Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Sergei arrested during ICE office visit in San Francisco; Marina told to return — Sergei and Marina, a young couple from Russia with a pending asylum case, went to an immigration office in San Francisco in March to update paperwork. ICE agents arrested Sergei and instructed Marina to return in a few weeks. This case demonstrates the targeting of immigrants with pending asylum cases during routine administrative visits.

Supporting reports

• Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify deportations based on Venezuelan gang activity — In March 2025, the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—previously used only three times in U.S. history—to claim authority to deport citizens of nations engaged in invasion or "predatory incursion." Trump contended that Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua's activities constituted an invasion justifying mass deportations. Multiple federal judges rejected this claim, with New York federal judge Alvin Hellerstein ruling in June that refugee migration and gang infiltration do not meet the law's definition of invasion or predatory incursion.

Supporting reports

• ICE deported four U.S. citizen children to Mexico with undocumented parents — In March 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deported four U.S. citizens, including a 10-year-old with brain cancer, to Mexico when they deported the children's undocumented parents.

Supporting reports

• ICE detains PhD student for op-ed criticizing university's Palestine response — In March 2025, Rümeysa Öztürk, a PhD student at Tufts University, was detained by ICE for writing an op-ed criticizing the university's response to the war in Palestine. Öztürk has since been released, but the detention represents targeting of an immigrant for published political speech.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration targets noncitizen academics for pro-Palestinian speech and activism — The Trump administration, through the Department of Homeland Security and directed by executive orders signed in January 2025, has arrested and deported or sought to deport noncitizen students and scholars for pro-Palestinian activism and speech. Targets include Mahmoud Khalil (Columbia University graduate) and Rümeysa Öztürk (Tufts University student). The administration relied on dossiers compiled by the rightwing Canary Mission and information from the far-right Zionist group Betar USA to identify targets. Federal judges have ordered the release of detainees, but the administration continues enforcement efforts.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cancels $400 million in Columbia University funding — In March 2025, the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University, the epicenter of pro-Palestinian campus protests in 2024. Columbia subsequently agreed to significant administrative changes demanded by the administration, including placing its Middle Eastern studies department under new supervision, banning face masks on campus, expanding police powers, and staffing up its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.
• Trump administration withholds federal funding from Columbia University over antisemitism allegations — The Trump administration pulled $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University, alleging the institution failed to protect students from antisemitic harassment tied to pro-Palestinian campus protests. Columbia subsequently agreed to changes demanded by the administration as a condition for restoring funding. The administration has also warned at least 60 other universities of possible action and announced a review of $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard University over similar allegations.
• DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA announce cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University — The Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and General Services Administration announced the immediate cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the university's alleged failure to protect Jewish students from harassment and anti-Semitic conduct. The agencies stated the action was taken under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act following a March 3rd notice to the university's acting president. Columbia University holds more than $5 billion in total federal grant commitments. The announcement characterizes the cancellation as the first round of action, with additional cancellations expected.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration suspends $175 million in University of Pennsylvania funding — In March 2025, the Trump administration suspended $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania, citing the university's transgender sports policies. The action is part of a broader crackdown on universities perceived as not aligning with the administration's policy positions.

Supporting reports

• Trump awarded Boeing $20 billion defense contract — In March 2025, the Trump administration awarded Boeing a $20 billion contract to build the next generation of fighter jets. A criminal conviction can suspend or revoke a company's ability to receive government contracts. This award occurred while Boeing faced potential criminal prosecution for the 737 MAX crashes and while the DOJ was negotiating the non-prosecution agreement.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed executive order initiating Section 232 investigation into timber and lumber imports as national security threat — President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to initiate a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 into how imports of timber, lumber, and derivative products threaten U.S. national security and economic stability. The fact sheet states the investigation will assess vulnerabilities in the lumber supply chain and provide recommendations for trade remedies. The document claims the U.S. has been a net importer of lumber since 2016 despite capacity to supply 95% of domestic softwood consumption.
• White House signed executive order initiating Section 232 investigation into timber and lumber imports as national security threat — President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to initiate an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine whether imports of timber, lumber, and derivative products threaten U.S. national security. The order asserts the wood products industry is critical to national defense and economic strength, claims the U.S. domestic softwood lumber industry can supply 95 percent of domestic consumption, and directs Commerce to report within 270 days with findings and recommendations including potential tariffs, quotas, or export controls.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet promoting executive order on timber production expansion — The White House published a fact sheet on March 1, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to increase domestic timber production and streamline federal forest management policies. The order directs agencies to issue new guidance facilitating timber production, reduce approval timelines under the Endangered Species Act, and boost timber sales from public lands. The fact sheet claims the measure will reduce wildfire risks, lower construction costs, decrease reliance on imported timber, and support 750,000 jobs in the wood industry.
• White House signed executive order directing accelerated timber production on federal lands — President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to issue guidance within 30 days to expand timber production on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. The order mandates streamlined permitting, expedited Endangered Species Act consultations, categorical exclusions for timber thinning and salvage, and a four-year timber sales target. The order states these measures are necessary to reduce reliance on foreign timber, create jobs, reduce wildfire risk, and lower construction costs.

Supporting reports

• Missouri Health Department rejects Planned Parenthood medication abortion plans — In March 2025, the Missouri Health Department issued new emergency rules and rejected Planned Parenthood's "complication plans" (submitted in February to enable medication abortion prescribing) on the same day, claiming non-compliance. The state imposed unnecessary stipulations, including a requirement that an OB-GYN live within 25 miles of the clinic and be available around the clock for seven days after a patient takes medication. These barriers effectively prevented resumption of medication abortion services despite the voter-approved Amendment 3.

Supporting reports

• DHS dismantles independent watchdog offices, citing obstruction of immigration enforcement — The Trump administration's DHS dismantled three independent watchdog offices—the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties office (CRCL), the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), and the CIS Ombudsman office—in March 2025. The agency stated the offices "obstructed immigration enforcement" and were being closed. All 147 full-time CRCL employees and 118 OIDO staff were ousted. This action became the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in April 2025 by civil rights organizations challenging it as violating separation of powers.
• Trump administration dismantles DHS civil rights watchdog offices, reducing oversight capacity by 97% — The Trump administration gutted three independent DHS watchdog offices tasked with investigating civil rights violations, detention conditions, and deaths in custody. Court records show the civil rights office received nearly 6,000 complaints from March to December 2025 but investigated only 183 (3%), compared to a historical 20% rate. Staff at the CRCL dropped from 147 to fewer than 40; the OIDO fell from 118 to 5 people. A lawsuit by civil rights groups challenges the action as violating separation of powers and constitutional norms.
• CRCL office staffing reduction and suppression of civil rights report — The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), which had approximately 150 employees, was reduced to only two full-time employees and around 20 outside contractors. A congressionally-mandated report documenting suspected civil rights violations by local police agencies in the 287(g) program—completed and cleared through multiple DHS components—was placed "into limbo" after Trump took office and has not been published. Former officials report the report identified jurisdictions, particularly in Florida, suspected of violating civil rights in 2023.
• Department of Homeland Security eliminates federal immigration detention oversight offices — In March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security effectively eliminated its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. These offices were responsible for investigating complaints about immigration detention facilities and reporting conditions to Congress. The elimination removes federal watchdog capacity to monitor detention conditions as ICE custody reaches record levels and is projected to become the deadliest year for people in ICE custody.

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• NRC Extends Turkey Point Nuclear Plant License

Supporting reports

• Federal judges propose transferring US Marshals Service from DOJ to judicial control — Federal judges discussed a proposal to move armed security personnel (US Marshals Service) away from Department of Justice control under Attorney General Pam Bondi and place them under the direct control of Chief Justice John Roberts. The proposal emerged at a March 2025 judicial conference meeting of approximately 50 federal judges amid concerns that the Trump administration might weaponize the Marshals Service by withdrawing protection from judges who rule against the president. Judge John Coughenour endorsed the transfer as necessary given recent threats and intimidation targeting judges.

Supporting reports

• Elon Musk calls for impeachment of judges — Elon Musk urged Republicans in Congress to impeach federal judges who rule against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This call for impeachment is part of a broader strategy to influence judicial decisions and reflects tensions between the judiciary and executive policies under the Trump administration.
• Elon Musk and House Republicans Allegedly Intimidating Judges — A report has emerged alleging that Elon Musk and certain House Republicans are involved in efforts to intimidate judges. The details of these actions, including the methods of intimidation and the specific judges targeted, have not been fully disclosed. This development is part of a broader concern about the influence of powerful individuals and political figures on the judiciary, which could have significant implications for the independence of the courts and the rule of law.

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security eliminates federal immigration detention oversight offices — In March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security effectively eliminated its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. These offices were responsible for investigating complaints about immigration detention facilities and reporting conditions to Congress. The elimination removes federal watchdog capacity to monitor detention conditions as ICE custody reaches record levels and is projected to become the deadliest year for people in ICE custody.

Supporting reports

• Trump fires Rebecca Slaughter from Federal Trade Commission — In March 2025, President Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, claiming her continued service was "inconsistent with [the] Administration's priorities." Although Trump had initially appointed Slaughter, he asserted the right to remove her under Article II of the Constitution, despite Congress having structured the FTC position to shield it from presidential politics. This action became the predicate for the Slaughter v. Trump case, which the Supreme Court decided in Trump's favor on June 29, 2026.
• Trump fired FTC member Rebecca Slaughter citing inconsistency with administration priorities — In March 2025, Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, claiming her continued service was "inconsistent with [the] Administration's priorities." Although Trump himself had initially appointed Slaughter, he asserted the right to remove her under Article II of the Constitution despite Congress establishing the FTC position to be shielded from presidential politics. Since 1935, the Supreme Court has held that presidents may fire independent agency members only for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office." Trump's action invokes the "unitary executive" theory to expand presidential removal power over independent agencies.

Supporting reports

• CRCL office staffing reduction and suppression of civil rights report — The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), which had approximately 150 employees, was reduced to only two full-time employees and around 20 outside contractors. A congressionally-mandated report documenting suspected civil rights violations by local police agencies in the 287(g) program—completed and cleared through multiple DHS components—was placed "into limbo" after Trump took office and has not been published. Former officials report the report identified jurisdictions, particularly in Florida, suspected of violating civil rights in 2023.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order Designating English as Official Language — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14224, designating English as the official language of the United States. This order revokes Executive Order 13166, which improved access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. The order aims to promote unity and streamline government operations by establishing a single official language, while allowing agencies to continue providing services in other languages as necessary.
• Trump designates English as the official U.S. language — President Donald Trump issued an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. This order revokes Executive Order 13166, which aimed to improve access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. The new order emphasizes the importance of a unified national language for societal cohesion and civic engagement. It directs federal agencies to recognize English as the official language but does not mandate changes to services provided in other languages. The Attorney General is tasked with updating guidance consistent with this order.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order designating English as official language — The White House published a fact sheet on March 1, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump designating English as the official language of the United States. The order states it rescinds a Clinton-era mandate requiring federal agencies and funding recipients to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. The fact sheet claims the order allows agencies flexibility to continue offering services in other languages while encouraging immigrants to adopt English, and asserts the designation promotes national unity and government efficiency.
• White House signed executive order designating English as the official language of the United States — The White House signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, designating English as the official language of the United States. The order revokes Executive Order 13166 (2000), which required federal agencies to provide services and documents in languages other than English for persons with limited English proficiency. The order states that agency heads retain discretion over service provision and are not required to cease multilingual document production, but directs the Attorney General to rescind policy guidance issued under the prior order and provide updated guidance consistent with applicable law.
• Trump designates English as the official language — President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. This order rescinds a Clinton-era mandate requiring government agencies and federally funded organizations to provide language assistance to non-English speakers, potentially affecting access to services for non-English speaking communities.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Timber Imports and National Security — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14223, directing the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the national security implications of timber, lumber, and derivative product imports. The investigation will assess domestic production capacity, foreign competition, and potential trade measures to protect national security. A report with findings and recommendations is due within 270 days.
• Trump issues executive order on timber and lumber imports — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the national security implications of timber, lumber, and derivative product imports. The order, citing the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, aims to assess the impact of foreign competition and subsidies on the U.S. wood products industry, which is deemed critical for national security and economic strength. The investigation will evaluate the feasibility of increasing domestic production and consider potential tariffs or quotas to protect national security.
• Trump signed executive order initiating Section 232 investigation into timber and lumber imports as national security threat — President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to initiate a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 into how imports of timber, lumber, and derivative products threaten U.S. national security and economic stability. The fact sheet states the investigation will assess vulnerabilities in the lumber supply chain and provide recommendations for trade remedies. The document claims the U.S. has been a net importer of lumber since 2016 despite capacity to supply 95% of domestic softwood consumption.
• White House signed executive order initiating Section 232 investigation into timber and lumber imports as national security threat — President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to initiate an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine whether imports of timber, lumber, and derivative products threaten U.S. national security. The order asserts the wood products industry is critical to national defense and economic strength, claims the U.S. domestic softwood lumber industry can supply 95 percent of domestic consumption, and directs Commerce to report within 270 days with findings and recommendations including potential tariffs, quotas, or export controls.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Timber Production Expansion — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14225 to expand American timber production. The order directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to issue guidance and legislative proposals to increase timber production, streamline permitting, and reduce regulatory burdens. The order aims to enhance domestic timber supply, reduce reliance on imports, and improve forest management practices.
• Trump issues executive order to expand American timber production — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the expansion of American timber production. The order mandates the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to issue new guidance to increase timber production and improve forest management. It aims to reduce reliance on foreign timber, create jobs, and enhance economic security. The order includes directives for streamlined permitting processes and potential legislative proposals to support these goals.
• White House issues fact sheet promoting executive order on timber production expansion — The White House published a fact sheet on March 1, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to increase domestic timber production and streamline federal forest management policies. The order directs agencies to issue new guidance facilitating timber production, reduce approval timelines under the Endangered Species Act, and boost timber sales from public lands. The fact sheet claims the measure will reduce wildfire risks, lower construction costs, decrease reliance on imported timber, and support 750,000 jobs in the wood industry.
• White House signed executive order directing accelerated timber production on federal lands — President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, directing the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to issue guidance within 30 days to expand timber production on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. The order mandates streamlined permitting, expedited Endangered Species Act consultations, categorical exclusions for timber thinning and salvage, and a four-year timber sales target. The order states these measures are necessary to reduce reliance on foreign timber, create jobs, reduce wildfire risk, and lower construction costs.
• Trump orders expansion of logging in US forests — Donald Trump issued an executive order to expand logging across 280 million acres of national forests and public lands, bypassing protections under the Endangered Species Act. The order directs the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to increase timber production, citing national and economic security. The move has been criticized for potentially increasing wildfire risks and threatening endangered species. Environmental groups warn that this could lead to habitat destruction and pollution of water supplies.
• Trump ordered expansion of tree-cutting on public lands — On March 3, 2025, Trump ordered an expansion of tree-cutting across 280 million acres (113 million hectares) of national forests and other public lands. The order calls for reversing "heavy-handed federal policies" and increasing "domestic timber production to protect our national and economic security." The order evades rules to protect endangered species and raises the prospect of chainsaws razing some of the most ecologically important trees in the US.

Supporting reports

• Columbia University capitulates to Trump administration demands and accepts conditions for restoration of $400 million in federal funding — Columbia University agreed to a series of demands from the Trump administration in March as a precondition for the restoration of $400 million in federal funding. The article does not specify the exact demands, but contextualizes Columbia's capitulation as part of a broader pattern of universities caving to executive pressure, contrasting it with Harvard's refusal.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cancels $577 million in international labor rights programs — Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced in March the cancellation of approximately $577 million in grants for international labor programs administered by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) at the Department of Labor. The cuts eliminated programs addressing child labor, forced labor, worker rights in supply chains, and enforcement of trade agreements. Labor groups, including the Solidarity Center, Global March Against Child Labour, and the American Institutes for Research, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the termination as unauthorized and arguing Congress had authorized the programs.

Supporting reports

• Trump fires FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter — President Trump moved to fire Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic FTC commissioner, before her term was set to expire in 2029. The firing was made without cause, citing only policy differences. Slaughter was one of two Democratic commissioners Trump sought to remove from the consumer protection and antitrust agency. The move drew criticism from Democratic senators and antimonopoly groups who viewed it as an attempt to eliminate internal opposition to corporate interests within the agency.
• Trump fires Rebecca Slaughter from Federal Trade Commission — In March 2025, President Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, claiming her continued service was "inconsistent with [the] Administration's priorities." Although Trump had initially appointed Slaughter, he asserted the right to remove her under Article II of the Constitution, despite Congress having structured the FTC position to shield it from presidential politics. This action became the predicate for the Slaughter v. Trump case, which the Supreme Court decided in Trump's favor on June 29, 2026.
• Trump administration fires Rebecca Slaughter from FTC; she files lawsuit challenging termination — In March 2025, President Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic FTC commissioner appointed in 2018, via email. Slaughter and fellow Democratic commissioner Alvaro Bedoya (also fired) filed a lawsuit challenging their terminations days later. In July 2025, a federal judge reinstated Slaughter, but the Trump administration appealed. In September 2025, the Supreme Court allowed Trump to remove Slaughter while the case proceeded, signaling the Court's intent to overturn Humphrey's Executor.
• Trump fired FTC member Rebecca Slaughter citing inconsistency with administration priorities — In March 2025, Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, claiming her continued service was "inconsistent with [the] Administration's priorities." Although Trump himself had initially appointed Slaughter, he asserted the right to remove her under Article II of the Constitution despite Congress establishing the FTC position to be shielded from presidential politics. Since 1935, the Supreme Court has held that presidents may fire independent agency members only for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office." Trump's action invokes the "unitary executive" theory to expand presidential removal power over independent agencies.

Supporting reports

• Trump issued executive order suspending Jenner & Block security clearances — In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Addressing Risks from Jenner & Block" that suspended security clearances for lawyers at the firm and restricted their access to government buildings, officials, and federal contracting work. Trump accused the firm of engaging in activities that "undermine justice and the interests of the United States" and specifically criticized it for employing Andrew Weissmann, who had worked on the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.