Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• CDC deputy secretary calls for separate MMR vaccines amid measles outbreak — Jim O'Neill, acting CDC director and HHS deputy secretary, posted on X/Twitter calling for vaccine manufacturers to develop separate monovalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to replace the combined MMR shot. The call came amid the worst measles outbreak in decades and followed a Trump post urging against "mixed" vaccines. Public health experts warned that separating vaccines would increase costs, require more pediatric visits, reduce vaccination completion rates, and serve no scientific purpose.

Supporting reports

• CDC released new immunization schedule removing COVID-19 vaccine recommendation — The CDC released a new immunization schedule that removed a universal COVID-19 vaccine recommendation. It also recommended that toddlers receive the chickenpox vaccine separately from the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, changes that Trump had recently called for despite the lack of any scientific evidence that the combined shot is unsafe.
• CDC deputy secretary calls for separate MMR vaccines amid measles outbreak — Jim O'Neill, acting CDC director and HHS deputy secretary, posted on X/Twitter calling for vaccine manufacturers to develop separate monovalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to replace the combined MMR shot. The call came amid the worst measles outbreak in decades and followed a Trump post urging against "mixed" vaccines. Public health experts warned that separating vaccines would increase costs, require more pediatric visits, reduce vaccination completion rates, and serve no scientific purpose.
• CDC advisory committee meeting on immunization practices indefinitely postponed — The CDC's advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) meeting scheduled for 22–23 October was indefinitely postponed. The committee had been expected to discuss further vaccine schedule changes, including potential delays to hepatitis B vaccination and other modifications to combination vaccines, amid ongoing Trump administration reassessment of the childhood immunization schedule.
• CDC officially adopts removal of MMR-varicella combination vaccine recommendation — In September, the ACIP voted to remove the recommendation for the combination MMR and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. The CDC officially adopted this change the following week. The removal is creating confusion among patients and pediatric offices, as the combination vaccine had been a standard part of the childhood immunization schedule for decades.

Supporting reports

• White House issues press release misrepresenting Tylenol-autism research — The White House released a press release linking to scientific studies to support Trump's claim that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy causes autism. Medical experts found the studies provided only "weak" and "inconclusive" evidence. The release duplicated citations to create a false appearance of multiple independent confirmations, misrepresented study findings (claiming biological mechanisms were established when authors stated mechanisms remain unknown), and omitted contradictory research, including a large Swedish study showing associations disappear under rigorous sibling-control analysis.

Supporting reports

• US Department of Energy directs employees to avoid climate-related terminology — The US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued guidance to employees instructing them to avoid using terms including "climate change," "decarbonization," "sustainable," "emissions," "green," "energy transition," and "carbon footprint" in internal and public-facing work. The directive, contained in an email from an acting director, applies to all staff regardless of role. This follows the Trump administration's broader effort to suppress climate-related language across federal agencies and its cuts to renewable energy funding.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted medical advice contradicting expert guidance on vaccines — President Trump posted on social media in capital letters advising pregnant women and parents to avoid Tylenol, separate MMR vaccines into three shots, and space out other vaccines across five separate medical visits. Trump acknowledged the advice came from his appointed secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is neither a doctor nor a scientist. Medical experts note that the MMR vaccine is not available in three separate shots.

Supporting reports

• USDA cancels food insecurity survey — The Trump administration's Agriculture Department announced it is canceling an annual government survey conducted since the mid-1990s that measures food insecurity in the US. A department spokesperson claimed the survey "became overly politicized" and is "unnecessary," despite the survey being used to make funding decisions for food assistance programs. The final report including 2024 results is expected to be released on October 22.
• USDA places food insecurity researchers on leave — The Agriculture Department placed roughly a dozen employees responsible for economic research and the government's food insecurity survey on leave, two days after canceling the annual food insecurity survey.

Supporting reports

• Harvard dean paid to discredit Tylenol safety research — The New York Times reported that Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, the Harvard dean who consulted with top Trump health officials about unproven risks related to Tylenol use during pregnancy, was paid at least $150,000 to be an expert witness for plaintiffs in lawsuits against the drug maker. The judge who dismissed the lawsuits agreed with defendants' lawyers that Baccarelli "cherry-picked and misrepresented study results" in his testimony, making him an "unreliable" witness.

Supporting reports

• Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters resigns to lead conservative education non-profit — Ryan Walters, superintendent of Oklahoma public schools since 2022, announced his resignation on Fox News to become leader of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative education non-profit. Walters had pursued a Christian nationalist agenda in Oklahoma schools, including placing Trump-endorsed Bibles in classrooms, requiring teaching of 2020 election conspiracy theories, and attempting to inject Christian viewpoints into public education while opposing teachers unions. He stated his intention to expand this fight nationally.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth orders approximately 800 top military generals and admirals to Quantico for unusual meeting — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered approximately 800 of the military's top generals and admirals, along with their senior enlisted advisors, to gather at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia the following week. The demand is highly unusual; no official explanation was provided for the meeting. Military experts noted the cost in flights and accommodations would be millions of dollars and the lost focus would affect military readiness, while the sudden global recall signals potential instability to adversaries and allies. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance downplayed the meeting when questioned by reporters.
• Trump threatened political violence in response to ICE facility shooting — During remarks, Trump stated: "Bad things happen when they play these games. I'll give you a little clue, the right is a lot tougher than the left. And they better not get them energized because it won't be good for the left," in reference to a shooting at an ICE facility in Texas. House Homeland Security Democrats responded that Trump was "openly threatening political violence."
• Defense Secretary Hegseth affirmed Medal of Honor awards to soldiers involved in 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that twenty men awarded the Medal of Honor for their participation in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre would retain their medals, reversing the review initiated by his predecessor General Lloyd Austin. Austin had ordered the review to ensure awardees were not recognized for conduct inconsistent with the nation's highest military honor. Hegseth called the soldiers "brave soldiers" and stated they deserved the medals, effectively closing the review process.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth announces decision to allow Wounded Knee soldiers to retain their medals — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video announcing that soldiers who fought at the Battle of Wounded Knee will be permitted to keep their medals, declaring the decision final and their place in history settled. The Atlantic's James Surowiecki noted that the U.S. awarded 20 Medals of Honor to cavalrymen who killed hundreds of Lakota people, mostly women and children, at Wounded Knee—twice as many as the 10 awarded to troops who fought at Normandy on D-Day.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summons hundreds of senior military officers to Washington for speech on military standards — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals and admirals stationed worldwide to travel to Washington on short notice to hear him deliver a speech on military standards and "warrior ethos." A source described the gathering as an "eyeball-to-eyeball" conversation where Hegseth wanted to see the generals in person. The Washington Post reported the unusual summons of senior military leadership.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announces acetaminophen restrictions for pregnant women based on unproven autism claims — On Monday, President Trump announced that pregnant women should dramatically limit acetaminophen (Tylenol) use, claiming it raises autism risk. The claim lacks scientific support; medical experts confirm no causal link between acetaminophen and autism has been established. The announcement reflects a broader Trump administration campaign to restrict pregnant women's access to proven medical interventions, including COVID vaccines and antidepressants, in favor of "natural" pregnancy—a policy that contradicts medical consensus and risks maternal and fetal health.
• Trump spews anti-vaccine rhetoric and dangerous medical advice — Trump held a press conference where he promoted anti-vaccine rhetoric, repeated debunked claims about vaccines causing autism, and urged pregnant people not to take Tylenol or give it to infants. Tylenol is often recommended for pregnant people with fevers, which if untreated can cause miscarriages and premature births. Trump also suggested changes to the childhood vaccine schedule "based on what I feel," including separating the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and delaying the Hepatitis B vaccine until age 12, despite the fact that mothers with Hepatitis B can transmit it to children at birth. NYU bioethicist Art Caplan called the press conference "the saddest display of a lack of evidence, rumors, recycling old myths, lousy advice, outright lies, and dangerous advice."
• Trump announced FDA warning linking acetaminophen to autism risk in pregnancy — President Trump announced on September 22, 2025, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will notify doctors that pregnant women taking acetaminophen face a "very increased risk of autism" in their babies. Trump promoted this claim without new evidence, echoing opinions of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about vaccine dangers. The announcement contradicts decades of medical evidence showing acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy when used as directed and that vaccines have no established link to autism.
• Trump and RFK Jr held press conference promoting anti-vaccine and anti-medication theories — Trump and RFK Jr conducted a press conference on autism where Trump made numerous claims linking vaccines and medications like Tylenol to autism, citing anecdotal examples such as the Amish and Cuba. Trump stated he believes vaccines should be administered separately, contain no mercury or aluminum, and that Tylenol should be avoided. RFK Jr referenced suppressed research on vaccine-autism links. The statements contradicted established scientific consensus on vaccine safety and autism etiology.
• Trump issued blanket warning against Tylenol use without offering alternatives. — During the press conference, Trump issued a blanket statement discouraging Tylenol use. Dr. Vin Gupta criticized this as irresponsible, noting that Tylenol is safe according to best-quality research and that Trump offered no alternative pain management options, telling people to "grit their teeth through it." Gupta emphasized that untreated fever and untreated pain in pregnancy are dangerous.
• Trump made false claim about autism rates in Cuba during press conference with RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz. — During a press conference with RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz, Trump claimed that there was "virtually no autism" in Cuba because they cannot afford Tylenol. The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network refuted this claim, stating that Cuba's autism rate in 2023 was 83.3 per 10,000 children, nearly identical to the U.S. rate of 80.9 per 10,000.
• White House issued fact sheet on acetaminophen and autism — The White House published a fact sheet claiming evidence suggests acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be associated with autism and ADHD in children. The document cites large-scale cohort studies (Nurses' Health Study II, Boston Birth Cohort) and statements from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Mount Sinai researchers. It references a 2021 international consensus statement recommending pregnant women minimize acetaminophen exposure. The administration states it is issuing "new health guidance" and approving a new autism treatment.
• Trump makes unsubstantiated claims linking paracetamol to autism in pregnant women — Donald Trump stated that pregnant women should limit use of paracetamol (Tylenol), claiming a link to autism in infants. The claim has been repeatedly disproven by scientific evidence. Former President Barack Obama criticized the statement as "violence against the truth" during a public interview in London, arguing it undermines public health and could harm pregnant women by deterring them from necessary pain relief. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting also criticized the comments and encouraged women to disregard them.

Supporting reports

• ACIP votes against prescription requirement for Covid-19 vaccine, adopts "individual-based decision making" framework — The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), reconstituted by RFK Jr after he took control of HHS, voted 6–6 with chair Martin Kulldorff breaking the tie against recommending that people obtain a prescription for Covid-19 vaccines. The committee also voted to recommend "individual-based decision making" for coronavirus vaccination and that the CDC promote informed consent processes highlighting "risks and uncertainties" around Covid vaccines. The votes followed a contentious two-day meeting marked by confusion, animosity, and members raising anecdotal concerns over data-driven analysis.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14351 establishing "Gold Card" visa program for wealthy foreign investors — President Trump signed Executive Order 14351 on September 19, 2025, creating the "Gold Card" visa program administered by the Secretary of Commerce. The program grants expedited immigrant visa eligibility to foreign nationals who make unrestricted financial gifts to the Department of Commerce: $1 million for individuals or $2 million for corporations sponsoring individuals. The order directs State, Commerce, and Homeland Security to implement the program within 90 days, establish application processes, set administrative and transfer fees, and treat gifts as evidence of exceptional business ability and national benefit under immigration law.
• Trump announced $100,000 fee for H-1B visa worker entry — Trump announced that companies employing skilled workers holding temporary H-1B visas would have to pay a $100,000 fee for their entry into the U.S. beginning Sunday. The announcement triggered a rush of workers outside the country on business trips, vacations, or family visits to return before the rule took effect. The administration did not clarify until Saturday that the fee does not apply to those who already hold visas.
• Trump administration issues proclamation imposing $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions — The White House issued a fact sheet announcing that President Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers and requiring a $100,000 payment to accompany new H-1B petitions. The proclamation directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to restrict approvals for petitions not accompanied by the payment, allows case-by-case exemptions, and directs the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to issue joint guidance on verification and enforcement. The fact sheet claims the measure addresses alleged abuse of the H-1B program and displacement of U.S. workers.
• Trump issued proclamation restricting H-1B nonimmigrant worker entry unless employers pay $100,000 fee — President Trump signed a proclamation on September 19, 2025, restricting entry of H-1B specialty occupation workers into the United States unless their prospective employers pay a $100,000 fee per worker. The proclamation states the H-1B program has been "deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers" and cites data showing foreign STEM workers doubled between 2000 and 2019 while overall STEM employment grew only 44.5 percent. The restriction takes effect September 21, 2025, and expires after 12 months unless extended. The Secretary of Homeland Security may grant exemptions if hiring is deemed in the national interest.
• White House issues FAQ on H-1B visa proclamation with $100,000 fee requirement — The White House published a frequently-asked-questions document on September 21, 2025, explaining a proclamation signed by President Trump on September 19, 2025, titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers." The proclamation imposes a $100,000 payment requirement on all new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, including the 2026 lottery. The FAQ states the proclamation does not affect previously issued visas or petitions submitted before the effective date, and does not restrict travel for current H-1B visa holders. The White House indicates further reforms are planned, including Department of Labor rulemaking to raise prevailing wage levels and Department of Homeland Security rulemaking to prioritize higher-paid workers in the H-1B lottery.

Supporting reports

• Former CDC Director Monarez testifies that RFK Jr. operates without scientific basis — Susan Monarez, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions that Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is operating according to ideology without regard for science. Monarez stated that Kennedy fired her after she refused to approve changes to the childhood vaccination schedule without supporting research.
• Former CDC director testified she was fired for scientific integrity — Appearing before the Senate health committee, former CDC director Susan Monarez testified that she was fired for "holding the line on scientific integrity." She said she was directed to only work with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's political appointees at the agency, "and not to speak or work with career scientists." She also testified that RFK Jr. said "there was no scientific evidence associated with [COVID-19] vaccines," called the CDC "the most corrupt federal agency in the world," and said its employees "were killing children, and they don't care."
• Senator Cassidy warns against Kennedy-appointed immunization panel — Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) warned against the panelists that Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices after purging the panel responsible for making changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Insurance companies also signaled they will disregard any changes made by Kennedy's panel and continue covering vaccines, indicating lack of confidence in the panel's scientific judgment.
• Susan Monarez testifies against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions — Former CDC director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, criticizing Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for operating based on ideology rather than scientific evidence. Monarez was fired by Kennedy after refusing to support changes to the childhood vaccination schedule without proper research.

Supporting reports

• EPA approves Arizona's Underground Injection Control program primacy for Classes I-VI wells — The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule approving Arizona's application for primary enforcement responsibility over the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program for Classes I-VI injection wells within the state, effective October 15, 2025. Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality will now authorize and regulate underground injection activities, except on Indian lands where the EPA retains authority (except for Class II wells on Navajo lands where the Navajo Nation holds primacy). The approval follows comprehensive EPA evaluation of Arizona's statutes, regulations, enforcement authorities, and public participation processes.
• EPA extends trichloroethylene (TCE) compliance deadlines for nuclear fuel manufacturing and chemical processor wastewater disposal — The Environmental Protection Agency issued an interim final rule amending the December 2024 TCE prohibition under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The rule extends the compliance deadline for TCE use as a processing aid in nuclear fuel manufacturing from September 15, 2025, to September 15, 2028—a three-year delay. It also extends the wastewater disposal prohibition deadline for certain chemical processors from September 15, 2025, to December 18, 2026. The agency cited new information about national security implications for TRISO nuclear fuel production and unintended compliance barriers for chlorinated solvent manufacturers. The rule becomes effective immediately; public comment period closes October 17, 2025.
• EPA Administrator grants in part, denies in part petition by U.S. Steel to object to Pennsylvania operating permit for Clairton coke plant. — On September 16, 2025, EPA Administrator issued a final order addressing a November 19, 2024 petition from United States Steel Corporation requesting EPA objection to Clean Air Act Title V operating permit no. 0052-OP22, issued by Allegheny County Health Department for the Mon Valley Works, Clairton Plant by-products coke facility in Pennsylvania. The Administrator granted in part and denied in part the petition. The order explains the basis for EPA's decision. Petitioner may seek judicial review in the U.S. Court of Appeals by January 20, 2026.
• EPA Administrator grants in part, denies in part Sierra Club petition objecting to Apache Generating Station operating permit — The EPA Administrator issued a final order on September 16, 2025, addressing a September 18, 2024 petition from Sierra Club requesting that the EPA object to Clean Air Act title V operating permit no. 69734, issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to Arizona Electric Power Cooperative Inc. for its Apache Generating Station in Cochise County, Arizona. The Administrator granted in part and denied in part the petition. The order explains the EPA's rationale for each issue raised. Petitioners may seek judicial review of denied portions in the U.S. Court of Appeals by January 20, 2026.
• EPA Administrator Issues Partial Grant/Denial Order on Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit Petition for Neville Chemical Company — The EPA Administrator signed a final order on September 16, 2025, granting in part and denying in part a petition filed by Environmental Integrity Project, PennFuture, Clean Air Council, and Food & Water Watch. The petition, dated September 20, 2024, requested EPA objection to a Title V operating permit (no. 0060-OP24) issued by Allegheny County Health Department to Neville Chemical Company for resin manufacturing in Neville Township, Pennsylvania. The order explains the EPA's rationale for each issue raised. Petitioners may seek judicial review in the U.S. Court of Appeals by January 20, 2026.
• EPA Administrator issues partial grant/denial order on Title V operating permit objection petitions for U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works Irvin Plant — On September 16, 2025, EPA Administrator signed a final order granting in part and denying in part two petitions challenging a Clean Air Act Title V operating permit issued by Allegheny County Health Department to U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. One petition came from U.S. Steel Corporation (dated November 15, 2024); the other from Environmental Integrity Project, PennFuture, and Clean Air Council (dated November 15, 2024). The order explains the EPA's rationale for each grant and denial. Judicial review of denied portions may be sought in the U.S. Court of Appeals by January 20, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Florida surgeon general ends vaccine mandates for children against preventable diseases — Dr Joseph Ladapo, Florida's surgeon general, ended vaccine mandates for children against preventable diseases including measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio, and hepatitis. Ladapo compared the mandates to "slavery" and claimed the move would receive God's blessing. Florida became the first state in the US to take this action. The decision reflects Ladapo's longstanding vaccine skepticism and aligns with positions promoted by his wife, Brianna Ladapo, who has publicly opposed vaccine safety and mandates.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted vaccine-autism disproven claim on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump posted a video that promoted the long-discredited and debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. The video featured vaccine skeptic David Geier, who was hired to work as a senior data analyst in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on links between vaccines and autism.

Supporting reports

• Former Surgeon General criticized RFK Jr. for false testimony — Trump's former Surgeon General Jerome Adams stated that RFK Jr. has made "provably false statements under oath during Congressional testimony" and that his rhetoric has driven provider confusion and consumer hesitancy, putting lives at risk. Adams said RFK Jr. has failed to build trust in vaccines and lifesaving innovations, and that vaccination rates are falling while high-risk Americans report barriers to vaccination. Adams called for new HHS leadership.
• RFK Jr. claimed no government health successes — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, appeared on Fox News and claimed that he does not believe there have been any successes by government public health agencies, stating "I don't think there have been successes. We have seen a 30-40 year decline in the agency." Trump's former Surgeon General Jerome Adams responded that RFK Jr. has made "provably false statements under oath during Congressional testimony" and that his rhetoric has driven provider confusion and consumer hesitancy, putting lives at risk.

Supporting reports

• 1,000+ HHS employees called for RFK Jr. resignation — More than 1,000 current and former Department of Health and Human Services employees signed a letter calling for RFK Jr. to resign, saying he "continues to endanger the nation's health." They say if Kennedy doesn't resign, Trump and Congress should appoint a new secretary, "one whose qualifications and experience ensure that health policy is informed by independent and unbiased peer-reviewed science."

Supporting reports

• Nine former CDC directors warned RFK Jr. is endangering American health — Nine former directors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention penned an op-ed in the New York Times warning that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is "endangering every American's health," and adding that his actions are "unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency and unlike anything our country had ever experienced."

Supporting reports

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled $500 million in federal research funding designated for mRNA vaccine research. This action was part of broader efforts to reduce CDC capacity and remove staff opposed to his vaccine skepticism.
• HHS cancels $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cancellation of $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine research, a decision that has drawn significant criticism from public health experts and former CDC directors. This funding cut is part of Kennedy's broader strategy to reshape the CDC and its approach to vaccines, which he claims have failed during the pandemic.

Supporting reports

• Eighty-five scientists released joint review criticizing Department of Energy climate report — More than 85 scientists released a joint review of the U.S. Department of Energy's new climate report, stating it was "biased, full of errors, and not fit to inform policymaking." The review represents scientific pushback against the administration's climate policy direction.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration slashes CDC funding and eliminates public health programs — Under the Trump administration, the CDC has slashed billions in funding, shed hundreds of employees, and rolled back programs to help Americans quit smoking and prevent infant and maternal deaths, including support for monitoring sudden unexpected infant deaths. Funding for programs to prevent drowning, youth violence, and sexual assault is in limbo under DOGE review. Trump's proposed budget for next year would cut the CDC's budget from $9.1 billion to $4.2 billion. States and local officials report inability to access CDC expertise during health crises and inability to operate certain programs. Communities have felt the pinch of CDC cuts, scaling back vaccination efforts in Georgia and response to a lead hazard crisis in Milwaukee that resulted in school closures after children tested positive for lead.

Supporting reports

• Trump attempts to remove Federal Reserve governor and other non-appointed officials — Trump is attempting to remove dozens of personnel he did not appoint, including a Federal Reserve governor, a top official at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, prosecutors who investigated him, and leaders across the government including the National Archivist.
• Trump installs second deputy at FBI after souring on first — The White House installed a second deputy at the FBI after becoming dissatisfied with the first, continuing a pattern of rapid personnel changes across agencies.
• Trump pressures Treasury secretary to fire agency's second-in-command — Trump pushed his Treasury secretary to fire the agency's second-in-command, demonstrating continued pressure on cabinet officials to remove personnel who may not align with administration priorities.
• Trump removes acting FEMA administrator over disagreement on agency's continued existence — The White House removed the acting FEMA administrator after he stated the agency should continue to exist, contradicting others in the administration.
• Trump removes IRS director after two months over Treasury Department clash — Trump replaced the head of the IRS less than two months into the job because appointee Billy Long clashed with officials at the Treasury Department. This removal is part of a broader pattern of Trump firing appointees and career officials across multiple agencies.
• Trump removes two DOJ antitrust officials over alleged deal-making with lobbyists — Two top DOJ antitrust officials were removed from their roles after clashing with senior officials at the agency. They accused their colleagues of cutting deals with favored lobbyists. One of the removed officials has publicly questioned the integrity of other DOJ officials.
• Department of Justice launched criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation into Lisa Cook, a governor of the U.S. Federal Reserve, for allegedly committing mortgage fraud by claiming two separate properties as her primary residence. Pro Publica reported that three Trump Cabinet members—Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin—have engaged in the same conduct but face no investigation.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC director Susan Monarez — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired newly confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused to preapprove recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel that Kennedy had stacked with anti-vaccine advocates. This action followed Kennedy's earlier purges of thousands of CDC advisors and staffers who did not share his opposition to vaccines.
• Trump fires Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — President Trump removed Lisa Cook from her position as a Federal Reserve governor. This action raised concerns about central bank independence, as it represents part of a broader pattern of Trump's attacks on the Federal Reserve's autonomy. Trump's nominee to replace Cook stated he would respect Fed independence, but the removal itself signals potential politicization of monetary policy.

Supporting reports

• Presidential memorandum directing Attorney General to investigate federal grant funds allegedly used for illegal lobbying and partisan political activity — On August 28, 2025, the President issued a memorandum directing the Attorney General, in consultation with executive department and agency heads, to investigate whether federal grant funds are being used to illegally support lobbying activities in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 1352 and other federal law. The Attorney General is instructed to take appropriate enforcement action and report progress within 180 days. The memorandum characterizes such spending as wasteful, abusive, and potentially fraudulent use of taxpayer money.
• White House issues fact sheet on presidential memorandum directing investigation of federal grant funds allegedly diverted to political lobbying — The White House published a fact sheet on August 28, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant funds are being illegally used to support lobbying activities and to report findings within 180 days. The fact sheet characterizes specific NIH and NSF grants as having "highly political overtones" and asserts that taxpayer funds must not be diverted to political or lobbying activity.
• White House issues memorandum directing Attorney General to investigate federal grant funds for illegal lobbying and partisan political activity — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on August 28, 2025, directing the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant funds are being used to support illegal lobbying activities or partisan political causes in violation of federal law (31 U.S.C. 1352). The memorandum states that "taxpayer funds are being spent on grants with highly political overtones" and characterizes such use as "wasteful, abusive, and potentially fraudulent." The Attorney General is directed to consult with executive departments and agencies and report progress within 180 days.

Supporting reports

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attacks American Academy of Pediatrics over COVID guidance — On Twitter, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) of engaging in a "pay-to-play scheme to promote commercial ambitions" of its "Big Pharma benefactors," hours after the professional society for doctors who provide medical care to children issued COVID-19 immunization guidelines that continued to recommend the vaccine for kids. The move defied guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which dropped its recommendation back in May under Kennedy's leadership. The AAP said it retained the guidance because children are still at risk of severe cases of COVID-19.

Supporting reports

• Wall Street Journal reported on BLS jobs data collection changes — The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration is weighing changes to how jobs data is collected and reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues draft executive order exempting space launches from environmental review — Donald Trump issued a draft executive order directing the U.S. Transportation Department to "eliminate or expedite" environmental reviews for space launches, largely exempting them from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Coastal Zone Management Act. The order would classify launches as "categorical exclusions" (minor site changes requiring no review) and potentially circumvent the Endangered Species Act. Legal experts say the order is likely illegal and represents an "end run around" environmental law to benefit SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other commercial space companies.