Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Right-wing media figure with Russian propaganda history allowed back into U.S. — A disgraced right-wing media figure previously expelled for running an illegal Russian propaganda operation was quietly allowed back into the United States with assistance from Trump administration officials. This occurred amid Trump's sweeping immigration crackdowns on other individuals, creating a stark contrast in enforcement.

Supporting reports

• Trump sent fraudulent fundraising email with false claims about tariff rebates — Trump sent a fundraising email to supporters claiming that if they did not donate within one hour, Democrats would steal their "tariff rebate checks" and distribute them to undocumented immigrants, that the country was "boiling over," and that only an immediate cash transfer to him could prevent total disaster. The email employed false urgency and fabricated threats to solicit donations.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration's $20 billion Argentina bailout revealed to benefit Treasury Secretary's personal associate — Popular Information revealed that the Trump administration's $20 billion bailout of Argentina would benefit hedge fund billionaire Robert Citrone, a personal friend and former colleague of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The reporting became national news, covered by CNN, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and CNBC. Over 50 members of Congress cited Popular Information's work in a letter demanding answers from Secretary Bessent about his ties to Citrone.

Supporting reports

• Wall Street Journal reports Trump's Mar-a-Lago spa sent women to Epstein's house — On December 30, the Wall Street Journal revealed that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Trump's Mar-a-Lago spa sent young women to perform massages, manicures, and spa services at Epstein's nearby house, where Epstein would expose himself and pressure them for sex. Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell used the spa to recruit women to give Epstein massages. The reporting provided evidence that Trump was more deeply involved with Epstein and his activities than he had admitted.
• Wall Street Journal reports Mar-a-Lago facilitated Epstein access to spa workers — The Wall Street Journal reported that Epstein was a frequent presence at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and that the club actively sent young female spa workers to Epstein's nearby mansion for "house calls" that continued for years. Former employees warned each other about Epstein's behavior, and managers warned staff that he might expose himself during appointments. The reporting indicates that Trump's club knowingly facilitated what former workers described as sexual assault and sexual exploitation. Marla Maples, Trump's second wife, raised concerns about Epstein's behavior, which Trump ignored.
• Wall Street Journal reports Trump Mar-a-Lago spa sent young women employees to Epstein's mansion for services — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's Mar-a-Lago club spa regularly sent employees—predominantly young women—to Jeffrey Epstein's nearby mansion for massages, manicures, and other services over several years. Spa employees warned each other about Epstein's sexually suggestive behavior and exposure during appointments. Trump instructed staff to treat Epstein, who was not a dues-paying member, as one. Ghislaine Maxwell booked appointments on Epstein's behalf using his spa account.

Supporting reports

• Trump vetoes bipartisan clean water bill affecting Colorado — Trump vetoed a bipartisan clean water bill that would have delivered safe drinking water to 50,000 people in Colorado, including residents in Representative Lauren Boebert's district. Boebert was a co-sponsor of the legislation. The veto followed Boebert's role in pushing for the release of Epstein files. The timing and context suggest the veto was retaliatory in nature, punishing a Republican member of Congress for her vote on the Epstein documents.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration ends legal protections for Somalis in Minnesota and escalates rhetoric against Somali Americans and Representative Ilhan Omar — The Trump administration ended legal protections for Somalis in Minnesota and publicly characterized the state as "a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity." Trump made inflammatory statements describing Somali Americans as coming "from hell," contributing "nothing," and should "go back to where they came from." Trump also called Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar "garbage" and said "her friends are garbage." These statements occur in the context of FBI investigations and immigration enforcement actions targeting Minnesota's Somali community, including ICE agents questioning constituents and Omar's own son.

Supporting reports

• FBI deploys additional resources to Minnesota; Kash Patel announces $250m Covid fraud dismantling and targets Somali population — FBI director Kash Patel announced on social media that the FBI has deployed additional personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to "dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs." Patel cited a $250m federal food aid fraud scheme uncovered during the Covid pandemic that resulted in 78 indictments and 57 convictions. Patel stated the FBI believes this is "just the tip of a very large iceberg" and said some defendants are being referred to immigration officials for possible denaturalization and deportation. The deployment occurs amid the Trump administration's public attacks on Minnesota's Somali population and Democratic governor Tim Walz.
• FBI director Patel announces referrals of fraud defendants to immigration officials for denaturalization and deportation proceedings — FBI director Kash Patel announced that individuals involved in the alleged $250m Covid fraud scheme are being "referred to immigrations officials for possible further denaturalization and deportation proceedings where eligible." This represents a coordinated effort to use immigration enforcement as a secondary punishment mechanism for individuals involved in fraud schemes, with explicit targeting of those eligible for denaturalization based on their immigrant status.

Supporting reports

• ICE enforcement actions target Somali constituents in Minnesota, including questioning of Representative Omar's son — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have conducted enforcement actions in Minnesota targeting Somali constituents, including questioning Representative Ilhan Omar's son. Omar has reported that ICE agents are "pulling her constituents off the streets" and that she herself is being pressured to address questions about her own immigration status. Omar characterized the Trump administration's immigration policy as "cruel" during the first term and now "outright dangerous and severely inhumane" and "geared towards this sort of white supremacist view of what America should be."

Supporting reports

• DHS adjusts civil monetary penalties for inflation; corrects Coast Guard and TSA codified amounts — The Department of Homeland Security issued a final technical rule correcting clerical errors in its 2025 civil monetary penalty inflation adjustments. The Coast Guard's codified penalty table inadvertently omitted five properly adjusted penalties; TSA's penalties were updated to reflect a May 2024 statutory amendment raising maximum penalty authority under 49 U.S.C. 46301. The rule became effective immediately upon publication, with adjusted penalties applicable to violations occurring after November 2, 2015.
• EPA publishes notice of Environmental Impact Statements filed December 19–26, 2025 — The Environmental Protection Agency published a notice of availability for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) received during the week of December 19–26, 2025, pursuant to Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act and CEQ guidance under 42 U.S.C. 4332. The notice lists one final EIS: TVA's Spring Valley II Solar Project in Alabama, with a review period ending January 30, 2026. EPA's comment letters on EISs are available through the EPA's CDX database.
• FDA announces receipt of petition for partial exemption of radiology AI devices from premarket notification requirements — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice announcing receipt of a petition requesting partial exemption from premarket notification (510(k)) requirements for certain radiology computer-aided detection, diagnosis, and triage software devices. The petition, submitted on behalf of Harrison.ai, seeks exemption for four device types when manufacturers meet specified conditions including prior 510(k) clearance, robust post-market surveillance plans, and continued compliance with quality systems and establishment registration. FDA is soliciting public comments through February 27, 2026, and will issue a final determination within 120 days of this notice.
• FDA Determines Regulatory Review Period for ADZYNMA Patent Extension — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ADZYNMA (ADAMTS13, recombinant-krhn), a biologic product for congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, as 4,059 days (3,821 testing phase, 238 approval phase). The determination spans from the IND effective date of September 30, 2012, through FDA approval on November 9, 2023. This establishes the maximum potential patent extension period for five related patents held by the Regents of the University of Michigan and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
• FDA Determines Regulatory Review Period for ALHEMO Patent Extension — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ALHEMO (concizumab-mtci), a biologic product approved for hemophilia treatment, as 3,475 days (2,625 testing phase, 850 approval phase) spanning June 18, 2015 to December 20, 2024. This determination establishes the maximum potential patent extension period under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act. The applicant, Novo Nordisk A/S, seeks 1,826 days of patent term extension for U.S. Patent No. 8,361,469. Public comment period closes February 27, 2026; petitions regarding due diligence due by June 29, 2026.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for LEQEMBI patent extension — The Food and Drug Administration has determined that the regulatory review period for LEQEMBI (lecanemab-irmb), an Alzheimer's disease treatment, is 4,546 days, consisting of 4,300 days in the testing phase and 246 days in the approval phase. This determination, made pursuant to the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, establishes the maximum potential length of patent extension for U.S. Patent No. 8,025,878 held by BioArctic AB. The USPTO will apply statutory limitations to calculate the actual patent extension period, with the applicant seeking 5 years of extension. Comments on the accuracy of the dates may be submitted until February 27, 2026.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for OJEMDA patent extension — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for OJEMDA (tovorafenib), a pediatric low-grade glioma treatment, as 4,942 days (4,705 testing phase, 237 approval phase) for purposes of patent term extension under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984. The testing phase ran from October 14, 2010 (investigational new drug exemption effective date) through August 31, 2023 (initial NDA submission), and the approval phase from August 31, 2023 through April 23, 2024 (approval date). The determination establishes the maximum potential patent extension length; the USPTO will apply statutory limitations to calculate actual extension. Comments on date accuracy are due February 27, 2026; petitions regarding applicant due diligence are due June 29, 2026.
• FDA Determines Regulatory Review Period for ROMVIMZA Patent Extension — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ROMVIMZA (vimseltinib), a drug approved for treating symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumor, to be 3,020 days (2,777 testing phase, 243 approval phase). The determination, made pursuant to the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, establishes the maximum potential patent extension length. The applicant seeks 1,632 days of patent term extension. Comments on date accuracy are due by February 27, 2026; petitions regarding due diligence must be filed by June 29, 2026.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ZELSUVMI patent extension — The Food and Drug Administration has determined the regulatory review period for ZELSUVMI (berdazimer sodium), a topical treatment for molluscum contagiosum approved for marketing on January 5, 2024. The FDA calculated a total regulatory review period of 4,144 days (3,778 days testing phase, 366 days approval phase), beginning September 2, 2012, when the investigational new drug exemption became effective. This determination establishes the maximum potential patent extension period; the applicant seeks 1,280 days of actual patent term extension from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• FDA Proposes Withdrawal of Three Drug Approvals — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed withdrawing approval for three abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) due to the holders' failure to submit required annual reports. The affected drugs include bacitracin-neomycin sulfate-polymyxin B sulfate ointment, captopril tablets, and piroxicam capsules. The ANDA holders have until January 28, 2026, to request a hearing to contest the withdrawal. If no hearing is requested, the approvals will be withdrawn, and the drugs cannot be legally marketed.
• FDA submits PET drug manufacturing information collection to OMB for review and clearance — The Food and Drug Administration submitted a proposed information collection to the Office of Management and Budget for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The collection implements current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations governing positron emission tomography (PET) drugs under 21 CFR Part 212. The submission covers recordkeeping and disclosure requirements for PET drug production facilities, including academic, hospital, and commercial operations. Estimated annual burden is 98,833 recordkeeping hours and 83 disclosure hours. Public comment period closes January 28, 2026.
• OSHA grants permanent variance to CBNA/Halmar for Potomac River Tunnel compressed-air work — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final notice granting a permanent variance to CBNA/Halmar Joint Venture for construction of the Potomac River Tunnel Project in Washington, DC. The variance permits the contractor to deviate from three specific OSHA compressed-air standards (29 CFR 1926.803(f)(1), (g)(1)(iii), and (g)(1)(xvii)) by using alternative decompression protocols based on the 1992 French Decompression Tables, staged decompression with oxygen supplementation, and existing man-locks instead of a separate decompression chamber. The variance applies only to hyperbaric interventions during tunnel-boring machine operations and remains in effect until project completion or OSHA revocation. OSHA determined the alternatives provide worker safety equivalent to or exceeding the standard requirements.
• OSHA grants permanent variance to McNally/ASI Marine for compressed-air tunnel work exceeding standard pressure limits — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final notice granting a permanent variance to McNally Tunneling Corp./ASI Marine for the Southerly Tunnel and Consolidation Project in Cleveland, Ohio. The variance permits workers to be exposed to compressed-air pressures up to 58 p.s.i.g. (exceeding the standard 50 p.s.i.g. limit), allows use of alternative 1992 French Decompression Tables instead of OSHA-mandated tables, permits staged decompression without automatic controls, and authorizes use of existing man-locks instead of a separate decompression chamber. The variance applies only to this specific project and requires strict compliance with a project-specific Hyperbaric Operations Manual, medical oversight, worker training, equipment inspections, and detailed incident reporting to OSHA.
• FCC Seeks Public Comment on Workplace Discrimination Complaint Forms Collection — The Federal Communications Commission published a notice requesting public comments on its information collection for workplace discrimination complaints (FCC Forms 5621 and 5622) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection covers complaints filed by FCC employees and related individuals alleging discrimination or retaliation under the Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Rehabilitation Act. The FCC estimates 22 annual respondents, 2.5–5 hours per response, and 89 total annual burden hours. Written comments are due by February 27, 2026.
• EPA announces final risk evaluation finding 1,3-butadiene poses unreasonable risk to human health; initiates risk management action. — The Environmental Protection Agency released its final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,3-butadiene, a high-volume petrochemical used in rubber and plastic manufacturing. Based on the weight of scientific evidence, EPA determined that 1,3-butadiene presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under 11 specific conditions of use, driven primarily by non-cancer and cancer risks to workers from inhalation exposure. EPA will now proceed to propose risk management regulatory actions to address the identified unreasonable risk.
• EPA corrects categorization of Clean Harbors Lone Mountain no-migration variance notice — The Environmental Protection Agency issued a correction notice on December 30, 2025, recategorizing a document originally published on December 11, 2025, as a "Proposed Rule" but now properly designated as a "Notice." The document concerns a no-migration variance from land disposal restrictions for the Clean Harbors Lone Mountain facility in Oklahoma under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The correction clarifies the document's administrative status without altering its substantive content or the underlying variance proposal.
• EPA corrects duplicate regulatory text in fuel standards rule — The Environmental Protection Agency published a technical correction to 40 CFR Part 1090, removing duplicate instances of paragraphs (c)(10) and (c)(20) from section 1090.95 in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (revised as of July 1, 2025). This CFR correction addresses an editorial error in the most recent annual revision of the regulations governing fuels, fuel additives, and regulated blendstocks. The correction was filed on December 30, 2025, and published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2025.
• EPA issues correction to South Carolina regional haze air plan approval — The Environmental Protection Agency published a correction to its December 11, 2025 final rule approving South Carolina's Second Planning Period Regional Haze Plan under 40 CFR Part 52. The correction removes an erroneous reference to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from the document heading. The underlying rule addresses air quality and visibility protection requirements for the state.
• EPA submits information collection renewal for grain elevator emissions compliance monitoring — The Environmental Protection Agency submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval a renewal of its information collection request (ICR 1130.14, OMB Control Number 2060-0082) governing New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for grain elevators under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart DD. The renewal extends compliance monitoring and reporting requirements for 254 grain elevator facilities, including initial notifications, performance tests, periodic reports, and maintenance records. The estimated annual burden is 584 hours across all respondents, with an estimated annual cost of $80,000. Public comment period extended to January 29, 2026.
• EPA submits information collection renewal for nonroad spark-ignition engine certification compliance requirements to OMB for review — The Environmental Protection Agency submitted an information collection request (ICR 1695.15, OMB Control Number 2060-0338) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR covers certification and compliance requirements for nonroad spark-ignition engines and represents a proposed extension of the currently approved collection through December 31, 2025. The submission includes 393 estimated respondents (engine manufacturers) and an estimated annual burden of 1,390 hours per respondent, with total estimated annual costs of $102,388,928.41. A 30-day public comment period is open through January 28, 2026.
• EPA submits information collection request for kraft pulp mill emissions monitoring to OMB for review and approval — The Environmental Protection Agency submitted an information collection request (ICR Number 1055.14, OMB Control Number 2060-0021) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR covers New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for kraft pulp mills under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart BB, requiring affected facilities to submit initial notifications, performance tests, and periodic compliance reports. The current approval expires December 31, 2025; this notice opens a 30-day public comment period (closing January 29, 2026) on the proposed extension.
• EPA submits information collection request for Safe Management of Recalled Airbags Rule to OMB for review and approval — The Environmental Protection Agency submitted an information collection request (ICR No. 2589.06, OMB Control No. 2050-0221) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the currently approved ICR through December 31, 2025. The collection requires airbag handlers to maintain records of off-site shipments and receipt confirmations for hazardous waste airbag modules and inflators for no less than three years. An additional 30-day public comment period is open through January 29, 2026.
• EPA submits pesticide data call-in information collection request to OMB for renewal — The Environmental Protection Agency submitted an information collection request (ICR No. 2288.21, OMB Control No. 2070-0174) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The request covers data call-ins issued under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 3(c)(2)(B), requiring pesticide registrants to provide scientific data on health and environmental effects. The current approval expires December 31, 2025. EPA previously requested public comments on May 9, 2025; this notice opens a 30-day additional comment period ending January 29, 2026.
• EPA submits TSCA Section 5 information collection request to OMB for renewal — The Environmental Protection Agency submitted an information collection request (ICR Number 1188.16, OMB Control Number 2070-0038) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR covers premanufacture review reporting and exemption requirements for new chemical substances, significant new use reporting for existing chemicals, and significant new use rules. This is a proposed extension of the currently approved collection through December 31, 2025. Public comments are invited through January 29, 2026.
• FCC Invites Public Comments on Tariff Review Plan Information Collection — The Federal Communications Commission published a notice requesting public comments on an extension of its currently approved information collection under OMB Control Number 3060-0400, which governs Tariff Review Plans (TRPs) filed by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) to support interstate access service tariff revisions. The collection affects approximately 2,747 respondents with an estimated annual burden of 60,476 hours. Comments are due by March 2, 2026.
• Census Bureau submits questionnaire pretesting research clearance to OMB for review — The U.S. Census Bureau submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget for extension of a generic clearance (OMB Control Number 0607-0725) authorizing questionnaire pretesting research. The collection involves approximately 5,500 annual respondents, 1 hour per response, and 5,500 total burden hours. Data collection is voluntary and authorized under Title 13 of the U.S. Code. The notice invites public comment for 30 days via reginfo.gov, following a prior 60-day comment period in July 2025.
• DEA and HHS extend telemedicine flexibilities for controlled-substance prescribing through December 31, 2026 — The Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Health and Human Services issued a fourth temporary extension of COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities, authorizing DEA-registered practitioners to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances via telemedicine to patients without prior in-person medical evaluation through December 31, 2026. The extension prevents an abrupt "telemedicine cliff" that would restrict patient access to care and provides time for DEA to finalize permanent regulations. The rule applies to prescriptions issued for legitimate medical purposes via interactive telecommunications systems meeting specified conditions.
• DEA establishes 2026 aggregate production quotas for Schedule I and II controlled substances and assessment of annual needs for List I chemicals. — The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a final order establishing aggregate production quotas (APQs) for Schedule I and II controlled substances and assessment of annual needs (AAN) for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine for calendar year 2026. The order followed a 15-day public comment period (November 28–December 15, 2025) during which DEA received 5,044 comments from patients, healthcare providers, manufacturers, and advocacy groups. Key issues included concerns about opioid and ADHD medication shortages, pharmacy ordering thresholds imposed by distributors, and diversion estimation methodology. DEA adjusted quotas for certain substances upward (d,l-amphetamine, d-amphetamine, dimethyltryptamine, lisdexamfetamine, morphine, oripavine, psilocybin, psilocyn) in response to comments and established quotas for newly scheduled synthetic substances.
• EPA extends steam electric power plant wastewater compliance deadlines to 2034 — The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule extending compliance deadlines for steam electric power plants under the Clean Water Act. The rule postpones zero-discharge limitations for flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate from December 31, 2029, to December 31, 2034. It also extends the Notice of Planned Participation deadline for plants permanently ceasing coal combustion from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2031, and creates site-specific timing flexibilities for unexpected circumstances. The EPA cited energy demand surges, supply-chain delays, and grid reliability concerns as justification.
• OSHA extends OMB approval for Susan Harwood Training Grant Program information collection requirements — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a notice requesting public comments on extending Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of information collection requirements for the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. The program requires nonprofit grant recipients to submit quarterly progress reports (GQPR Form OSHA 171) documenting training activities, attendance, expenditures, and progress toward grant objectives. OSHA estimates the burden at 6,324 hours for 93 respondents submitting 372 responses. The agency notes that use of the GrantSolutions system reduces processing time. Public comments are due by March 2, 2026.
• OSHA grants DEKRA Certification Inc. expanded NRTL recognition and adds two test standards — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final notice granting DEKRA Certification Inc. expansion of its Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) scope of recognition. The expansion includes thirty-two additional test standards covering household electrical appliances and hand-held motor-operated tools, and recognition of a new testing facility in Dresden, Germany. OSHA also added two new standards (UL 60335-2-69 and UL 60335-2-79) to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards. The expansion becomes effective December 31, 2025.
• DEA publishes notice of Maridose LLC bulk manufacturer application for controlled cannabis substances — The Drug Enforcement Administration published a notice that Maridose LLC applied on January 1, 2026, to be registered as a bulk manufacturer of cannabis-derived controlled substances (marihuana extract, marihuana, and tetrahydrocannabinols) for supply to DEA-registered researchers conducting approval studies. The comment period closes March 24, 2026, and registered bulk manufacturers and applicants may submit objections or request a hearing by that date.
• EPA adds sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate to Toxics Release Inventory reporting requirements — The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule adding sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (CASRN 82382-12-5), a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), to the list of chemicals subject to mandatory toxic chemical release reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The addition implements a statutory mandate from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 and becomes effective January 1, 2026, with reporting obligations beginning in 2027. The chemical is designated as a "chemical of special concern" and excluded from certain burden-reduction reporting options.
• Federal Election Commission adjusts coordinated party expenditure limits and lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold for inflation — The Federal Election Commission published notice of annual inflation adjustments to coordinated party expenditure limits and lobbyist bundling disclosure thresholds, effective January 1, 2026. House expenditure limits in multi-district states increased to $65,300; Senate limits vary by state voting-age population, ranging from $130,600 to $4,071,800. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold increased to $24,000. Adjustments are mandated by the Federal Election Campaign Act and indexed to the consumer price index.
• GSA establishes Calendar Year 2026 mileage reimbursement rates for federal employee travel and relocation — The General Services Administration published Notice-MA-2026-01 establishing mileage reimbursement rates for privately owned vehicles (POV), airplanes, and motorcycles for calendar year 2026. The rates, detailed in FTR Bulletin 26-02, apply to official temporary duty and relocation travel performed January 1–December 31, 2026. GSA sets the POA rate by statute to match the IRS standard mileage rate; airplane and motorcycle rates are determined through independent annual cost reviews evaluating fuel, depreciation, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and consumer price index data.
• GSA revises foreign gifts and decorations minimal value threshold to $525.00 — The General Services Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Department of State, revised the minimal value threshold for foreign gifts and decorations received by federal employees, effective January 1, 2026. The threshold increased from $480.00 to $525.00, reflecting an 8.99 percent rise in the Consumer Price Index over the preceding three years. Foreign gifts and decorations above this value become federal property and must be reported to GSA for disposal or official use tracking.
• EPA approves Colorado air quality procedural rule revisions — The Environmental Protection Agency issued a direct final rule approving minor administrative revisions to Colorado's State Implementation Plan submitted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on May 20, 2022. The revisions update the Procedural Rules (5 CCR 1001-1) and Common Provisions Regulation (5 CCR 1001-2) with non-substantive grammatical and clerical changes, including a numbering format update and clarification on materials incorporated by reference. The rule becomes effective March 3, 2026, unless adverse comments are received by February 2, 2026.
• EPA Delegates NESHAP Authority to Oklahoma — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule delegating authority to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to implement and enforce certain National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) as they existed through June 30, 2023. This delegation includes areas of Indian country in Oklahoma, except for specific excluded lands. The rule becomes effective on February 2, 2026, allowing ODEQ to manage these standards statewide, enhancing local control over air quality regulations.
• EPA finalizes nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emission limits for five taconite facilities in Michigan and Minnesota, modifying Upper Predictive Limit equations and requiring electronic reporting. — The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a revision to the Federal Implementation Plan addressing Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements for taconite facilities. The EPA established nitrogen oxide (NOx) limits ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 lbs NOx/MMBtu and sulfur dioxide (SO2) limits ranging from 17.0 to 247.8 lbs SO2/hr for indurating furnaces at five facilities: Tilden (Michigan), Hibbing, Minorca, Northshore, and United Taconite (Minnesota). The EPA also modified the Upper Predictive Limit equations used to calculate these limits and revised reporting requirements to mandate electronic submission. The rule becomes effective February 2, 2026, following procedures established in prior 2013 and 2016 FIP revisions. Conservation groups opposed the action, arguing the EPA failed to conduct required BART analyses and improperly relaxed emission limits.
• EPA revokes 2024 rule requiring major HAP sources to maintain major source standards after reclassification to area sources — The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule revoking the September 2024 "Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act" pursuant to Congressional Review Act joint resolution S.J. Res. 31, signed into law by President Trump on June 20, 2025 as Public Law 119-20. The revocation restores the 2020 rule allowing major sources of persistent and bioaccumulative hazardous air pollutants to reclassify as area sources and avoid major source emission standards. The EPA issued this ministerial action without public comment, citing Administrative Procedure Act good-cause exemption. Estimated regulatory cost savings are $935.8 million in present value.
• FDA determines MYSOLINE primidone suspension withdrawn for safety reasons, bars generic approvals — The Food and Drug Administration determined that MYSOLINE (primidone) suspension, 250 mg/5 mL, was withdrawn from sale in 2001 for reasons of safety or effectiveness due to antimicrobial contamination concerns, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The agency will remove the drug from the Orange Book list of approved products and will not accept or approve abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) referring to this formulation. No reformulated version has been approved for reintroduction.
• TSA submits Pipeline Corporate Security Reviews information collection to OMB for 30-day public comment period — The Transportation Security Administration forwarded an Information Collection Request (OMB control number 1652-0056) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval of a revision to its currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection enables TSA to assess security practices in the pipeline industry through its voluntary Pipeline Corporate Security Review program and to enforce mandatory cybersecurity requirements under TSA Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02 series. The revision updates the collection title and seeks a maximum 3-year approval period. Estimated annual burden: 80,231 hours across approximately 100 respondents.
• EPA renews Local Government Advisory Committee charter for two years and solicits nominations for Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee membership. — The Environmental Protection Agency published notice that the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) charter has been renewed for an additional two-year period under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The LGAC, composed of elected and appointed government officials, advises the EPA Administrator on environmental issues affecting local governments. Concurrent with renewal, the EPA is soliciting nominations for membership on the LGAC's Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee, with a deadline of January 15, 2026. Nominees must hold elected positions or full-time appointed positions with local, tribal, state, or territorial governments.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-03675 — Plaintiffs appealed Judge Howell's Dec. 23, 2025 order to the D.C. Circuit (Case No. 25-5473 ).
• Case update — Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic v. Burgum (D. Alaska) 3:25-cv-00356 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint .
• Motion granted — Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic v. Burgum (D. Alaska) 3:25-cv-00356 — The court granted the State of Alaska's unopposed motion to intervene as Intervenor-Defendant.
• Summary judgment ruling — McKinleyville Union School District v. U.S. Department of Education (N.D. Cal.) 4:25-cv-09105 — Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied Plaintiff's Nov. 20 preliminary injunction motion as duplicative because the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington granted plaintiff all of the substantive relief requested in the present action through its partial summary judgment order in State of Washington v. U.S. Dep't of Education . This order required Defendants to comply with the terms of the order regarding funding by Dec. 31, 2025, which thereby negated the need for injunctive relief in the present matter.
• Complaint filed: State of Maryland v. United States Department of Education — On December 30, 2025, Maryland, another state, and the District of Columbia filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Linda McMahon, challenging the agency's decision to discontinue Full-Service Community School (FSCS) grant awards. The plaintiffs allege that on December 12, 2025, ED issued Notices of Non-continuation stating it would not fund grants beyond the first year due to conflict with current administration priorities, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause. Plaintiffs seek preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring ED to base continuation decisions solely on grantee performance and to refrain from enforcing new grant conditions not in effect when awards were made.
• Stay motion decided — California v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-12118 — The First Circuit vacated its previously issued administrative stay and granted the administration's motion to stay the lower court's preliminary injunction pending appeal. This allows enforcement of Section 71113 , which prevents healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for one year.
• Case update — Corporation for Public Broadcasting v. Federal Emergency Management Agency (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00740 — In a minute order , Judge Kelly ordered that the case shall remain stayed until Jan. 30, 2026.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now v. United States Department of Education (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-15704 — Judge Martha Pacold filed an order denying Plaintiff's motion for temporary restraining order.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Brighton Park Neighborhood Council v. McMahon (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04523 — In a minute order, the court denied Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) as moot after Defendants filed a declaration representing to the court that the entire amount of disputed FSCS funds has been obligated.
• Appeal filed — Shapiro v. Department of Agriculture (M.D. Pa.) 1:25-cv-00998 — Plaintiffs appealed the Court's Dec. 3, 2025, order to the Third Circuit (Case No. 26-1014 ).
• Case update — American Oversight v. U.S. Department Of Homeland Security (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-02390 — The parties filed a joint status report in which each of the Defendants outlined their progress responding to Plaintiff's FOIA requests. DHS noted it had released portions of thirty-seven pages of records to Plaintiff and was still processing sixty-three pages. ICE shared it had located and processed some responsive records that it intends to release by the end of January 2026. USCIS noted it had issued an interim response to Plaintiff's request on Dec. 23, 2025, and expected to release another response within the month.
• Cases consolidated — E.K. v. Department of Defense Education Activity (E.D. Va.) 1:25-cv-00637 — The Fourth Circuit consolidated Case No. 25-2497 and Case No. 26-1002 as cross appeals. The appellant in Case No. 25-2497 shall be considered the appellant for purposes of the consolidated appeals and shall proceed first at briefing and at oral argument. Entry of appearance forms and disclosure statements filed by counsel and parties to the lead case are deemed filed in the secondary case.
• Motion to dismiss decided — American Federation of Government Employees v. Office of Management and Budget (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-08302 — The court granted the government's motion to dismiss the appeal.

Supporting reports

• U.S. Southern Command struck small boat in eastern Pacific — U.S. Southern Command posted that it had struck another small boat in the eastern Pacific, killing two men. This strike was part of an operation the administration describes as targeting "narco-terrorists." The operation has resulted in more than 100 deaths and has been widely condemned as illegal.
• U.S. Southern Command strikes five boats in Caribbean operations — Over December 30 and 31, U.S. Southern Command announced it struck five small boats that it claimed were being operated by "narco-terrorists," killing at least 13 people and possibly leaving some survivors. These strikes brought the total number of such operations to at least 35 with at least 115 people killed in the campaign.

Supporting reports

• Proposed censure of Andy Ogles for discriminatory comments — Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles was targeted by two censure resolutions over the summer 2025 for discriminatory comments about Democrats of color. In June, Democrat Shri Thanedar proposed censuring Ogles for social media posts calling incoming NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani "little muhammad" and calling for his deportation. In July, Democrat Ritchie Torres introduced a censure resolution after Ogles called House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries "Discount Dollar Store Obama." Neither resolution was put to a vote.
• Proposed censure of Ilhan Omar for comments about Charlie Kirk — In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's murder, Republican Nancy Mace proposed censuring Democrat Ilhan Omar and removing her from two committees for comments in which she "disparaged" Kirk's character and those who mourned his death. Democrats succeeded in killing the resolution with help from a small group of Republicans, including Jeff Hurd, who argued that "the right response to reprehensible speech like this isn't silencing: it's more speech."
• Proposed censure of Jasmine Crockett for comments about Greg Abbott — In March 2025, Republican Randy Weber of Texas proposed censuring Democrat Jasmine Crockett for calling Texas Governor Greg Abbott (who uses a wheelchair) "Governor Hot Wheels" and "a hot ass mess." The resolution did not come up for a vote in the House.
• Proposed censure of Lauren Boebert for comments about Al Green — On March 11, 2025, four days after Al Green's censure, Democratic congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan proposed censuring Republican Lauren Boebert for remarks made in a rightwing broadcaster interview. Boebert had called Green's interruption of Trump "absolutely abhorrent," describing his cane as a "pimp cane." Houlahan's resolution accused Boebert of using language "disparaging, derogatory, and racist toward another colleague." The House did not consider the resolution on the floor.
• Proposed censure of Robert Garcia for comments about Elon Musk — In February 2025, Republican Nancy Mace introduced a censure resolution against Democrat Robert Garcia, accusing him of "inciting violence against a special government employee" (Elon Musk). The measure cited Garcia's roundabout reference to Musk as a "dick" at a committee hearing and a CNN comment suggesting Democrats should "bring actual weapons to this bar fight" against Musk. The House did not vote on the resolution.
• Proposed censure of Stacey Plaskett for Epstein texts — As legislation to compel release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein neared passage, the Washington Post reported that Democrat Stacey Plaskett, the non-voting delegate from the US Virgin Islands, had texted with Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing. Republican Ralph Norman proposed censuring Plaskett, arguing that Democrats should "practice what they preached" after months of pressing for Epstein file release. The resolution failed due to united Democratic opposition and votes from three Republicans.
• Three proposed censures of Cory Mills for misconduct allegations — Florida Republican Cory Mills was targeted by three separate censure resolutions in 2025. In September, Democrat Yvette Clarke introduced the first, citing reports that Mills abused romantic partners, committed financial misconduct, and misrepresented his military service; Mills denied wrongdoing and Clarke's resolution was withdrawn. In November, Clarke filed a substantially similar measure on the same day as the Epstein files vote, and Nancy Mace introduced her own censure resolution against Mills. Mills moved to refer Mace's proposal to the ethics committee rather than bring it to a vote, which succeeded with Democratic support. Republican women later alleged that House leaders brokered a deal to protect Mills in exchange for voting down the censure of Plaskett.
• Proposed censure of LaMonica McIver for ICE detention facility altercation — Republicans filed two censure resolutions against New Jersey Democrat LaMonica McIver after she was arrested and charged with felonies following an altercation outside an ICE detention facility in Newark. Republican Clay Higgins brought one resolution to the House floor, but Democrats and a handful of Republicans collaborated to kill it, marking the first of several bipartisan efforts in 2025 to block censure attempts.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge dismisses indictment against TikTok streamer shot by ICE agents — US District Judge Fernando Olguin dismissed an indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Los Angeles TikTok creator, who was shot by an immigration agent during an October enforcement operation. The judge cited constitutional violations, including ICE's obstruction of Parias's access to his defense team at the Adelanto detention center and the government's failure to timely disclose body-worn camera footage of the shooting. The indictment was dismissed with prejudice, barring prosecutors from refiling assault charges.

Supporting reports

• Trump dismissed Russian interference in 2016 election as a hoax — Trump told reporters that the Russian interference in the 2016 election was a "made-up hoax" created by Hillary Clinton and Adam Schiff. He claimed that he and Putin had discussed the matter and agreed that "they made it all up." Trump stated that despite the alleged hoax, "we didn't get into wars, or we didn't get into problems," and lamented that trade with Russia had been restricted as a result.

Supporting reports

• Trump urges Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster — Donald Trump called on Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster rule, which allows a minority of senators to block legislation. In an interview with Politico, Trump argued that eliminating the filibuster would prevent government shutdowns, enable passage of his legislative agenda, and allow Republicans to act without Democratic obstruction. Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats, giving them limited margin for defection on simple-majority votes. Trump previously made the same call in October during a shutdown standoff.

Supporting reports

• Trump reposted claims about "double tap strikes" and admitted engaging in them — Trump reposted claims about "double tap strikes" under the Obama administration. In doing so, he effectively admitted to engaging in the same practice himself. He attempted to blur the distinction between actual war and U.S. forces killing people in boats off the coast of Venezuela.

Supporting reports

• Janessa Goldbeck testifies to Senate on voter roll purges targeting service members — Vet Voice Foundation CEO Janessa Goldbeck testified to a Senate forum that the Department of Justice was laying groundwork for voter roll purges that disproportionately target groups including service members and women who move frequently or vote absentee. She noted that more than 30% of veterans have service-connected disabilities, making in-person voting infeasible for many, and warned that purges would undermine veteran voting access.

Supporting reports

• Nvidia permitted to resume advanced chip sales to China under revenue-sharing arrangement — Weeks after Jensen Huang of Nvidia donated to the proposed White House ballroom, the administration permitted Nvidia to resume advanced chip sales to China under an arrangement requiring the company to remit 25% of sales revenue to the U.S. government.

Supporting reports

• Federal Judge Rules Against DOJ in Comey Case — A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Justice unlawfully seized attorney-client communications in the failed prosecution of James Comey. The judge ordered the return of the materials, but the DOJ missed the deadline and filed an emergency motion for more time, citing staffing shortages. The case highlights issues of competence and legality within the DOJ under the Trump administration.

Supporting reports

• Immigration detention of Joel separates family with infant child during holiday season — Joel, a Honduran immigrant living in San Francisco with his partner Roxana and their 10-month-old daughter Briana, was detained by federal immigration agents in June 2025 outside their apartment. He remains in a Texas detention center six months later, communicating with his family only through nightly video calls. Roxana suspects the detention relates to a prior DUI arrest. The family cannot afford legal representation and expects deportation. Roxana, her children, and her sister now pool earnings from housecleaning to pay rent while organizing with community groups for immigrant protections.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted over 100 social media messages on Christmas Day spreading conspiracy theories and attacking political opponents — On Christmas morning 2025, President Trump posted more than 100 times on social media, spreading debunked election conspiracy theories, calling for prosecution of former President Obama, repeating false claims about the 2020 election in Michigan, defaming Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, promoting QAnon-style disinformation about COVID-19, and attacking health care, immigrants, and transgender Americans. The volume and content of posts represented a significant departure from traditional holiday messaging by other leaders.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration strips collective bargaining rights from federal workers; House passes restoration bill — President Trump issued executive orders eliminating collective bargaining rights for over 1 million federal government employees. In response, the House of Representatives passed a bill on December 11 to restore those rights. AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler characterized this as "the biggest attack on unions in our history" and announced the labor federation would file lawsuits challenging the administration's efforts to weaken unions and worker protections, with plans to push for Senate passage in January.

Supporting reports

• DHS watchdog system gutted; experts warn of immigration abuse with impunity — Experts have warned that the federal watchdog system at the Department of Homeland Security that oversees complaints about civil rights violations in immigration detention has been severely dismantled. The gutting of oversight mechanisms is characterized as laying groundwork for the Trump administration to "abuse people with impunity" at a time when record numbers of people are being detained by ICE nationally.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Ahmed v. Rubio et al. (S.D.N.Y.) — On December 24, 2025, Imran Ahmed, a British national and U.S. permanent resident who founded the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), filed a complaint in the Southern District of New York challenging the State Department's December 23 determination that his presence in the United States would have "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences" and would subject him to removal under INA § 237(a)(4)(C). Ahmed alleges the determination was retaliatory action taken in response to his research and advocacy highlighting hate speech on social media platforms, and specifically in retaliation for the EU's €120 million fine against X Corp. in early December 2025. Ahmed names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, and Acting ICE New York Field Office Director Judith Almodovar as defendants. Ahmed alleges violations of his First Amendment and Fifth Amendment due process rights, arbitrary and capricious action under the Administrative Procedure Act, abuse of discretion, and violation of the non-delegation doctrine. He seeks vacation of the State Department's determination, an injunction blocking enforcement action, and an order requiring notice and opportunity to challenge any movement or residency restrictions.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Thomas Massie accused DOJ of violating Epstein Files Transparency Act — Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) publicly accused the Trump administration of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act, stating on X that "DOJ did break the law by making illegal redactions and by missing the deadline." Massie also questioned who was controlling the DOJ's X account on Christmas Eve and using unprofessional language toward reporters.