Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Doe v. Department of Defense (D. Md. 8:25-cv-02947) — Two minor children and a young adult filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland challenging the Department of Defense's June 11, 2025 revision to the TRICARE policy manual, which eliminated coverage for gender transition medications and therapy for both children and adults. The revision followed President Trump's January 28, 2025 Executive Order 14187. Plaintiffs allege the policy change violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to follow required rulemaking procedures and notice requirements, and violated separation of powers. They seek declaratory judgment that the new policy is unlawful and a permanent injunction against enforcement.

Supporting reports

• Chief Justice Roberts allowed Trump to fire Biden-appointed FTC member — Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts allowed Trump to move forward with the firing of a Biden-appointed member of the Federal Trade Commission, directly contravening a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that upheld a federal law meant to restrict the White House's ability to control the agency, while litigation around her termination continues.
• SCOTUS stays District Court order in Trump v. Slaughter — The Supreme Court, acting through Chief Justice Roberts, issued an emergency stay of a July 17, 2025 order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (case 1:25-cv-909). The stay halts the lower court's ruling pending further order from the Court or the Chief Justice. Respondents are directed to file a response by September 15, 2025 at 4 p.m. EDT. The underlying case involves Trump and other applicants against Rebecca K. Slaughter and others.
• Supreme Court allows Trump to fire Democratic FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter — The Supreme Court allowed Trump to ignore a lower court decision that he could not fire Rebecca Slaughter, the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, while her case was in the courts. This overturns precedent established since 1935 that the president does not have the power to fire members of independent agencies created by Congress. The decision was issued without hearings, briefs, or written explanation under the "shadow docket."

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court authorized freezing of $4 billion in foreign aid — The Supreme Court temporarily authorized the Trump administration to freeze approximately $4 billion in foreign aid set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, which includes funding for global health and HIV/AIDS programs. The decision allowed the administration to prevent the spending of congressionally appropriated funds.
• Trump administration filed emergency appeal to freeze foreign aid — The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal asking the Supreme Court to authorize the freezing of billions of dollars in foreign aid after a lower court ruled it must spend the funds before they expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The move seeks to override judicial authority over appropriated funds.
• Supreme Court temporarily halts lower court order requiring Trump administration to spend $4.9bn in foreign aid — Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay on Tuesday halting a Washington DC federal judge's order requiring the Trump administration to spend nearly $5bn in congressionally appropriated foreign aid. Trump had announced via "pocket rescission" that he would not spend the funds, characterizing them as "woke, weaponized and wasteful." The stay gives aid groups until Friday to file a response. This marks the first pocket rescission in 50 years and follows Trump's earlier moves to dismantle USAID and downsize US global development and emergency response support.
• Supreme Court partially stays District Court order in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition — The Supreme Court, in an emergency application, partially stayed a September 3, 2025 District Court order (D.D.C., cases 1:25-cv-400 and 1:25-cv-402) for funds subject to the President's August 28, 2025 rescission proposal pending before Congress. The stay applies only to those funds and remains in effect pending further order of the Chief Justice or the full Court. Respondents were ordered to file a response by September 12, 2025, at 4 p.m. EDT.

Supporting reports

• Trump's message in Epstein birthday book published; White House denies signature authenticity — On September 8, 2025, a 238-page scrapbook given to Epstein for his 50th birthday was made public, containing a message bearing Trump's signature. The message depicted an imagined conversation between Trump and Epstein, concluding "Happy birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret." The White House claimed the signature was not Trump's, despite it appearing identical to numerous public examples of his signature.
• White House denies Trump's signature on suggestive Epstein birthday note; claims forgery — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that President Trump signed or wrote a sexually suggestive letter to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that was released by the House oversight committee on Monday. The letter, part of Epstein's 2003 birthday book, included a drawing of a naked woman's torso and an imagined conversation between Trump and Epstein. Leavitt stated that three signature analysts concluded the signature was not authentic and that Trump's external legal team is pursuing litigation against the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the letter's existence in July.
• Trump's legal team pursues litigation against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter reporting — Trump's external legal team is pursuing litigation against the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the existence of the suggestive letter to Epstein in July 2025. The White House press secretary cited this litigation as part of the administration's effort to challenge the authenticity of the signature on the letter and discredit the reporting.

Supporting reports

• Trump and Republican officials blame Roy Cooper for Ukrainian refugee's murder using false claims about bail and criminal justice policy — President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Congressman Richard Hudson, and Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley publicly blamed former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) for the August 22 murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee killed by Decarlos Brown Jr. on a Charlotte train. Trump claimed Brown was "released on CASHLESS BAIL in January" due to Cooper's policies; Hudson attributed the killing to Cooper's "irresponsible policies"; Bondi issued an official DOJ statement linking the murder to "failed soft-on-crime policies." The article documents these claims as factually baseless: Brown's January release was for a misdemeanor 911 call, not a violent crime; North Carolina law caps Class 1 Misdemeanor sentences at 120 days regardless; Cooper's June 2020 executive order created only an advisory task force whose recommendations were never enacted and came after Brown's September 2020 release.
• Trump politicized Ukrainian refugee's death to attack bail reform — Trump politicized the killing of a Ukrainian refugee on a North Carolina train to rail against cashless bail, saying "her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail," and calling on Republicans to vote for former RNC Chair Michael Whatley for U.S. Senate. The statement used a tragedy for partisan political gain.
• Congressman Hudson attributes murder to Cooper's policies in false social media post — Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) posted on X on September 9 that "Because of irresponsible policies from our former Governor Roy Cooper's administration, [t]his brutal thug was set free and allowed to terrorize our community again and again" and that "This tragedy is the direct result of policies that put politics over public safety." The article establishes this claim is false: the suspect was released in January 2025 for a misdemeanor 911 call, not a violent crime; Cooper's June 2020 executive order created only an advisory task force whose recommendations were never enacted and came months before the suspect's actual release.

Supporting reports

• White House issued fact sheet claiming 100 faith-related policy victories — The White House published a promotional document titled "President Trump's Top 100 Victories for People of Faith" on September 8, 2025. The document lists claimed achievements across religious liberty, anti-Semitism enforcement, school choice, abortion funding restrictions, gender-related policies, military personnel reinstatement, DEI elimination, and Israel support. The document attributes these to executive orders, agency directives, proclamations, and administrative actions taken during the Trump administration's second term.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announces ICE surge into Boston — The Trump administration announced a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Boston on September 8. The deployment follows threats to send federalized National Guard troops into Democratic-led cities. Unlike military deployment, ICE agents are part of regular law enforcement systems, but the operation was announced via social media without coordination with state officials, suggesting a political rather than crime-fighting purpose.
• Trump administration announces ICE surge into Chicago — On September 9, the Trump administration announced a surge of ICE agents into Chicago. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stated the administration made no effort to coordinate with state officials and characterized the operation as laying groundwork to "circumvent our democracy, militarize our cities, and end elections" rather than combat crime. The announcement was made via social media as a "reality television show."

Supporting reports

• DHS announces "Operation Midway Blitz" targeting predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Chicago — The Department of Homeland Security announced enforcement operations in Chicago designated "Operation Midway Blitz," focusing on predominantly Latino neighborhoods surrounding Midway airport. The operation resulted in multiple arrests and was conducted without advance notice to Chicago's municipal government. This follows Trump's rhetoric attacking Chicago's sanctuary policies and his stated plan to deploy the National Guard to the city.
• Trump administration threatens ICE deployment and National Guard mobilization to Chicago — The Trump administration announced "Operation Midway Blitz," a targeted immigration enforcement action in Chicago, following threats to deploy federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to the city. Evanston officials warned residents of likely ICE activity after receiving information from the governor's office. The operation invokes a Nazi-era military term and targets immigrants in a sanctuary jurisdiction. Chicago's mayor stated the city received no notice and opposes militarized enforcement without due process, citing ICE's history of detaining and deporting U.S. citizens.
• DHS announced Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago — The Department of Homeland Security announced it launched "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, stating it aims to "target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets." Governor Pritzker responded that the operation "isn't about fighting crime," but "scaring Illinoisians."

Supporting reports

• Tom Homan threatened prosecution of protesters — Fox News pushed a false narrative that protesters against National Guard deployments were being paid. Deportation Czar Tom Homan appeared on Fox and claimed that protesters would be "prosecuted too" if they were financed from outside, suggesting that the government would investigate and prosecute protest organizers.
• Tom Homan falsely claimed protesters are paid by unnamed sources — On Fox News, Trump's border czar Tom Homan stated without evidence that those protesting the administration's immigration crackdown are "absolutely" being paid to do so, and threatened that those funding the protests "will be prosecuted too." The claim was made without providing any factual basis or evidence.

Supporting reports

• Arizona Republicans file ethics complaint seeking expulsion of Democratic senator for reposting ICE warning — Arizona Republican state senators, led by Jake Hoffman, filed a formal ethics complaint against Democratic state senator Analise Ortiz for resharing an Instagram post warning of ICE enforcement activity near an elementary school. The complaint seeks her expulsion from the chamber or, alternatively, removal from committees and loss of office and staff. The ethics committee chair referred the complaint to the U.S. attorney's office for potential federal investigation. Ortiz maintains she exercised her First Amendment right to inform constituents of government activity.

Supporting reports

• Speaker Mike Johnson refused to support Massie's reelection — Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team signaled that Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) would have to fend for himself in his reelection bid. Five members of House GOP leadership declined to offer backing for Massie's reelection, and Johnson would not say if he would support his colleague. Johnson stated that Massie is "actively working against his team almost daily now and seems to enjoy that role." Trump's allies are preparing to spend millions to defeat Massie in the GOP primary, with a pro-Trump super PAC called "MAGA Kentucky" reserving $1.6 million in ads.
• Pro-Trump super PAC reserved $1.6 million to defeat Massie — A pro-Trump super PAC called "MAGA Kentucky" reserved $1.6 million in ads to defeat Representative Thomas Massie in the 2026 GOP primary. The group is being led by Chris LaCivita, Trump's 2024 campaign co-manager, and pollster Tony Fabrizio. Pro-Israel groups like AIPAC also plan to spend significant funds to oust Massie, who has a long history of voting against U.S. support for Israel.

Supporting reports

• DOJ pushes to dismiss civil lawsuit by Epstein survivors against federal government — The Trump Justice Department is actively seeking to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by Merson Law on behalf of 33 Epstein survivors. The suit alleges that federal law enforcement agencies failed to act on allegations against Epstein when survivors came forward 20 years ago. Attorneys Jennifer Plotkin and Jordan Merson note that the FBI has acknowledged responsibility to Larry Nassar victims but continues to fight Epstein survivors.

Supporting reports

• Bill Pulte refers Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook for criminal investigation into alleged mortgage fraud — William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a Trump appointee, referred Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to the Department of Justice for alleged mortgage fraud, claiming she misrepresented her homes as primary residences to secure favorable rates. The DOJ opened a criminal investigation and issued subpoenas. Cook denies wrongdoing, calling discrepancies a clerical error. Former officials and experts called Pulte's direct involvement "bizarre," as criminal referrals typically originate from the FHFA's inspector general office, not the agency director.
• Housing Finance Agency director targeted Democrat with mortgage fraud allegations — Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, who has been targeting Democrats with flimsy mortgage fraud allegations, posted that Federal Reserve Board member Dr. Lisa Cook obtained bank loans with "lower than allowed" interest rates while serving on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's academic advisory council. Economist Justin Wolfers responded that Pulte's claim was dishonest: Cook was asked to give macroeconomic advice to an academic advisory council, not to set interest rates, and the Chicago Fed does not set rates.
• Trump administration officials accused Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud based on documents later shown to be inaccurate — President Trump sought to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook by alleging she committed mortgage fraud by claiming two homes as primary residences to obtain lower interest rates. Reuters reported that documents show Cook actually designated the Georgia property as a "vacation home" to her lender, and standardized forms were overridden by her personal application specifying it as a second home. Cook never claimed a primary residence tax exemption for the Georgia property and referred to it officially as a "2nd home." The allegations appear to be false.

Supporting reports

• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducts soft interview with Ghislaine Maxwell — In late July 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell over two days. The resulting transcript, released on August 22, revealed that Blanche's questions were not probing on key issues, particularly regarding Trump or those close to him. Survivors and their attorneys condemned the interview as inadequate and characterized it as "coddling" a known sex abuser.
• Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer suggested quid pro quo for prison transfer — Asked on CNN about why Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to a lower-security prison, her former lawyer seemingly admitted that it was likely part of a deal with the Trump administration in exchange for her interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, saying "when anybody who's represented by a lawyer who knows what they're doing goes in and meets with the government, there's always a quid pro quo."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration fails to contact Epstein survivors despite public commitment to investigate — Nine attorneys representing approximately 50 Epstein survivors told the Guardian that the Trump Justice Department has not contacted them in over six months, despite repeated public commitments to transparently investigate Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Attorney Gloria Allred (27 survivors), Lisa Bloom (11 survivors), Spencer Kuvin, Jennifer Freeman, and others confirmed no outreach. The DOJ released previously public documents in February, announced in July it would release no further files, and conducted a soft interview with Ghislaine Maxwell in late July. Legal experts note that victim engagement is standard investigatory practice.

Supporting reports

• DOJ delays FOIA response on Epstein to November 2027 — In response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed in January 2025, the Justice Department informed Marsh Law Firm (representing survivor Maria Farmer) that it would not respond until November 2027—nearly three years later. Attorney Jennifer Freeman characterized this delay as "abysmal and completely unacceptable" and part of a pattern of obstruction.

Supporting reports

• DOJ denies release of additional Epstein files and claims client list does not exist — In July 2025, Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced that the Justice Department and FBI would not release additional Epstein files and claimed that a purported Epstein client list does not exist. This announcement contradicted earlier public commitments to transparency and provoked significant controversy, particularly after reporting revealed that Trump's name appeared multiple times in the Epstein files.

Supporting reports

• DOJ opposed unsealing Epstein associate names — The Department of Justice asked a federal judge overseeing the Jeffrey Epstein case to deny NBC News's request to unseal the names of two associates who received large payments from Epstein in 2018—one receiving $100,000 and another $250,000. The DOJ cited privacy concerns expressed by the two individuals. Prosecutors noted in filings that Epstein's payments may constitute evidence of "efforts to influence witnesses" and suggested the defendant was attempting to influence co-conspirators.

Supporting reports

• Government Accountability Project called for investigation of FEMA employee retaliation — The non-profit whistleblower and advocacy organization, Government Accountability Project, sent a letter to lawmakers and oversight agencies to call for investigations into the "illegal retaliation" by the Trump administration against more than 30 FEMA employees, who were suspended and put on paid leave after signing an open letter warning Congress about issues at the agency. The letter said the suspensions "blatantly violate the federal laws protecting whistleblowers" and asked lawmakers to reinstate the affected employees.

Supporting reports

• DOJ considering ban on trans firearm ownership — Multiple outlets reported that the Justice Department is considering banning trans people from owning firearms by designating being trans as a mental illness that could disqualify someone from possessing a firearm under existing regulations.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration warned of deportation for asylum seeker Kilmar Abrego Garcia — In a court filing, the Trump administration warned that the government will seek to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to El Salvador if his attempt to open an asylum case in the US is successful, arguing the move would nullify an earlier ruling meant to prevent him from being sent back to his home country.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration deploys National Guard to Washington DC and calls for prosecuting minors as adults — The Trump administration deployed approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington DC, temporarily taking over the city's police department. Trump called for charging teens as young as 14 as adults for certain crimes, citing a recent assault case. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated she would push to prosecute even younger minors. The deployment occurred amid a broader federal crackdown including immigration raids. DC officials and juvenile justice advocates expressed concern that the measure does not address root causes of crime and may increase police violence against young Black residents.
• Trump administration deploys national guard and federal agents to Washington DC streets — The Trump administration deployed national guard troops and federal agents to Washington DC streets, citing crime reduction as justification despite DC crime rates being at 30-year lows. The president took control of the city's police department and threatened similar federal interventions in Chicago and New Orleans. This action prompted the formation of the activist group Free DC and sparked large-scale protests, including a march of thousands to the White House on Saturday.
• Trump Administration Deploys National Guard in Washington DC — The Trump administration deployed national guard troops in Washington DC, prompting protests from residents and activist groups. The deployment is part of a broader federal intervention in the city, which has included taking over the police department and sending federal agents onto city streets. These actions have been met with significant opposition from local groups like Free DC, which argue that such federal interventions threaten the city's autonomy and democracy at large.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon approved Navy base as DHS immigration enforcement hub — The Pentagon approved the use of a Chicago-area Navy base as a hub for the Department of Homeland Security as part of its crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The base could also be used to house National Guard troops or military members if Trump deploys them to the city.
• Pentagon reassigning 600 military lawyers as temporary immigration judges — The Washington Post reported that Hegseth plans to reassign up to 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges after a request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security. The move has raised concerns, including from one person involved in the planning of their reassignment, who says officers may not have experience or would receive insufficient training for immigration court proceedings, including deportation hearings.

Supporting reports

• Trump family earned up to $5 billion windfall from World Liberty Financial cryptocurrency — The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump family earned as much as a $5 billion windfall after Trump's venture, World Liberty Financial, opened trading of a new cryptocurrency. This likely makes the venture the Trump family's most valuable asset, worth more than their property portfolio.

Supporting reports

• ICE Raid at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in New York — On the same day as the Georgia raid, ICE conducted another operation in upstate New York at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners facilities near Syracuse. Federal officers forcibly entered the facility and detained over 40 workers, including parents of children, prompting criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The governor expressed outrage over the separation of families and the impact on children, emphasizing New York's stance against such actions while supporting border security and deportation of violent criminals.
• ICE Raid on Hyundai Battery Factory in Georgia — On September 5, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a large-scale raid at a construction site in Georgia, detaining approximately 475 workers, including 300 South Korean nationals. The site is a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor, intended to manufacture car batteries. The raid, described as the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of the Department of Homeland Security, was part of an investigation into unlawful employment practices. The South Korean government has responded by setting up a taskforce to assist its citizens.
• U.S. immigration agents conducted raid on Hyundai battery plant in Georgia — U.S. immigration agents arrested 475 individuals at a Hyundai Motor battery plant construction site in Georgia, including more than 300 South Korean nationals and business travelers. The raid occurred despite Hyundai's August announcement of a $26 billion U.S. investment through 2028, potentially signaling hostile treatment of foreign manufacturers and investors.
• ICE raids Hyundai factory in Georgia, arrests hundreds of workers — Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a raid on a Hyundai manufacturing facility in Georgia, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of factory workers. The action is cited as an example of the administration's immigration enforcement creating negative supply shocks in the economy by removing workers from production facilities.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security conducted raid on Hyundai-LG Energy electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security agents conducted a raid on an electric vehicle battery plant under construction by South Korean carmaker Hyundai and battery supplier LG Energy Solution in Ellabell, Georgia. Federal agents arrested 475 people, 300 of whom were South Korean nationals. The plant was billed as Georgia's biggest economic development project in history. South Korean leaders expressed anger, and LG Energy Solution pulled most of its employees out of the United States. LG Energy Solution subsequently suspended construction of the factory. The detained workers are scheduled for repatriation.