14333, issued by President Trump on August 11, which placed the DC Police Department under direct federal control. The District alleges the order violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the Separation of Powers, the Take Care Clause, and the DC Home Rule Act by exceeding narrow statutory authority without identifying exigent circumstances. The District filed a concurrent motion for a temporary restraining order and seeks an injunction to halt implementation of the federal takeover.
• DC Attorney General Sues Trump Administration Over Police Takeover — DC's attorney general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block its takeover of the local police department, arguing that it infringes on the District's right to self-governance and endangers public safety.
• DC Attorney General files lawsuit challenging federal police takeover — DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit Friday morning against the Trump administration's takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department, arguing the administration exceeded its legal authority under the Home Rule Act. Schwalb contended that control of the police must remain in district hands and that the federal government was conducting a "hostile takeover" of law enforcement in the nation's capital.

Supporting reports

• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

Supporting reports

• Democrats introduce joint resolution to challenge Trump's federalization of DC Metropolitan Police Department — Representative Jamie Raskin, DC delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Representative Robert Garcia introduced a joint resolution on Friday challenging Trump's executive order that placed the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. The resolution invokes the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, arguing that Trump has not demonstrated the special emergency conditions required by law to federalize local police. The sponsors contend that DC's crime rate has declined for two consecutive years and recently hit a three-decade low, contradicting the administration's rationale. A separate development saw White House officials and DC attorneys agree to scale back the federal takeover, with the MPD remaining under DC Police Chief Pamela Smith's control rather than federal administration.

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court lifts block on Trump administration's mass firings at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — A federal appeals court ruled in a split 2-1 decision that a lower court lacked jurisdiction to block the Trump administration's attempt to fire approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees. Trump appointees Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao voted in favor of the administration, while Obama appointee Cornelia Pillard dissented. The ruling does not take immediate effect, allowing workers and consumer groups to petition for full circuit court review. The CFPB has returned over $21 billion to consumers since its founding.

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• Justice Department files statement of interest opposing ADA/Civil Rights Act coverage mandate for gender dysphoria treatment — The Department of Justice, through its Civil Rights Division, filed a Statement of Interest in Bernier v. Turbocam (D.N.H.) arguing that the Civil Rights Act and Americans with Disabilities Act do not require employers to provide insurance coverage for gender dysphoria treatment, and that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act shields businesses and individuals from such mandates on religious grounds. The filing characterizes such coverage as "elective procedures" and "cosmetic" and positions religious liberty as a defense against coverage requirements.

Supporting reports

• Newsom files FOIA request over border patrol agents' appearance at redistricting press briefing — California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a freedom of information request with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after armed and masked federal border patrol agents appeared at a news conference in Los Angeles where he was announcing a redistricting plan. Newsom characterized the agents' presence as intimidation of political opponents. The operation occurred at the Japanese American National Museum's National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Newsom's request seeks all documents and records related to the operation, including communications between federal law enforcement and Fox News.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice Civil Rights Division threatens legal action against Democratic-led states — Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, warned in a weekend interview that "there will be consequences" for California and New York should they pursue mid-decade redistricting, claiming both states are already "gerrymandered to the hilt." This threat represents selective federal legal action against Democratic-led states responding to Republican redistricting efforts.

Supporting reports

• Vice President JD Vance meets with Indiana Republican leaders regarding mid-decade redistricting — Vice President JD Vance made in-person appeals to Indiana's top Republican leaders to pursue mid-decade redistricting. However, Indiana Republicans appear less enthusiastic than counterparts in other states. Observers believe the Republican-dominated legislature could gain at most one additional GOP seat if Governor Mike Braun calls a special session. Braun has not expressed enthusiasm for the idea, and his predecessor called mid-decade redistricting "wrong."

Supporting reports

• Bondi issues revised directive on MPD services and immigration enforcement — Attorney General Bondi issued a revised two-page order designating Terry Cole as her "designee" for directing DC to provide Metropolitan Police Department services deemed "necessary and appropriate." The order explicitly included assisting federal immigration enforcement, contradicting DC's sanctuary city policies that restrict local police involvement in immigration matters. The directive also authorized use of MPD officers for federal purposes in emergencies.
• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

Supporting reports

• US Attorney General Bondi issues order to impose federal control over DC Metropolitan Police Department — US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order late Thursday placing Terry Cole, the DEA's top administrator, as "emergency police commissioner" over Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department, superseding Chief Pamela Smith. The order required all MPD personnel to receive Cole's approval before issuing orders and aimed to override the city's sanctuary policies on immigration enforcement. DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb immediately filed a lawsuit challenging the order as exceeding federal authority under the Home Rule Act.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order granting direct control of DC Metropolitan Police Department — On Monday (date within the week prior to August 15), Trump signed an executive order granting himself direct control of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, a move described as highly controversial and suspected to be premeditated. The action was taken without demonstrating the special emergency conditions required under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 to justify federalization of local police. Lawmakers argue this violates DC home rule and represents an unconstitutional assertion of executive power over local governance. The order was later partially scaled back through an agreement between White House officials and DC attorneys.

Supporting reports

• ICE raids in southern California neighborhoods — ICE and Border Patrol agents conducted raids across southern California, including in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles on August 14, 2025. The operations swept up undocumented immigrants and US citizens, with documented cases of unlawful arrest, assault charges later dismissed, and detention without proper due process. Federal agents targeted car washes, Home Depot stores, schools, and workplaces, creating widespread fear in immigrant communities and leaving parks and churches empty.

Supporting reports

• Pam Bondi sends threatening letters to 32 mayors and county executives over sanctuary city policies — Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to mayors of 32 cities and some county executives, threatening prosecution of political leaders she views as insufficiently supportive of federal immigration enforcement. The letters, citing a Trump executive order from April 28, demand recipients confirm compliance with federal law and eliminate local policies that "impede federal immigration enforcement" by August 19. Bondi stated publicly: "if you're not [complying], we're going to come after you." Recipients including Seattle, Rochester, and New York City disputed the legal merit of the threats and reaffirmed their local policies.
• Bondi sends anti-sanctuary-city letters to 32 mayors and county executives — Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to mayors of 32 cities and several county executives warning of her intent to prosecute political leaders who are not sufficiently supportive of federal immigration enforcement in her view. The letters targeted Democratic-led sanctuary cities and represented a federal threat of criminal prosecution against local officials for their immigration policies.
• US Attorney General Bondi sends letters threatening prosecution and federal fund cuts to sanctuary cities — US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to dozens of cities and counties warning that local leaders could face criminal prosecution and federal funding cuts if they do not "cooperate" with Trump's deportation enforcement scheme. The letters specifically target sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from sharing immigration information with federal officials. Bondi stated that officials "operating under the color of law" to obstruct federal immigration enforcement "may be subject to criminal charges."

Supporting reports

• DC Police Chief Smith introduced ICE cooperation policy — DC Police Chief Pamela Smith introduced a new policy that expands local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE as the Trump administration continues its takeover of the local police. The policy allows officers to share information about people who are not in custody, as well as assist with transporting immigration personnel and detainees.

Supporting reports

• Florida announces plan to open second immigration detention facility at Baker correctional institution — Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will open a second immigration detention facility, called the "deportation depot," at the shuttered Baker correctional institution in Sanderson, designed to hold up to 1,300 undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation. The announcement came as a federal judge considers whether to close the existing "Alligator Alcatraz" facility in the Everglades, which has faced allegations of inhumane conditions. DeSantis stated the facility would be operational "soon" and framed it as supporting federal immigration enforcement and border security.
• Florida governor announces construction of second immigration detention facility — Florida governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state is beginning construction on a new federal immigration detention facility for an additional 1,300 detainees at the closed Baker Correctional Institute in northern Florida. DeSantis nicknamed the facility "the deportation depot." This announcement comes as the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility faces multiple lawsuits challenging its conditions and environmental impact.

Supporting reports

• Border Patrol agents deployed to California event to intimidate state officials — More than a dozen masked and armed Border Patrol agents, some carrying rifles, were sent to the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles where Governor Newsom was speaking. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino stated the agents were present to intimidate state officials, declaring "We're here making Los Angeles a safer place, since we don't have politicians who can do that. We do that ourselves." The deployment occurred during Newsom's announcement of the redistricting response.
• Border Patrol agents appeared at Newsom redistricting rally — More than a dozen masked Border Patrol agents, some carrying rifles and wearing tactical helmets, showed up outside a Los Angeles museum where California Governor Gavin Newsom was holding a rally and press conference to announce plans for congressional redistricting. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino claimed agents were conducting "roving patrols" in the area. Newsom called the move "pretty sick and pathetic," representing Trump's "authoritarian tendencies."
• Newsom files FOIA request over border patrol agents' appearance at redistricting press briefing — California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a freedom of information request with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after armed and masked federal border patrol agents appeared at a news conference in Los Angeles where he was announcing a redistricting plan. Newsom characterized the agents' presence as intimidation of political opponents. The operation occurred at the Japanese American National Museum's National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Newsom's request seeks all documents and records related to the operation, including communications between federal law enforcement and Fox News.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration approved Paramount-Skydance merger after company settled lawsuit with Trump — The Trump administration approved Paramount's merger with Skydance after Paramount agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against CBS News, a Paramount subsidiary. Following the merger approval, Paramount secured an exclusive deal with the UFC valued at $7.7 billion over seven years. The timing and sequence suggest the settlement and merger approval were linked to securing favorable terms for the UFC, whose CEO Dana White is a close Trump ally.

Supporting reports

• Texas House Democrats announce conditional return after two-week absence to block redistricting — Texas House Democrats, led by Gene Wu, announced they would return to the state after a nearly two-week absence aimed at blocking a Republican-backed congressional redistricting map that would add five GOP seats. The Democrats conditioned their return on the legislature ending its first special session on Friday and California introducing a new congressional map adding five Democratic seats. Governor Greg Abbott indicated he would immediately call another special session. Democrats stated they would use their return to build a legislative record for legal challenges against the map.