Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• House Oversight Committee issues subpoenas to Bill and Hillary Clinton and former federal law enforcement officials for Epstein testimony — The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, issued subpoenas on Tuesday to Bill and Hillary Clinton, former attorneys general Jeff Sessions, Alberto Gonzales, William Barr, Merrick Garland, Loretta Lynch, and Eric Holder, and former FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller. The subpoenas demand testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Bill Clinton's deposition is set for October 14; Hillary Clinton's for October 9. The action follows bipartisan congressional motions and public pressure over the Justice Department's decision not to release further Epstein details.
• House Democrats force subpoenas for DOJ Epstein investigation records — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee used a legislative maneuver to force Chair James Comer (R-KY) to issue subpoenas for Department of Justice records on the Epstein investigation, along with subpoenas for former government officials connected to the case. Representative Jasmine Crockett stated the DOJ has two weeks to release the files and called for investigation into "who's been protected, who thought they were above the law, and who's been hiding behind power."
• House Oversight Committee issues subpoenas for Epstein-related depositions — Rep. James Comer's House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for multiple current and former government officials to appear for depositions regarding the Epstein files. Subpoenaed individuals include Hillary Clinton (October 9), Bill Clinton (October 14), Merrick Garland (October 2), James Comey (October 7), William Barr (August 18), Alberto Gonzales (August 26), Jeff Sessions (August 28), Robert Mueller (September 2), Loretta Lynch (September 9), and Eric Holder (September 30). Ranking Committee Democrat Robert Garcia also received a subpoena.
• House Oversight Committee subpoenaed DOJ for Epstein files and former officials — The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Justice Department for the Epstein files, along with several former government officials for depositions. The subpoenaed individuals include Hillary and Bill Clinton, former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, Loretta Lynch, Jeff Sessions, William Barr, Eric Holder, and Alberto Gonzales, and former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller. Some questioned why Trump's former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, the former top prosecutor responsible for Epstein's 2008 non-prosecution agreement, was not on the list.
• House Oversight Committee subpoenas DOJ for Epstein files — The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice on Tuesday for files in the Epstein case. This action followed Republican efforts in the House to block Democratic attempts to force the DOJ to release the Epstein files. The subpoena represents congressional pressure on the executive branch to produce documents related to the criminal investigation.

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• Trump's former lawyer Todd Blanche met twice with Ghislaine Maxwell regarding potential pardon — Trump's former lawyer Todd Blanche, now deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice, met twice with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a twenty-year sentence for sex trafficking and other charges. Maxwell indicated she will testify openly and honestly before Congress about Epstein if she receives a pardon. The meetings signal potential consideration of a pardon for Maxwell in exchange for testimony that could benefit Trump.
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviews Ghislaine Maxwell regarding Epstein case details — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell in Florida in what the White House characterized as an effort to uncover new details about Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after conviction on sex trafficking charges related to Epstein. This action follows Trump's authorization for the Justice Department to request release of transcripts from federal grand juries that indicted Epstein and Maxwell.

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• Republican senators warned Trump against pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell — Republican senators warned Trump and Attorney General Bondi that they should consider very carefully whether it would be a good idea to grant a pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a twenty-year sentence for sex trafficking and other charges. The warning came as Maxwell signaled willingness to testify before Congress if pardoned.

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• FEMA probationary employees reassigned to ICE — Some probationary employees at FEMA were informed via email that they are being immediately reassigned to work with ICE, and have seven days to accept the reassignment or be fired from the agency.
• FEMA probationary employees ordered to report to ICE or lose jobs — Probationary employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency have been ordered to report to ICE within seven days or lose their jobs. This reassignment of FEMA staff to immigration enforcement represents a significant redirection of disaster-relief personnel to immigration detention operations.

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• Justice Department dismissed desegregation oversight in Hendry County, Florida and Copiah County, Mississippi — The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division announced the dismissal of two federal desegregation cases originally filed in 1970 against Hendry County, Florida and Copiah County, Mississippi. The division determined both counties had achieved unitary school systems and eliminated vestiges of prior de jure segregation. The Hendry County case was dismissed with prejudice on August 5, 2025, and the Copiah County case on August 6, 2025. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated the dismissals would allow school districts to redirect monitoring funds to direct student benefit.

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• Trump gives unhinged CNBC interview with multiple false claims — Trump gave an interview on CNBC with host Joe Kernen in which he made numerous false or misleading claims, including: that the EU gave him $600 billion to invest as part of a trade deal (the EU is encouraging member countries to invest in the U.S., not giving Trump money); that migrants are naturally suited to farm work because they "don't get a bad back, because if they get a bad back, they die"; that he has the best poll numbers he ever had at 71% overall (Kernen corrected him that this is among Republicans only, and some polls show him in the 30s); that job revision numbers were released after the election to help Kamala Harris (they were released in August); and that he got the highest vote total in Texas history and is "entitled" to five more House seats (he ranks 15th historically in Texas vote percentage).

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• President Trump endorses federal involvement in locating and compelling return of Democratic state lawmakers — President Trump publicly stated that the FBI "may have to" assist in tracking down Texas Democratic state legislators who left the state to break quorum on redistricting votes. Trump argued that Republicans were "entitled" to five additional congressional seats under a new map and that lawmakers "can't just sit it out" but must "go back" and "fight it out." Trump also criticized Democratic-controlled states' gerrymandering while defending the Texas Republican redistricting plan as justified.

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• Trump administration proposes rule to ban VA abortions for veterans except when mother's life endangered — The Trump administration proposed new regulations that would prohibit Department of Veterans Affairs doctors from performing abortions or counseling female veterans about abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. The rule includes a narrow exception only when a physician certifies the mother's life is endangered. The proposal generated nearly 20,000 public comments. VA Secretary Doug Collins, a staunch abortion opponent, characterized the Biden-era policy allowing limited VA abortions as "politically motivated." The comment period runs through September 3, 2025.

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• Trump claimed jobs report was rigged and promised to replace Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner — President Trump posted on Truth Social that the jobs report released the previous week was "RIGGED" and that prior employment numbers were fabricated by "Radical Left Democrats" to make Republican success "look less stellar." Trump promised to appoint a replacement for the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner. Trump's claims contradicted his own economic advisors' later acknowledgment that revisions were normal and reflected more complete data.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive order modifying tariff rates for dozens of countries — The Trump administration issued an executive order outlining tariff modifications for dozens of countries after twice delaying implementation. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated the tariff rates were "pretty much set" and unlikely to be renegotiated before taking effect, though some rates depend on trade deficit or surplus levels with specific countries. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett characterized the rates as "more or less locked in" with only minor adjustments possible.
• Trump imposed tariffs at highest rates since 1934 — President Trump began levying higher import taxes on dozens of countries, with tariff rates reaching approximately 18.3% on average for imported products—the highest level since 1934. The Wall Street Journal reported that the effective average tariff rate on all imported goods stands at roughly 18% compared to 2.3% the previous year. U.S. manufacturing activity contracted from March to July, with the Manufacturing PMI at 48, below the 50 threshold indicating growth. Trump announced plans to double tariffs on India to 50%, while tariff levels on China and Mexico remain in flux.
• Trump tariff wave implemented; retailers report price increases — On August 8, 2025, a new wave of Trump tariffs came into force affecting more than 60 countries. Business leaders warned the high, volatile tariffs would force companies to raise US consumer prices. Retailers including Walmart and Best Buy are already reporting price increases. The tariffs are affecting back-to-school supply costs as the new school year approaches, with families reporting rises in the cost of items needed for school.
• Trump's tariffs on foreign products take effect — Tariffs of at least 10 percent on products from other countries went into effect just after midnight Eastern Time on August 8. Despite administration claims that Trump's economic policies will generate "unprecedented" growth, economic indicators show signs of contraction: economic growth is slowing, job growth is stagnant, and prices are rising. Manufacturing activity in the U.S. has shrunk for most of Trump's second term, contrary to Trump's claims that tariffs would boost domestic manufacturing.

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• Trump administration reversed policy withholding disaster aid over Israeli boycott certification — Hours after Reuters reported that the Trump administration implemented a policy to withhold federal aid for natural disaster preparedness to states and cities unless they certify that they will not sever "commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies," the policy was reversed. While the explicit guideline was removed, the Department of Homeland Security tweeted that it will "enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies," including those related to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
• DHS issues and then revises FEMA disaster relief Israel boycott requirement — DHS published a directive stating that states and cities must certify they will not boycott Israel or face denial of FEMA disaster relief. Following public controversy, DHS revised the wording and issued a statement claiming there is no FEMA requirement tied to Israel in current notices of funding opportunity. However, DHS confirmed that boycotting Israel is considered a form of antisemitic "discrimination" under anti-discrimination laws and policies, meaning the policy remains in effect under revised language. A Community Note fact-check noted that DHS removed explicit language about Israeli companies but reworded the clause as a ban on "discriminatory prohibited boycotts."

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• Attorney General Bondi establishes "weaponization" working group at DOJ — After becoming attorney general, Pam Bondi quickly issued a memo establishing a "weaponization" working group within the Department of Justice. Critics argue that the working group itself weaponizes law enforcement by promoting a false narrative about the two special counsel investigations of Trump and undermining public confidence in the DOJ.

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• Attorney General Pam Bondi directed DOJ to open criminal grand jury investigation into Obama, Clinton, and Clapper — Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Department of Justice to act on a criminal referral from Tulsi Gabbard and open a grand jury investigation into whether former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and others committed treason or other crimes when the government issued a report stating Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 election. The investigation's scope and potential charges remain unclear, and statutes of limitations for much of the conduct have lapsed.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi directed DOJ to investigate baseless claims by Tulsi Gabbard — Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Justice Department to launch a grand jury investigation into baseless claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that former President Barack Obama and his administration manufactured intelligence regarding Trump and Russia in the 2016 presidential election.
• Attorney General Bondi directed U.S. attorney to present evidence to grand jury on Obama-era allegations — According to a Department of Justice official, Attorney General Pam Bondi signed an order directing a U.S. attorney to present evidence to a grand jury concerning allegations made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that Obama administration officials manufactured evidence in 2016 to suggest Trump's campaign was connected to Russian operatives. The order represents a major escalation in the administration's effort to prosecute claims that Trump is a victim of political persecution.

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• Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer declined to oppose Trump's threat to fire BLS commissioner — Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whose department oversees the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was asked whether she supported Trump's threat to fire the BLS commissioner. She responded: "It is my job to support the president in this issue," declining to defend the independence of the statistical agency under her purview.

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed jobs report was rigged and promised to replace Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner — President Trump posted on Truth Social that the jobs report released the previous week was "RIGGED" and that prior employment numbers were fabricated by "Radical Left Democrats" to make Republican success "look less stellar." Trump promised to appoint a replacement for the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner. Trump's claims contradicted his own economic advisors' later acknowledgment that revisions were normal and reflected more complete data.

Supporting reports

• Trump Super PAC accepts $5 million donation from medical device company days before administration delays Medicare rule — On August 4, Popular Information reported that President Trump's Super PAC accepted a $5 million donation from Extremity Care, a company selling expensive placenta-derived bandages, days before the Trump administration delayed a Medicare rule that would have prevented coverage of its products. Medicare was spending billions on Extremity Care products costing over $10,000 per square inch, despite cheaper alternatives backed by scientific evidence. The New York Times covered the story on its front page on August 11, crediting Popular Information's reporting.
• Extremity Care LLC hires prominent Trump lobbyist Brian Ballard for $320,000 annually — The owners of Extremity Care LLC hired Brian Ballard, a Trump fundraiser widely regarded as the most influential lobbyist in the Trump administration, at $320,000 per year. Ballard's previous employee, Susie Wiles, is now Trump's Chief of Staff. The hiring occurred as Extremity Care's interests were being advanced through regulatory delays and alternative rules favorable to the company.

Supporting reports

• Texas House Democrats break quorum to block mid-decade redistricting vote — Approximately 30 Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass a new congressional district map. President Trump had demanded the mid-decade redistricting to shift five seats from Democrats to Republicans and secure Republican control of the U.S. House in 2026. The Democrats traveled to Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York to coordinate with Democratic leaders. Texas governor Greg Abbott responded by threatening to remove absent Democrats from office, replace them with appointees, and pursue extradition charges.
• Texas Democrats flee state to block redistricting vote; Illinois governor pledges protection — Texas House Democrats left the state on Sunday to prevent a quorum for a vote on Republican-drawn congressional maps that could gain Republicans five additional U.S. House seats. Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened expulsion and Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened arrest. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pledged to protect the fleeing lawmakers, calling their action "a righteous act of courage" and offering lodging and meeting spaces, while criticizing the redistricting plan as silencing Black and Latino voters.
• Texas Democrats leave state to prevent redistricting vote — About 30 Texas Democratic state representatives departed for Illinois to prevent a quorum on a Monday vote on new congressional maps that would create five Republican-leaning House seats. The maps, released by Texas Republicans and approved by a House committee on Saturday, target Democratic districts in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and south Texas. Democrats accused Governor Greg Abbott of withholding disaster relief to force the vote and characterized the effort as a "Trump gerrymander." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker provided logistical support. Democrats face potential $500-per-day fines and arrest under a 2023 measure.
• Texas House Democrats Leave State to Deny Quorum for Redistricting Vote — Democratic lawmakers from the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny Republican lawmakers the quorum needed to pass a new district map that would shift five seats from Democrats to Republicans. This action was taken in response to President Trump's demand for mid-decade redistricting to secure Republican control in the upcoming 2026 elections. The Texas Democrats traveled to various states, including Illinois, to confer with Democratic leaders and emphasize their fight against what they termed a power grab.

Supporting reports

• Texas House Speaker Burrows signaled intent to compel Democratic legislators' return through civil arrest or pay withholding — Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, stated that "all options will be on the table" if insufficient members were present for Monday's session. Options included issuing civil arrest warrants for violating House rules and withholding pay from Democratic members and their staffs. Texas Republicans had recently passed a law imposing $500-per-day fines on members who fail to appear.
• Texas House Speaker issues arrest warrants and threatens consequences against Democratic legislators — Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows issued civil arrest warrants against Democratic members who left the state to prevent a quorum vote on redistricting. Burrows adjourned the chamber until Tuesday and threatened consequences for those who continue to obstruct the legislative process. He framed the absence as abandonment of duty and shirking of responsibility under pressure from out-of-state politicians, while citing pending legislation on flood relief and human trafficking as the stated reason for the special session.
• Texas legislature imposes daily fines on absent Democratic lawmakers — Under rules adopted in 2021, the Texas House imposed $500-per-day fines on each Democratic lawmaker absent from the state during the special session on redistricting. The fines accumulate for each day a member remains out of state, creating financial pressure to return and participate in votes on the redistricting plan.
• Texas House Republicans authorize arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who fled state to break quorum — The Texas House of Representatives voted to authorize arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent a quorum on congressional redistricting. More than 51 of 62 House Democrats fled to Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York to block Republicans from redrawing maps to gain up to five additional GOP seats. The warrants are civil, enforceable only within Texas. U.S. Senator John Cornyn requested FBI assistance to locate the lawmakers, citing fundraising concerns, though no criminal charges have been filed and the FBI's role remains unclear.

Supporting reports

• Texas Attorney General threatens arrest of fleeing Democrats — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a public statement on X threatening to arrest Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent the redistricting vote. Paxton stated: "Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law." The statement represents official threat of law enforcement action against political opponents.
• Texas AG Ken Paxton threatened prosecution and arrest of fleeing Democratic legislators — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton posted on social media demanding that Democratic House members who fled the state be "found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately," stating they should be treated as lawbreakers. Paxton invoked a legal opinion he authored to support Abbott's threats, though legal analysts noted the opinion did not actually authorize removal of lawmakers or declare quorum-breaking unconstitutional.
• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought judicial orders to declare Democratic seats vacant — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he would seek judicial orders to declare that state House Democrats who left the state to block redistricting efforts have vacated their office if they don't return by Friday. Paxton tweeted, "The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don't show up to work, you get fired."
• Texas Attorney General Paxton launches investigation into Beto O'Rourke group — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into a group run by former congressman Beto O'Rourke that has been covering the costs of Texas Democratic lawmakers remaining in Illinois during the quorum break. Each lawmaker breaking quorum is fined $500 per day. The investigation appears aimed at the funding mechanism supporting the lawmakers' absence.

Supporting reports

• Illinois governor pledges protection and logistical support to Texas Democratic legislators — Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker welcomed approximately 30 Texas House Democrats at a press conference in Chicago and pledged that his administration would provide logistical support to the visiting legislators. Pritzker characterized the Texas Democrats' quorum break as a "righteous act of courage" and a defense of democracy against Trump's redistricting power grab, urging other Americans to follow their example.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker declared protection of Texas House Democrats from extradition — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that neither Texas nor the FBI has authority to arrest or extradite Texas House Democrats who have fled to Illinois. Pritzker stated that Illinois will protect the legislators and prevent their removal from the state, characterizing their actions as protecting the entire country.

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• Office of Special Counsel investigates former special counsel Jack Smith for alleged Hatch Act violations — The U.S. Office of Special Counsel confirmed it is investigating former special counsel Jack Smith for alleged violations of the Hatch Act, a law prohibiting certain political activities by federal officials. Trump and other prominent Republicans have alleged that Smith's investigations into Trump amounted to illegal political activity, though Trump and his allies have not presented specific evidence of wrongdoing. Trump's nominee to head the Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia—a former podcast host who became a lawyer on July 30, 2024—is meeting with senators ahead of a confirmation vote.

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• Texas Governor Abbott withholds disaster relief to leverage redistricting vote — Texas Democrats accused Governor Greg Abbott of withholding aid to victims of Guadalupe River flooding in July as leverage to force passage of the redistricting vote. Gene Wu, Texas House Democratic caucus chair, stated: "We will not allow disaster relief to be held hostage to a Trump gerrymangle." The withholding of disaster relief during a special legislative session on redistricting created a coercive condition linking humanitarian aid to partisan political outcomes.

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• Texas governor threatens removal and extradition of absent Democratic legislators — Texas governor Greg Abbott threatened to remove from office any Democratic state representatives absent for Monday's redistricting vote and replace them with his own appointees. Abbott also suggested he would consider the Democrats felons for accepting financial support for housing and meals in Illinois, and threatened to use his extradition authority to compel their return to Texas. These threats were issued in response to the Democratic quorum break.
• Texas Gov. Abbott ordered arrest of Democratic state representatives who fled to break quorum — Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Texas House Democrats who left the state to prevent a quorum on a special legislative session aimed at aggressive gerrymandering. Abbott claimed the Democrats were "abandoning their duty" and "holding hostage" flood relief legislation. The walkout, which included over 51 of 62 Democratic members, successfully blocked the session. Abbott threatened removal from office, felony bribery charges, and prosecution under a legal opinion from AG Ken Paxton, though legal experts disputed the validity of these threats.
• Abbott threatened felony bribery charges against Democratic legislators — Governor Abbott threatened to prosecute Texas House Democrats for felony bribery if they accepted travel, lodging, or meals from other state governors (such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker) while out of state. Abbott framed acceptance of such support as a "quid pro quo" for breaking quorum. Legal experts, including Democratic Rep. Jolanda Jones, a lawyer, stated no such felony exists in Texas law and Abbott was fabricating charges.
• Texas Republicans advanced aggressive gerrymandering map in special session — Texas Governor Abbott convened a special legislative session to advance a radical gerrymandering plan that would eliminate at least five Democratic state House seats. The map was so extreme that it placed U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett's house outside her own district and combined the districts of U.S. Representatives Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett. Democratic legislators' walkout successfully blocked the session.
• Texas House Republicans advance redistricting plan as Democrats flee state to deny quorum — Texas House Republicans, at the direction of Governor Greg Abbott following a White House proposal, moved forward with a redistricting plan to redraw congressional lines in Republican favor. Democrats denied a quorum by leaving the state on August 4. Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest and return absent Democratic lawmakers. The special session, lasting 30 days, imposes $500-per-day fines on absent members. Democrats vowed to fight the plan, which would dilute Democratic voting strength and give Republicans five additional congressional seats.
• Texas Governor Abbott announces plan to arrest Democratic representatives — Texas Governor Greg Abbott appeared on Fox News discussing his plan to hunt down and arrest Democratic representatives who refuse to show up for what the source characterizes as his "illegal gerrymander." Abbott stated that Texas officers are on the streets looking for those Democratic House members to arrest them.

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• Internal DHS memo outlines expanded military deployment for domestic immigration enforcement — An internal Department of Homeland Security memo circulated among top officials outlines plans to involve the Department of Defense more deeply in domestic law enforcement operations targeting immigration. The memo suggests DHS anticipates many more uses of the military in urban centers, noting that "LA-style operations may be needed 'for years to come.'" It likens transnational gangs and cartels to "Al Qaeda or ISIS cells and fighters operating freely inside America," hinting at a ramped-up militarized posture in the interior. The memo was authored by Philip Hegseth, a senior adviser to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and DHS liaison officer to DOD. Experts warned that normalizing routine military support to law enforcement could create a domestic "Forever War" and undermine the rule of law.

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• Elizabeth Fago donates $1 million to Trump PAC, son receives presidential pardon weeks later — Elizabeth Fago donated $1 million to MAGA Inc., Trump's PAC, the day before attending an April dinner with Trump. Fago had been appealing to Trump to pardon her son, Paul Walczak, who had pleaded guilty to tax crimes and faced an 18-month prison sentence and $4.4 million in restitution. Less than three weeks after Fago attended the dinner, Trump signed a full and unconditional pardon for Walczak. The New York Times documented this as part of a pattern of major donors to Trump's PAC receiving substantial benefits shortly after making donations.