Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Senate rejects war powers resolution on Iran conflict for seventh time — The Senate voted 49-50 to reject a war powers resolution by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) seeking to end U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict. The measure failed despite growing Republican opposition, with three GOP senators—Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), and Susan Collins (ME)—voting in favor. All Democrats except John Fetterman (D-PA) supported the resolution. The Trump administration claims a ceasefire exempts it from the 60-day War Powers Act deadline for congressional authorization.

Supporting reports

• Miami residents sue Trump and DeSantis over allegedly improper land transfer for presidential library — A group of Miami residents, represented by the Constitutional Accountability Center, filed a lawsuit in US District Court for the Southern District of Florida challenging the transfer of nearly three acres of prime waterfront land from Miami Dade College to Donald Trump for his proposed presidential library. The plaintiffs argue the land was illegally gifted by Governor Ron DeSantis and violates the domestic emoluments clause of the Constitution, which prohibits a sitting president from receiving personal gain from office. The land, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, is planned to house a Trump hotel alongside library components.
• Miami residents sue Trump over presidential library land transfer — A group of Miami residents sued Trump, his library fund, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Miami Dade College and its trustees, and Florida officials to stop construction of Trump's presidential library. The suit charges that state officials violated the Constitution's emoluments clause by transferring nearly three acres of prime waterfront land worth between $67 million and $300 million to Trump's library foundation for $10. Trump has stated he wants to build a hotel on the site rather than a traditional library.

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• Congresswoman Kiggans agrees with racist "cotton-picking" remark about House Democrat Jeffries on radio — Republican Congresswoman Jen Kiggans appeared on a Richmond radio show where host Rich Herrera used the phrase "cotton-picking hands" in reference to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, telling him to stay out of Virginia politics. Kiggans responded "That's right. Ditto – yes, yes to that." She later issued a statement saying she did not condone the language but was agreeing with the substance. Democrats, including House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and California Governor Gavin Newsom, called for her resignation, characterizing her response as a racist dog whistle.

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• HSI raids homes of immigration activists in Ventura County, California — Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations executed pre-dawn raids on May 13 at the homes and business of three immigration activists affiliated with VC Defensa, a volunteer-led group that organizes ICE-watch patrols and community support for immigrants in Ventura County. More than 100 agents were deployed across four locations. No arrests were made. The group's lawyer alleges the raids are "fishing expeditions" and constitutional violations; a coalition of lawyers is preparing a civil lawsuit. The raids follow a pattern of federal targeting of VC Defensa members over the past year, including arrests, car rammings, and harassment.
• VC Defensa announces civil lawsuit for constitutional violations — On May 14, the day after the raids, VC Defensa's lawyer Reem Yassin held a press conference at the federal building in Los Angeles announcing that a coalition of lawyers is preparing a civil lawsuit alleging violations of the volunteers' constitutional rights. Yassin characterized the raids as "fishing expeditions" built on "baseless" search warrants and described them as intimidation tactics to suppress free speech. The group vowed to continue organizing and fighting back.

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• Memphis Safe Task Force agents kill 41-year-old during arrest warrant service — On 13 May, Memphis Safe Task Force agents shot and killed 41-year-old Darrin Pigram while serving an arrest warrant at a Burger King in Memphis's Frayser neighborhood. This is the first officer-involved death attributed to the taskforce since its establishment.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Demster v. Blanche (W.D. Tenn.) — Four Memphis residents filed a complaint in federal court alleging that agents of the Memphis Safe Task Force — a multi-agency unit established by presidential memorandum in September 2025 to conduct immigration enforcement and crime-reduction operations — systematically retaliated against them for documenting and recording Task Force activity in public. The complaint alleges retaliation including verbal threats, physical intimidation, traffic stops, surveillance, and at least one arrest and 27-hour detention, claiming violations of the First Amendment. Plaintiffs also challenge Tennessee's "Halo Law" as unconstitutionally burdening their right to observe and record government activity. They seek declaratory judgments, a permanent injunction against further retaliation, and expungement of surveillance records.

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• Georgia governor called special session to redraw congressional maps — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp called a special session of the Georgia General Assembly for June 17 to redraw Georgia's congressional maps before the 2028 election. Kemp stated it was too late to change maps for 2026 but that the Callais decision requires Georgia to change its electoral maps. This marks Georgia's third redistricting since 2021.
• Georgia Governor Kemp calls special legislative session to redraw electoral maps — Republican Governor Brian Kemp announced a special legislative session beginning June 17 to redraw Georgia's state legislative and congressional district lines, following the U.S. Supreme Court's dismantling of key Voting Rights Act protections in Louisiana v. Callais. The session aims to "lock in Republican-leaning maps" while Republicans control the legislature and governorship. The move follows similar actions by Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee to redraw districts after the court's decision, which effectively dilutes Black and minority voting power. Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock pledged to oppose the redistricting effort.

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• Justice Department filed complaint against D.C. Bar disciplinary authorities challenging bar discipline of federal attorneys — The Department of Justice filed a complaint against D.C. Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton P. Fox III, the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel, and the D.C. Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility, alleging improper use of bar discipline to regulate official actions of federal government attorneys. The complaint specifically seeks to nullify bar discipline against former Assistant Attorney General Jeff Clark related to internal deliberations on the 2020 Presidential Election. The filing is framed as advancing President Trump's Executive Order on Weaponization of the Federal Government.
• Trump DOJ sues DC Bar Association over discipline of presidential allies — Trump's Justice Department sued the DC Bar Association for its efforts to discipline two key presidential allies: former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark, who attempted to help overturn the 2020 election, and pardon attorney Ed Martin. The lawsuit claims the DC Bar is "weaponizing state bar discipline against Executive Branch attorneys" and chilling candid legal advice. The action represents retaliation against bar discipline of administration officials.

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• Trump negotiates $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies for alleged DOJ weaponization — Trump is in talks to drop his $10 billion IRS lawsuit in exchange for the government establishing a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded account to compensate Trump's allies who claim they were harmed by the Biden administration's alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice. Eligible recipients would include nearly 1,600 people convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, whom Trump pardoned or commuted shortly after taking office in January 2025. While Trump himself will likely be barred from direct payments, entities associated with him will not be.
• Trump DOJ creates $1.7 billion compensation fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Trump administration is expected to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS by creating a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund to pay individuals and entities claiming wrongful targeting by the Biden administration. The fund would compensate approximately 1,600 January 6 Capitol attack defendants and potentially Trump-associated entities. Trump would retain authority to remove commission members without cause, and the commission would operate with minimal disclosure requirements or oversight of its decision-making process for distributing over $1 billion in public funds.
• Trump administration considers $1.7 billion compensation fund for allies investigated under Biden — The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $1.7 billion fund to compensate President Trump's allies and others who claim they were harmed by Justice Department investigations during the Biden administration. The fund could cover legal costs for people in Trump's orbit and potentially extend to some of the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. The administration has discussed modeling the program on past federal settlement funds, with possible payments through the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The proposal has not been finalized or approved.
• White House and DOJ explore settlement of Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit — The New York Times reported that the White House and Justice Department are exploring a settlement in Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for releasing his tax returns. ABC News reported that Trump is expected to settle in exchange for launching a $1.7 billion compensation fund for his allies, including those pardoned for Jan. 6 involvement, with a Trump-controlled commission overseeing distribution and recipient identities potentially kept private. The settlement would use taxpayer funds to reward political allies.

Supporting reports

• Tennessee House Speaker stripped Democrats from committee assignments — On May 12, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from their standing committee and subcommittee assignments, citing disruption during the special session redistricting vote. Sexton's letter accused Democratic lawmakers of interlocking arms, blocking aisles, and using prohibited props or noisemakers. Rep. Justin Pearson stated the removal affected "me and every Democrat, and therefore every Black elected official in the state legislature." Reps. Justin Jones, Gabby Salinas, and Gloria Johnson confirmed removal. Lt. Governor McNally's office indicated additional actions against participants may be under review.
• Tennessee House speaker removed all House Democrats from standing committees — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from standing committees, claiming they had behaved in a way "aimed at disrupting the democratic and legislative processes" as they protested the mid-decade redistricting that eliminated Tennessee's only majority-Black, Democratic district. State Representative Justin J. Pearson noted the removal stripped "every Black elected official in the state legislature from any committee we served on" and removed representation for "nearly 2 million Tennesseans."
• Tennessee House Speaker stripped Democratic lawmakers of committee assignments in retaliation for protest — Tennessee House speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from standing committees, stating they had behaved in a way "aimed at disrupting the democratic and legislative processes" as they protested mid-decade redistricting that eliminated Tennessee's only majority-Black, Democratic district. State representative Justin J. Pearson noted that this action removed "every Black elected official in the state legislature from any committee we served on" and stripped "nearly 2 million Tennesseans from the representation they deserve."
• Tennessee House speaker removes all Democrats from committees — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed House Democrats from their standing committee and subcommittee assignments following their protests during a special legislative session. This action occurred after Republican lawmakers approved a new congressional map that dismantles Tennessee's only majority-Black congressional district by splitting Black voters across three majority-white districts. Committee removal reduces the legislative voice of both the affected lawmakers and their constituents.
• — On May 12, 2026, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from standing committees, citing their protests against the mid-decade redistricting as disruptive to legislative processes. This action effectively stripped representation from nearly 2 million Tennesseans, including all Black elected officials in the state legislature.

Supporting reports

• Senate Democrats announce opposition to $1bn White House ballroom security funding in Republican reconciliation bill — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Democratic opposition to a Republican reconciliation bill that includes $1bn in federal funding for security improvements to a ballroom Trump is building on the White House's East Wing. The funding is part of a broader $70bn measure for immigration enforcement agencies. Schumer vowed to force multiple amendment votes and challenge the bill's reconciliation compliance, framing the choice as between helping American families or funding "Trump's gaudy ballroom."
• House Republicans bracing for White House pressure to approve $1 billion bill for ballroom security — Politico reported that House Republicans are preparing for the White House to pressure them heavily to approve $1 billion in a GOP bill designated for White House ballroom security. One House Republican characterized the effort as going to be "ugly." Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned that voting for the bill would be politically toxic, stating Democrats would use it to target senators. Punchbowl reported that vulnerable Republicans including Senators Susan Collins (ME), Dan Sullivan (AK), and Jon Husted (OH) are being forced to answer questions about the ballroom funding, which Democrats plan to use against them in the midterms.

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• DOJ investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Powell characterized as political pressure — A federal judge blocked a DOJ criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, calling it a "mere pretext" to pressure the Federal Reserve on interest rates. The investigation reportedly focused on headquarters renovation cost overruns. The DOJ dropped the probe only after Sen. Thom Tillis refused to advance Kevin Warsh's Fed nomination until the investigation ended. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who ended the investigation, stated she would restart a criminal investigation "should the facts warrant doing so."
• Senate scheduled to vote on Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve Board nomination — The Senate is scheduled to vote on May 12, 2026, on Kevin Warsh's nomination to a 14-year term on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, following a 49-44 procedural vote on May 11. The nomination has drawn criticism over concerns about Fed independence, including a DOJ criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell that a federal judge called a "pretext" to pressure the Fed on interest rates. The investigation was dropped only after Sen. Thom Tillis refused to advance Warsh until it ended. The Senate Banking Committee advanced Warsh on a party-line vote, 13-11, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren calling it the first fully partisan committee vote on a Fed Chair nominee in the committee's history.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted fifty-five times on social media accusing political opponents of treason and demanding indictments — Over three hours on the evening of May 12, the president posted fifty-five times on social media, accusing former president Barack Obama, and others he considers enemies, of treason in connection with investigations of his 2016 campaign's ties to Russian operatives and the 2020 election. He reposted a false quotation attributed to Senator John Kennedy, labeled Obama and others "traitors," and demanded that acting attorney general Todd Blanche indict them. The posts also attacked the New York Times, Democratic leaders, and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries.
• Trump posted 55 times on Truth Social over three hours in a meltdown containing conspiracy theories and false accusations — Trump posted 55 times between approximately 10:15 PM and 1:13 AM, making numerous false and conspiracy-theory-based accusations including claims that Obama attempted a coup in 2016, worked with the CIA to overthrow him, that Dominion voting systems switched votes in 2020, that Obama made $120 million from Obamacare, and that Obama, Clinton, and Comey committed treason. Posts included reposting fake accounts, fabricated quotes, and demands for arrests of political opponents. CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale noted the posts were "detached from reality" and included a completely fabricated quote falsely attributed to GOP Senator John Kennedy that originated from a satire/fakery website.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted on Truth Social accusing media of "virtual treason" for reporting on Iranian military performance — Trump posted on Truth Social while en route to China: "When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, Militarily, against us, it's virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement. They are aiding and abetting the enemy!" He characterized journalists as "American cowards that are rooting against our Country" and "Losers, Ingrates, and Fools."
• Trump posted AI images of U.S. military destroying Iran and labeled media coverage of Iran as treason — The president posted AI-generated images depicting the U.S. military destroying the Iranian military, then posted that media reports characterizing Iran as doing well militarily against the U.S. constituted "virtual TREASON" because such statements were "aiding and abetting the enemy." He also posted an image of a map with Venezuela overlaid with the U.S. flag captioned "51st State."
• Trump attacked reporter aboard Air Force One — Trump called a reporter "treasonous" for reporting accurately about Iran during the Air Force One press conference, using the accusation as a response to critical questioning.
• Trump accuses New York Times reporter of treason — Trump lashed out at New York Times reporter David Sanger after Sanger pointed out that Trump's military actions have not resulted in political change in Iran. Trump declared that Sanger's reporting was "sort of treasonous," using inflammatory language to attack a journalist for factual criticism. The statement represents an attempt to intimidate the press through accusations of disloyalty.

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• Trump administration restricts congressional access to immigration detention centers — Officials in the Trump administration have systematically restricted members of Congress from accessing detention centers, despite lawmakers' constitutional oversight duty and court rulings affirming their authority to conduct unannounced visits. On May 11, 2026, acting ICE director Todd Lyons issued a memo declaring congressional visits "disruptive" and requiring lawmakers to identify specific detainees in advance, provide proof of consent, and give two days' notice. This follows the May 2025 arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for trespassing at Delaney Hall detention center and subsequent charges against Representative LaMonica McIver.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced intention to suspend federal gas tax — Trump told CBS News that he intends to suspend the federal gas tax "for a period of time" and phase it back in "when gas goes down." Suspending the excise taxes—18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel—requires an act of Congress. Congress has shown little interest in suspending the tax. Gas prices have soared over 50 percent since the start of the Iran war on February 28, hitting a high of over $4.52 on Sunday.
• Trump pledges to suspend federal gas tax pending congressional action — President Trump announced on Monday that his administration would suspend the federal gas tax (18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline, 24.4 cents for diesel) to relieve pressure on Americans facing fuel prices that have risen over a dollar per gallon since late February following the US-Israel war on Iran. Trump stated the tax would be paused "till it's appropriate" and phased back in when gas prices decline. Suspension requires congressional action; Republican lawmakers including Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Anna Paulina Luna immediately pledged to introduce legislation to implement the suspension.
• Trump Floats Pausing Federal Gas Tax — President Trump has suggested the possibility of pausing the federal gas tax. This proposal comes amid rising gas prices, indicating potential further increases in fuel costs. The move is seen as an attempt to alleviate the financial burden on consumers as economic conditions worsen. The proposal has sparked discussions on its potential impact on federal revenue and infrastructure funding.
• Trump announced plans to suspend federal gas tax — On May 11, 2026, Nancy Cordes of CBS News reported that President Trump is planning to suspend the federal gas tax to bring down the cost of gasoline, which has jumped more than 50% since the Iran war began and now averages more than $4.50 per gallon. However, suspending the gas tax would require congressional approval and would cost the federal government approximately half a billion dollars per week in revenue at a time when the national debt is skyrocketing and on track to exceed $40 trillion before the midterm elections.

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• Trump uses UFC event on White House lawn as fundraising vehicle through sponsorship packages — Trump is using a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be held on his birthday on the White House lawn as a mechanism for donors to funnel money to him. Although the UFC is paying for the event and expects to lose up to $30 million, and tickets are technically free, Trump controls ticket distribution. Sponsorship packages including ringside seats have sold for $1 million or more, with neither the White House nor UFC disclosing where the money goes.

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• Alabama files to reinstate struck-down congressional maps — Alabama filed a legal motion to reinstate congressional maps that a lower court had previously struck down for diluting Black voters' political power. The filing follows the Supreme Court's weakening of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais, which removed a key legal barrier to such maps.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court cleared way for Alabama to use racially discriminatory district map — In an unsigned one-paragraph order, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to use a 2023 congressional district map that lower courts had ruled unconstitutional because it diluted Black voting by spreading Black voters across three districts, violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The Court sent the case back to lower courts to reevaluate in light of the Callais decision, effectively allowing Alabama to proceed with the discriminatory map.
• Supreme Court allows Alabama to eliminate majority-Black congressional district — The Supreme Court overturned a lower court order blocking Alabama's use of a 2023 congressional map that reduces majority-Black districts from two to one ahead of the midterm elections. Alabama lawmakers have already passed a law voiding results of some May 19 congressional primaries and are moving forward with special primary elections for more than half of the state's congressional districts. The ruling effectively permits the dilution of Black voting power.
• US Supreme Court vacates lower court injunction, allows Alabama to use congressional map found to intentionally discriminate against Black voters — The US Supreme Court's conservative majority vacated a lower court's injunction blocking Alabama's 2023 congressional map on Monday, May 12, 2026. A three-judge panel had found the map intentionally diluted Black voting strength in violation of the Voting Rights Act and ordered a remedial map with two majority-Black districts. The Supreme Court offered no explanation for overturning this finding, allowing Alabama to use the discriminatory map in the 2026 midterm elections. The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sotomayor criticizing the majority for discarding documented findings of intentional discrimination without sound basis.
• Alabama petitions Supreme Court to reconsider majority-Black district requirement — Alabama filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting that the Court lift a prior court order requiring a congressional map with two majority-Black districts. The Court remanded the case for reconsideration in light of the Louisiana v. Callais decision, potentially allowing Alabama to adopt a legislature-approved map containing only one majority-Black district instead of two.
• Alabama requested Supreme Court revisit order requiring two Black districts — Following the Supreme Court's April 29 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, Alabama asked the Supreme Court to revisit a court order that required the state to draw a congressional map with two largely Black districts. This action is part of a broader pattern of Republican-controlled states moving to redraw or revisit congressional maps in the wake of the weakened Section 2 protections.

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• Appeal filed — Institute for Applied Ecology v. Burgum (D. Or.) 6:25-cv-02364 — The government appealed the March 12, 2026, preliminary injunction to the Ninth Circuit (Case No. 26-3011 ).
• Complaint filed — Cultural Landscape Foundation v. U.S. Department of the Interior — The Cultural Landscape Foundation and Charles A. Birnbaum filed a complaint in D.D.C. challenging the National Park Service's decision to resurface the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool basin with vivid blue coating without following mandatory consultation and environmental review processes. The NPS awarded a $6.9 million no-bid contract in mid-April 2026 without completing required procedures under the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act. Plaintiffs allege violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and seek injunctive relief, vacatur of agency decisions, and restoration of the pool's historic elements.
• Federal Lawsuit Filed Over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — A federal lawsuit has been filed concerning the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The details of the lawsuit have not been disclosed, but it involves federal oversight and management of the historic site. This legal action could have implications for federal property management and public access to national monuments.
• Former DOJ employees filed emergency lawsuit to halt Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repainting — A litigation team of former DOJ employees filed an emergency lawsuit seeking to halt and reverse Trump's repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The suit alleged that the administration engaged a swimming pool contractor to resurface the pool with vivid blue coating without following congressionally mandatory Section 106 procedures required for changes to historic properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The lawsuit noted the pool was a character-defining feature of the historic landscape and the site of the 1963 March on Washington. The contract was awarded as a $6.9 million no-bid deal to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which had performed work at Trump's golf club in Sterling, Virginia.

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• Louisiana suspends primary election to redraw congressional maps — Following the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, Louisiana's governor suspended the state's ongoing primary election to redraw congressional maps. This action allows the state to implement new district boundaries without the prior constraints of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
• Louisiana suspends U.S. House primaries after absentee ballots distributed — Following the Louisiana v. Callais decision, Louisiana suspended its U.S. House primary elections after more than 100,000 absentee ballots had already been sent to voters and approximately 42,000 voters had already cast ballots. The suspension was undertaken to allow the state to redraw congressional maps in light of the Supreme Court's weakened Section 2 protections.

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• Supreme Court decision impacts Voting Rights Act — The Supreme Court issued a decision that significantly impacts the Voting Rights Act, altering the legal framework that has protected voting rights for decades. This ruling has broad implications for how elections are conducted and how voting rights are enforced across the United States. The decision reflects a shift in the judicial interpretation of voting rights protections, potentially affecting voter access and election fairness.
• Freedom House and V-DEM release 2026 reports documenting global democratic decline — Freedom House released its 2026 report subtitled "The Growing Shadow of Autocracy," finding that freedom continues to decline across the globe. Simultaneously, V-DEM released its 2026 report subtitled "Unraveling the Democratic Era?," delivering the same message. Both organizations documented rapid deterioration in freedom under Donald Trump's second administration, including attacks on free and fair elections, persecution of critics in the press, and the rise of a violent and unaccountable security state.

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• Trump rejected Iran's ceasefire response and refused congressional authorization for continued war — On May 11, 2026, President Trump rejected Iran's response to a U.S. one-page memorandum proposing a framework for nuclear talks. Iran had reiterated its determination to control the Strait of Hormuz and called for reparations for war damages, an end to the naval blockade, and unfreezing of Iranian assets. Trump declared the Iranian response "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE" and told reporters the proposal was a "piece of garbage," warning the ceasefire was on "massive life support." Critically, Trump continued to rely on the ceasefire to justify refusing to seek congressional authorization for the war, despite the 60-day War Powers Act deadline expiring on May 1, 2026.

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• Trump stated he is "seriously considering" making Venezuela the 51st U.S. state — Fox host John Roberts reported that Trump told him the president is "very serious about" beginning a process to make Venezuela the 51st state. Trump later told Fox in a phone call that he is "seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st US state," citing $40 trillion in oil reserves and claiming "Venezuela loves Trump." White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded that "This is a president who is famous for never accepting the status quo."

Supporting reports

• Pentagon estimated Iran war cost at $25–50 billion — The White House is expected to request a supplemental spending package to cover the cost of the war with Iran. A Pentagon official stated at congressional hearings that the war's cost was approximately $25 billion, but U.S. officials familiar with internal assessments suggested the actual price tag could be closer to $50 billion.
• Pentagon comptroller testified that Iran war costs have reached $29 billion — Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst testified before the Senate that the cost of the war in Iran has reached $29 billion, citing updated repair and replacement of equipment costs and general operational costs to keep personnel in theater. This testimony was part of a broader hearing on a request for a massive increase in the military budget to $1.5 trillion.
• Pete Hegseth testifies on Iran military operation costs before House Appropriations Committee — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified before the House Appropriations Committee regarding costs of the U.S. military operation in Iran. The stated cost increased from $25 billion to $29 billion within ten minutes during testimony, raising questions about accuracy and transparency of budget figures.
• Pentagon uses outdated munitions costs in war accounting, understating replacement expenses — The Pentagon's accounting system registers the cost of expended munitions based on their original unit cost rather than the cost of their more expensive replacements. For example, SM-2 interceptors fired in the Iran War are recorded at their 2010 unit cost of $1.2 million, though they will be replaced by SM-6 interceptors budgeted at $6.3 million in 2027. This accounting method means firing 50 SM-2s is recorded as $60 million in Pentagon ledgers but costs U.S. taxpayers $315 million in actual replacement costs. Munitions spending accounts for $24 billion of the Pentagon's $29 billion estimate, making this accounting flaw material to the overall cost calculation.
• Pentagon cost estimate excludes documented military damage from Iran airstrikes — Acting Undersecretary Jules Hurst acknowledged under questioning that the Pentagon's $29 billion Iran War cost estimate excluded damage to U.S. military sites caused by Iranian airstrikes. According to the Washington Post, Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at U.S. military sites across the Middle East. Independent analysis estimates the cost of damaged or destroyed military assets at $11.9 billion. Hurst stated the Pentagon had "a lot of unknowns" regarding future military posture and base reconstruction costs.
• Pentagon official uncertain whether arms transfers to Israel included in war cost estimate — Acting Undersecretary Jules Hurst testified that he would need to "double check" whether arms transfers to other countries were included in the Pentagon's $29 billion Iran War cost estimate. According to independent analysis, arms transfers to Israel—which is waging the war in concert with the U.S.—cost approximately $2.9 billion in the first 60 days of the conflict. The uncertainty about what is and is not included in the official estimate further undermines its credibility and completeness.
• Pentagon officials testify to Congress with undocumented $29 billion Iran War cost estimate — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Acting Undersecretary Jules Hurst testified before House and Senate committees on the cost of the Iran War, presenting a $29 billion estimate without documentation, methodology, or explanation. The estimate excluded damage to U.S. military bases (at least $11.9 billion according to independent analysis) and potentially excluded arms transfers to Israel. Independent analysts estimate the actual cost at $50–72 billion for the first 60 days. Hurst declined to commit to providing formal accounting to Congress, stating he would share information "when it's relevant and required."
• Pentagon comptroller reports Iran War cost at $29 billion; Popular Information estimates $72 billion — Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told legislators that the Iran War has cost an estimated $29 billion so far. However, other estimates, including one by Popular Information, have found the actual cost to be significantly higher—approximately $72 billion in the first 60 days alone. Despite the discrepancy, many major media outlets repeated the Pentagon's $29 billion estimate without scrutiny, amplifying what may be a substantially understated figure.