Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DHS/ICE sought court orders to force-feed at least 10 hunger strikers in immigration detention — Between 2025 and 2026, Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials obtained court orders to subject at least 10 detained immigrants to involuntary medical procedures, including force-feeding via nasogastric tubes, intravenous forced hydration, and involuntary blood draws. Court records show procedures were definitely performed on at least three detainees and probably on two more; five others ended their hunger strikes before procedures began. Cases span facilities in Texas, Florida, Washington, and Arizona. Many detainees lacked legal representation during proceedings.
• ICE force-feeding of detained hunger strikers revealed in at least 10 cases — Since Trump's return to office in January 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has subjected at least 10 detained immigrants to involuntary force-feeding procedures, including an Afghan man force-fed for nearly six months, a Ukrainian man whose force-feeding was stopped by legal intervention, and a Saudi woman who broke her strike under threat of the procedure. ICE obtained emergency court orders, often without the detainee's legal representation, to restrain hunger strikers and insert nasogastric tubes. Medical experts and human rights organizations characterize the practice as torture.
• ICE force-fed at least 10 detained hunger strikers — A Guardian investigation of court records identified at least 10 cases in which ICE sought to subject detained hunger strikers to involuntary medical procedures, with at least three and possibly five individuals force-fed. A Kurdish asylum seeker at Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Texas was force-fed for nearly eight months; another endured six months. The procedure involves guards restraining detainees while medical staff insert a tube through the nose into the stomach and pump liquid nutrition. Human rights organizations classify force-feeding of competent hunger strikers as torture.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice announces record 25 denaturalization complaints filed against naturalized citizens — The Department of Justice announced the filing of 25 civil denaturalization complaints in federal district courts between July 20 and August 3, 2026, against naturalized U.S. citizens accused of serious crimes including attempted murder, sexual abuse of children, spousal assault, fraud, and identity theft. The department characterized this as the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in its history. Since January 20, 2025, DOJ has filed 123 denaturalization complaints total. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the cases allege citizenship was secured through fraud, concealment, or unlawful conduct. The complaints seek revocation of citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Supporting reports

• Monroe County, Indiana, voted to terminate Flock contract early — Monroe County commissioners voted 2–0 to end their Flock Safety contract approximately one year early and agreed to pay approximately $3,000 to remove six cameras. Commissioner Jody Madeira characterized the removal cost as "$3,000 well spent," signaling local opposition to the automated license plate reader program despite its purported crime-solving utility.

Supporting reports

• Individuals charged with felony destruction of Flock cameras — Prosecutors nationwide are charging individuals who damage or destroy Flock Safety cameras with felony criminal mischief or destruction of property, with damage claims running into thousands of dollars per camera. One man in Suffolk, Virginia, faces 25 felony charges—13 counts of destruction of property, 6 counts of petit larceny, and 6 counts of possessing burglary items—for allegedly damaging 13 Flock cameras. The charges represent a legal barrier to direct action against surveillance infrastructure.

Supporting reports

• Institute for Justice documented 28 cases of law enforcement abuse of license plate reader data — The Institute for Justice has documented at least 28 cases nationwide of law enforcement officers allegedly abusing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data to track romantic interests, including current partners, ex-partners, and strangers. Notable cases include a Milwaukee officer who looked up a woman's location 124 times and her ex 55 times; a Richmond County, Georgia deputy who searched one woman's plate 1,639 times. Most cases were not caught by internal audits; the Milwaukee case surfaced only when the victim discovered the abuse through a public website built from Flock's own audit data.

Supporting reports

• Coalition of 25 US states sues Trump administration over new tariffs on 60 trading partners — A coalition of 25 US states filed suit in the US Court of International Trade on Monday challenging new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% imposed on goods from 60 trading partners and the European Union. The states argue the tariffs, which took effect in July under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are unlawful and a pretext for replacing tariffs previously struck down by the Supreme Court in February. The states seek to halt the tariffs, declare them unlawful, and order refunds of duties already paid. The tariffs affect major trading partners including the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and China, and account for 99.4% of US imports.
• Complaint filed — Oregon v. Trump (U.S. Court of International Trade, Docket 1:26-cv-03467) — On August 3, 2026, 23 states and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania filed a complaint in the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging tariffs imposed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on July 23, 2026. The tariffs, set at 10% or 12.5% on imports from 60 economies representing 99.4% of U.S. goods imports and invoked under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are challenged as violating the Administrative Procedure Act (arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, procedurally defective) and the Constitution (ultra vires executive authority). Plaintiffs seek declaratory relief, a stay, injunctive relief, refunds, and a three-judge panel.
• 25 States Sue Over New Tariffs — Twenty-five states have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration challenging new tariffs. These legal actions reflect widespread opposition to the tariff policy and its economic implications.

Supporting reports

• Trump Appeals Ruling on Slush Fund Agreement — Trump filed a notice to appeal a ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, which stated that a $1.776 billion slush fund agreement with the DOJ was intended to manipulate the judicial process. The ruling questioned the legitimacy of the agreement and its implications for accountability.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Doe v. Kupor (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02723) — Five current and former federal employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) or Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) programs filed a putative class action complaint on August 3, 2026, challenging the elimination of coverage for gender-affirming care. The Office of Personnel Management eliminated such coverage effective January 1, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order 14168 issued January 20, 2025, and eliminated a narrow exception for mid-treatment enrollees effective Plan Year 2027. Plaintiffs allege sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and seek class certification, declaratory judgment, permanent injunction restoring coverage, retroactive coverage, and compensatory damages.
• Federal employees sue over removal of gender-affirming care from health plans — A class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., challenges the removal of gender-affirming care from Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits programs, arguing the exclusion constitutes sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The UCLA Williams Institute estimates 39,400 to 57,800 transgender federal employees are affected by the policy change.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Oregon v. Trump (U.S. Court of International Trade, Docket 1:26-cv-03467) — On August 3, 2026, 23 states and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania filed a complaint in the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging tariffs imposed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on July 23, 2026. The tariffs, set at 10% or 12.5% on imports from 60 economies representing 99.4% of U.S. goods imports and invoked under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are challenged as violating the Administrative Procedure Act (arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, procedurally defective) and the Constitution (ultra vires executive authority). Plaintiffs seek declaratory relief, a stay, injunctive relief, refunds, and a three-judge panel.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — State of New York v. Administration for Children and Families (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02726) — New York and 24 other states plus the District of Columbia filed a complaint challenging a System of Records Notice (SORN) issued by the Administration for Children and Families on June 23, 2026. The SORN authorizes disclosure of TANF recipients' Social Security numbers, immigration status, marital status, and other personal information to the Department of Homeland Security and other entities. Plaintiffs allege the SORN exceeds statutory authority, violates confidentiality protections, was adopted without required Privacy Act procedures, and imposes an unforeseeable condition on states' receipt of TANF funds. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief and vacatur of the SORN.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. U.S. Department of the Treasury — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint in D.D.C. alleging that the Department of the Treasury unlawfully withholds names of claimants, their counsel, and factual bases for settlements paid from the Judgment Fund, citing the Privacy Act as justification. CREW contends the policy prevents identification of recipients—including pardoned January 6 defendants and Trump allies—and verification of settlement facts, impairing transparency of federal spending. CREW argues the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the Judgment Fund statute's 30-day disclosure requirement, and the Paperwork Reduction Act. CREW seeks a declaration that the policy is unlawful, an order vacating it, and an order requiring Treasury to publish required disclosures going forward and retroactively since January 20, 2025.

Supporting reports

• Trump uses Truth Social to spread false claims about Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool vandalism — On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social a fictitious account of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, claiming material was "being cut with a knife or a box cutter." The post misrepresented the facts of the incident. On Monday, Trump attacked U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the pool, accusing her of "choking" and "folding like an umbrella," and launched a tirade with exaggerated accusations against Biden and Obama regarding prior pool maintenance.

Supporting reports

• Ohio senators call for congressman's resignation over domestic abuse allegations — On August 2, 2026, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), father of Congressman Max Miller's ex-wife Emily Moreno, called on Miller to resign from Congress, stating "If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them." Moreno cited "a clear pattern of abuse" and called for Miller to "seek professional help." Ohio's other U.S. Senator, Jon Husted (R), also called on Miller to step down. The calls for resignation followed The Daily Mail's publication of domestic abuse allegations and court filings documenting physical assault incidents.
• Senator Bernie Moreno calls for Rep. Max Miller to resign over domestic abuse allegations — Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno publicly called for Representative Max Miller to step down from Congress on Sunday, citing allegations of domestic and child abuse made by his daughter Emily Moreno, Miller's ex-wife. Morero stated Miller "fails" basic character standards and should "seek professional help." Miller responded the same day via livestream, denying all allegations and stating no court or agency has substantiated abuse claims against him, and he would remain in his re-election race ahead of Wednesday's ballot deadline.
• Max Miller faces domestic abuse allegations and calls to resign from Ohio Republican leadership — Ohio Congressman Max Miller, facing domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife Emily Moreno (daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno), received a public call to resign from Senator Moreno on Sunday via X post. Moreno accused Miller of pointing a gun at her head, pouring hot water on her, potentially breaking their daughter's collarbone, and physically attacking her attorneys. Miller has denied all allegations and blamed the media and his ex-wife. The allegations have weakened Miller's political standing ahead of the November midterm election, with the Ohio Republican Party having until August 12 to replace him as a candidate.

Supporting reports

• DOJ moves to dismiss charges against David Hearn — The Department of Justice filed to dismiss criminal charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The DOJ's filing stated that the damage was due to flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than vandalism. This move follows a series of events where the Trump administration blamed Hearn for the pool's issues, despite evidence suggesting the problems stemmed from the renovation process itself.
• Dismissal of DOJ Case Against David Hearn — The Department of Justice case against David Hearn for vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was dismissed after his lawyers argued that the government's witness testified the pool was already damaged before Hearn approached it. They claimed irregularities in the grand jury's proceedings, suggesting that the indictment may have been influenced by misconduct. This dismissal raises concerns about the integrity of the DOJ's handling of grand jury processes.
• Trump Administration Drops Charges Against Lincoln Memorial Vandalism Defendants — Federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office, led by Jeanine Pirro, moved to dismiss misdemeanor charges against three defendants accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This follows a previous decision to drop felony charges against former Olympian David Hearn for similar accusations. The decision has reportedly caused tension within the Trump administration.
• DOJ dismisses felony charge against David Hearn in reflecting pool case — The Trump administration's Department of Justice moved to dismiss a felony property destruction charge against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn on Friday, citing newly obtained Interior Department documents showing the pool liner damage resulted from faulty contractor installation, not vandalism. Hearn had been arrested on June 19 and faced up to 10 years in prison. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office filed a 20-page motion stating the damage stemmed from a "rushed and flawed installation process." President Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision, saying she "choked" and "folded like an umbrella," sparking speculation about her job security.
• Charges Dropped Against Three Accused of Vandalism — Charges have been dropped against three individuals who were falsely accused of destroying the reflecting pool. This development comes amid political tensions and accusations of misinformation.

Supporting reports

• Blanche terminates Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund — Todd Blanche, as acting attorney general, issued a formal order late Sunday terminating Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" slush fund designed to compensate political allies who had been "targeted" by the justice department, including prosecutions of January 6 insurrectionists. The termination followed weeks of negotiations with Republican senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, who were blocking Blanche's nomination. Blanche had promised the Senate judiciary committee he would not pursue the payout fund.
• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche releases documents claiming to rescind Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche released two documents purporting to rescind Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and narrow a provision to retroactively protect only Trump, his two sons, and his company from tax audits. Legal experts questioned whether the documents are legally binding and expressed concern about loopholes that could allow the original orders to be reinstated. The move secured votes from holdout Republican senators for Blanche's confirmation as permanent attorney general.
• Acting Attorney General Rescinds Slush Fund Order — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded the May 18, 2026, order that established a $1.776 billion slush fund for individuals claiming persecution by the Department of Justice under former President Joe Biden. The fund was perceived as a means to compensate those convicted of crimes related to the 2020 election overturn efforts. Blanche's order did not alter the existing nonprosecution order for Trump and his associates regarding tax returns filed before May 19, 2026.
• House Judiciary Committee Member Calls for Action — Jamie Raskin, the top-ranking Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee, released a statement criticizing Blanche's actions and calling for six House Republicans to join Democrats in passing a discharge petition to stop the funding for convicted January 6 felons and Trump allies.

Supporting reports

• Senate Judiciary Committee schedules reconsideration of Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination — The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Chuck Grassley, scheduled a meeting for Tuesday to reconsider Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Blanche's confirmation has stalled over a dispute between Trump and Republican senators Cornyn and Tillis, who demand written assurance that the DOJ will not establish the $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund. Grassley stated he wants Blanche confirmed before the August recess, citing his record on law and order.
• Senate Judiciary Committee Advances AG Nominee Todd Blanche — The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines to advance Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General. This vote allows Blanche to proceed to a full Senate vote, where he can afford to lose two Republican votes and still be confirmed. The nomination has been controversial, with some senators expressing concerns about Blanche's past actions and statements regarding the Department of Justice's independence and political influence.

Supporting reports

• Immigration courts accelerate case processing, leading to missed hearings and deportations — The Trump administration has accelerated case processing through immigration courts, resulting in historically high numbers of missed court dates. Overworked judges are deciding hundreds of cases daily, often in less than five minutes per case. Individuals who miss their court dates are immediately ordered deported. The rapid processing denies immigrants adequate opportunity to present their cases or obtain legal representation.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to withdraw Blanche's nomination and keep him as acting attorney general — Trump threatened to withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination and instead keep him as acting attorney general while pushing legislation for the "anti-weaponization" fund. Trump accused Cornyn and Tillis of blocking Blanche's confirmation out of personal grievance, claiming Cornyn was upset over Trump's endorsement of his primary challenger Ken Paxton. Trump posted on Truth Social that Blanche "was a voice of reason" and the fund "will immediately be back on the table."

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration Drops Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case — The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, has decided to drop the case concerning vandalism at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. This decision has been met with criticism from former President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who both expressed their disagreement with the decision, citing evidence of vandalism. The case involved damage to the Reflecting Pool and surrounding areas, which Trump and Burgum believe was caused by vandals.
• Trump Considers Firing DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro — Former President Trump is reportedly considering firing DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro after she dropped charges related to vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Pirro's decision, claiming it was a mistake and that the incident was indeed vandalism. The DOJ concluded that the issues stemmed from a flawed renovation rather than vandalism, which has led to Trump's frustration and potential action against Pirro.
• Trump publicly attacks US Attorney Pirro over dropped reflecting pool vandalism charges — Donald Trump accused interim US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro of "folding like an umbrella" after she dropped vandalism charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn in connection with damage to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Trump, who nominated Pirro to the post in 2025, expressed disappointment and suggested she "choked" under judicial pressure. Reports indicate Trump is considering removing Pirro from her position. The DOJ had dismissed the case after discovering the pool damage resulted from contractor installation flaws, not vandalism.
• Trump publicly rebukes US Attorney Jeanine Pirro over reflecting pool vandalism case dismissal — President Trump criticized US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro after she filed a motion to dismiss vandalism charges against a former Olympian and three others connected to damage at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Pirro's office argued in a 20-page court filing that the damage resulted from a "botched" renovation, not vandalism. Trump told NBC News on Thursday that Pirro "made a terrible mistake" and called her decision "stupid," though he declined to commit to replacing her. The charges against David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist, were dismissed by the Justice Department.

Supporting reports

• ICE confirmed forced medical treatment of detained hunger striker — A budget filing from ICE's Health Service Corps, surfaced by the Guardian, revealed that at least one detained hunger striker was subjected to force feeding, hydration, forced urinary catheterization, or involuntary blood draws. Homeland Security declined to specify which procedure was used. ACLU attorney Eunice Cho noted that authorizing court orders often function as rubber stamps because many detainees lack legal representation to challenge them.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration ends federal legal funding for unaccompanied immigrant children — The Trump administration severed ties with nearly 100 legal organizations providing immigration counsel and ended a federal contract providing legal representation to over 20,000 unaccompanied children, effective July 31, 2026. Federal officials refused to reimburse organizations for $65 million in completed work unless they violated client confidentiality by disclosing sensitive medical and immigration data. The cuts are forcing legal nonprofits into layoffs and closures, leaving children to face immigration court without attorneys. Experts warn children without counsel win relief less than 10% of the time and face expedited deportation proceedings.
• Legal representation contract for immigrant children expires; no-bid contract offered to Trump-connected firm — The Trump administration allowed a contract for legal representation of immigrant children to expire on July 31. The administration then offered a $150 million no-bid contract to a small Texas law firm with no experience in immigration law but with close ties to Trump. Following public outcry, the law firm declined the contract. The action left immigrant children without guaranteed legal representation during deportation proceedings.

Supporting reports

• FBI requested voter's IP address as part of voter fraud investigation — Axios reported that Trump's FBI requested and received the IP address of an individual who registered online to vote in South Carolina as part of a new strategy by the administration to investigate alleged voter fraud. A former senior Justice Department official said it is both "not typical" and "not appropriate" for the FBI to conduct a "fishing expedition to see private voter data."

Supporting reports

• US Senate rejects war powers resolution limiting Trump's Iran war authority — The US Senate voted 49-50 on Thursday to reject a war powers resolution that would have required President Trump to withdraw US forces from Iran absent explicit congressional authorization. The vote occurred amid escalating military operations, including a fresh wave of US airstrikes on Wednesday in retaliation for an Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan. Only three Republicans (Collins, Murkowski, Paul) voted for the measure; one Democrat (Fetterman) voted against it. This marks the second failed attempt in two weeks to legislatively constrain Trump's war powers.

Supporting reports

• Senate Judiciary Committee Halts AG Nomination Vote — The Senate Judiciary Committee has canceled the vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General. This decision comes amid demands from Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis for Blanche to revise a settlement agreement between Trump and the IRS. The committee's halt poses a challenge to confirming Blanche before the Senate's August recess. Cornyn and Tillis insist on changes to provisions granting Trump IRS immunity and a slush fund, which they view as corrupt.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office. — After the Blanche vote was canceled, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would "temporarily withdraw" Blanche's nomination if Cornyn and Tillis did not "do the right thing," with the intention to resubmit it after the two senators leave office. Trump attacked both senators, claiming his prior refusal to endorse them had "ended" their political careers. He praised Blanche as a potential "Greatest AG of All Time" and stated Blanche would "remain, in any event, as Acting." The post signaled Trump's intent to circumvent Senate opposition through procedural delay and attrition.
• Trump threatens to withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination — Trump threatened to withdraw his nomination of Todd Blanche as attorney general after Senators Cornyn and Tillis refused to confirm him without a written revocation of Trump's tax audit immunity and January 6th slush fund. The senators' conditional refusal to confirm created a standoff over Trump's demand to retain immunity protections and control of discretionary funds related to January 6th.
• Trump refuses to narrow tax immunity agreement despite Republican senators' written limits request — Donald Trump declined a request from Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to formally limit the scope of a controversial tax immunity agreement that grants him, his family, and related entities broad protection from IRS audits. The agreement, part of a settlement ending a lawsuit over unauthorized disclosure of Trump's tax records, includes a $1.8 billion slush fund. Trump's refusal to narrow the deal jeopardized confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general, though Blanche can continue serving as acting AG indefinitely under federal law.
• Trump reverses position on $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and vows to revive it despite Senate opposition — Donald Trump, after initially declaring a controversial $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund "dead," reversed course and promised to revive it through legislation or executive action. The fund, part of a legal settlement with the DOJ over Trump's IRS lawsuit, is intended to compensate individuals Trump claims were wrongfully targeted by government. Senate Republicans John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are blocking Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination over the fund dispute, demanding written assurance the DOJ will not establish it. Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination, keep him as acting attorney general, and "push hard" for the fund anyway.
• Trump threatens to withdraw Blanche AG nomination temporarily, keep him as acting attorney general — Donald Trump announced he may "temporarily" withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general to circumvent Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who are blocking confirmation over objections to a $1.8 billion political-weaponization compensation fund and tax immunity provisions. Trump stated he would keep Blanche as acting attorney general indefinitely under federal law until the two senators leave office in January 2027. The Senate Judiciary Committee canceled a scheduled confirmation vote on Thursday.