Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• U.S. admitted only white South African refugees in fiscal year 2026 — According to data released by the State Department's Bureau of Population, every single one of the 599 refugees admitted in May 2026 was a white South African. Since October 1, 2025, the U.S. has accepted 6,668 refugees, of which 6,665 were white South Africans and only three were from Afghanistan. No other refugees were admitted during this period.
• Trump administration admits only white South African refugees — Mother Jones reported that of 6,668 refugees admitted to the U.S. under the Trump administration from October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, all but three were white South Africans. The three exceptions, admitted in November 2025, were from Afghanistan. The pattern suggests selective refugee admission based on race and national origin, contradicting stated humanitarian criteria.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth removed women and Black officers from Navy promotion list — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth intervened to remove nine Navy officers from a promotion list to one-star admiral rank, including all three women and two Black men who had been selected. As a result, no women were promoted to one-star admiral rank in the Navy this year, despite women comprising approximately one-quarter of all Navy officers. Female officers reported viewing the intervention as a sign their careers would be politicized and capped if they advanced too far in rank.
• Hegseth removes women and Black nominees from navy promotion list — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed all women and several Black nominees from a navy promotion list without explanation, resulting in an all-male, overwhelmingly white slate. The action was reported in the week prior to the article's publication and represents an escalation of Hegseth's purge of military leadership deemed insufficiently aligned with Trump administration priorities.

Supporting reports

• DHS denies substandard conditions at Delaney Hall despite congressional findings and detainee documentation — The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly denied allegations of substandard conditions at Delaney Hall, claiming detainees are "criminals" and the "worst of the worst." However, data analysis by Syracuse University researcher Austin Kocher found that 88% of detainees had no criminal conviction and over 70% had no criminal history. DHS has similarly denied allegations about other ICE detention facilities. Detainees released multiple letters documenting conditions unfit for human habitation and demanding a meeting with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Supporting reports

• Senate Republicans pass $70 billion funding for ICE and CBP — Senate Republicans passed a measure providing approximately $70 billion in additional funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without addressing Democratic demands for reforms following violent enforcement actions. This funding is part of a larger budget reconciliation measure that significantly increases the budgets of these agencies, potentially limiting future reform efforts. The funding is set to last through the remainder of Trump's term, complicating oversight and accountability.
• Senate Republicans passed $70 billion supplemental funding for ICE and CBP without Democratic reform conditions — In the early morning hours of Friday, Senate Republicans passed a budget reconciliation measure providing approximately $70 billion in additional funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of Border Patrol. This action occurred without addressing any of the Democratic demands for reforms to ICE and Border Patrol operations that had been made following violent sweeps resulting in the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to bypass a potential Democratic filibuster and secure passage with a simple majority.
• Senate passes ICE funding bill allocating $70 billion without restrictions — The Senate passed an immigration enforcement funding bill that allocated $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without spending restrictions. The bill also failed to block a $1.776 billion discretionary fund controlled by the Trump administration. Both North Carolina senators voted in favor of the measure.

Supporting reports

• Jared Kushner received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia for private company — During a podcast interview with Lex Fridman, Kushner was asked why he took $2 billion from Saudi Arabia for his private company. Kushner responded that the money was invested in Israel to build ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel and to connect businessmen from both countries. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) subsequently questioned whether Kushner could be trusted to negotiate on behalf of the U.S. government given his financial ties to countries that benefit from war with Iran.

Supporting reports

• Public Integrity Project files lawsuit to block UFC event at White House — The watchdog group Public Integrity Project filed a federal lawsuit in DC District Court on Saturday, seeking an emergency injunction to halt the UFC Freedom 250 event scheduled for June 14 at the White House. The complaint names the National Park Service and Department of the Interior as defendants, arguing the Trump administration violated multiple federal laws by using a temporary rule meant for government-planned bicentennial events to accommodate what it characterizes as a private, for-profit sporting event. The suit also alleges the 92-foot steel structure erected on the South Lawn lacked required congressional authorization and environmental review, and notes Trump holds up to $50,000 in stock in the UFC's parent company.
• Federal lawsuit filed to stop UFC cage fights at White House — Susan Douglas and Paul Romano, represented by the Public Integrity Project, filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop Ultimate Fighting Championship cage fights scheduled for the White House on Trump's 80th birthday, one week from the article date. The lawsuit alleges that UFC chief executive Dana White, a close friend and ally of the president, is receiving unprecedented access to the White House and Lincoln Memorial to stage a private, for-profit sports event. Trump purchased between $15,000 and $50,000 of stock in TKO Holding Group, UFC's parent company. The lawsuit notes that federal law tightly restricts private use of national capital monuments and that the event is being tied to Trump's birthday rather than the nation's 250th anniversary.
• Federal lawsuit filed to halt UFC event at White House — A Virginia political organizer and military veteran filed a federal lawsuit seeking a court order to halt a UFC fight scheduled at the White House. The lawsuit alleges the event violates federal law restricting private use of national parklands, that the UFC is erecting a 92-foot-tall, 600-ton steel structure called "the Claw" adjacent to the Executive Residence and destroying much of the South Lawn, and that Trump suggested the structure may never be removed. The lawsuit characterizes the event as a private, for-profit venture using the nation's most sacred spaces.

Supporting reports

• Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to prevent Trump slush fund — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have prevented Trump from establishing a $1.776 billion slush fund with the assistance of appointed Department of Justice officials and would have barred payouts from such a fund to individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
• Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to prevent William Pulte dual agency leadership — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have barred William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing and Finance Agency, from simultaneously serving as director of national intelligence. Trump has announced Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence through the midterm elections.
• Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to restrict Trump ballroom use of federal funds — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have barred the use of federal funds or private donations for Trump's ballroom unless Congress explicitly approved such expenditures.
• Democrats propose amendments during budget reconciliation debate — During the budget reconciliation process for the funding of ICE and CBP, Democrats introduced amendments that led to an 18-hour debate, forcing Republicans to vote against several popular measures. These included proposals to prevent the establishment of a slush fund for Trump and to bar the use of federal funds for Trump's ballroom without Congressional approval.
• Republicans block proposals to limit Trump's funding powers — Senate Republicans blocked several Democratic proposals aimed at limiting Trump's ability to establish a slush fund and to prevent the use of federal funds for his ballroom without Congressional approval.

Supporting reports

• Reflecting pool repairs exceeded budget by over $12 million — The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation project, initially projected to cost $1.8 million and be completed by July 4, 2026, actually cost at least $14.2 million. The administration awarded a no-bid contract and agreed to a 20% profit margin, which a National Park Service analysis found to be "inflated." The project was declared complete on June 6, but within days algae bloomed in the pool and the blue epoxy coating began peeling.
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool covered in algae bloom — Reporters documented a thick green algae bloom overtaking the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 10 and 11, 2026. The Trump administration blamed "residual algae" from supply lines for the environmental degradation of the iconic monument.

Supporting reports

• National Trust for Historic Preservation challenged White House ballroom project as lacking congressional authorization — The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit after the Trump administration demolished the White House East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom without congressional approval. A lower court blocked above-ground construction while permitting underground bunker and security-related work to continue. The case tests whether the executive branch can invoke national security to bypass Congress and proceed with irreversible demolition of federal property.

Supporting reports

• Trump denied making promises to avoid foreign wars despite 2024 campaign statements — During the Meet the Press interview, Trump denied to Kristen Welker that he had ever promised to stay out of foreign wars, despite having told Pennsylvania voters in 2024: "I will not send you to fight and die in stupid foreign wars that never end." Trump is currently engaged in a military conflict with Iran that has lasted over three months and has resulted in the loss of thirteen U.S. military personnel.

Supporting reports

• Trump walked out of Meet the Press interview when challenged on election fraud claims — During a Friday interview with NBC's Kristen Welker aired on Meet the Press, President Trump became visibly angry when repeatedly asked to provide evidence for his claims that the 2020 presidential election and the recent California election were rigged. When Welker continued pressing for evidence, Trump called her "crooked or stupid," pulled off his microphone, and left the interview, saying "Let's call it quits because I've had enough."
• Trump cuts Meet the Press interview short and departs to Bedminster — Trump sat down with NBC's Kristen Welker for a scheduled 90-minute to two-hour Meet the Press interview in Wisconsin but left after approximately 50 minutes. He reportedly departed after the rain became loud on the metal roof and after pushing back on questions about election integrity. Trump then boarded Marine One and flew directly to Bedminster, New Jersey, where his former personal lawyer Alina Habba posted an Instagram welcome.
• Trump stormed off Meet the Press set during interview with Kristen Welker — During a televised interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Trump became angry and walked off the set after Welker fact-checked his claims about January 6 Capitol riot participants, the 2024 campaign promise of "no new wars," gas prices, farmer conditions, Iran nuclear negotiations, California election integrity, and other topics. Trump unclipped his microphone, threw it on the ground, stepped on it, and departed. The interview was conducted in Wisconsin.
• Trump walks off NBC interview over election claims — Trump stormed off the set of NBC's "Meet the Press" on June 7 after host Kristen Welker asked him to provide evidence for claims that the 2020 presidential election and recent California primary were "rigged." Trump accused Welker of being "crooked" or "stupid," called major news networks "one-sided" and "crooked," and removed his microphone before leaving.

Supporting reports

• Judicial Watch made false claim about Trump shooter's FBI contact — Tom Fitton's right-wing organization Judicial Watch posted a story claiming "FBI records shows Trump shooter emailed local law enforcement before Butler assassination attempt." The FBI responded that the claim was "CLICK BAIT LIE" and clarified that the unredacted documents were interviews of shooter Thomas Crooks by college instructors referencing course work emails, not contact between Crooks and any police department. Kash Patel subsequently posted "Facts over click bait."
• FBI documents reveal Butler County deputy exchanged emails with Thomas Crooks before assassination attempt — FBI records obtained through a Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit reveal that a Butler County sheriff's deputy exchanged two emails with Thomas Crooks before the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt. The documents are heavily redacted, confirming the emails existed but not their content. The same records show a SWAT officer recovered both a cell phone and a remote device with an antenna from Crooks after he was killed. A separate FBI document from July 17, 2024 references the agency's effort to track potential threats posted online in the days after the shooting, with large sections redacted.

Supporting reports

• ICE refused Senator Kim access to detainees during congressional oversight visit — Senator Andy Kim visited Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, to conduct congressional oversight. ICE and GEO Group, the private prison company operating the facility under federal contract, refused to allow Kim to speak with any detainees and restricted his ability to conduct his oversight duties. Kim observed a woman in apparent distress in a fetal position and reported that facility staff refused to disclose information about her condition. The facility has only one full-time doctor for hundreds of detainees.

Supporting reports

• ICE detention facility in Dilley, Texas serving children meals with live worms, bugs, and mold — CBS News reported that children detained at the ICE facility in Dilley, Texas are being served meals containing live worms, bugs, and mold. Nearly half of the more than 6,300 children detained by federal agents during Trump's second term—97 percent of whom have no criminal record—are held at this detention center.

Supporting reports

• Government re-separated dozens of migrant children from families despite legal settlement — The Associated Press reported that despite a legal settlement meant to reunify migrant families separated during the first Trump administration, the government has re-separated dozens of children from their families, including deporting some people who were legally prohibited from being removed from the country.

Supporting reports

• Washington Post reported corporate donors to Trump ballroom project received federal contracts — A watchdog report detailed that more than half of the publicly identified corporate donors to Trump's White House ballroom project received new or expanded federal contracts worth collectively over $50 billion. Fourteen of 27 known corporate donors secured additional federal business following their contributions. Lockheed Martin received approximately $43.8 billion in new contracts; Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Palantir also received increased federal contracts. Many donating companies simultaneously faced federal enforcement actions that were eased or suspended under the Trump administration.
• Fourteen Trump ballroom project donors won over $50 billion in federal contracts — According to reporting by Jonathan Edwards of the Washington Post on June 4, 2026, fourteen of the twenty-seven known donors to Trump's $400 million ballroom project have won new or expanded federal contracts totaling over $50 billion since making their donations. The pattern suggests a direct correlation between donations to the president's personal project and receipt of federal contract awards.

Supporting reports

• Senate passes $70 billion immigration-enforcement package — Shortly before 5 a.m., the Senate passed a roughly $70 billion immigration-enforcement package 52 to 47, funding ICE and Border Patrol through the end of the president's term. Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to bypass a filibuster, and Senator Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to vote no. The bill carries no guardrails on the anti-weaponization fund and no money for the White House ballroom, the security funding for which Republicans had earlier scrapped. It now heads to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson plans to take it up next week.
• Senate passes $70bn immigration enforcement funding bill with Republican-only support — The US Senate voted 52-47 on Friday morning to approve $70bn in funding for ICE and DHS immigration enforcement through the remainder of Trump's term, using budget reconciliation to bypass the Democratic filibuster. The bill passed with no Democratic support and only one Republican defection (Lisa Murkowski). The legislation also preserved a contested $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" settlement fund and rejected an amendment to restore the immigration detention ombudsman office. The bill now proceeds to the House.
• Senate Republicans passed $70 billion bill to fund Border Patrol and ICE for three years — Senate Republicans voted to approve a $70 billion appropriations bill funding Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for three years. The vote occurred as ICE faced multiple damaging reports, including serving detained children food contaminated with worms, re-separating migrant families, and eliminating death-reporting requirements. The agency has killed U.S. citizens and polling shows half of Americans support abolishing it.

Supporting reports

• DOJ argues courts lack authority to block White House ballroom construction — The Trump administration asked the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court decision blocking construction of a $400 million ballroom and underground bunker at the White House's demolished East Wing. A DOJ lawyer argued that only Congress, not courts, has authority to halt the project, citing national security imperatives. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued after Trump ordered demolition without completing required environmental and historic preservation reviews. The Senate had removed $1 billion in Secret Service funding for the project from a spending bill.
• Trump's DOJ argues government can demolish Statue of Liberty without legal recourse — In an appeals court argument over White House ballroom construction, Trump's Department of Justice argued that the federal government has the right to bulldoze the Statue of Liberty and that once demolition is complete, no court would have standing to stop it or provide remedy. When Judge Millett asked if people could obtain an injunction before destruction, the DOJ answered affirmatively that nothing could be done. The DOJ also argued courts cannot stop the ballroom construction even if the administration violated the law, claiming only Congress can intervene.

Supporting reports

• DOJ sends federal prosecutor to observe California ballot processing — The US Department of Justice sent a federal prosecutor to observe ballot processing in Los Angeles County during the ongoing count of California's gubernatorial primary. A Trump-appointed assistant US attorney stated that his office was conducting "multiple election fraud investigations" related to the primary.
• DOJ sends federal prosecutor to observe California ballot processing amid Trump election-fraud claims — The U.S. Justice Department deployed a federal prosecutor to Los Angeles County's Ballot Processing Center on Friday to observe ballot-counting operations, as President Trump made baseless claims that California Democrats were "rigging" primary election results. Bill Essayli, the Trump-appointed first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, simultaneously announced "multiple election fraud investigations" and alleged "serious structural vulnerabilities" in the state's election systems. State officials rejected the allegations, and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber affirmed the integrity of the counting process.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration planned to mark 2.7 million living people as dead, whistleblower says — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration planned to mark 2.7 million living people as dead, according to a whistleblower who worked at the Social Security Administration for 25 years and refused to help reclassify the people after agency lawyers warned doing so could violate federal law. The move, which the whistleblower says was possibly meant to intimidate immigrants and affect their finances, included some U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

Supporting reports

• President Trump signs National Security Presidential Memorandum on AI in the National Security Enterprise — President Trump signed National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-11) on June 5, 2026, directing the national security enterprise to accelerate AI adoption for military and intelligence use. The memorandum orders rapid deployment of advanced AI models from multiple vendors, establishment of high-security computing facilities, creation of an AI National Security Strategic Reserve, and updated guidance on weapon system autonomy. It rescinds the Biden Administration's NSM-25 and directs agencies to prevent unauthorized modification of AI systems warfighters depend on.
• White House issued National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-11 on AI in national security enterprise — President Trump issued NSPM-11 directing accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence across U.S. national security and military operations. The memorandum establishes four policy pillars: adoption (eliminating barriers to rapid AI deployment), adaptation (leveraging commercial and open-source AI), assurance (ensuring AI systems are reliable and controllable), and accountability (preventing censorship, ideological bias, and unlawful surveillance). The order directs agencies to update procurement processes, develop AI governance policies, establish computing facilities, hire AI talent, and create training curricula within 90–120 days. It rescinds National Security Memorandum-25.

Supporting reports

• Death of Mamuka Artmeladze at Winn Correctional Center — Mamuka Artmeladze, a 43-year-old from Georgia detained on immigration grounds for nearly four months at Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, was found unresponsive on June 4 and pronounced dead at a local hospital within an hour. He had no criminal record and was detained following a February operation targeting commercial vehicle drivers. According to ABC News analysis, he is the 50th person to die in ICE detention during this administration and the 19th this year. Federal inspectors had previously documented unsanitary conditions, medical care failures, and excessive force at the facility before his death.

Supporting reports

• Senate rejects amendment to permanently bar anti-weaponization fund — During a marathon Senate session on the immigration-enforcement bill, senators rejected an amendment from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to permanently bar the anti-weaponization fund. The amendment failed 49 to 50, with three Republicans—Susan Collins, Dan Sullivan, and Jon Husted—crossing to support it. A separate effort to redirect the fund toward Capitol officers injured on January 6 also failed, as did an amendment to block construction of the White House ballroom, though nearly half a dozen Republicans voted with Democrats on the ballroom question.
• Senate Republicans block Democratic amendment to bar Trump's $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund — Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, proposed an amendment to legislation funding ICE and CBP that would bar creation of a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund intended to pay settlements to people connected to January 6. The amendment failed 49-50, with three Republican senators (Collins, Sullivan, Husted) breaking ranks to support it. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had stated the administration would not proceed with the fund, but Schumer insisted Congress pass a law blocking it permanently. A subsequent Republican amendment by Thom Tillis to redirect the money to DOJ fraud efforts also failed.
• Senate Republicans rejected amendments to limit DOJ Anti-Weaponization Fund — During a Senate vote-a-rama on a reconciliation bill, Republicans defeated several amendments—including from some of their own members—that would have reined in or eliminated the DOJ's "Anti-Weaponization Fund." Republicans also rejected Democratic attempts to add provisions undermining Trump's ballroom project or targeting acting DNI Bill Pulte.

Supporting reports

• Kennedy Center begins removing president's name from signage and materials — The Kennedy Center's general counsel directed staff to remove the president's name from signage, letterhead, and materials by June 12, after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on May 29 that the board lacked authority to rename the institution and also blocked its planned two-year closure. The center said it is evaluating its legal options. The ruling restored the principle that public institutions are governed by rules that do not bend to a single person.
• Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center — Lawyers for the Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts instructed staff to immediately begin switching the facility's name back to its original title, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The instructions, laid out in a memo sent by the center's general counsel, represent the first official signal that the national arts hub is complying with a federal court order to drop Trump's name and reconsider plans to close for two years of renovations. Changes to interior and exterior signage and furniture carrying Trump's name must be switched back by the following Friday.

Supporting reports

• ICE eliminated guideline requiring reporting of deaths within 30 days of release — The Washington Post reported that ICE acting director David Venturella sent a memo to employees announcing the elimination of a guideline that required the agency to report deaths occurring less than 30 days after people are released from ICE custody. The policy had been designed to ensure the agency does not release people in an effort to avoid deaths in custody.
• ICE director rescinds reporting requirement for detainee deaths within 30 days of release — Acting ICE Director David Venturella issued a memo rescinding a 2021 Biden-era policy that required the agency to report to Congress and investigate deaths of detainees occurring within 30 days of their release. The policy had been implemented to prevent ICE from avoiding accountability by releasing severely ill detainees. Venturella's memo narrows reporting to deaths occurring only while individuals remain in ICE custody, eliminating oversight of post-release mortality that may result from conditions during detention.