Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• New York Governor Hochul requested $13.5 billion tariff refund — New York Governor Kathy Hochul formally requested that the Trump Administration refund $13.5 billion to New Yorkers in response to the consequences of the Supreme Court's decision on Trump's tariffs. At least 1,800 companies across the country are also seeking relief.

Supporting reports

• House Democrats demand DOJ briefing on removal of antitrust chief Gail Slater — House Democrats Jamie Raskin and Jerry Nadler requested a briefing from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the forced resignation of Gail Slater, head of the antitrust division, in February 2026. Slater's removal followed her attempt to block a $14 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprise–Juniper Networks merger and alleged interference by Trump-connected lobbyists. The letter raised concerns about potential corruption, the role of Trump allies including Mike Davis, and questioned DOJ handling of multiple high-profile merger cases and antitrust matters.
• Gail Slater forced to resign as antitrust chief amid Trump administration pressure — Gail Slater, assistant attorney general for the antitrust division, was forced to resign in February 2026 after her relationship with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Vice President JD Vance deteriorated. Her removal followed her effort to block the $14 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprise–Juniper Networks merger and her claims that the intelligence community had not raised national security concerns. Trump-connected lobbyist Mike Davis, retained by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, publicly took credit for her removal. The DOJ subsequently dropped the antitrust suit in favor of a settlement.

Supporting reports

• Bill Clinton testified in Epstein deposition — Bill Clinton appeared for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee regarding his knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein. The deposition was interrupted when Rep. Lauren Boebert photographed Hillary Clinton's testimony and leaked it to media. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam noted that no Republicans were present to question Les Wexner, who bankrolled Epstein's fortune.
• Clinton depositions held before House Oversight Committee amid photo leak and transparency dispute — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were scheduled for depositions before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York. During Hillary Clinton's closed-door deposition, Rep. Lauren Boebert shared an unauthorized photograph from the hearing with Benny Johnson, who posted it on social media. The deposition was paused following the leak. Hillary Clinton subsequently demanded press access for the remainder of the proceeding, but House Oversight Chair James Comer refused, despite Boebert's unauthorized photography. The central focus of the depositions concerned missing FBI 302 interview memos related to a survivor who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault as a minor.
• Hillary Clinton testified in Epstein deposition — Hillary Clinton appeared for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee regarding her knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton maintained that she did not recall meeting Epstein, never visited his island, and never visited his homes or offices. She also reported being asked questions about UFOs and the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory, which she characterized as "one of the most vile bogus conspiracy theories that was propagated on the internet." Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) noted the absence of Republicans who could have questioned Les Wexner, who bankrolled Epstein's fortune.
• Representative Lauren Boebert shared closed deposition photo with right-wing podcaster — Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) shared a photograph from the closed Hillary Clinton deposition with right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson, who posted it on social media with the caption: "This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy." The sharing of material from a closed proceeding violated the confidentiality of the deposition and appeared designed to generate partisan social media content rather than advance the stated investigative purpose.
• Rep. Lauren Boebert leaked unauthorized photograph from House deposition — During Hillary Clinton's deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Lauren Boebert photographed the closed-door hearing and shared the unauthorized image with Benny Johnson, a right-wing media figure, who subsequently posted it on social media. The leak prompted a pause in the deposition proceedings.
• Lauren Boebert photographed Hillary Clinton testimony and leaked to media — During a closed-door House Oversight Committee deposition of Bill and Hillary Clinton regarding Jeffrey Epstein, Rep. Lauren Boebert photographed Hillary Clinton testifying and sent the image to right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson, who posted it on social media. The deposition rules strictly prohibited photography. Clinton's legal team halted the deposition to address the breach. The deposition resumed later. The incident violated the explicit terms governing the confidential proceeding.
• Committee Chair Comer mischaracterizes Clinton testimony to reporters — During a break in Clinton's deposition, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told reporters that Clinton said Trump had never said anything to make him think Trump was involved with Epstein. However, Ranking Democrat Robert Garcia later told reporters that Comer's characterization did not accurately reflect Clinton's actual answer. Garcia called for release of the full transcript so the public could see what Clinton actually said, noting that Republicans have repeatedly broken the rules regarding disclosure of closed-door hearing content.
• Hillary Clinton testifies before House Oversight Committee — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified via video before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding her knowledge of investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Clinton criticized the committee for its lack of transparency and for not hearing from key witnesses involved in the investigation, asserting that her testimony was a distraction from President Trump's actions.
• House Oversight Committee compels Hillary Clinton to testify on Epstein — The Republican majority on the House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer (R-KY), required former first lady Hillary Clinton to testify before the committee regarding the Epstein investigation. Clinton testified under oath that she had never met Epstein and knew Maxwell only as an acquaintance. Clinton is not mentioned in the Epstein files. The compelled testimony occurred despite Clinton's prior sworn statements denying knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
• House Oversight Republicans held closed-door deposition of former President Bill Clinton on Epstein investigation — House Oversight Republicans convened a closed-door deposition of former President Bill Clinton related to the Epstein investigation. Democrats participated and questioned why Trump, whose name appears repeatedly in released materials, was not being sought for testimony. Large portions of the Epstein files remain withheld or heavily redacted, and some survivor accounts have not been fully released. Republicans characterized the deposition as a political spectacle rather than a genuine accountability exercise.
• Representative James Comer spoke to press to ensure Trump not implicated in Epstein crimes — Representative James Comer left the Bill Clinton deposition during a break to speak with the press, with the stated goal of ensuring everyone that Trump is not implicated in Epstein's crimes. This action characterized the Republican investigation as functioning as Trump's personal crisis law firm rather than a legitimate fact-seeking inquiry.
• DOJ removed and restored Epstein-related photograph from public website — The Department of Justice removed a photograph from its Epstein files website showing Trump appointee Howard Lutnick with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Epstein's island. The photo had been archived by the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine on January 31 and was later removed, returning a "Page not found" error. Within hours of CBS News publishing a story about the removal, DOJ restored the photograph. DOJ later stated the removal was due to the image being "part of a batch of files that had been flagged for nudity."
• James Comer mischaracterized Clinton deposition testimony on Trump-Epstein relationship — House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told media that former President Bill Clinton had exonerated Trump regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, stating Clinton said Trump "has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved." Democratic oversight members immediately contradicted this account, releasing the full deposition context showing Clinton had confirmed Trump and Epstein had a "close relationship" and that Trump reported having "great times" with Epstein. Rep. Maxwell Frost clarified that Clinton said Trump cited a land dispute as the reason for their falling out.

Supporting reports

• Representative Lauren Boebert shared closed deposition photo with right-wing podcaster — Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) shared a photograph from the closed Hillary Clinton deposition with right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson, who posted it on social media with the caption: "This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy." The sharing of material from a closed proceeding violated the confidentiality of the deposition and appeared designed to generate partisan social media content rather than advance the stated investigative purpose.
• Rep. Lauren Boebert leaked unauthorized photograph from House deposition — During Hillary Clinton's deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Lauren Boebert photographed the closed-door hearing and shared the unauthorized image with Benny Johnson, a right-wing media figure, who subsequently posted it on social media. The leak prompted a pause in the deposition proceedings.
• Lauren Boebert photographed Hillary Clinton testimony and leaked to media — During a closed-door House Oversight Committee deposition of Bill and Hillary Clinton regarding Jeffrey Epstein, Rep. Lauren Boebert photographed Hillary Clinton testifying and sent the image to right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson, who posted it on social media. The deposition rules strictly prohibited photography. Clinton's legal team halted the deposition to address the breach. The deposition resumed later. The incident violated the explicit terms governing the confidential proceeding.

Supporting reports

• ICE detains Gámez-Cuéllar family despite asylum status and legal compliance — ICE detained the Gámez-Cuéllar family—parents Luis and Emma, and children Antonio (18), Caleb (14), and Joshua (12)—on February 25 after they reported to a scheduled ICE appointment. The family had entered the U.S. in 2023 on an asylum claim, had been granted asylum, attended all required court dates and check-ins, and had no criminal history. The parents were held at Dilley family detention center; Antonio was held separately at an adult facility. The detention occurred despite the family's full compliance with immigration procedures.

Supporting reports

• House Democrats launch investigation into alleged DOJ withholding of Epstein files containing Trump abuse allegations — House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Democrats, led by ranking member Robert Garcia, announced an investigation into whether the Department of Justice withheld materials from the public release of Epstein files. The investigation focuses on allegations that the DOJ concealed FBI interviews with a woman who accused President Trump of sexually abusing her as a minor decades ago. An NPR investigation published the same day reported the DOJ withheld over 50 pages of FBI interviews and removed documents mentioning Trump from the public database. The White House denied wrongdoing, claiming documents were temporarily pulled only for victim redactions or PII removal.
• House Oversight Democrat Robert Garcia confirmed DOJ illegal withholding — Robert Garcia, top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, released a statement confirming that after reviewing unredacted evidence logs at the Department of Justice, "Oversight Democrats can confirm that the DOJ appears to have illegally withheld FBI interviews with this survivor who accused President Trump of heinous crimes." The statement corroborates NPR's reporting that material related to sexual assault allegations against Trump was removed from the publicly released Epstein files.

Supporting reports

• Senate Democrats launch investigation into CBS/FCC over blocked Colbert interview — Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking Democrat on the Senate's permanent subcommittee on investigations, initiated a formal inquiry into whether the FCC and CBS parent company Paramount suppressed a Stephen Colbert interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Blumenthal sent letters to the FCC's enforcement bureau and Paramount CEO David Ellison demanding documents and communications with the Trump White House, alleging a "partisan censorship scheme" by FCC Chair Brendan Carr and suggesting Paramount silenced speech to secure federal approval for its $108 billion Warner Brothers Discovery acquisition.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration withholds Medicaid funds from Minnesota over anti-Somali racism — Vice President JD Vance announced that the Trump administration will withhold $259 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota as part of the administration's "war on fraud" initiative. The action is characterized as driven by anti-Somali racism, targeting a state with a significant Somali-American population.
• Trump administration froze $259.5 million in Minnesota Medicaid reimbursements — Vice President JD Vance announced that the Trump administration would "temporarily halt" $259.5 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota, citing fraud concerns in 14 Medicaid programs including autism care and non-medical transportation. CMS's review flagged $243.8 million in "potentially fraudulent" claims and $15.4 million in claims for individuals without satisfactory immigration status. Minnesota has 60 days to submit a corrective action plan. The administration warned similar freezes could hit other states. Governor Tim Walz called the freeze "political punishment."
• Vance and Oz announced withholding of $259 million in Medicaid funds from Minnesota — Vice President J.D. Vance and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who oversees Medicaid, announced the administration is withholding $259 million in Medicaid funds from Minnesota, claiming the state has not adequately protected taxpayers from fraud. The withholding is illegal; the executive branch lacks authority to withhold funds appropriated by Congress. A federal judge has already blocked a similar freeze on $10 billion in childcare funding for Illinois, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York pending litigation. The action targets a state with a Democratic governor and a large Somali-American population.
• Administration withholds Medicaid funds from Minnesota — The Trump administration announced it would withhold $259 million in Medicaid funds from Minnesota, claiming the state has not adequately protected taxpayers from fraud. This action is illegal as it violates the appropriations made by Congress, and a federal judge has previously blocked similar funding freezes. Minnesota's governor criticized the move as politically motivated retribution against blue states.
• Minnesota withheld $259.5 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements — The federal government announced the withholding of $259.5 million in federal healthcare reimbursements from Minnesota, a sum that serves one in four state residents. The announcement came the same day the state attorney general held a public event highlighting over a year of bipartisan anti-fraud work. The withholding follows months of immigration enforcement operations that have left families afraid to leave their homes for three months.

Supporting reports

• Capitol Police arrest disabled woman for standing during State of the Union — Capitol Police forcibly removed and arrested Aliya Rahman, a disabled woman and guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar, during Trump's State of the Union address. Rahman was charged with "unlawful conduct" for standing silently in the gallery for a brief period, despite warning officers about her injured shoulders. The arrest followed her viral appearance in a video of being dragged from her car by ICE agents the previous month.
• Capitol Police arrest Ilhan Omar's guest Aliya Rahman for standing during Trump's State of the Union address — Aliya Rahman, a Minneapolis resident and guest of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, was arrested by Capitol Police during President Trump's State of the Union address on February 25, 2026. Rahman stood silently in the gallery; police ordered her to sit, she refused, and she was removed and arrested for unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress. Rahman had previously been dragged from her car by immigration agents in January while seeking medical care. Omar called for an investigation, characterizing the arrest as a heavy-handed response to peaceful protest that sends a chilling message about democracy.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Al Green removed from House chamber for holding protest sign during SOTU — Rep. Al Green of Texas stood and held up a sign reading "Black People Aren't Apes" during the State of the Union address and was escorted out by the Sergeant at Arms. Multiple Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Markwayne Mullin, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Rep. Troy Nehls, physically attempted to grab and pull the sign from Green's hands. The sign was a direct response to a video Trump had shared on social media earlier in February depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. This was the second consecutive year Green had been removed during a Trump address to Congress.
• Rep. Al Green ejected from State of the Union for protest sign — During Trump's State of the Union address on February 24, Democratic Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber for holding a sign reading "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES" in protest of Trump's remarks. The ejection occurred as Trump made false claims about election fraud and border security.
• Al Green ejected from State of the Union for holding protest sign — During President Trump's State of the Union address on February 25, 2026, Texas Democratic Congressman Al Green was removed from the House chamber by Speaker Mike Johnson after holding a sign reading "Black people aren't apes!" — a reference to Trump sharing racist video depictions of Barack and Michelle Obama. Green was escorted out as Republican representatives attempted to block the sign from cameras. This marked the second consecutive year Green has been ejected from the annual event.
• Representative Al Green escorted out of State of the Union for protest sign — Representative Al Green (D-TX) was escorted out of the State of the Union address after holding up a sign reading "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES" in reference to Trump's posting of an image depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The removal occurred during the address.
• Representative Al Green physically removed from State of the Union after displaying sign — During the State of the Union, Rep. Al Green displayed a sign responding to a video the President had shared depicting the Obamas as primates. Multiple lawmakers attempted to seize the sign from his hands, and Green was physically removed from the chamber. The sign conveyed a message affirming basic human dignity and stating that Black people are not apes.
• Representative Al Green escorted out during State of the Union — Representative Al Green was escorted out of the State of the Union address after holding up a sign that read "BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES," referencing President Trump's past derogatory comments about the Obamas. This incident highlighted tensions and protests against Trump's rhetoric during the event.

Supporting reports

• Trump meme coins collapse, retail investors lose billions — The Trump and Melania meme coins fell 92 percent and 99 percent respectively from their peaks. Retail investors absorbed overwhelming losses while insiders reportedly extracted significant fees and proceeds. Estimates showed retail losses exceeding $4.3 billion across nearly two million wallets. The collapse occurred amid Trump's promotion of other financial products, including "$100,000 'Fight, Fight, Fight' watches" on Fox News.

Supporting reports

• EPA finalizes repeal of 2024 MATS amendments for coal- and oil-fired power plants — The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule repealing key amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) promulgated in May 2024. The repeal eliminates the revised filterable particulate matter (fPM) emission standard (0.010 lb/MMBtu), the requirement for exclusive use of PM continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) for compliance demonstration, and the revised mercury emission standard for lignite-fired units (1.2 lb/TBtu). The EPA reverts these standards to the 2012 MATS Rule levels, citing cost-effectiveness concerns and low remaining health risks. The rule becomes effective April 27, 2026, with estimated cost savings of $670 million (3% discount) to $490 million (7% discount) over 2028–2037.
• Trump administration grants blanket pollution exemptions to 71 coal plants — The Trump administration granted pollution exemptions to 71 coal plants across 24 states, allowing them to opt out of mercury pollution rules. All exemption requests were approved without denial, and many were granted for longer periods than operators requested. Exemptions were issued even when operators stated they possessed the technology to comply with pollution limits. The process involved operators simply emailing the president to request exemptions.
• Trump administration scraps mercury and air toxics standards for coal plants — The Trump administration formally reversed the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) that had tightened limits on mercury, lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals from coal plants. The EPA's own analysis showed only 27 of 219 coal plants would need technological upgrades to comply. Despite this, the administration eliminated the standards entirely. Additionally, 71 coal plants across 24 states had previously received pollution exemptions via email requests to the president, all of which were approved without denial.

Supporting reports

• FedEx sues US government for refund of Trump tariffs ruled illegal by Supreme Court — FedEx filed a lawsuit in the US Court of International Trade on Monday, seeking a full refund of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump that the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional last week. The suit names US Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States as defendants. The company did not specify a dollar amount but seeks reimbursement for duties paid. This marks the first major company attempt to recover from an estimated $175 billion in levies after the court found Trump exceeded his authority.
• FedEx sues US government for tariff refund — FedEx filed a lawsuit against the US government on Monday seeking a refund for tariffs paid following the Supreme Court's decision striking down the "liberation day" tariffs. The suit represents a private-sector challenge to the tariff regime and its retroactive application.

Supporting reports

• DOJ withheld Epstein files related to Trump sexual abuse allegations — An NPR investigation found that the Department of Justice withheld some Epstein files related to allegations that Trump sexually abused a minor. The DOJ also removed some documents from the public database where accusations against Epstein mention Trump. Files that should have been made public under law were not released, including more than 50 pages of FBI interviews and notes from conversations with a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse decades ago when she was a minor. NPR's investigation identified dozens of pages catalogued by DOJ but not shared publicly by examining serial numbers on documents.
• Justice Department withheld Epstein documents referencing Trump allegations — NPR reported that the Justice Department removed documents from the public Epstein database that contained accusations against Donald Trump, including allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. More than 50 pages of FBI interviews and notes from a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse decades ago when she was a minor were not made public. Some documents mentioning Trump were briefly available and later removed from the database. The gaps were identified by reviewing Bates numbers, the serial identifiers used in legal document production.
• DOJ claims withheld Epstein files fall within legal exemptions despite contradictory evidence — The Department of Justice released a statement claiming that withheld documents fall within categories of duplicates, privileged materials, or ongoing federal investigations. However, the article documents that these justifications do not withstand scrutiny. The interviews about Trump allegations are not duplicates; Deputy Attorney General Blanche stated in July that the DOJ determined "there was nothing in there that allowed us to prosecute anybody," contradicting the ongoing investigation claim. The DOJ also claimed the documents were withheld pursuant to a protective order in Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal case, but the DOJ itself acknowledged in a court filing that those documents were not subject to the protective order.
• DOJ removed photo of Commerce Secretary Lutnick from Epstein Files — The DOJ was caught removing a photo of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick from the Epstein Files that showed him alongside Epstein on Epstein's island. Months earlier, Lutnick had insisted he thought Epstein was disgusting upon first meeting and never associated with him afterward. The removal of the photograph contradicts Lutnick's public statements.
• DOJ withheld FBI interview summaries related to Trump accuser in Epstein case — The New York Times reported that the DOJ failed to include key materials related to a woman who accused both Trump and Epstein of sexual assault decades earlier when she was a minor. An index of investigative materials indicated that the FBI conducted four interviews in connection with her claims and wrote summaries about each. However, only one summary—describing her accusations against Epstein—was released by DOJ. The other three summaries and underlying interview notes were missing. DOJ stated that withheld materials were either privileged or duplicates, or were withheld due to an ongoing federal investigation. On Wednesday, DOJ announced it would review which documents were released and publish any documents "found to have been improperly tagged in the review process."
• Missing FBI interview memos in Epstein investigation identified — During the Clinton depositions, it was revealed that FBI 302 interview memos tied to a survivor who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault as a minor are missing from the Department of Justice's released Epstein materials. Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member on the Oversight Committee, stated that the Department of Justice continues to lead a White House cover-up and noted that missing materials extend beyond a single survivor's account, with a significant portion of Epstein investigation files remaining unreleased.
• Rep. Robert Garcia demands release of missing Epstein files related to Trump accuser — House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia announced that the committee will demand release of remaining Epstein files, including newly discovered files from a survivor who made serious accusations against Trump. Garcia stated that an archive manifest shows that interviews and information related to this survivor have been removed and are missing. He demanded answers about the location of the files and who removed them, stating: "Where are these files? Who removed them? Those questions have to be answered."
• DOJ appears to have illegally withheld material from Epstein files — NPR reporter Stephen Fowler reported on Tuesday morning that the Department of Justice appears to have illegally withheld material from the Epstein files. The withheld material relates to allegations that Trump sexually assaulted two girls when they were approximately thirteen years old. The DOJ also removed from published files documents mentioning Trump among allegations against convicted sexual abuser Epstein. On February 14, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress they had not withheld or redacted records "on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity." The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required release of all files by December 19, 2025, prohibits such redactions except to protect victims and survivors.

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed he does not need Congressional approval for tariffs — Fifteen minutes after his threat post, at 9:49 a.m. on February 24, 2026, Trump posted that "As President, I do not have to go back to Congress to get approval of Tariffs. It has already been gotten, in many forms, a long time ago!" He claimed tariffs were "reaffirmed by the ridiculous and poorly crafted supreme court decision."
• Trump posted that Supreme Court ruling granted him unchecked tariff power — At 7:06 a.m. on February 24, 2026, Trump posted on social media that the Supreme Court had "accidentally and unwittingly" given him "far more powers and strength" than he had before. He claimed he could use tariffs "in a much more powerful and obnoxious way, with legal certainty" and attacked the court with contemptuous language, writing "supreme court (will be using lower case letters for a while based on a complete lack of respect!)."
• Trump threatened higher tariffs against countries "playing games" — At 9:34 a.m. on February 24, 2026, Trump posted a threat that any country wanting to "play games" with the Supreme Court decision, especially those that have "ripped off" the U.S., would face "much higher Tariff, and worse" than recently agreed tariffs. The post ended with "BUYER BEWARE!!!"
• House Speaker Johnson acknowledged Congress lacks appetite for Trump's tariffs — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters on February 24, 2026, that Congress has no appetite for levying the tariffs Trump and his MAGA supporters want. Johnson stated: "It's going to be, I think, a challenge to find consensus on any path forward on the tariffs, on the legislative side. And so that is why, I think, you see so much of the attention on the executive side, the executive branch, and what they're doing and how they're reacting to the ruling."

Supporting reports

• ICE whistleblower testifies on unconstitutional training practices — During congressional testimony, ICE whistleblower Ryan Schwank, a former ICE lawyer at the training academy, revealed that the agency's 584-hour training program for new deportation officers had been cut by 240 hours and that he received "secretive orders" to teach recruits "to violate the Constitution by entering homes without a judicial warrant."
• Former ICE instructor testified about inadequate training for new officers — Ryan Schwank, a former ICE instructor and attorney who resigned from the agency less than two weeks prior, testified to Congress that the agency's efforts to rapidly scale up its ranks will place recruits on the streets without adequate training to lawfully carry out immigration enforcement. Schwank stated that new cadets are graduating from the Academy despite widespread concerns among training staff that they cannot demonstrate a solid grasp of the tactics or law required to perform their jobs. He testified that ICE has cut 240 hours of training from a 584-hour program, eliminating classes on the Constitution, the legal system, firearms, use of force, lawful arrests, proper detention, and the limits of officers' authority. Schwank characterized the ICE Basic Immigration Enforcement Training Program as "deficient, defective, and broken" and stated that ICE is lying about the amount of training new recruits are receiving.
• Ryan Schwank resigned from ICE in protest — Ryan Schwank, an attorney and former career ICE employee, resigned from the agency less than two weeks prior to testifying before Congress. A spokesperson for Whistleblower Aid, the legal group representing Schwank, stated that he quit the agency in protest. His resignation represents one of the first instances of an ICE official who has served under the second Trump administration publicly rebuking the agency and the adequacy of its training.

Supporting reports

• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's classified documents report — U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon issued an order permanently blocking the release of Volume Two of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on classified documents. Cannon ruled that releasing the report would be "unfair" to Trump and his co-defendants, citing her prior conclusion that the Special Counsel lacked lawful authority. The Department of Justice did not oppose the motion, allowing Cannon to write that "all parties agree" disclosure would violate the court's dismissal order. The decision shields the report from public scrutiny.
• Judge Cannon permanently blocks release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, issued a permanent injunction barring the Department of Justice from releasing Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents case (Volume II). Cannon condemned Smith's compilation of the report after she had dismissed the underlying case in 2024 on grounds of unlawful appointment, calling it a "brazen stratagem" and a breach of her dismissal order. She ruled that release would expose grand jury material and cause irreparable harm to Trump, distinguishing the case from prior special counsel reports (Mueller) that were publicly released.
• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on his investigation of Trump's retention of classified documents after leaving office in 2021. It is standard procedure for a special counsel's report to be made public. Legal analyst Joyce White Vance noted that Cannon has consistently worked to suppress Smith's report and that Trump's fierce fight to keep it under wraps has led to speculation about surprising contents.
• Judge blocks release of Jack Smith’s report on Trump — Judge Aileen Cannon blocked the release of special counsel Jack Smith's report regarding Trump's retention of classified documents. This decision is notable as it deviates from the usual procedure of making such reports public, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Supporting reports

• Congressional Republicans Expand Use of the Congressional Review Act — Congressional Republicans have expanded the use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to include actions beyond rules, allowing them to target agency decisions retroactively. This expansion has raised concerns among environmental advocates about the potential for undermining long-standing protections for public lands.
• Descendants of Theodore Roosevelt Urge Senators to Vote Against Mining Measure — On February 6, four direct descendants of President Theodore Roosevelt wrote to U.S. senators urging them to oppose House Joint Resolution 140, which seeks to open the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota to mining by Antofagasta Plc. They emphasized the importance of protecting the wilderness and criticized the resolution as contrary to the conservation legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. The senators were asked to work with President Trump to find ways to permanently protect the area.
• House Joint Resolution 140 Passed by Republicans to End Mining Moratorium — On January 21, 2026, Republicans in Congress passed House Joint Resolution 140, introduced by Representative Pete Stauber, aimed at overturning a Public Land Order that prohibits mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act, allowing Congress to reject agency rules within a specific timeframe.
• Senate scheduled vote on measure to reopen Boundary Waters area to copper-sulfide mining — The Senate is scheduled to vote in the week of February 23, 2026, on House Joint Resolution 140 to reopen lands above the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to copper-sulfide mining. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) is leading opposition, characterizing the measure as benefiting a foreign mining conglomerate, Antofagasta, that would extract copper and export it to China while leaving environmental damage in Minnesota. Four Republican votes are needed to block the measure from advancing.
• Senator Tina Smith Leads Opposition Against Mining Resolution — Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) is leading the opposition against House Joint Resolution 140, arguing that the proposed mining project is primarily beneficial to a foreign corporation and poses significant risks to the local environment and economy. She has publicly stated that the mine would not serve the interests of the American public.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Tony Gonzales faced resignation calls over harassment of staffer — Three Republican women—Representatives Anna Paulina Luna, Nancy Mace, and Lauren Boebert—called for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to resign following revelations that he had sexually harassed a married staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, by requesting explicit photos and pressing her on sexual positions via text messages. Santos-Aviles died by suicide. Speaker Mike Johnson declined to call for Gonzales's resignation, stating that accusations alone should not be the litmus test for resignation and that investigations should be allowed to play out.
• Representative Tony Gonzales faces resignation calls over sexual misconduct allegations — Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) is facing calls to resign following allegations that he pressured a staff member into a sexual relationship. Gonzales, who is married with six children, has denied the allegations, but published text messages show explicit content and the staffer warning him he was "going too far." The woman later died by suicide. House Speaker Johnson has endorsed Gonzales for reelection despite the pressure for resignation.
• Multiple House Republicans called for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign — Several House Republicans publicly called for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to resign immediately following the release of texts showing he pressured an aide who later committed suicide for sexually explicit photos. However, some Republicans privately expressed frustration with Speaker Johnson's handling of the matter, with one Republican characterizing Johnson's leadership as "feckless" and accusing Johnson and senior Republicans of trying to "brush this under the rug" to protect their majority.
• Rep. Nancy Mace criticized handling of Rep. Tony Gonzales matter — Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) stated that the matter involving Rep. Tony Gonzales would "probably just [be swept] under the rug like they always do," characterizing the conduct as "disgusting" and "shameful," and stating it is "why so many women feel like second class citizens." Mace called for Gonzales to resign.
• Rep. Thomas Massie called for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign — Rep. Thomas Massie (R-WI) called for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign. When asked about Speaker Johnson's comments defending Gonzales, Massie stated that Johnson and other Republicans were "looking past his egregious transgressions to keep us in the majority" and that the party was "not well-served by the damage this is going to the GOP's reputation, particularly after the way they handled the Epstein" matter.
• Rep. Tony Gonzales refused to resign following sexual harassment allegations — Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), following a meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, stated that he was not resigning despite the release of texts showing he pressured an aide who later committed suicide for sexually explicit photos.
• Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Congressional boycott of State of the Union — Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the Congressional boycott of Trump's State of the Union address, calling it "shameful" and arguing that members of Congress represent over 750,000 people each and are obligated to fulfill their role and responsibility by attending.
• Speaker Mike Johnson met with Rep. Tony Gonzales amid resignation calls — Following the release of texts showing Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) pressured an aide who later committed suicide for sexually explicit photos, Speaker Mike Johnson met with Gonzales in his office. Johnson made clear to reporters that he would not call for Gonzales's resignation, citing the need to maintain the House Republican majority. Gonzales stated after the meeting that he was not resigning. Johnson did not call for a House Ethics Committee investigation, did not reach out to Gonzales's staff to inquire about the allegations, and did not encourage Gonzales not to run again. The National Republican Congressional Committee continued to support Gonzales, and Trump endorsed him in December 2025.
• US congressman Tony Gonzales refuses resignation calls over alleged affair and sexual coercion of staffer — Republican congressman Tony Gonzales refused calls from fellow Republicans to resign following allegations that he sexually coerced a senior staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, through explicit text messages and pressure. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025. Gonzales denied the affair, claimed blackmail, and stated facts would emerge. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the investigation must play out but stopped short of demanding resignation. Multiple Republican colleagues, including Thomas Massie and Lauren Boebert, called for his immediate removal.
• Rep. Nehls states personal politics supersede ethical standards — Rep. Troy Nehls (R-NE) was asked by CNN whether Rep. Gonzales should resign given the circumstances of a staffer's suicide. When asked "Aren't some things bigger than politics?", Nehls replied: "No. Not up here, not the way we do what we do in the House." The statement reflects an explicit rejection of ethical standards in favor of partisan advantage.
• Speaker Johnson refuses to call for Rep. Gonzales resignation — Speaker Mike Johnson declined to call for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign following the disclosure of his alleged coercion of a staffer into an affair that ended in her suicide. Johnson's stated reason was that Gonzales's departure would reduce the House GOP to a one-seat majority, compounded by Rep. Thomas Massie's frequent votes with Democrats. This decision prioritizes partisan control over institutional accountability.
• Regina Santos-Aviles suicide following alleged coercion by Rep. Tony Gonzales into affair — Adrian Aviles, husband of Regina Santos-Aviles, a congressional staffer, disclosed that his wife died by suicide after being pressured by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) into an affair. Aviles stated he possesses messages documenting Gonzales's conduct and appeared on CNN describing the impact on their son. Speaker Mike Johnson has declined to call for Gonzales's resignation, citing the narrow House GOP majority and the unpredictability of Rep. Thomas Massie's votes. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-NE) stated that resignation would be inadvisable given the razor-thin majority, asserting "Not up here, not the way we do what we do in the House" when asked if some things are bigger than politics.

Supporting reports

• Trump made false election claims and attacked institutions at Angel Families event — At a White House event honoring Angel Families, Trump diverted remarks into grievances about polling, false claims about election results, and attacks on institutions that constrain his power. Trump claimed he received 85 million votes (contradicting official results of 78–79 million), dismissed unfavorable polling as "fake polls," and stated "I suffer for the country." The event was intended to honor families affected by crime but became a platform for Trump's personal grievances.
• Trump made unsubstantiated claims of election fraud at crime victims event — At an event honoring families of crime victims, President Trump made unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was rigged by "millions and millions of votes," that Democrats engaged in ballot fraud, and that he actually received 85 million votes rather than the reported 78-79 million. He stated "They cheated like hell" and "It was a rigged election." The event was intended to honor crime victims' families but Trump used it to air personal grievances.
• Trump claimed Democrats rigged 2024 election and inflated his vote total — In remarks to "Angel Families" on February 24, 2026, Trump complained about "fake polls" showing his popularity falling and claimed "silent support" exists. He returned to complaints about the 2020 election, which he continues to insist Democrats rigged. Regarding the 2024 election, in which he received approximately 77.3 million votes, Trump claimed: "I won, I got probably 85 million votes...they cheated in this election too." He falsely claimed Republicans do not receive mail-in ballots while Democrats receive multiple ballots, calling Democrats "professional cheaters."

Supporting reports

• Marco Rubio issues directive restricting US diplomatic commentary on Iran negotiations — Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an unclassified cable to US ambassadors in the Middle East ordering them to refrain from public statements, interviews, or social media activity that could inflame regional tensions or complicate US relationships, particularly regarding Iran nuclear negotiations. The directive, circulated on February 23, was widely interpreted as a rebuke of US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee following his remarks on a podcast claiming Israel had a biblical right to Middle Eastern territory. White House officials expressed concern that Huckabee's comments could harden Iran's negotiating position ahead of talks with Trump envoys.

Supporting reports

• DHS suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs — During the partial DHS shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security announced a suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs. After widespread public backlash, the agency reversed course within 12 hours. A TSA spokesperson later confirmed that "TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public."
• TSA suspended PreCheck and Global Entry programs due to DHS shutdown — DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that TSA was suspending PreCheck and Global Entry programs at airports due to the partial government shutdown. PreCheck allows approved passengers through faster security lanes, while Global Entry expedites customs clearance for international travelers. The suspension was intended to prioritize general traveling populations, though critics noted the programs actually used fewer agents and moved more people through efficiently. DHS reversed the PreCheck suspension the following day but kept Global Entry paused.
• DHS suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs amid government shutdown — The Department of Homeland Security suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs on February 23, 2026, citing staffing shortages from a partial government shutdown that began February 14. After industry opposition, DHS partially reversed course, restoring TSA PreCheck operations but keeping Global Entry halted. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the administration was "suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts" to prioritize general travelers. The suspension affected approximately 20 million TSA PreCheck users and 10 million Global Entry users.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Yemeni nationals — The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals in April 2026. Thousands of Yemeni nationals in the Detroit area currently hold TPS and face deportation to a country experiencing over 12 years of active warfare. Community leaders report the Yemeni population lacks lobbying power to challenge the termination in court and faces severe uncertainty about their legal status and safety.
• Trump administration travel ban on Arab-majority countries and visa processing shutdown — Since retaking office, the Trump administration mandated travel bans and a shutdown on immigrant visa processing for citizens of 12 Arab-majority countries and territories. The policy has angered Arab American voters who supported Trump in 2024, particularly those with family members abroad or on temporary protected status, and has created widespread fear in Arab American communities in Michigan and beyond.

Supporting reports

• Multiple international tourists detained by ICE under expanded enforcement — Between January and July 2025, at least six international tourists were detained by ICE: German tourist Jessica Brösche (45 days, including 8 days solitary confinement, 25 January); Germans Lucas Sielaff and Fabian Schmidt (early February); British backpacker Rebecca Burke (19 days, late February); Canadian actor Jasmine Mooney (two weeks, March); and New Zealander Sarah Shaw and her six-year-old son (three weeks, July). Most were detained on suspicion of working without proper visas, though several had valid documentation. These cases represent a pattern of ICE detaining tourists and travelers under Trump's expanded enforcement directives.

Supporting reports

• Business groups demand tariff refunds following Supreme Court ruling — Following the Supreme Court's 20 February ruling, major US business associations—including the National Retail Federation, US Chamber of Commerce, American Apparel and Footwear Association, and the coalition We Pay the Tariffs—formally demanded swift, automatic refunds of approximately $133 billion in tariffs collected under the now-struck-down IEEPA authority. Business leaders emphasized that small importers took loans, froze hiring, and canceled expansion plans to pay tariffs now deemed unlawful, and called on Customs and Border Protection to establish a clear refund process.