Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Justice Department sues Connecticut and New Haven over sanctuary immigration policies — The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the District of Connecticut against the State of Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, the City of New Haven, and Mayor Justin Elicker, challenging state and local sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The complaint alleges that Connecticut's "Trust Act" and related policies obstruct federal immigration law enforcement and have resulted in the release of individuals the department characterizes as dangerous criminals. The department invokes the Supremacy Clause as the constitutional basis for preemption.

Supporting reports

• Iran nuclear negotiations failed; Trump announced blockade of Strait of Hormuz — Vice President JD Vance's diplomatic mission to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Iran in Pakistan ended without agreement after approximately 21 hours of talks. Three main sticking points remained: reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, disposition of nearly 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, and release of approximately $27 billion in frozen Iranian revenues. Following the failed negotiations, Trump announced on Truth Social and Fox News that the U.S. Navy would immediately begin a complete blockade of all maritime traffic entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, stating the blockade would begin April 13 at 10 a.m. ET.
• CENTCOM confirmed implementation of Hormuz blockade — U.S. Central Command issued an official statement confirming that CENTCOM forces would begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports beginning April 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President's proclamation. The blockade would be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
• Trump threatened military strikes on Iranian infrastructure — Trump posted multiple statements on Truth Social threatening military action against Iran, stating "we are fully 'LOCKED AND LOADED,' and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!" He also told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that the U.S. could destroy Iranian power plants, bridges, water systems, and desalinization plants, stating "The only thing left really is their water, which would be very devastating to hit. I would hate to do it, but it's their water, their desalinization plants, their electric generating plants. We could have them all down."
• Trump announces naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf — President Trump announced a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, with 15 American warships positioned to enforce it. Trump posted on social media that Iran's navy is "laying at the bottom of the sea" and threatened to "immediately eliminate" any Iranian fast attack ships approaching the blockade. The announcement came after failed peace negotiations in Islamabad and prompted immediate Iranian retaliation threats and international concern about enforcement against Chinese vessels.
• U.S. Central Command announces naval blockade of Iranian ports — U.S. Central Command announced it would begin a naval blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET, following failed U.S.-Iran talks. The Strait of Hormuz, the blockade's focal point, handles roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, raising risks of wider regional conflict and economic disruption. The escalation concentrates executive power and reduces accountability for military decisions.
• Trump announced U.S. military blockade of Strait of Hormuz — President Trump announced that the U.S. military will blockade the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil is transported. Trump described the policy as "all in and all out," stating the blockade would prevent Iran from selling oil selectively. U.S. Central Command announced it would "begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13" in accordance with the President's proclamation.
• U.S. Central Command announces blockade implementation — U.S. Central Command announced that it will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13, 2026, following President Trump's proclamation. This military action is part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on Iran amid ongoing tensions and failed diplomatic negotiations.

Supporting reports

• ICE officers placed on administrative leave and face potential dismissal or criminal prosecution for false statements in Sosa Celis shooting — Following the release of surveillance video that contradicted ICE agents' accounts of a January 14 shooting in Minneapolis, ICE Director Todd Lyons announced that the officers involved were placed on administrative leave and may face dismissal or criminal prosecution for making false statements. The video showed a 12-second confrontation, not the three-minute violent altercation agents had claimed. The case against Sosa Celis and Aljorna was dismissed with prejudice in February after prosecutors reviewed the footage.
• Surveillance video released showing ICE shooting contradicts agents' account — Newly released surveillance camera footage from the January 14 shooting in Minneapolis publicly undermined ICE agents' accounts of the incident. The video showed the confrontation lasted approximately 12 seconds, not the three minutes claimed by agents, and revealed no evidence of the repeated strikes with a shovel or broom that officers had described. The footage supported the defendants' version of events.

Supporting reports

• State Department revokes green cards of three Iranian nationals and arrests family members — The US State Department revoked the green card status of three Iranian nationals—Seyed Eissa Hashemi (whose mother was a 1979 hostage crisis spokesperson), Hamideh Soleimani Afshar (niece of assassinated general Qasem Soleimani), and Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani (daughter of former security council secretary Ali Larijani)—and federal agents arrested them. The department cited family ties to Iranian regime figures and military officials as grounds for termination of legal permanent resident status.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration fires immigration judges who blocked deportations — The Trump administration abruptly fired two immigration judges appointed by the Biden administration in 2024 who were approaching the end of their probationary terms. Both judges—who had granted asylum at higher rates than peers—had blocked deportations of Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk and Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi. The firings were reported by the New York Times on April 11.
• Department of Justice terminates six immigration judges, including two who ruled against deportations of pro-Palestinian students — The Department of Justice terminated six immigration judges, including Roopal Patel and Nina Froes, who had ruled against the Trump administration in deportation cases involving pro-Palestinian university students Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi. Both judges were Biden appointees with prior immigration defense experience. Patel rejected deportation grounds against Öztürk; Froes blocked removal of Mahdawi. The administration stated judges are evaluated on conduct, impartiality, and performance, but NPR analysis found the Trump administration appears to target judges with immigrant representation backgrounds.

Supporting reports

• Trump reportedly promises mass pardons to close advisers at end of second term — President Trump reportedly told associates he will issue mass pardons to his closest advisers at the end of his second presidency, joking he would pardon anyone within 200 feet (or 10 feet in an earlier version) of the Oval Office. The White House press secretary characterized the remarks as a joke but affirmed the president's "absolute" pardon power. Trump has already granted clemency to over 1,800 people since his second term began, including 1,500 unconditional pardons to January 6 Capitol riot participants on his first day in office.
• Trump stated he would pardon all officials within 200 feet of the Oval Office — According to reporting by Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal, Trump has repeatedly promised to pardon his top officials before leaving office and brings up the subject frequently. In a recent meeting, Trump said: "I'll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval [Office]." When asked for comment, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: "The Wall Street Journal should learn to take a joke; however, the President's pardon power is absolute."

Supporting reports

• Trump promotes Palantir stock on Truth Social with ticker symbol — President Trump posted on Truth Social promoting Palantir stock, including the company's ticker symbol. The post constituted a direct presidential endorsement of a specific publicly traded company.

Supporting reports

• Democratic-led states sued over federal push to restrict mail voting — Democratic-led states filed lawsuits challenging a new federal initiative to restrict mail voting. The legal action represents state-level resistance to federal voting restrictions and an attempt to preserve mail-voting access. The suits were filed in response to the federal push announced this week.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge in California found border agents violated earlier order on warrantless arrests during immigration sweep — A federal judge in California determined that border agents violated a prior court order during an immigration enforcement sweep in Sacramento. The violation involved warrantless arrests conducted during the operation. The ruling represents judicial enforcement of constraints on executive immigration enforcement actions.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department settles lawsuit alleging Biden State Department social media censorship — The Department of Justice announced settlement of litigation alleging the Biden State Department censored disfavored speech through its Global Engagement Center by funding private companies' development of technologies to suppress protected speech online. The settlement implements President Trump's Executive Order on "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship." The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas had denied the government's motions to dismiss and transfer venue, finding good cause for discovery. The settlement avoids continued litigation.

Supporting reports

• Netanyahu requests court delay of corruption trial testimony citing "dramatic events" — Benjamin Netanyahu, on trial since 2020 for fraud, breach of trust, and bribery, requested a Jerusalem court delay his criminal trial testimony by at least two weeks, citing "classified security and diplomatic reasons" tied to current geopolitical events. The timing of the request coincided with ongoing military operations in the region.
• Netanyahu's Corruption Trial Scheduled to Resume — Following the announcement of the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial is set to resume on April 13, 2026, after being halted due to a state of emergency in Israel. The trial's continuation comes amid ongoing military actions in Lebanon and heightened tensions in the region.
• — Following the announcement of the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial is set to resume on April 11, 2026, after being halted due to a state of emergency in Israel. The trial's continuation comes amid heightened tensions and military actions in the region.

Supporting reports

• Journalist Wajahat Ali reported connection between Ungaro, Epstein, and Trump circle — Journalist Wajahat Ali reported that Amanda Ungaro was brought to the United States as a 17-year-old model and flew to New York on Jeffrey Epstein's private plane. Ali reported that Paolo Zampolli, the modeling agent who allegedly introduced Melania to Trump in 1998, fathered Ungaro's child and engaged in a custody battle with her. Ali reported that Zampolli used ICE and Trump connections to have Ungaro deported, and that Zampolli also allegedly represented Melania when she was a model.

Supporting reports

• Trump offered mass pardons to White House staff before leaving office — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has repeatedly offered mass pardons to White House staff, initially stating he would pardon "everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval Office." The offer was made to encourage staff to conduct themselves without concern about future prosecution for illegal conduct. Trump indicated he would host a news conference to announce mass pardons before leaving office, with the radius of the pardon offer reportedly expanding over time.
• Trump promises mass pardons to staff before leaving office — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has privately promised mass presidential pardons to his staff before leaving office, stating in a private meeting that he would "pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval." The White House did not deny the promise but claimed the president was joking, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating "the president's pardon power is absolute."

Supporting reports

• ICE detention of 19-year-old asylum seeker at Dilley center; family separation and conditions — Olivia, a 19-year-old asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas for over four months. She was apprehended with her mother and two younger siblings in November 2025, then separated from them—her family was later released in mid-March 2026, but Olivia remains detained. She has lost 20 pounds, experiences PTSD and major depressive disorder, and reports inhumane conditions including shackling, inadequate medical care, and racist harassment from other detainees. The facility holds approximately 5,600 immigrants, more than half children, and has faced calls from human rights advocates, pediatricians, and lawmakers to close it.

Supporting reports

• Man charged with firebomb plot linked to JDL 613 Brotherhood extremist group — Alexander Heifler, arrested by FBI and NYPD for allegedly plotting to firebomb the home of pro-Palestine activist Nerdeen Kiswani with molotov cocktails, is identified as a member of JDL 613 Brotherhood. The group, founded in late 2024 to revive the ideology of extremist rabbi Meir Kahane, has platformed a convicted terrorist (Chaim Ben Pesach) and its leaders have issued calls for violence against Palestinians, Arabs, and political opponents, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. JDL 613 was incorporated as an LLC in February 2026 and operates chapters across multiple states.

Supporting reports

• Government contractor executive donates $1 million to Trump Super PAC — Kamal "Kam" Ghaffarian, founder and chairman of Intuitive Machines (a major government contractor that has secured at least eight new contracts since Trump's return to office, including a $46.8 million NASA contract on March 25, 2026), donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. on April 9, 2026. While Intuitive Machines itself is prohibited from donating to Super PACs, Ghaffarian personally is not restricted. Ghaffarian also serves as founder and chairman of other major government contractors including Axiom Space, X-energy, and Quantum Space.

Supporting reports

• EPA finalizes amendments to oil and natural gas emissions standards, modifying temporary flaring provisions and net heating value monitoring requirements. — The Environmental Protection Agency finalized amendments to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS OOOOb) and Emissions Guidelines (EG OOOOc) for crude oil and natural gas facilities. The rule extends the allowable duration for temporary flaring of associated gas from 24 hours to 72 hours during equipment malfunctions, maintenance, and safety situations, with provisions for longer durations under exigent circumstances. The EPA also revised net heating value (NHV) monitoring requirements for flares and enclosed combustion devices, expanding exemptions from continuous monitoring to all flare and control device types when inert gases are not present, while requiring monitoring only when inert gases are added or other scenarios decrease NHV content. The rule becomes effective June 8, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Iran announced cryptocurrency toll system for Strait of Hormuz — Financial Times reported that Iran will demand shipping companies pay tolls in cryptocurrency for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. A spokesperson for Iran's Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Union stated Iran needs to monitor what passes through the strait to ensure the ceasefire is not used to transfer weapons, and that Iran will require tankers to use the northerly route close to its coastline, raising questions about whether Western or Gulf state vessels will risk transit.

Supporting reports

• Do No Harm files federal lawsuit challenging Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program — Do No Harm, a Virginia-based conservative advocacy group, filed a federal lawsuit in the E Barrett Prettyman court building challenging the US health department's Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP), alleging the requirement that applicants be Native Hawaiian constitutes racial discrimination. The program, established in 1988 under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act, has awarded over 330 scholarships across 20 medical professions and requires recipients to work two years in medically underserved Hawaiian communities. Papa Ola Lōkahi, the administering non-profit, stated it would continue its work despite the challenge.

Supporting reports

• House Republicans block Iran War Powers Resolution vote — House Republicans blocked Democrats from holding a vote on an Iran War Powers Resolution, preventing the chamber from even debating or voting on the measure during a period of heightened military tensions with Iran and ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
• House Republicans blocked pro forma session to prevent Democratic war-powers vote on Iran — House Republicans shut down a pro forma session before Democrats could force a vote on limiting presidential war powers regarding Iran. The action prevented Congress from exercising its constitutional authority to declare war or constrain executive military action. The majority party chose procedural avoidance over a substantive vote on war powers.
• Republicans block Democratic war powers resolution on Iran through procedural obstruction — House Democrats attempted to pass a resolution curtailing Donald Trump's war powers over Iran using unanimous consent procedure on Thursday. Republican Speaker Chris Smith declined to recognize Democratic lawmakers seeking to introduce the measure, immediately ending the session. The move prevented any vote, though it was expected to fail anyway. The attempt signaled Capitol Hill unease over a fragile Middle Eastern ceasefire with no clear endgame, amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Iranian actions suggesting the truce is deteriorating.
• Democrats Attempt to Force Vote on War Powers Resolution — On April 9, 2026, Democrats in Congress sought to force a vote on a war powers resolution aimed at ending U.S. military actions in Iran. This effort faced resistance from Republican leadership, who refused to engage in discussions regarding Trump's military actions.
• House Republicans blocked war powers resolution vote on Iran war — Although Congress was not scheduled to conduct business until April 13, Democrats came to Washington to force a vote on a war powers resolution to end the war on Iran. Republicans, led by House Speaker Chris Smith of New Jersey, steadfastly refused to discuss Trump's attack on Iran. Smith refused to recognize the Democrats and ended the day's session immediately, later saying Democrats should support the ceasefire instead of voting on the resolution.

Supporting reports

• More than 85 House Democrats and two senators publicly called for Trump's removal via impeachment or 25th Amendment — Following Trump's Easter Sunday threats against Iran and Tuesday declaration that "a whole civilization will die tonight" unless Iran met demands by 8 p.m., more than 85 House Democrats and two Democratic senators publicly called for the president's removal via impeachment, the 25th Amendment, or both. Former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene also raised the 25th Amendment. Rep. John Larson filed articles of impeachment. By Wednesday, House Democratic leadership signaled greater openness to the issue, with Minority Leader Jeffries announcing a virtual briefing on Trump administration accountability and the 25th Amendment.
• Trump escalated Iran threats to civilization-ending language, then announced two-week ceasefire less than two hours before deadline — President Trump escalated threats against Iran to language suggesting an entire civilization could die, then pivoted to announce a two-week ceasefire less than two hours before his own stated deadline. The ceasefire announcement did not resolve the political damage from the escalation. The timing and rhetoric marked a significant shift in executive communication on military conflict.

Supporting reports

• Rep. John Larson filed articles of impeachment against Trump — Rep. John Larson filed articles of impeachment against President Trump in response to his threats against Iran, including his Easter Sunday post threatening "Hell" for Iran and his Tuesday declaration that "a whole civilization will die tonight" unless Iran met his demands by 8 p.m.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice files lawsuit against Washtenaw County, Michigan over sanctuary immigration policies — The Department of Justice announced a lawsuit against Washtenaw County, Michigan, its Board of Commissioners, Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer, Prosecuting Attorney Eli Slavit, and their offices, alleging that county policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The complaint alleges the county's ban on cooperation with federal immigration authorities has resulted in the release of individuals with criminal convictions, including sexual offenses and DUI. The DOJ characterizes this as the 14th such lawsuit in a series targeting sanctuary policies nationwide.

Supporting reports

• Board of Immigration Appeals issues removal order for Palestinian-rights activist — The Board of Immigration Appeals, which Trump has cut in half and stacked with his own appointees, issued a final order of removal for Mahmoud Khalil. In a statement, Khalil called the ruling "biased and politically motivated," stating "The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine – and this administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it."

Supporting reports

• Republican politicians explicitly stated Muslims do not belong in America — Various Republican politicians have made explicit public statements that Muslims do not belong in America. These statements reflect a broader anti-Muslim sentiment within parts of the Republican Party and MAGA movement, which views Muslim immigration as an "invasion" aimed at imposing Sharia law. The article notes this represents a departure from past norms where demonstrating patriotism and assimilation was sufficient to counter such exclusionary rhetoric.