Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Border Patrol Chief Bovino falsely claims agents came under fire in Chicago — Gregory Bovino, U.S. Border Patrol chief, claimed on social media and via DHS statement that agents conducting immigration enforcement near 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago came under gunfire from an unknown male in a black Jeep. Chicago Police Department found no evidence of anyone struck by gunfire at the scene. The claim came two days after a federal judge found Bovino had lied about being struck by a rock during an earlier October confrontation with protesters in the same neighborhood.

Supporting reports

• USDA directs states to reverse SNAP benefit payments issued under court order — The US Department of Agriculture issued a Saturday memo directing states to "immediately undo" full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits distributed to approximately 42 million low-income Americans on Friday, following a Supreme Court order that temporarily paused a lower court ruling requiring full November payments during the federal government shutdown. The USDA warned states that noncompliance could result in cancellation of federal administration cost-sharing and liability for overpayments, though the scope of the directive—particularly regarding states using their own funds—remained unclear.
• USDA deputy undersecretary ordered states to reverse SNAP payments already issued — On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sent a memo to states declaring that any full SNAP payment files sent for November 2025 were "unauthorized" and ordering states to "immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits." The memo threatened states with cancellation of federal administrative cost reimbursement and liability for any overissuances if they failed to comply.
• Trump administration directed states to undo full SNAP benefit payments — The Trump administration sent a memo to state agencies on November 8 directing them to "immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits" for November after the Supreme Court paused an order for food benefit payments to be issued one day earlier. This action sought to reverse emergency food assistance that had been authorized, affecting millions of low-income Americans relying on the program during a federal government shutdown.
• Administration refused to fund SNAP benefits to pressure Democrats on continuing resolution — The Trump administration declined to use congressionally established emergency reserve funds to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which 42 million Americans depend on for food. House Republicans passed a continuing resolution in September; Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked further House work to force the Senate to pass it. Democrats refused unless Republicans extended premium tax credits supporting the Affordable Care Act. The administration's refusal to tap SNAP reserves—a practice used by prior administrations including Trump's first term—was designed to pressure Democrats to capitulate on the healthcare issue.
• Administration Refuses to Fund SNAP Benefits — The Trump administration has refused to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), affecting 42 million Americans, as a tactic to pressure Democrats into agreeing to a continuing resolution passed by House Republicans. The administration previously stated it would not use emergency funds to support SNAP, leading to multiple lawsuits. A federal judge ordered the administration to distribute SNAP benefits, but the administration appealed the ruling and sought a stay from the Supreme Court, which was granted by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
• USDA Memo to States on SNAP Payments — The USDA sent a memo to states instructing them to reverse any unauthorized full SNAP payments issued for November, warning of potential consequences for noncompliance. This memo followed confusion over the administration's directives regarding SNAP funding.

Supporting reports

• Trump proposed 50-year mortgage plan without understanding consequences — Trump proposed extending mortgage terms from 30 years to 50 years based on a presentation by Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, who arrived at Trump's golf club with a posterboard comparing Trump to FDR. Trump posted the idea to Truth Social within 10 minutes. White House officials were blindsided and immediately fielded angry calls from conservative allies, business leaders, and lawmakers who noted the plan would significantly increase total borrower costs and raise housing expenses long-term.
• Trump promised $2,000 dividend per person without consulting Treasury Secretary — As part of his defense of his tariff policies, President Donald Trump promised on social media that "a dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared to have no prior knowledge of the promise but subsequently told ABC host George Stephanopoulos that the dividend could take various forms, including the tax cuts Trump and Republicans have extended, which primarily benefit the wealthy and corporations.
• Trump administration proposes 50-year mortgage program — Trump and federal housing finance director Bill Pulte announced plans to roll out 50-year mortgages as a solution to housing affordability. On a $400,000 mortgage at 7% interest, a 50-year mortgage would result in $1.116 million in lifetime interest compared to $558,000 for a 30-year mortgage—double the interest paid. Former House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) both criticized the proposal, with Greene noting it would reward banks and mortgage lenders while creating "lifelong renters" who "die before they ever pay off their home."
• Trump Promises $2,000 "Dividend" Checks — President Trump announced a plan to issue $2,000 "dividend" checks to Americans as an alternative to extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Critics argue that this one-time payment is insufficient to cover medical emergencies and could leave families financially vulnerable. The proposal is seen as a populist move that fails to address the long-term healthcare needs of Americans.
• Trump administration proposes 50-year mortgage as housing policy — President Trump, through Bill Pulte (Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency), announced a proposal to introduce 50-year mortgages as a solution to the U.S. housing crisis. Pulte confirmed on X that the administration is "working on The 50 year Mortgage." The proposal would extend mortgage terms from the standard 30 years to 50 years, with the stated goal of reducing monthly payments. However, analysis shows monthly savings would be modest (approximately $135 on a $400,000 home), while borrowers would pay over $1 million in interest compared to $493,000 over 30 years, and equity-building would be significantly delayed.
• Trump proposed $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenue — Trump proposed distributing $2,000 checks to all Americans funded by tariff revenue. When asked where the money would come from for a separate $10,000 bonus to air traffic controllers, Trump stated "I don't know, I'll get it from someplace. I always get the money from someplace."

Supporting reports

• Administration opened partial SNAP payments; some states received full payments, others did not — During the back-and-forth on Friday, November 7, 2025, the Trump administration appears to have opened state payments for SNAP. Several states received their full November payments while others did not. States that received full payments worked to distribute that funding to beneficiaries' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards immediately.

Supporting reports

• Trump granted Switzerland favorable tariff deal after receiving gold gifts from Swiss billionaires — Trump granted Switzerland a favorable tariff break one week after the country's industry leaders visited the White House and presented him with pricey gold gifts. U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer announced a trade deal with Switzerland that cut its tariff rate from 39 percent to 15 percent. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter had previously failed to persuade Trump to change his tariff position in an icy August phone conversation. The breakthrough came after an entourage of gift-bearing Swiss billionaires, including Rolex CEO Jean Frédéric Dufour, Johann Rupert from luxury goods maker Richemont, and Marwan Shakarchi from gold refining company MKS, visited the White House on November 4. After the meeting, Trump had a gold clock and a bar of gold on his Oval Office desk.

Supporting reports

• Republican Senate leadership rejected Democratic shutdown compromise proposal — Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the Democratic compromise proposal a "nonstarter" that "doesn't even get close," and Senator Lindsey Graham characterized it as "political terrorism." The rejection left Republicans in the position of refusing to reopen the government while rejecting a measure supported by three-quarters of the American public.

Supporting reports

• Senate blocks Democratic war powers resolution on Venezuela strikes — The US Senate voted 49-51 on November 7 to reject a Democratic resolution requiring Trump to seek congressional approval before launching military strikes in Venezuela. Only two Republicans (Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski) crossed party lines to support the measure. The vote came as the Trump administration has escalated military operations against alleged drug-trafficking vessels and is developing options for land-based strikes, including potential action to destabilize the Venezuelan government. The administration relies on a Justice Department legal memo designating drug cartel groups as legitimate targets.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocks Trump from deploying national guard to Portland — U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a final order on Friday barring Donald Trump's administration from deploying national guard troops to Portland, Oregon. Immergut found that protests near the ICE facility were "predominately peaceful, with only isolated and sporadic instances of relatively low-level violence" and concluded there was no credible evidence justifying federal intervention. The injunction specifically bars Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from deploying national guard members to Oregon. The Trump administration is expected to appeal.

Supporting reports

• Federal Judge Ellis finds Border Patrol Chief Bovino lied under oath about assault by protester — U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in Chicago ruled that Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol chief, lied when he and the Department of Homeland Security claimed he had been struck in the head by a rock before throwing a tear gas canister at protesters on October 28. Video evidence showed Bovino was not hit until after he threw the tear gas, violating her earlier temporary restraining order limiting use of force. Bovino ultimately admitted he was not hit until after deploying the tear gas.

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• Supreme Court conference on Davis v Ermold case challenging same-sex marriage legality — The US Supreme Court held its first conference on Friday to consider whether to take up Davis v Ermold, a case brought by former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis seeks to overturn a Sixth Circuit ruling that rejected her First Amendment religious liberty defense and upheld a $100,000 damages award to the couple she denied service. Her petition explicitly urges the Court to overturn Obergefell v Hodges, the 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. The Court may announce its decision to grant or deny certiorari as early as Monday.

Supporting reports

• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued administrative stay blocking SNAP benefit distribution — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to whom the emergency application fell as the circuit justice for the First Circuit, issued an administrative stay of Judge McConnell's order shortly after 9:00 p.m. EST on Friday, November 7, 2025. The stay prevented the distribution of full SNAP benefits that the district court had ordered. Jackson used her ruling to give the First Circuit a deadline to decide whether to permit the SNAP funding to proceed.
• Supreme Court grants administrative stay in SNAP funding dispute (Rollins v. Rhode Island State Council of Churches) — The Supreme Court issued an administrative stay of two District Court orders requiring the Department of Agriculture to fully fund SNAP benefits for November and distribute $4 billion by end of day November 7. The stay was granted to facilitate the First Circuit Court of Appeals' expeditious consideration of the government's pending stay motion. The administrative stay terminates 48 hours after the First Circuit resolves its motion or upon further Court order.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge Mark Wolf resigns citing Trump's weaponization of law — U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf, appointed by President Reagan in 1985, resigned on Friday, stating he could no longer remain silent about the Trump administration's use of law for partisan purposes. Wolf cited the targeting of political adversaries while sparing friends and donors from investigation and prosecution as contrary to his 50+ years in the Department of Justice and on the bench. He characterized the White House's assault on the rule of law as deeply disturbing and said silence was intolerable.
• Former federal judge Mark L. Wolf resigned to oppose Trump administration — Former U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf, appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts by President Ronald Reagan, announced his resignation on Friday, November 7, 2025, stating he wanted the freedom to do "everything in my power to combat today's existential threat to democracy and the rule of law." Wolf cited Trump's use of the Department of Justice against political opponents, firing of inspectors general, pay-to-play policies favoring wealthy donors, cryptocurrency corruption, unconstitutional executive orders, and threats against judges as reasons for his resignation. Because Wolf had taken senior status in 2013 with a successor already appointed, his resignation will not create a vacancy for Trump to fill.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice announces settlement agreement with Cornell University on civil rights compliance and agricultural research funding — The Department of Justice, Department of Education, and Department of Health and Human Services announced a settlement with Cornell University requiring the university to invest $30 million in agricultural research through 2028, pay $30 million to the federal government over three years, adopt DOJ civil rights training guidance, provide admissions data for statistical analysis, and comply with requests regarding foreign funding sources. In exchange, the federal government will close pending investigations into Cornell's admissions policies and civil rights concerns, restore terminated grants, and treat Cornell as eligible for future federal funding.
• White House issues fact sheet on Cornell University settlement — The White House issued a fact sheet on November 7, 2025, announcing a settlement between the Trump Administration and Cornell University. According to the document, Cornell will pay a $30 million penalty to the United States over three years, invest $30 million in agricultural research over three years, conduct annual campus climate surveys regarding Jewish student safety, and comply with federal civil rights laws. The fact sheet states the agreement addresses alleged racial discrimination in admissions, DEI practices in hiring, and anti-Semitic incidents on campus.

Supporting reports

• Trump demanded Republican senators eliminate the Senate filibuster to pass legislation without Democratic support — During a White House meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President Trump reiterated his demand that Republican senators end the filibuster to enable passage of a continuing resolution without Democratic votes. Trump argued that eliminating the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass legislation guaranteeing they would "never lose the midterms and we will never lose a general election" again, attempting to address Republican concerns about future Democratic use of a simple majority.
• Trump demanded Senate abolish the filibuster — During a press conference, Trump called on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster, stating that doing so would ensure Republicans "will never lose the midterms" and "will never lose the general election." He cited voter ID requirements and elimination of mail-in voting as legislative priorities that would be enabled by filibuster abolition.

Supporting reports

• JD Vance rejected federal court authority over SNAP compliance — Vice President JD Vance stated on the record that the administration will not follow a federal judge's order to distribute SNAP benefits, calling the ruling "absurd." Vance asserted that a court cannot direct the president how to "triage the situation" and that the administration will instead act "according to what we think we have to do to comply with the law."
• Trump refused to disperse SNAP funds despite court order — Trump announced he is refusing to distribute SNAP (food assistance) benefits to 42 million Americans despite a federal court order mandating the disbursement. He justified the refusal by stating the country must "remain very liquid" due to potential "problems, catastrophes, wars." Vice President JD Vance characterized the court order as "absurd" and stated the administration would not comply with judicial direction on the matter.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration petitioned Supreme Court to block SNAP benefit distribution — The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to stay a U.S. District Court order by Judge John McConnell requiring distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by the end of the day, effectively seeking permission to halt food assistance to 42 million Americans during the government shutdown.
• Trump Administration Appeals Court Order on SNAP Benefits — The Trump administration filed an appeal against a federal court order requiring the release of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to 42 million Americans. The administration's justification for the appeal was that it needed to "stay liquid," despite having recently approved $40 billion in aid for Argentina. This action reflects a prioritization of financial liquidity over domestic food assistance.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed pardons for 77 people involved in 2020 election subversion — On November 7, 2025, President Trump signed full pardons for 77 people connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, Jeffrey Clark, Boris Epshteyn, Christina Bobb, and fake electors from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The pardon proclamation was announced late Sunday, November 9, at 7:54 PM via social media by Ed Martin, Trump's clemency czar, timing that coincided with Senate shutdown negotiations to minimize media coverage. The pardons are federal only and do not affect pending state prosecutions in Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
• Trump issues proclamation granting pardons for offenses related to 2020 election activities — President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 10989 on November 7, 2025, granting full, complete, and unconditional pardons to all U.S. citizens for conduct relating to advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for any slate or proposed slate of Presidential electors in connection with the 2020 Presidential Election, as well as efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in that election. The proclamation names 76 individuals by name, including Sidney Powell, Rudolph Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, and Mark Meadows. The pardon does not apply to Trump himself.
• Trump administration replaces clemency documents with variable signatures after identical-signature controversy — The Justice Department replaced online pardons bearing strikingly similar copies of Trump's signature with new versions showing variable signatures after public scrutiny. Seven clemency orders issued on November 7, 2025, including pardons for Darryl Strawberry, Glen Casada, and Michael McMahon, initially displayed nearly identical signatures. DOJ blamed a "technical error" and staffing issues; White House officials insisted Trump signed each pardon by hand. Handwriting experts noted that identical signatures contradict basic forensic principles.
• Trump issues broad pardon for 2020 election-related conduct, potentially covering voter fraud cases — On November 7, 2025, President Trump issued a pardon for Rudy Giuliani and others involved in the fake elector scheme. The pardon's language is sweeping, covering "any US citizen" for conduct relating to "advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of presidential electors" in connection with the 2020 election. Legal experts argue the pardon's broad wording may unintentionally cover citizens who committed voter fraud in 2020, such as Matthew Alan Laiss, accused of voting in both Pennsylvania and Florida. Courts must now determine the pardon's actual scope.

Supporting reports

• Federal court hearing on ICE excessive force allegations in Chicago immigration raids — A federal court hearing in Chicago examined allegations of excessive force by ICE agents during immigration raids across the city. Witnesses testified that agents aimed guns at civilians recording arrests, used rubber bullets and pepper balls against media and protesters, and deployed teargas including at a children's Halloween parade. The hearing is part of a lawsuit filed by media organizations and protesters accusing ICE of a "pattern of extreme brutality" and efforts to silence the press and civilians. A senior border patrol official was shown on video throwing a teargas canister.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents arrest daycare worker at Rayito de Sol facility in Chicago with alleged excessive force — Armed ICE agents forcibly detained a daycare worker at Rayito de Sol daycare center on Chicago's North Side on Wednesday morning. Videos show agents dragging the woman from the facility, appearing to slam her face against glass doors, and pinning her against a car. The worker, who stated she had work authorization papers, was arrested without a warrant being presented to the facility. The incident occurred in front of children and staff, causing distress. ICE claimed the operation targeted a vehicle registered to an undocumented immigrant, not the daycare itself.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration threatens to withhold back pay from furloughed workers — The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to withhold back pay from furloughed federal workers during the shutdown. Furlough extension notices issued in November did not contain assurances that workers would receive back pay once the government reopens. Federal workers report this threat has added to stress and anxiety as they navigate missed paychecks and financial hardship.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration secured tungsten deal with Kazakhstan involving family financial interests — In September 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trump secured access to one of the world's largest untapped tungsten reserves from Kazakhstan's president. An obscure U.S. company, Kaz Resources, won the access. Before the deal, Trump administration officials advanced applications for as much as $1.6 billion in federal funding for the company. An investment firm partly owned by Trump's sons Don Jr. and Eric took a 20% stake in a related entity. Lutnick's sons' firm, Cantor Fitzgerald, raised $210 million for a related entity. The deal was signed November 6, 2025.

Supporting reports

• Novo Nordisk executive faints during Trump administration event — Novo Nordisk executive Gordon Findlay fainted in the Oval Office during a lengthy series of speeches by Trump, RFK Jr., Dr. Oz, and other Trump administration officials and drug company CEOs. Fox reported he is fine. After the executive was removed, Trump told the Novo Nordisk CEO: "Maybe you should give us a piece of the company like I've been asking for."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration appeals SNAP benefits ruling — On November 6, 2025, immediately after Judge John McConnell's order to restore SNAP benefits, the Trump administration filed an appeal of the ruling.
• Trump administration appealed to First Circuit and sought emergency stay from Supreme Court — The Trump administration appealed Judge McConnell's order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and requested that court pause the order while it decided the appeal. When the First Circuit had not ruled by late Friday afternoon, the administration filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to stay McConnell's order, preventing the distribution of SNAP benefits.
• Trump Administration Criticizes Federal Judge Over SNAP Ruling — Trump's legal team criticized the Rhode Island federal judge who ordered the release of SNAP benefits, claiming the ruling "makes a mockery of the separation of powers." This statement reflects the administration's broader strategy of defying judicial authority while prioritizing political interests.

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• US Supreme Court allows Trump administration to enforce passport sex-marker policy blocking transgender and non-binary choices — The US Supreme Court's conservative majority issued a stay on Thursday allowing the Trump administration to enforce a policy requiring passport sex markers to match birth certificates, blocking transgender and non-binary people from choosing markers aligned with their gender identity. The decision halts a lower-court order that had required the government to permit male, female, or X designations. The policy stems from Trump's January 2025 executive order declaring the US recognizes only two sexes based on birth certificates. The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson calling it a "pointless but painful perversion."
• Supreme Court reinstates Trump passport sex-marker policy — The Supreme Court reinstated a Trump policy requiring all new passports to reflect a person's biological sex at birth. Trump issued an executive order on January 20 overturning a 33-year State Department policy that had allowed people who underwent surgical reassignment (1992–2010) or clinical treatment for gender transition (2010–2025) to change their passport identification. The order declared that the U.S. recognizes only two sexes defined as "immutable biological classification" at conception, calling transgender identity "false" and "corrosive." Plaintiffs led by Ashton Orr sued; U.S. District Judge Julia E. Kobick granted class-action status and a stay on April 18, finding plaintiffs would likely win on equal protection grounds. The Supreme Court granted emergency relief and reinstated the policy. The State Department updated its website to implement the new policy.
• Supreme Court grants stay in Trump v. Orr — On November 6, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Trump v. Orr. This decision allows the Trump administration to implement its executive order requiring government-issued identification documents to reflect the holder's sex as defined by the order, which recognizes only male and female sexes as unchangeable. The order had been previously blocked by a lower court, which was challenged by a group of transgender and nonbinary individuals. The Supreme Court's decision was made in a 6-3 vote, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court orders reconsideration of Trump's hush money conviction — A federal appeals court ordered a lower court to consider moving Trump's criminal hush money conviction to a federal court based on the Supreme Court's ruling related to presidential immunity. Trump was convicted in May 2024, and the Supreme Court's ruling was issued that July.