Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• National Design Studio installs undisclosed visitor-tracking software on federal websites — The National Design Studio (NDS), a White House office led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and staffed by Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) veterans, rebuilt sensitive federal websites for passport applications, voter registration, prescription-drug pricing, and children's savings accounts. The NDS installed commercial visitor-tracking software (PostHog) configured to evade privacy tools on four public federal websites without publishing required privacy impact assessments or system-of-records notices mandated by the Privacy Act of 1974 and E-Government Act of 2002. The NDS removed the tracking software after Guardian inquiry on 4 June; White House responded 17 June claiming compliance with legal requirements.
• White House National Design Studio rebuilt federal websites outside normal oversight — An investigation by The Guardian found that an opaque White House office called the National Design Studio, staffed largely by veterans of Elon Musk's DOGE and led by Trump-aligned Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, has quietly rebuilt some of the federal government's most sensitive websites for passport applications, voter registration, prescription-drug pricing, and children's savings accounts. The office, established by Trump executive order in August 2025, has built and operates four public federal websites: ndstudio.gov, trumprx.gov, realfood.gov, and trumpaccounts.gov. All four sites run commercial visitor-tracking software configured to evade privacy tools, and none carry the public filings required under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the E-Government Act of 2002. The sites route sensitive interactions between Americans and their government through infrastructure apparently controlled by the White House and outside normal reporting and accountability systems.

Supporting reports

• National Design Studio builds copy of Login.gov federal sign-in gateway — The NDS built and operates a copy of Login.gov, the federal sign-in gateway used by more than 150 million Americans to access services from Social Security to tax filing. A former Doge engineer, Greg Hogan, was reportedly put in charge of the NDS's Login.gov version. The studio's voter-registration system uses this copied Login.gov to verify visitor identities. The General Services Administration (GSA), which operates the official Login.gov, stated that all personnel supporting Login.gov must comply with GSA policies and governance processes.
• National Design Studio builds passport-application portal outside State Department — The NDS built and operates passports.gov, a federal passport-application website now run from inside the White House rather than through the State Department's existing travel.state.gov portal. The studio's version collects identity information from passport applicants, carries no privacy notice, and had developer test code left running on the live page. The State Department confirmed it is "working closely with the White House" on the initiative but deferred additional questions to the White House.
• National Design Studio operates children's investment program website outside Treasury Department oversight — The NDS operates trumpaccounts.gov, the federal website for a children's investment program created in summer 2025 tax legislation. Although the Treasury Department is the registrant of record and administers the program, the website runs through the same White House-controlled commercial account as other NDS sites. The Treasury Department did not respond to requests for comment. The site collects sensitive financial and identity information from families enrolling children in the program.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court strikes down 91-year-old precedent, grants president unlimited removal power over independent agencies — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Slaughter v. Trump that federal law restricting the president's ability to fire members of independent executive agencies (including the FTC) violates the constitutional separation of powers. The decision overruled Humphrey's Executor v. U.S., a 91-year-old precedent, and endorsed the "unitary executive" theory, granting the president sweeping authority over approximately two dozen multi-member agencies Congress intended to be independent.
• Supreme Court rules in Trump v. Slaughter to expand presidential removal power over independent agencies — On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Trump v. Slaughter that the president has broad authority to remove members of independent federal agencies, effectively overturning the 91-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent. The decision arose from Trump's March 2025 firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. Fired officials and legal experts warn the ruling eliminates civil service protections, enabling politicization, corruption, and pay-to-play dynamics in federal agencies designed to operate independently.
• US Supreme Court rules Trump can fire independent agency leaders, overturning 90-year precedent — The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Slaughter that the president can fire leaders of independent agencies without cause, overturning the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent. The case centered on Trump's March 2025 firing of Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter via email. The ruling affects approximately two dozen agencies with multi-member bipartisan boards, including the FTC, NLRB, and Federal Reserve. Justices Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan dissented, arguing the decision grants the president unconstitutional power and defies centuries of political practice and congressional authority.
• Supreme Court rules president has unrestricted power to remove independent agency officials — The Supreme Court decided Slaughter v. Trump in a 6–3 decision, holding that the president has complete authority to remove officers from independent agencies established by Congress without cause. The case arose when Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic FTC commissioner, claiming her service conflicted with his administration's priorities. The majority rejected 90 years of precedent requiring removal only for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance." Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, arguing the ruling grants the president power exceeding even the English Crown and undermines centuries of bipartisan practice protecting nonpartisan expertise in agencies like the FTC, EPA, SEC, and others.
• Supreme Court Affirms Federal Reserve Independence — The Supreme Court ruled in favor of maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve, rejecting challenges that could have subjected the institution to increased political influence. This decision preserves the Fed's ability to operate without direct political pressure, which is crucial for maintaining economic stability and policy effectiveness.
• Supreme Court Decision Weakens Independent Agencies — The Supreme Court delivered a ruling that significantly weakens the authority of certain independent federal agencies. This decision could lead to increased political influence over these agencies, potentially affecting their ability to function autonomously and effectively.
• Supreme Court allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner and overturns major restraint on presidential power — The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump has the authority to fire the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, effectively overturning a significant limitation on presidential power. This decision marks a shift in the balance of power between the executive branch and independent federal agencies, potentially increasing presidential control over such agencies. The ruling could have far-reaching implications for the independence of federal regulatory bodies and the separation of powers within the U.S. government.
• Supreme Court Overturns 90-Year-Old Independent Agency Protections — The Supreme Court overturned a 90-year-old precedent protecting members of independent agencies from being fired by the president without cause. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned in dissent that the ruling "reshapes our government," noting that dozens of independent commissions are now likely to become purely executive agencies, shifting tremendous power over broad swaths of American life into the president's hands.
• Supreme Court Overturns Protections for Independent Agencies — The Supreme Court overturned a 90-year-old precedent that protected members of independent agencies from being fired without cause by the president. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that this decision could transform these agencies into executive-controlled entities, concentrating power in the presidency. This ruling is seen as a significant shift in the balance of power within the U.S. government.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Trump v. Slaughter (25-332) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Trump v. Slaughter. Docket number(s): 25-332.
• Trump claims unchecked power following Supreme Court ruling — Following the Supreme Court's decision in Slaughter v. Trump, President Trump stated that he now has the authority to remove heads of independent agencies at will, which he believes will allow him to control these agencies to serve his administration's interests. This claim raises concerns about the potential politicization of agencies that have historically operated independently of presidential influence.
• Supreme Court rules in favor of Trump in Slaughter v. Trump — On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in favor of President Donald J. Trump in the case of Slaughter v. Trump, allowing him to fire members of independent agencies created by Congress. This decision overruled nearly 90 years of precedent that limited presidential power over such agencies, asserting that the president has complete control over executive branch officials. The dissenting justices warned that this ruling undermines the independence of agencies designed to operate free from political influence.
• US Supreme Court rules president can fire independent agency heads at will — On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of President Trump in a case brought by former Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, who was fired in March. The court overturned a 90-year-old precedent by holding that the president has the right to remove the head of any federal government agency at will. The decision, justified through the unitary executive theory, grants the president sole total control over the executive branch and opens the door to what critics call an "imperial presidency."

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Mike Johnson warned of targeting if Democrats win midterms — On June 27, 2026, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), a Trump loyalist, addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, D.C., warning that if Democrats win the midterm elections, they will "turn every committee of Congress into an investigative body, and they'll go after the president's family, the Cabinet, his donors, and friends." Johnson stated: "I run the protection program. I'll take care of you. Ok, we're gonna win. We're gonna win the midterms."

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court strips TPS status from Haitian and Syrian nationals — The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Thursday to pause prior lower-court rulings that had temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitians and several thousand Syrians. The decision immediately exposes these populations to deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ruling affects Springfield, Ohio, where Haitians have revitalized the local economy since 2018, and threatens up to 1.3 million people currently in the U.S. with legal TPS status.
• Supreme Court strips temporary protected status from 350,000 Haitian and Syrian immigrants — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision eliminating temporary protected status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitian and 6,000 Syrian immigrants, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with deportations to countries experiencing conflict and humanitarian crises. The ruling rejected claims of racial bias. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin subsequently stated that affected migrants must either seek permanent residence or accept deportation, with the government offering plane tickets and $2,100 to those leaving.
• U.S. Supreme Court rescinds Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision rescinding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians. The ruling removes legal protection for nationals of these countries who had been granted temporary refuge in the United States, exposing them to deportation.

Supporting reports

• Mississippi Department of Public Safety withholds body-camera and security footage from police shooting — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety announced that body-camera and security-camera footage from the 14 June shooting that killed one-year-old Kohen Wiley would not be released while the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation conducts its investigation. The family and protesters have demanded full transparency and release of all video evidence, citing the discrepancy between police accounts and witness testimony.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration directs CDC to impose new funding priorities deprioritizing harm reduction and overdose prevention — The Trump administration directed the CDC to inform state, territorial, tribal, and local health programs that they must align with new federal priorities within five business days or face potential funding cancellation. The new priorities deprioritize proven overdose-prevention methods like harm reduction and housing-first programs, prioritize "parental authority" in education (signaling potential pressure on school vaccine mandates), and emphasize reducing "public disorder." Public health experts warn the move will worsen the opioid crisis and represents political interference in evidence-based public health.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration pauses refugee admissions except for white South Africans — Since taking office, the Trump administration has paused nearly all refugee admissions except for white South Africans and has worked to reshape the refugee system to favor English speakers and white Europeans. The administration has also stopped processing immigration applications for people from 39 countries largely in Africa and the Middle East, including applications for green cards and asylum.

Supporting reports

• Silicon Valley billionaires file counter-ballot measures opposing wealth tax — Tech billionaires, led by Google co-founder Sergey Brin ($82 million spent) and crypto billionaire Chris Larsen ($13.2 million spent), successfully placed two counter-initiatives on California's November ballot designed to block the wealth tax. One measure would prohibit new taxes on individually owned assets and bar retroactive taxation; the other would require audits of voter-initiative-funded programs and prohibit new state taxes after January 1, 2026. The spending represents an unprecedented campaign finance effort to defeat the wealth tax through ballot manipulation.

Supporting reports

• House committee issues subpoenas to Leon Black over Epstein nondisclosure agreements — During a voluntary transcribed interview before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Friday morning, billionaire financier Leon Black refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements allegedly connected to Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chair James Comer (R) and ranking member Robert Garcia (D) stated that Black's refusal to discuss the NDAs was obstructive. Comer issued two subpoenas: one demanding Black produce any NDAs and another requiring him to appear for a deposition next month. Black's legal team characterized the committee's action as a "political stunt," asserting Epstein had no involvement with any NDAs.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet celebrating Supreme Court TPS termination ruling and listing 60 immigration enforcement actions — The White House issued a fact sheet on June 26, 2026, announcing that the Supreme Court had upheld the Trump Administration's authority to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants. The document frames this as a victory for "American sovereignty" and lists 60 actions taken as part of what it characterizes as the "largest and most aggressive immigration enforcement effort in American history," including expanded ICE workforce, accelerated deportations, border wall construction, visa restrictions, and denaturalization efforts.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Democracy Forward Foundation, a nonprofit government transparency organization, filed a FOIA lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on June 26, 2026, challenging the government's failure to produce records concerning the Trump administration's denaturalization program. DFF had submitted multiple FOIA requests to USCIS and three DOJ components (Civil Division, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and Office of Information Policy) between January and April 2026, seeking internal communications, inter-agency coordination records, and agency policies relating to revocation of naturalized citizenship. DFF alleges violations of FOIA and seeks a court order compelling production of non-exempt records, a Vaughn index, an injunction against continued withholding, and attorneys' fees.

Supporting reports

• Speaker Johnson pledged to shield Trump administration from congressional oversight — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson spoke before Trump on June 26, 2026 and stated that if Republicans lose the midterm elections, Democrats will turn every congressional committee into an investigative body and target the president's family, cabinet, donors, and friends. Johnson stated: "I run the protection program. We'll take care of you," pledging to ensure that corruption and criminality in the Trump administration would be covered up by him and his committee chairs.

Supporting reports

• Trump addresses Faith & Freedom Coalition, attacks Democrats as "godless communists" — President Trump spoke at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference in Washington on Friday, seizing on Democratic primary wins by progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to portray Democrats as communists threatening Christianity and "traditional American way of life." Trump claimed communists want to "mutilate" transgender children, "restart the war on Christians," and that assassinations are "a very important element of their ideology." House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the messaging, listing alleged radical positions of leftwing candidates running for Congress.
• Trump called Democratic opponents "animals" and "communists" — At a Faith and Freedom Coalition convention in Washington, Trump called Democratic political opponents "hard core, godless communists" and "animals," framing them as a "horrible thread of cancer" permeating the country. The rhetoric was deployed as midterm messaging following Democratic primary victories by progressive candidates in New York.
• Trump launched midterm campaign theme attacking Democrats as communists — Trump delivered a speech on June 26, 2026 launching a new midterm election theme characterizing Democrats as communists and framing the election as necessary to prevent a communist takeover of America. Trump based his premise on candidates endorsed by New York state legislator Zohran Mamdani who won their primary elections. Trump stated that communists are "godless," will "close your churches," and want to "end religion," and characterized them as "animals." Trump also made statements suggesting he would be "the greatest communist in history" if he implemented free rent and free food policies.

Supporting reports

• Senator Wyden accuses HHS of planning expedited removal of 500+ migrant children without statutory authority — Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. alleging the Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to deport more than 500 unaccompanied migrant children in federal custody using an "unprecedented legal framework" lacking statutory authority. The children, classified as category 4 (no identified US sponsor), have been in long-term foster care for at least 180 days and many have legal representation. Wyden warned the effort bypasses due process and coincides with a June 30 deadline for immigration courts to conclude cases, potentially evading judicial oversight.

Supporting reports

• Trump instructs DOJ to investigate oil companies for alleged price gouging — Donald Trump announced via social media post on Tuesday night that he had instructed the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate oil companies for alleged price gouging, claiming they are not lowering gas prices at the pump proportionally to drops in wholesale oil costs amid Middle East conflict. Trump stated "customers are being 'gouged'" and demanded gas prices fall faster. No further investigation details have been released since the announcement.
• Trump directs Justice Department to investigate oil companies for price gouging — Just after midnight, Trump posted that "big Oil Companies" are not dropping gas prices quickly enough and accused them of price gouging. He stated he had directed the Justice Department to "start looking into this" and warned that gasoline prices must drop faster. The post reflects Trump's concern about economic conditions ahead of midterm elections.

Supporting reports

• California Secretary of State certifies billionaire tax ballot measure — California's Secretary of State certified a ballot measure proposing a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires, after the initiative gathered more than double the required signatures. The measure, backed by the SEIU-UHW union and championed by progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders, would apply retroactively to California residents worth over $1 billion as of January 1, 2026, with revenue directed to food assistance, education, and healthcare. Governor Newsom opposed the measure throughout, including failed last-minute negotiations to reduce the tax to 2%.
• California billionaire tax measure qualifies for November ballot — California's controversial billionaire tax measure officially qualified for the November 2026 general election ballot after an expensive campaign. The measure faced significant opposition from wealthy individuals and Silicon Valley interests who spent millions to derail it. The effort will continue through November, with further spending expected from tech industry opponents seeking to prevent the measure's passage.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocks Trump administration's executive order restricting mail-in voting — US District Judge Indira Talwani ruled unconstitutional an executive order issued by Trump on March 31, 2026, requiring the postal service to implement a barcode tracking system for ballot envelopes tied to citizenship data. The order would have denied mail-in ballots to states refusing to submit voter rolls to federal officials. Voting rights groups, 23 states, and DC sued to block the rule, arguing the Constitution grants no presidential authority over election administration. The injunction prevents the administration from creating a federal program to control state voter rolls or prosecuting states for non-compliance, though states may voluntarily participate.
• Federal judge blocks Trump executive order requiring voter citizenship documentation — US District Court Judge Denise Casper in Massachusetts ruled on June 25, 2026, that Trump's executive order mandating documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration was unconstitutional. The order would have required voters to present passports, birth certificates, or similar documents. Casper found that the Constitution grants the President no specific powers over elections, which are primarily governed by states and Congress. None of the order's provisions had been implemented before the ruling.
• Summary judgment ruling — State of California v. Trump (D. Mass.) 1:26-cv-11581 — Judge Talwani granted Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, declaring Sections 2 and 3 of Executive Order 14399 - which directed DHS to compile “State Citizenship Lists” of eligible voters from federal databases and directed USPS to maintain “Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists” and refuse delivery of mail ballots from voters not on those lists - legally void as ultra vires and unconstitutional violations of the separation of powers. The court held that voter eligibility is reserved exclusively to the states under the Constitution and that no federal statute delegates to the president or USPS any authority over mail-in ballot delivery. The court permanently enjoined defendant agencies from implementing those provisions with respect to the Nov. 3, 2026 general election and any earlier federal elections in Plaintiff States. The court also declared Section 5 of the EO - which provided that states should preserve election records for five years - is a nonbinding recommendation because the president lacks authority to impose a retention requirement beyond the twenty-two-month period Congress set in the Civil Rights Act of 1960. Defendants are ordered to file a status report with the court within seven days describing steps taken to ensure compliance.
• Federal judge voided mail-ballot restriction order — On Thursday, June 26, Judge Indira Talwani voided the core of the March mail-voting order, which would have used the Postal Service to limit mail-ballot delivery to a federally approved voter list and would have built that national list in the first place. Roughly two dozen states joined the suits challenging the order.

Supporting reports

• Trump conditions FISA reauthorization on voting bill passage — President Trump announced he will condition the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a key intelligence tool that expired earlier this month, on passage of the Save America Act voting-restriction bill. This follows his earlier decision to block the housing bill until the voting measure passes. Democrats have refused to support FISA reauthorization in protest of Trump's appointment of inexperienced loyalist Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, and his subsequent derailment of Jay Clayton's permanent nomination.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court grants border officials broad discretion to deport lawful permanent residents — On Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted border officials broad discretion to deport lawful permanent residents (green card holders) suspected of crimes of "moral turpitude" without requiring "clear and convincing evidence." The ruling allows officials to place green card holders in immigration limbo based on suspicion alone, effectively stripping legal status from people who have been living and working in the U.S. for years.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court overturns Humphrey's Executor, grants presidents power to fire independent agency leaders — On June 24, 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. Slaughter that the president may fire leaders of independent agencies without cause, overturning the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent that had protected agency independence for 90 years. The decision followed Trump's March 2026 firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and other agency officials. Legal experts warned the ruling abandons constitutional safeguards against executive overreach and replaces them with a "loyalty test," enabling future presidents to politicize agencies Congress designed to be insulated from presidential coercion.

Supporting reports

• US Postal Service proposes rule requiring states to surrender voter mail-ballot lists — The US Postal Service, under Postmaster General David Steiner, issued a proposed rule requiring states to hand over lists of voters who requested mail-in ballots and associated barcodes to the postal service. Steiner stated that the postal service would refuse to deliver mailed ballots in states that declined to comply. All 47 Democratic senators sent a letter warning the rule would disenfranchise millions of voters and risked abuse and inaccuracies that would prevent eligible voters from casting ballots.
• Postmaster General announces USPS will not deliver election mail in states refusing to surrender voter rolls — Postmaster General David Steiner testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee that under a new Trump administration rule, the United States Postal Service will not deliver election mail in states that refuse to surrender their voting lists to the federal government. Senator Gary Peters clarified that the proposed rule coerces states to comply with federal voting requirements or lose mail-in voting access.
• USPS proposes rule to withhold election mail — The Postmaster General testified that under a new proposed rule, the United States Postal Service will not deliver election mail in states that refuse to provide their voting lists to the federal government. This rule is seen as a coercive measure to enforce compliance with federal demands.

Supporting reports

• Trump cancels housing bill signing event — President Trump canceled a scheduled signing event for the housing bill, citing the need for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act first. This cancellation reflects his prioritization of voter eligibility legislation over housing reform, which could impact public perception and support for his administration.
• Trump threatens to withhold housing bill signature — President Trump announced he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill into law until Congress passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote. This announcement came after the Senate and House passed the housing measure aimed at increasing housing supply and affordability.
• Trump withholds signature on bipartisan housing bill pending passage of voter ID legislation — After the Senate and House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan housing affordability bill designed to increase housing supply and prevent private equity from purchasing single-family homes, Trump announced he would not sign it into law until Congress passes the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote and mandates states surrender voting rolls to the federal government. Trump cancelled a scheduled housing bill signing ceremony, declaring the voter ID measure a "National Emergency."
• Trump refuses to sign housing bill pending Senate passage of voting restrictions measure — President Trump refused to sign a major housing bill that had passed with bipartisan majorities in Congress, conditioning its approval on the Senate advancing the Save America Act, a voting restrictions measure. This represents a continuation of Trump's linkage of unrelated legislative priorities, previously connecting the housing bill's passage to renewal of a foreign surveillance law. The standoff has created a legislative logjam and prompted House Republican leadership to cancel scheduled votes.
• Trump canceled bipartisan housing bill signing hours before ceremony — Roughly an hour before Trump was scheduled to sign bipartisan housing legislation on Capitol Hill alongside Republican leaders, he canceled the signing via social media post, calling the bill "of minor importance" and demanding Congress pass the SAVE Act first. The presidential seal-emblazoned table sat waiting in Statuary Hall as some top Republicans were mid-speech or press conference touting the bill, unaware the president had canceled.
• White House Press Secretary contradicted housing bill signing announcement — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted hours before Trump's refusal to sign the housing bill, announcing that "Trump will sign into law the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history," touting it as a bipartisan achievement and "promise made, promise kept." Trump then canceled the signing.
• Interior Department transferred taxpayer funds to Freedom 250 events — The Department of Interior transferred taxpayer money to the National Park Foundation for use in Freedom 250 events, and the National Park Service funded the Fourth of July fireworks display. Michael Scherer of The Atlantic reported this fact-check in response to Alexis Wilkins' claim that the celebration was not taxpayer-funded.
• Trump's construction projects carry over $1 billion in taxpayer costs — A New York Times analysis revealed that Trump's 18 major construction projects undertaken during his second term—including an East Wing ballroom, Kennedy Center renovations, National Garden of American Heroes, Lafayette Park, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and others—carry a potential cost exceeding $1 billion, with significant taxpayer expense despite Trump's claims of private funding.
• Trump demanded Senate pass SAVE Act before signing legislation — Trump announced he would not sign any additional legislation until the Senate passed the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), designed to restrict voting before the 2026 election. This conditional demand effectively halted all legislative activity and prompted House MAGA members to vote against procedural measures, leading Speaker Johnson to adjourn the House.
• Trump refused to sign bipartisan housing bill into law — President Trump declined to sign a landmark bipartisan housing bill after a midday confrontation with senators. The refusal followed Trump's demand that the Senate pass the SAVE Act to restrict voting before the 2026 election. Trump announced he would not sign any additional legislation until this voting-restriction measure advanced, effectively halting legislative activity and prompting Speaker Johnson to adjourn the House.
• House Freedom Caucus voted against procedural measures — Members of the far-right Freedom Caucus voted against procedural measures necessary for the House to conduct business, citing Trump's refusal to sign legislation as justification. Their obstruction rendered the House unable to accomplish any legislative work, prompting Speaker Johnson to adjourn members on Thursday.
• Senate Republicans voted against war powers resolution — Senate Republicans voted to reject advancing a war powers resolution that the Senate had passed the day before. The vote occurred after Trump's refusal to sign the housing bill and his confrontation with senators, appearing as an attempt to mollify the president following their brief assertion of independence.
• Trump canceled housing bill signing to leverage proof-of-citizenship voting requirement — President Trump canceled his scheduled signing of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Wednesday, June 25, stating he would not approve it until Congress passed his SAVE America Act, which includes a proof-of-citizenship voting requirement. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support (85–5 in Senate, 358–32 in House). Under the ten-day pocket-veto rule, the bill becomes law without Trump's signature if Congress remains in session and he does not veto it; Speaker Johnson indicated Trump will ultimately sign.
• Rep. Luna refused to reopen House floor pending Senate return — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) announced she would not vote to reopen the House floor until the Senate returned to Washington to act on the SAVE Act. Luna criticized Senate Majority Leader Thune for obtaining unanimous consent to adjourn, saying "Thune is running and hiding."
• Rep. Luna shut down House floor over SAVE Act demand — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) shut down the House floor, preventing any legislation from being brought up, because the Senate had not acted on the SAVE Act. Luna froze the House despite the fact that shutting down the floor does not accomplish anything in the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson was unable to pass a rule or bring any legislation to a vote.
• Sen. Murkowski criticized Trump's housing bill obstruction — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told CNN's Manu Raju that Trump's decision to hold up his own agenda by demanding action on the SAVE Act was "not helpful to him" and "not helpful to the country." She noted that "If you don't have the votes, sir, you don't have the votes" and said Trump's actions do not help chances of keeping the GOP majority, as people want Congress to focus on issues affecting them at home.
• Sen. Whitehouse warned of Republican dissension and Trump's destructive intent — Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) warned that Thune may be growing fed up with Trump and that dissension in the Republican Caucus may be growing. Whitehouse suggested that "The realization may be dawning that Trump prefers to take them all down with him than fail alone."
• Senate Majority Leader Thune adjourned Senate for 19 days — Senate Majority Leader John Thune obtained unanimous consent to adjourn the Senate for 19 days after Trump's last-minute cancellation of the housing bill signing. Thune declined to comment on Trump's reversal, saying "I guess I would say at this point I don't have any observations."

Supporting reports

• Trump berated Republican senators over war powers resolution vote — President Trump confronted Senators Bill Cassidy and three other Republicans at a Capitol Hill lunch, berating them for voting in favor of a war powers resolution that symbolically rebuked the White House's handling of the Iran war. Cassidy described the encounter as heated, stating he "raised [his] volume to match" Trump's. The confrontation centered on Trump's failure to brief Congress on the prosecution of hostilities with Iran, which Cassidy argued violated constitutional requirements for legislative oversight of military operations.
• Senate passes War Powers Resolution on Iran; Trump accuses four Republicans of disloyalty — The Senate passed a War Powers Resolution regarding Iran by a vote of 50–48. President Trump responded by accusing four Republican senators of giving "aid and comfort" to Iran, using language that echoes constitutional definitions of treason and suggesting disloyalty within his own party for voting against his position on Iran policy.
• Senate blocked binding Iran war-powers resolution after presidential pressure — On Wednesday evening, June 25, the Senate blocked a separate, binding war-powers resolution led by Senator Tim Kaine from advancing, 50–47, after the president spent the day pressuring Republicans who had voted for the non-binding measure the previous day. Trump called Senator Cassidy a "lunatic" in a closed-door lunch; by evening Cassidy voted no and Rand Paul voted present, leaving only Collins and Murkowski in support.
• Senate Republicans reject Iran war powers resolution after Trump pressure and intimidation — Senate Republicans voted 47-50-1 late Wednesday to reject a war powers resolution challenging Trump's Iran war, hours after Trump berated GOP senators at a Capitol lunch. Four Republicans, including Bill Cassidy, had voted with Democrats the previous day to block the war; Trump called them "losers" and "lunatics." Cassidy was summoned to a White House briefing by VP Vance and envoy Witkoff, then returned to vote against the measure. Rand Paul switched to "present" to give Trump negotiating space. The Senate then recessed for two weeks.
• Senate passes war powers resolution prohibiting military action against Iran — The U.S. Senate passed a war powers resolution that prohibits President Trump from conducting further military action against Iran. Trump responded by posting that the vote was "poorly timed and meaningless" and accused four Republican senators of voting with Democrats, claiming they had provided "aid and comfort to the Enemy" and made his job more difficult. The resolution reflects congressional pushback against Trump's military campaign against Iran, which strategic scholars have characterized as strategically failed.
• Cassidy and Trump engage in heated Capitol confrontation over Iran war — Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana had a heated argument with President Trump at a Capitol lunch on Wednesday. The dispute arose after Trump questioned why anyone would vote for a war powers resolution that Cassidy had supported with Democrats the day prior. Cassidy, who lost his primary race after Trump endorsed a rival, stood up and demanded transparency about the Iran conflict, which Trump said would last four weeks but has stretched four months without achieving objectives. Trump raised his voice and referenced Cassidy's electoral defeat; Cassidy matched his tone before de-escalating.

Supporting reports

• Eight Prairieland detention center protesters sentenced to 30–100 years in prison on terrorism charges — U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor sentenced eight of nine protesters prosecuted following a July 4, 2025, protest against ICE at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, to sentences ranging from thirty to one hundred years in prison. The protesters, some of whom did not know each other and one of whom was not present at the protest, were charged as members of an antifa cell engaged in terrorism. All nine were convicted in March 2026 in what observers characterized as a test of the administration's power to use broad antiterrorism laws against protesters.
• Federal judges sentenced anti-ICE protesters to 30–100 years in prison — Federal judges sentenced a group of anti-ICE protesters convicted for their roles in a 2025 Texas demonstration to prison terms ranging from 30 to 100 years. One person received 30 years despite not being present at the protest. Another received 100 years after conviction for attempted murder and other charges following a police officer being shot and injured. The case marks the first to incorporate Trump's presidential declaration labeling "antifa" as a domestic terrorist organization.
• Anti-ICE Protesters Receive Harsh Sentences — Federal judges sentenced anti-ICE protesters in Texas to prison terms ranging from 30 to 100 years. The sentences are based on their involvement in a 2025 protest and are notably harsher than those given to Jan. 6 insurrectionists. The case is the first to apply Trump's declaration labeling "antifa" as a domestic terrorist organization.
• Eight Texas anti-ICE protesters sentenced to 50–100 years; ninth defendant to 30 years for possessing leftist materials — Eight activists who protested at the Prairieland ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025, were sentenced on June 24, 2026, to between 50 and 100 years in prison on terrorism and other charges. A ninth defendant, Daniel Sanchez-Estrada, received 30 years for moving boxes of leftist zines and materials after a phone call from his imprisoned wife. Federal judges Mark Pittman (Trump appointee) and George W. Bush appointee Reed O'Connor stacked sentences across multiple convictions. First Amendment advocates and legal experts have condemned the sentences as unusually punitive and a chilling attack on protest and ideological expression.
• Nine Texas anti-ICE protesters sentenced to 50–100 years for terrorism charges following Fourth of July 2025 detention center protest — Nine activists were convicted of terrorism charges and sentenced to 50–100 years in prison following a July 4, 2025 protest at the Prairieland immigrant detention center in Alvarado, Texas. The group arrived to conduct a noise demonstration with fireworks; some vandalized property and slashed tires. When police arrived, activist Benjamin Song fired an AR-15, wounding officer Lt. Thomas Gross in the shoulder. Song received 100 years; five others received 50 years; one received 70 years; one received 30 years. The sentences far exceed those given for January 6 Capitol attackers and were widely characterized as a test of the Trump administration's crackdown on dissent.