Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump proclamation imposes 100% tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals and APIs, with reduced rates for companies committing to domestic production and MFN pricing agreements. — President Trump issued Proclamation 11020 invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, determining that imports of patented pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients threaten U.S. national security due to heavy reliance on foreign production (53% of patented drugs, 85% of APIs). The proclamation imposes a 100% ad valorem duty on patented pharmaceuticals and APIs effective July 31, 2026, with reduced rates (20% declining to 100% over four years, or zero) for companies with approved onshoring plans or MFN pricing agreements. Generic pharmaceuticals are exempted. The Secretaries of Commerce and Health and Human Services are directed to negotiate agreements addressing the supply chain vulnerability.
• Trump proclamation strengthens metal tariffs, expands scope to full customs value, raises rates to 50 percent for aluminum and steel. — President Trump issued Proclamation 11021 on April 2, 2026, modifying tariff regimes on aluminum, steel, and copper imports established under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The proclamation expands tariffs to apply to the full customs value of metal articles and derivatives, regardless of metal content. Primary tariff rates are set at 50 percent for most aluminum and steel articles and certain copper articles, with 25 percent rates for other copper and derivative articles. Reduced rates of 10–15 percent apply to products from the United Kingdom and articles made entirely from U.S.-origin metals. The proclamation terminates prior derivative-inclusion processes and authorizes the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to add derivative articles on a rolling basis. Effective April 6, 2026.
• Trump threatens 100% tariff on pharmaceutical companies refusing pricing deals — Donald Trump announced an executive order threatening 100% tariffs on branded pharmaceutical drugs and active ingredients from companies that do not strike pricing agreements with the White House or increase domestic manufacturing. Generic drugs are exempted for at least one year. Large companies have 120 days and smaller companies 180 days to negotiate deals; 17 drugmakers have already secured exemptions. The policy aims to pressure drugmakers to lower US prices to levels comparable with other high-income countries.
• Trump issues executive order imposing tariffs on pharmaceutical imports under Section 232 national security authority — President Trump issued an executive order on April 2, 2026, imposing a 100 percent ad valorem tariff on imported patented pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), effective July 31, 2026 for listed companies and September 29, 2026 for others. The order provides reduced tariff rates (20 percent, 15 percent, or zero) for companies with approved onshoring plans, those in trade agreements with specific countries (EU, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, UK), or those entering MFN pricing agreements. Generic pharmaceuticals are excluded from tariffs. The Secretary of Commerce and HHS are directed to negotiate agreements to address alleged national security threats from pharmaceutical import dependence.
• President Trump issued proclamation modifying tariff regimes on aluminum, steel, and copper imports — President Trump signed Proclamation 10963 on April 2, 2026, modifying tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The proclamation directs that ad valorem tariffs apply to the full customs value of metal articles and derivatives, effective April 6, 2026. Primary rates are set at 50 percent for most aluminum and steel articles and certain copper articles, with 25 percent rates for other copper and derivative articles. Reduced rates of 25 percent and 15 percent apply to United Kingdom products, and 10 percent rates apply to articles made entirely from U.S.-origin metals. The proclamation terminates prior derivative-inclusion processes and authorizes the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to add derivative articles on a rolling basis. Russia-origin aluminum remains subject to 200 percent duties. The order directs monitoring and a 90-day status update.
• Trump issued proclamation imposing tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients under Section 232 national security authority — President Trump signed a proclamation on April 2, 2026, invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients. The proclamation imposes a 100 percent ad valorem duty on most patented drugs and APIs, with reduced rates (20 percent, 15 percent, or zero) for companies meeting onshoring, pricing agreement, or trade framework conditions. The order directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Health and Human Services to negotiate agreements within 90 days and exempts generic pharmaceuticals, orphan drugs, and certain specialty products from tariffs.
• White House issued fact sheet on strengthened tariffs for steel, aluminum, and copper imports — The White House published a fact sheet on April 2, 2026, describing a proclamation signed by President Trump that restructures tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and copper. The fact sheet states the proclamation establishes tiered tariff rates: 50% on articles made entirely or almost entirely of these metals; 25% on derivative articles substantially composed of them; 15% on certain industrial and electrical grid equipment through 2027; 10% on products made abroad entirely with American metals; and exempts products containing 15% or less of these metals. The fact sheet claims the tariffs protect national security and domestic manufacturing, citing new steelmaking capacity and smelting operations announced or underway.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting pharmaceutical tariffs under Section 232 — The White House issued a fact sheet on April 2, 2026, promoting tariffs imposed by President Trump on patented pharmaceutical products and ingredients under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The fact sheet states a 100% base tariff applies, with reduced rates (15%) for trade-deal countries, 0% for companies entering onshoring and MFN pricing agreements with HHS and Commerce, and 20% for onshoring-only agreements. Generic drugs and certain specialty products are exempt. The fact sheet claims the tariffs have already spurred approximately $400 billion in investment commitments.

Supporting reports

• Endangered Species Committee votes to exempt Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling from ESA protections — The Endangered Species Committee, convened for the first time in over 30 years, voted unanimously to grant an exemption from the Endangered Species Act for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested the exemption citing national security concerns related to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and global energy prices. The exemption could jeopardize the Rice's whale (51 remaining), whooping cranes, sea turtles, and other marine species. Environmental groups have pledged legal challenges.
• Endangered Species Committee grants exemption for Gulf of America oil and gas activities from Endangered Species Act requirements — The Endangered Species Committee, by unanimous vote on March 31, 2026, granted an exemption under section 7(h) of the Endangered Species Act for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities based on a national security finding by the Secretary of War. The exemption exempts federal agencies from consultation, jeopardy, and adverse modification mandates, and prohibits the taking of endangered species in connection with covered oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in federal and state waters of the Gulf of America.
• Complaint filed — Healthy Gulf v. Endangered Species Committee, Secretary of Defense (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-01118) — Conservation nonprofits filed a complaint challenging an Endangered Species Committee decision issued March 31, 2026, granting a categorical exemption excusing all oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America from Endangered Species Act requirements. The exemption was based on a March 13, 2026 National Security Finding by the Secretary of Defense asserting that litigation threatens national security. Plaintiffs allege the Committee bypassed mandatory ESA procedures, including public hearings and formal reports, and that the Finding lacks evidence of irreconcilable conflict between species protection and oil production. Plaintiffs seek declaratory relief and vacatur of both the Finding and the Exemption.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order directing DHS to immediately pay TSA agents during partial shutdown — President Trump signed an executive order on Friday, March 28, 2026, instructing the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents who had gone without pay for over 42 days due to a partial government shutdown. The order came after House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed funding deal for key DHS subagencies. Trump blamed Democrats for prioritizing "criminal illegal aliens" over American citizens. DHS confirmed TSA began paying its workforce immediately, with officers potentially receiving paychecks by March 30. The shutdown had caused nationwide staffing shortages, record airport wait times, and nearly 500 TSA resignations.
• Trump signs presidential memorandum directing DHS to pay TSA employees from available funds — Trump signed a presidential memorandum late Friday, March 28, directing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to restore pay to TSA employees who had missed two paychecks. The memo instructed the secretary to redirect funds "that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations" to cover accrued pay and benefits. White House border czar Tom Homan stated the measure was "a start" but acknowledged thousands of other DHS employees remained unpaid and that ICE deployment at airports would continue pending TSA staffing recovery.
• Trump announces emergency order to pay TSA agents — President Trump announced he would sign an emergency order to pay TSA agents who have gone unpaid for over a month, although the legality and source of the funding remain unclear. This announcement came amid growing airport congestion and dissatisfaction with the handling of TSA funding.
• Trump issued executive order to pay TSA employees during 44-day DHS funding impasse — During a record-breaking 44-day Department of Homeland Security funding impasse, Trump issued an executive order to authorize payment of TSA employees. The shutdown resulted from Republican infighting between the House and Senate over DHS funding, with House Republicans rejecting a Senate proposal. House Speaker Johnson sided with House Republicans against Senate Majority Leader Thune's approach. TSA agents reported receiving only partial paychecks despite the executive order authorization.
• Trump declared national emergency to pay TSA officers during DHS shutdown — The White House issued a fact sheet stating that President Trump declared a national emergency to authorize payment of TSA officers who had gone unpaid during a Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The document claims Trump also deployed ICE officers to major airports to assist with crowd control and security. The fact sheet cites media reports indicating that TSA wait times improved after workers received back pay and absenteeism declined.
• Trump signs executive order directing TSA back pay during DHS partial shutdown — Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Transportation Security Administration to pay employees back pay during an ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA employees received retroactive paychecks covering at least two full pay periods on Monday. The order instructed DHS to use funds with "reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations" to cover salaries. Airport security lines reportedly shortened following the payment. Congress remains deadlocked over DHS funding, with Democrats and Republicans disagreeing over guardrails on immigration enforcement operations.