Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• House oversight committees visit federal prison housing Ghislaine Maxwell to investigate preferential treatment allegations — Staff from the House oversight and judiciary committees visited the minimum-security federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, on June 17, 2026, to investigate allegations that Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme, received preferential treatment. Democratic lawmakers Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin reported that Bureau of Prisons leadership "repeatedly shut down" questioning and could not provide information about Maxwell's "extraordinary treatment," allegations of sexual assault, and retaliation against whistleblowers. The BOP disputed the characterization, stating it facilitated a transparent visit and addressed topics raised.

Supporting reports

• DOJ settles FTCA claims for Michael Flynn and Carter Page for $1.25 million each — The Department of Justice agreed to settle Federal Tort Claims Act claims filed by Michael Flynn, former national security adviser, and Carter Page, Trump's foreign policy adviser, for $1.25 million each earlier in 2026. These settlements use the judgment fund, the same perpetual appropriation that would have funded Trump's scrapped "anti-weaponization fund."
• January 6 defendants pursue FTCA claims for millions in compensation from Trump administration — January 6 defendants convicted of assaulting police officers are filing Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claims seeking millions in compensation from the Trump administration. The DOJ has unchecked discretion to settle these claims from the judgment fund, a perpetual congressional appropriation. Defendants including Kenneth Joseph Thomas, John George Todd III, and Andrew Taake are seeking $1–2.5 million each, claiming unfair prosecution. The FTCA process offers an alternative to Trump's scrapped $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" after bipartisan backlash. All defendants have received Trump pardons.

Supporting reports

• Trump cancels Jay Clayton's DNI confirmation hearing — On June 17 at 3:54 a.m. Washington time, Trump posted on Truth Social from France that he was cancelling the Senate Intelligence Committee's scheduled confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as permanent DNI, which was set to occur that day. Trump cited Democrats' alleged gamesmanship over the FISA extension and his desire to appoint a new U.S. attorney to replace Clayton. The practical effect was to ensure that Pulte would serve as acting DNI, as only two days remained before Gabbard's departure on June 19.
• Trump cancelled Senate confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as DNI — On June 17, just hours before a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing was scheduled to begin, Trump posted that "we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today." This action prevented the confirmation of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, allowing William Pulte to become acting DNI instead. Clayton had been nominated after members of both parties objected to Pulte's appointment, but Trump used the cancellation to bypass the Senate confirmation process entirely.

Supporting reports

• Labor Department threatens to withhold unemployment insurance administrative funds from states — Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling sent letters to 53 states and union territories demanding action against "waste, fraud, and abuse" in unemployment insurance programs and threatened to withhold administrative funds for the first time in history. Sonderling appeared on Fox News claiming Democrat-led states including California, New York, and Illinois had the highest fraud instances but provided no evidence. He stated he would "cut off the states' administrative funds" if states did not comply.
• Department of Labor threatens to withhold administrative funds from states over unemployment fraud claims — Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling sent letters to 53 states and territories demanding action against "waste, fraud, and abuse" in unemployment insurance programs, threatening to withhold administrative funds from states for the first time in history. The agency made specific claims about California ($20bn owed), New York ($2m daily losses), and Illinois ($320m improper payments) but provided no supporting data. The letter singled out Democratic-led states despite Republican states reporting higher improper payment rates.

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• Federal agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota — Federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota. The deaths occurred during enforcement actions related to immigration enforcement and sparked protests that the White House considered suppressing through invocation of the Insurrection Act.
• ICE agents killed two civilians during Minnesota immigration crackdown without facing charges — During "Operation Metro Surge," a controversial immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota beginning in late 2025, ICE agents killed two people—Renee Good and Alex Pretti—in the streets. The agents who killed them have not faced charges. The U.S. Attorney stated the killings are under investigation and charges are possible, but no action has been taken. The deaths sparked further protests and community mobilization.

Supporting reports

• Fifteen people charged with conspiracy to impede federal officers over response to Minnesota immigration enforcement — The U.S. Attorney for Minnesota announced charges against 15 people for conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers in response to a controversial immigration enforcement crackdown ("Operation Metro Surge") that killed two civilians. Prosecutors alleged the defendants were part of Minneapolis-based "antifa" groups that coordinated monitoring of ICE agents, set up blockades at federal buildings, and used encrypted communications. Twelve were arrested; one was already in custody; two remain at large. The charges come as the office has dropped 18 of 36 prior cases related to the crackdown.
• U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen charged fifteen people with conspiracy to impede federal immigration officers — U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen announced charges against fifteen people with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers over their behavior during a federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis the previous year. The crackdown resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Rosen alleged the defendants are part of two "antifa" groups that "violently oppose immigration law enforcement." At the press conference, prosecutors introduced a Facebook post from one accused person stating "We need to become ungovernable." Rosen stated the people were "charged not for what they said but what they did" but did not answer questions about whether law enforcement officers were injured.

Supporting reports

• Federal government charged six people in Illinois with conspiracy over ICE detention facility protest, later dropped charges — The federal government charged six people in Illinois with conspiracy over a protest at the Broadview detention facility. The government later dropped the charges amid claims of prosecutorial misconduct. One of the defendants, Kat Abughazaleh, noted on social media that the Minneapolis charges mirror the ones she faced, highlighting a pattern of federal conspiracy prosecutions against protesters opposing immigration enforcement.
• Federal prosecutors dropped 18 of 36 cases related to Minnesota immigration crackdown — The U.S. Attorney's office for Minnesota has dropped 18 of 36 cases filed against protesters and others in connection with "Operation Metro Surge." One dropped case involved a judge calling a charging document a "false affidavit." Despite this track record of failed prosecutions, the office announced 15 new conspiracy charges against protesters, with the U.S. Attorney asserting "the evidence will prove it all out."
• Nearly 40 people, including journalists, charged over protest at St. Paul church; local prosecutors declined to charge — Nearly 40 people, including journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, face federal charges over a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a pastor reportedly worked as an ICE official. Local prosecutors declined to charge the protesters, but the federal government proceeded with charges, demonstrating a divergence between local and federal prosecutorial decisions on the same conduct.
• Trump administration categorized "antifa" as domestic terror organization — The Trump administration, in a prior action referenced in the article, categorized "antifa" (antifascist activism) as a "domestic terror organization." The article notes this occurred in fall 2025. The categorization is now being invoked in prosecutions of protesters opposing immigration enforcement, with prosecutors using the label to describe defendants' alleged affiliations without defining what "antifa" constitutes.
• Federal prosecutors dropped or declined to prosecute majority of immigration enforcement assault cases — Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have dropped eighteen of thirty-six cases charging people with assaulting or impeding immigration agents brought in December and January, and have entered nonprosecution agreements in eleven additional cases. Magistrate Judge David Schultz previously called one of the prosecutors' charging documents a "false affidavit" in April. The pattern of dropped and declined prosecutions suggests significant evidentiary or legal problems with the original charges.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration categorized "antifa" as domestic terror organization — The Trump administration, in a prior action referenced in the article, categorized "antifa" (antifascist activism) as a "domestic terror organization." The article notes this occurred in fall 2025. The categorization is now being invoked in prosecutions of protesters opposing immigration enforcement, with prosecutors using the label to describe defendants' alleged affiliations without defining what "antifa" constitutes.

Supporting reports

• Senator Cramer defends Trump's crypto involvement as pro-growth policy — On Fox Business, Senator Kevin Cramer defended Trump's crypto involvement by arguing that pro-growth policies should not be stopped because they might personally benefit the president's family. This came as the CLARITY Act, crypto legislation that would benefit Trump's own holdings, remains stalled in the Senate. Maria Bartiromo noted that Democrats want to ban government officials including the president from crypto entirely. Cramer responded that Trump should not have to be exempt from being successful.

Supporting reports

• U.S. grants Iran immediate oil sanctions relief under MOU — The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. will allow Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fuel upon signing the MOU this week, providing Tehran with immediate financial incentive and economic windfall. Sanctions waivers on oil sales take effect immediately upon signing and cover banking, transportation, and insurance services. Iran receives upfront sanctions relief with additional relief tied to future performance.
• US to Lift Sanctions on Iran — As part of the draft deal framework, the United States will reportedly lift all sanctions on Iran. These sanctions had been in place since 2012 and had severely impacted Iran's economy. The lifting of sanctions is expected to allow Iran to sell oil freely and significantly boost its economic prospects. This development marks a major policy reversal and a concession by the US in the face of military and economic pressures.
• Iran to Charge Fees on Strait of Hormuz Transit — Iran will reportedly start charging fees on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. This move is part of the concessions made by the US in the draft deal framework. Charging tolls on international shipping is a significant economic gain for Iran and represents a shift in control over a vital maritime route.
• US and Allies to Pay Iran Reconstruction Fund — The United States and/or its Middle Eastern allies will reportedly pay Iran a $300 billion reconstruction fund as part of the draft deal framework. This payment, equivalent to one year of Iran's GDP, would effectively serve as war reparations. The fund is intended to aid Iran's recovery and economic growth following the conflict.
• US-Iran Draft Deal Framework Revealed — A draft deal framework between the US and Iran has been revealed, indicating that Iran agrees not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and both nations agree to halt hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon. Iran will guarantee free and safe commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. This framework suggests significant concessions by the US, as it effectively marks a retreat from the conflict initiated by the Trump administration. The deal is seen as a capitulation, with Iran emerging in a stronger position both economically and militarily.

Supporting reports

• Kennedy Center board defied court order to remove Trump's name — The board of the Kennedy Center, packed with Trump loyalists who made him chair, changed the building's name despite a court order requiring removal of Trump's name and specific congressional language prohibiting additional memorials in the center's public areas. The board missed the court deadline by twelve hours, then certified compliance while covering the portico facade with a tarp to obscure whether Trump's name remained visible.

Supporting reports

• Kash Patel posts sealed FBI case details on social media during ongoing investigation — FBI Director Kash Patel posted details on social media on 16 June about five arrests in an alleged plot to attack a UFC event at the White House, revealing information from a court-sealed investigation still in progress. Law enforcement officials and FBI veterans alleged Patel violated legal constraints on sealed cases and the FBI's disciplinary code by prematurely disclosing the arrests. The Secret Service, which led the investigation, implicitly rebuked the disclosure. FBI insiders say Patel prioritizes publicizing investigations for personal credit over investigative integrity, pressuring agents to provide details for his social media posts.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens Senator Lindsey Graham over MOU opposition — When asked about Senator Lindsey Graham's skepticism of the MOU, Trump stated that Graham would be "in big trouble" if he did not stand with Trump regarding the deal. The statement was made at the G7 summit in France.

Supporting reports

• Delaney Hall ICE detention center enforces arbitrary and discriminatory dress code against visitors, including young children — Delaney Hall, an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey operated by Geo Group, has systematically rejected family visitors—including toddlers and young children—for alleged dress code violations. Guards have rejected visitors for wearing leggings, Crocs, heels, shorts, tank tops, and other ordinary clothing, citing rules against "provocative" attire. The facility's dress code is applied inconsistently and changes based on individual officers' interpretation. Families report being rejected 10+ times, losing visitation time with detained relatives, and experiencing emotional distress. Activists have responded by distributing free compliant clothing outside the facility.

Supporting reports

• Shasta County, California approves Measure B restricting mail-in voting, early voting, and voter registration — Shasta County voters approved Measure B on June 15, 2026, with 56% support. The measure would end most mail-in and early voting, require strict photo ID for voter registration and voting, mandate hand-counting of ballots, and disconnect the county from California's statewide voter registration system. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the state would sue to block the measure, arguing that counties cannot unilaterally rewrite statewide election rules that apply uniformly across all 58 California counties.
• California Attorney General announces lawsuit to block Shasta County Measure B — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state would sue to block Shasta County's Measure B, arguing that no county can unilaterally rewrite statewide election rules. The lawsuit challenges the measure on the grounds that election protections and voting rules are matters of statewide concern and that local governments cannot create conflicting election rules that contradict state law.

Supporting reports

• Congressman Raskin accuses FBI Director Patel of directing $1m in unauthorized bonus payments to loyalist agents — Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, alleged that FBI Director Kash Patel authorized over $1 million in taxpayer-funded bonus payments to a small circle of loyalist agents, including those on his security detail and "director's advisory team." Some agents received payments of nearly $8,000 every two weeks despite already earning at the federal salary ceiling. Raskin characterized the arrangement as a "personal slush fund" that may have violated federal law and demanded a full accounting by June 29.
• House Democrats launched investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged misuse of FBI funds — Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee issued a press release announcing an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged misuse of FBI funds. Representative Jamie Raskin, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, stated they had received information that Patel directed more than $1 million in bonuses to agents close to himself. The Democrats wrote that these payments raise concerns that FBI funds are being used to reward political loyalty rather than merit and professionalism.
• FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly using agency budget as personal slush fund — According to a letter from Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin obtained by MS NOW, FBI Director Kash Patel may be using part of the agency's budget as a "personal slush fund" to provide more than $1 million in "unlawful 'bonus' payments" to special agents on his Director's Advisory Team and his security detail. Raskin noted that by issuing the payments, Patel's office "may be knowingly breaking federal law" and that the payments have been sent at such a frenzied rate that some have bounced from exhausted accounts.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration's Iran deal text remains unpublished and signing ceremony details unclear — The Trump administration has not released the text of the Iran Memorandum of Understanding to the public, Congress, or reporters. Trump stated the text would be released "pretty soon," then walked that back, saying it would come out "sometime after Friday"—after the signing ceremony itself. Trump indicated he may not attend the signing ceremony, telling reporters "JD is coming in for it. I'll probably be gone by then." The agreement is described as a statement of intent to negotiate, with actual technical talks and a final deal still pending.
• Iran MOU text withheld from Congress, press, and Israel — The text of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding remains classified and has not been released to the public, Congress, or Israel, despite Trump's promises to eventually hold a press conference and read it word by word. Israeli officials specifically requested to see the MOU text and were denied by U.S. counterparts, despite prior American assurances that certain preconditions were included in the agreement.

Supporting reports

• Trump considered suspending habeas corpus to accelerate mass deportations — The New York Times reported that Trump actively considered suspending habeas corpus—the constitutional right for people to challenge their detention in court—in an effort to accelerate his mass deportation campaign early in his second term, after the Supreme Court ruled that migrants expelled under the Alien Enemies Act were entitled to challenge their deportations in court before being removed. The consideration of suspending a fundamental constitutional protection represents an extraordinary assertion of executive power.
• White House considered suspending habeas corpus for undocumented immigrants — According to reporting by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan in the New York Times, the Trump administration came much closer to suspending the writ of habeas corpus than previously known. Last spring, after the Supreme Court said undocumented immigrants had the right to challenge their deportations, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller proposed simply suspending habeas corpus and deporting them without legal process. The Constitution permits suspension only "in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion."
• Trump administration changed immigration detention policy to circumvent habeas corpus rights — After being warned away from suspending habeas corpus, the Trump administration found an alternative: it changed longstanding policy concerning immigrants who had been in the U.S. for a long time. Previously, those caught on the border could be detained without a hearing, while those who had been here for years could request bond. The administration now treats long-term residents as if they had just arrived, throwing them into detention without a bond hearing. Judges have ruled against this new interpretation, but the administration is ignoring the rulings.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration directs DOJ investigation of California Governor Newsom and his wife — Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Federal agents have contacted family friends and former employees, demanding records and allegedly abusing the grand jury process. A source confirmed the administration has conducted multiple investigations for roughly a year, including one regarding his wife's taxes and one related to his former chief of staff. Newsom filed a Freedom of Information Act request demanding disclosure of who ordered the investigation.
• Trump Justice Department investigates California Governor Gavin Newsom — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in a video that Trump's Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, noting that the couple have been placed on the president's political "hit list." Newsom posted on X that federal agents are on a "fishing expedition" to find a crime to indict him as he prepares a possible run for president in 2028. The investigation appears politically motivated and timed to Newsom's potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced Iran deal and removal of naval blockade — Shortly before attending the UFC event on his birthday, Trump posted on social media announcing that "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete" and that he was "fully authorizing the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz" and "the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade." An hour later he posted that the deal would bring "Peace and Security to the whole Region." The agreement is scheduled to be signed in Geneva on Friday and appears to be a memorandum of understanding for a 60-day ceasefire, not a final agreement.
• Trump thanked Russia and China for help with Iran deal — In his remarks about the Iran memorandum of understanding, Trump publicly thanked Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping for their help in negotiating the agreement. This public acknowledgment of foreign involvement in a major U.S. military and diplomatic outcome raised questions about the terms and U.S. interests in the deal.
• Trump signed Iran memorandum of understanding at Palace of Versailles — After initially suggesting Vice President J.D. Vance would sign the Iran MOU to allow Trump to claim credit if successful or blame Vance if it failed, Trump signed the memorandum himself at a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles on the evening of June 17, 2026. The signing reversed Trump's earlier public positioning that he would not attend a signing ceremony, stating the MOU was "not the kind of document that I should be signing."
• Trump administration read Iran memorandum of understanding text to reporters — A senior U.S. official read the text of a fourteen-point memorandum of understanding with Iran to reporters on June 17, 2026. The MOU calls the U.S.-Iran conflict "the current war," commits both nations to halt military operations on all fronts including Lebanon, requires the U.S. to terminate all sanctions against Iran and lift its blockade of Iranian ports, thaw frozen Iranian assets, and develop a $300 billion reconstruction plan. In exchange, Iran reaffirms it will not develop nuclear weapons—language identical to the 2015 JCPOA that Trump had withdrawn from in 2018. The agreement contains no verification mechanism; Trump stated fear of renewed bombing would ensure compliance. The war has cost thirteen U.S. service members' lives, injured 400 more, and cost at least $132 billion in immediate expenses and economic damage.
• Trump signed memorandum of understanding with Iran on Strait of Hormuz — On June 17, 2026, Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran that formalized Iran's power over the Strait of Hormuz. Former U.S. analysts and officials stated the agreement was dangerously vague and that Iran has interpreted its provision regarding "safe passage of commercial vessels" as granting Iran control of the waterway. Iran subsequently attacked ships attempting passage and declared closure of the strait "until the end of U.S. interference in the region."
• Trump administration releases interim Iran nuclear deal with significant concessions — On Wednesday, June 18, the Trump administration released the text of an interim memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to end a 110-day conflict. The 14-point accord includes significant political and financial concessions to Iran, including sanctions relief and a $300 billion fund, in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing economic collapse. The deal includes Iran's commitment to destroy its enriched uranium stockpile through down-blending. Both presidents signed the MOU, which gives the parties 60 days to negotiate a comprehensive final agreement.
• Trump signed memorandum of understanding with Iran at Palace of Versailles — President Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran on June 18, 2026, at the Palace of Versailles. Vice President J.D. Vance claimed Iran's nuclear program has been destroyed and that benefits flow only upon behavioral change by Iranian leaders. However, the published agreement contains no such stipulation, and benefits including oil sales on international markets and sanctions lifting begin immediately. Trump posted in all caps on social media claiming the deal is a triumph.
• Trump administration signs preliminary US-Iran agreement to end war and reopen Strait of Hormuz — The Trump administration announced a preliminary agreement with Iran to end the ongoing war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Following this announcement, US gasoline prices fell below $4 per gallon for the first time since March, with the national average reaching $3.999. US Central Command lifted its blockade on maritime traffic in the strait. However, prices remain approximately $1 per gallon higher than before the February US-Israel attack on Iran, and experts warn that supply chain disruptions and elevated costs will persist for months.
• White House issues fact sheet promoting Iran Memorandum of Understanding — The White House published a fact sheet on June 19, 2026, announcing that President Trump and Vice President Vance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Iran. The document states the agreement ensures Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon, reopens the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation, and follows military operations described as "Operation Midnight Hammer" and "Operation Epic Fury." The fact sheet compiles statements from Republican lawmakers, former officials, commentators, and international leaders endorsing the agreement.

Supporting reports

• Officer placed on administrative leave after fatal shooting — Following the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley during a shoplifting response in Senatobia, Mississippi, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave. The officer's identity has not been publicly disclosed, and the investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is ongoing. The lack of transparency and delay in releasing evidence has led to public outcry and demands for accountability.
• Police shooting during shoplifting response kills infant — On June 14, 2026, in Senatobia, Mississippi, a police officer fired into a vehicle during a response to a shoplifting call at a Walmart, resulting in the death of 1-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley and critically injuring another adult in the vehicle. The officer involved has not been publicly identified, and no charges have been announced. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is reviewing body camera footage, dash camera footage, and Walmart surveillance video, but has not released any evidence pending the investigation's conclusion.
• Senatobia police officer shoots and kills one-year-old Kohen Wiley in vehicle outside Walmart — On 14 June, a Senatobia police officer fired into the passenger side of a vehicle in which one-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley sat on his mother's lap, killing the child and injuring the driver. Police claimed officers were responding to a reported diaper theft and that the vehicle drove toward officers. The mother and witnesses dispute the police account. Body-camera and security-camera footage has not been released pending investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
• Mississippi police officer placed on administrative leave after shooting kills one-year-old in Walmart parking lot — A Senatobia, Mississippi police officer fired at a vehicle during a response to an alleged shoplifting complaint at a Walmart on Sunday, killing one-year-old Kohen Wiley inside the car. The officer was placed on administrative leave. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating; authorities claim the vehicle was driving toward an officer, but witnesses dispute this. Protests erupted in Senatobia, and law enforcement deployed teargas on demonstrators. The family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, is demanding release of body camera and surveillance footage.
• Tear gas deployed at protest demanding answers for infant's death — On June 17, 2026, law enforcement deployed tear gas against protesters in Senatobia, Mississippi, who gathered to demand answers following the police shooting that killed 1-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley. The protest took place outside the Walmart where the incident occurred, with more than 200 people participating. The community is calling for the release of body camera footage and the identification of the officer involved in the shooting.

Supporting reports

• Trump's $14 million Reflecting Pool renovation covered in algae; conservative media blamed sabotage — The Trump administration's $14 million no-bid contract to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted in the pool becoming covered in green algae. The renovation painted the pool bottom blue but failed to address filtration and circulation problems, accelerating the algae problem. Conservative media personality Grant Stinchfield declared the algae a result of sabotage by the left, calling it vandalism by people who "can't stand Trump, American greatness and his quest to make DC beautiful again." The post received 3.2 million views. The actual cause was stagnant water with poor filtration, a basic scientific problem.
• National Park Service dumps hydrogen peroxide into Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — National Park Service workers dumped bottles of hydrogen peroxide directly into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the morning of June 16 in an attempt to mitigate an algae bloom caused by recent renovations. Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst captured foam floating on the surface. Dr. Michael O'Brien questioned on social media whether the approach was scientifically sound, noting that at least 8,000 liters of 12% hydrogen peroxide would be needed to reach minimum concentration to kill algae.
• Trump administration awards no-bid contract for Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool renovation — The Trump administration awarded a $14.2 million no-bid contract to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings to renovate the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, intending to turn it "American flag blue" for the nation's 250th birthday. The contractor had previously worked on a swimming pool at one of Trump's golf clubs. Days after completion, algae proliferated in warm weather, forcing National Park Service workers to use skimmers and hydrogen peroxide to address the bloom. The administration claims a "nanobubbler technology" water treatment system will resolve the issue.
• Reflecting Pool renovation cost $16 million instead of stated $1.5 million — Federal contracting records revealed that Trump's renovation of the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial cost approximately $16 million, not the $1.5 million Trump had publicly stated. The pool is now fouled with green algae. Trump and Interior Department officials claimed the project was a success and reposted articles praising the renovation despite the cost overrun and visible algae contamination.
• Workers treated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with hydrogen peroxide to address algae bloom — Workers poured hydrogen peroxide into the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial to attempt to kill an algae bloom that had turned the pool bright green. The algae bloom resulted from Trump's renovation of the pool, which included dark paint on the pool floor. The dark paint caused the sun to heat the water faster than before, creating conditions that accelerated algae growth, an outcome experts had warned about.
• U.S. Park Police arrested cyclist for touching peeling pool material — On Friday, June 18, former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn, 67, was arrested by U.S. Park Police for destruction of government property, a misdemeanor, after he reached into the reflecting pool to feel the detached blue epoxy material while on a 52-mile bike ride. Hearn denied vandalizing anything, stating he was unaware of what was happening before being handcuffed. The arrest occurred as the pool's coating was actively peeling and floating in algae-filled water.
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool develops severe algae bloom after $14 million renovation — Days after completion of a $14 million renovation, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool developed an algae bloom more severe than any recorded in June for at least five years. Trump had promised in April to clean up the "filthy" and "disgusting" water and resurface the basin to eliminate leaking and paint it "American flag blue." After refilling began on June 4, Trump praised the "clean, beautiful water." However, satellite analysis by University of Virginia environmental scientist Alana Menendez detected more algae in the pool in an image taken the week after reopening than in any June images from 2021 onward. The Interior Department began treating the pool with hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble ozone technology, but the hydrogen peroxide is causing the new blue paint to peel, as documented in social media posts.

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• UFC announces fighter bonuses in Trump family cryptocurrency at White House event — The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced it will pay performance bonuses to fighters in USD1 stablecoins issued by World Liberty Financial, a Trump family cryptocurrency venture co-founded by Donald Trump and his sons in 2024. The event, UFC Freedom 250, is scheduled for June 14 on the White House south lawn on Trump's birthday. World Liberty Financial is listed as the "Presenting Partner" of a $250,000 bonus pool. The arrangement directly connects Trump family financial interests to a high-profile government property event, raising conflict-of-interest concerns despite White House claims that Trump's assets are held in a trust managed by his children.

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• FBI raid of Ohio Organizing Collaborative, voting rights group — FBI agents raided the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a grassroots voter registration organization, seizing computers and phones. Agents also visited homes of affiliated individuals throughout Ohio and conducted interviews. The raid appeared to examine accusations related to the 2024 election, though specifics were unclear. The action occurred amid a broader pattern of federal voter fraud investigations and came approximately one month after the acting attorney general's office instructed prosecutors to prioritize voter fraud cases.
• FBI raids voter registration organization office in Ohio — The FBI raided the office of a voter registration promotion group in Ohio and visited the homes of individuals associated with the organization.

Supporting reports

• ICE ended policy requiring reporting of deaths within 30 days of release — ICE quietly ended the policy requiring it to report deaths of people who die within 30 days of release from custody. Under the new policy, individuals detained, neglected, and released in crisis will not appear in the public record, and deaths will continue but remain invisible to oversight and the public.
• Deaths continue in ICE custody — The article reports that on average one person in ICE detention dies every single week, and references ongoing deaths in ICE custody.