Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump revokes Biden's Executive Order on Competition — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14337 on August 13, 2025, revoking Executive Order 14036 (Promoting Competition in the American Economy), issued by President Biden on July 9, 2021. The revocation eliminates the prior administration's competition-focused regulatory framework. The order was published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2025. No substantive rights or benefits are created by the revocation itself.
• Trump revokes Biden's executive order on competition — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on August 13, 2025, revoking Executive Order 14036 (Promoting Competition in the American Economy), which had been signed by President Biden on July 9, 2021. The revocation eliminates the prior administration's competition-focused regulatory framework. The order contains standard provisions preserving agency authority and stating it creates no enforceable rights. Implementation is subject to applicable law and appropriations availability.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14335 to streamline commercial space industry regulation — President Trump signed Executive Order 14335 on August 13, 2025, directing federal agencies to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews and licensing barriers for commercial space launch, reentry, and spaceport development. The order instructs the Secretary of Transportation to reform Part 450 regulations, the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate state coastal zone compliance and propose novel activity authorizations, and multiple agencies to align review processes and establish categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act. The order establishes new leadership positions within the Transportation and Commerce departments focused on commercial space innovation.
• Trump signed executive order revoking Biden's 2021 competition order — President Trump signed Executive Order 14337 on August 13, 2025, revoking Executive Order 14036 (Promoting Competition in the American Economy), issued by President Biden on July 9, 2021. The revocation order contains standard boilerplate provisions regarding implementation, legal effect, and cost allocation. No substantive policy direction or replacement framework is stated in the instrument.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order streamlining commercial space regulations — The White House published a fact sheet on August 13, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to streamline regulations for the commercial space industry. The order directs the Secretary of Transportation to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews for launch and reentry licenses, review and eliminate outdated regulatory requirements, and establish a streamlined process for novel space activities. It also directs the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate state compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act and whether states are hindering spaceport development, and mandates alignment of review processes across Defense, Transportation, and NASA to eliminate duplicative regulations.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14335 streamlining commercial space industry regulations and licensing approvals. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14335 on August 13, 2025, directing federal agencies to eliminate regulatory barriers to commercial space launch, reentry, and spaceport development. The order instructs the Secretary of Transportation to expedite environmental reviews and amend Part 450 regulations; the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate state coastal zone compliance and propose novel space activity authorizations; and the Secretary of Defense, Interior, and NASA to coordinate and accelerate spaceport approvals. The order also elevates the Office of Space Commerce and establishes new leadership positions focused on deregulation and innovation in commercial space transportation.
• Trump issued executive order streamlining commercial space industry regulations — President Trump signed an executive order on August 13, 2025, directing federal agencies to eliminate regulatory barriers to commercial space launch and reentry operations. The order instructs the Secretary of Transportation to expedite environmental reviews, amend Part 450 regulations, and establish categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It also directs the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate state compliance with coastal zone management requirements and proposes streamlined authorization processes for novel space activities, with the goal of substantially increasing commercial space launch cadence by 2030.
• 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.
• Trump signs executive order relaxing environmental reviews for commercial rocket launches — President Trump signed an executive order titled "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry" on Wednesday, directing the FAA to allow commercial space companies to forgo environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for rocket launch permits. The order cites national security and the need to increase launches "substantially" by 2030. The measure appears designed to benefit SpaceX and Blue Origin, which have sought to dramatically increase launch frequencies. Environmental groups and legal experts warn the order puts communities and endangered species at risk from rocket explosions and debris.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration suspends $584 million in federal funding to UCLA over civil rights allegations — On August 6, the Trump administration suspended $584 million in federal funding to the University of California, Los Angeles, alleging civil rights violations related to antisemitism and affirmative action. The administration accused UCLA of "acting with deliberate indifference in creating a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students." The UC system's president indicated willingness to engage in talks with the administration over the allegations.
• UCLA chancellor announced $584 million in frozen federal funds — UCLA's chancellor announced that the amount of federal funds frozen by the Trump administration is roughly $584 million, saying in a statement that, "if these funds remain suspended, it will be devastating for UCLA and for Americans across the nation."
• UCLA receives $6 million settlement demand and $300 million funding freeze despite prior concessions — UCLA agreed to pay $6 million to settle a lawsuit by Jewish students and a professor over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. However, the Trump administration subsequently froze more than $300 million of the university's federal funding, citing "antisemitism and bias," despite UCLA's prior adoption of restrictive protest policies and centralized faculty hiring. The administration's continued targeting occurred despite UCLA's anticipatory compliance.

Supporting reports

• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced cuts to mRNA vaccine development contracts — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Trump administration is cutting $500 million worth of contracts for developing mRNA vaccines, which were used to rapidly develop COVID-19 vaccines. A former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority warned that the move "puts every American at greater risk."
• HHS terminates 22 federal mRNA vaccine contracts worth $500 million — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced the termination of 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccine development, affecting nearly $500 million in funding. The decision includes cancellation of Moderna's bird flu vaccine contract and rejection of proposals from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, and others. Kennedy claimed the vaccines "fail to protect effectively" against respiratory infections, without providing scientific evidence. The move comes as COVID-19 cases are rising and children prepare to return to school.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cancels $500 million in mRNA vaccine development awards — Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled at least $500 million worth of awards and contracts to develop mRNA vaccines. The canceled programs included vaccines addressing COVID-19 and those being explored for protection against HIV transmission and cancer.
• HHS Secretary RFK Jr. terminated mRNA vaccine development funding — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments. Kennedy stated that the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. Trump's former Surgeon General Jerome Adams responded that the move will cost lives, noting that mRNA technology has applications beyond vaccines and that the mRNA vaccine developed in record time is credited with saving millions of lives.
• HHS announces coordinated wind-down of federally funded mRNA vaccine development — The Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary RFK Jr., announced a "coordinated wind-down" of federally funded mRNA vaccine development. The action includes terminating awards and contracts with pharmaceutical companies and universities, and canceling 22 investment projects worth nearly $500 million. While officially limited to mRNA vaccines for upper respiratory illness, cancer researchers expressed concern that the funding cancellation and resulting chilling effect will derail mRNA cancer vaccine development, despite cancer research not being formally targeted.

Supporting reports

• FDA vaccine official resigned after public campaign by Laura Loomer — The top vaccine and gene therapy official at the Food and Drug Administration resigned from his position after a public campaign opposing him, which was also led by Loomer. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said the official "did not want to be a distraction" to the agency's work. Politico later reported that Trump overruled Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and ordered the official's removal himself.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet attacking BLS credibility and former Biden-appointed commissioner — The White House published a fact sheet titled "BLS Has Lengthy History of Inaccuracies, Incompetence" on August 1, 2025, attacking the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its former Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. The document compiles allegations of overstated jobs numbers, technical errors, and data leaks, citing news reports and congressional correspondence. It asserts that BLS revisions totaling over 800,000 jobs influenced Federal Reserve policy and that financial firms received advance access to sensitive employment data. The fact sheet frames these claims as evidence of institutional failure eroding public trust.

Supporting reports

• Trump fired commissioner of labor statistics for announcing job growth slowdown — President Trump fired the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday after the agency released a jobs report showing dramatic slowdown in job growth. The firing occurred after the commissioner announced official economic data that contradicted Trump's claims about the strength of the economy. Trump had alleged the commissioner rigged the numbers to make him look bad, a claim former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and other economists rejected as implausible given the statistical procedures involved.
• Trump administration fires BLS commissioner Erika McEntarfer over disputed job statistics — The Trump administration fired Erika McEntarfer, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following the release of July employment data showing only 73,000 jobs added—far below expectations—and downward revisions of 285,000 jobs for prior months. White House officials defended the dismissal on Sunday political shows, with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stating the president had concerns about data reliability. Former BLS Commissioner William Beach warned the firing would undermine confidence in U.S. economic data, while economist Larry Summers compared it to authoritarian tactics.
• White House issues fact sheet attacking BLS credibility and former Biden-appointed commissioner — The White House published a fact sheet titled "BLS Has Lengthy History of Inaccuracies, Incompetence" on August 1, 2025, attacking the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its former Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. The document compiles allegations of overstated jobs numbers, technical errors, and data leaks, citing news reports and congressional correspondence. It asserts that BLS revisions totaling over 800,000 jobs influenced Federal Reserve policy and that financial firms received advance access to sensitive employment data. The fact sheet frames these claims as evidence of institutional failure eroding public trust.
• July jobs report shows 73,000 jobs added; May and June figures revised downward by 258,000 combined — The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the July employment report showing only 73,000 jobs added, well below estimates. Prior months were revised sharply lower: June fell from 147,000 to a lower figure, and May was revised down by 125,000, for a combined downward revision of 258,000 jobs. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2%. Health care and social assistance accounted for approximately 94% of job growth, with most other sectors showing weakness or contraction.
• Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer — President Trump dismissed Dr. Erika McEntarfer, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after the agency released a jobs report showing only 73,000 new jobs added in July—far below the 115,000 economists predicted—and revealing that May and June job figures had been significantly overestimated (May revised down 87% from 144,000 to 19,000; June revised down 90% from 147,000 to 14,000). Trump claimed on Truth Social that the report was "RIGGED" to make Republicans and himself "look bad," despite U.S. economic statistics being widely regarded as a nonpartisan gold standard. McEntarfer had served in various roles under multiple administrations.
• Trump claims jobs report was rigged and announces firing of Labor Statistics Commissioner — Trump posted on social media that the jobs report was "rigged" to make Republicans look bad. He then announced he was firing Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, whom he identified as a Biden appointee, and stated he would replace her with someone "much more competent and qualified." Trump directed his team to remove her "immediately."

Supporting reports

• Interior Secretary Burgum announced end to wind and solar subsidies — Interior Secretary and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced on Fox Business that the administration is ending 33 years of subsidized preferential treatment for wind and solar energy. Burgum repeated administration talking points about intermittent and unreliable renewable energy, despite wind power providing over one-third of North Dakota's power supply during his governorship.

Supporting reports

• EPA head announced revocation of 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases — EPA head Lee Zeldin announced that the Trump administration would revoke the 2009 "endangerment finding," a declaration that found that greenhouse gas emissions lead to global warming and threaten public health. Zeldin called the move, which would remove the federal government's authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, the "largest deregulatory action in the history" of the US, if finalized.
• Environmental groups and former EPA leaders condemned endangerment finding revocation — Zeldin's announcement prompted widespread backlash from environmental groups, the scientific community, and three former EPA leaders. The executive director of the Natural Resources Defense Council told AP that the move "boggles the mind and endangers the nation's safety and welfare" as the US faces deadly floods and heat waves, adding that the council will sue the EPA if "this illegal and cynical approach" is finalized.
• EPA moves to rescind 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases — Trump loyalists at the Environmental Protection Agency moved in August to rescind the agency's 2009 endangerment finding that has underpinned climate change regulatory efforts since the Obama administration. The move rejects widely accepted scientific consensus on climate change despite increased scientific evidence supporting the original finding.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration gutted federal science funding and personnel — The Trump administration reduced federal science funding and terminated scientific personnel across research institutions. This action, driven by perception that research institutions harbor progressive ideology, degrades the scientific capacity that underpinned American technological dominance.

Supporting reports

• Department of Government Efficiency uses AI tool to create federal regulation "delete list" — The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), formerly led by Elon Musk, is using an artificial intelligence tool called the "Doge AI Deregulation Decision Tool" to analyze 200,000 federal regulations and identify those for elimination. Internal documents obtained by the Washington Post show the tool has already been deployed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to review over 1,000 regulatory sections and by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to draft deregulations. Doge claims 100,000 regulations can be eliminated, with a goal of cutting 50% of all federal regulations by the first anniversary of Trump's second inauguration.
• DOGE staff use AI to eliminate half of government regulations — Staff associated with the "Department of Government Efficiency" are using artificial intelligence to eliminate half of the government's regulations by January 2026. James Burnham, former chief attorney for DOGE, described this as a "creative deployment of artificial intelligence to advance the president's regulatory agenda" as a strategy to make significant progress during Trump's term.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed Executive Order 14318 accelerating federal permitting for AI data center infrastructure and revoking prior EO 14141. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14318 on July 23, 2025, establishing expedited federal permitting procedures for AI data center projects and related infrastructure exceeding 100 megawatts. The order directs agencies to streamline environmental reviews under NEPA through categorical exclusions, expedite Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permitting, facilitate programmatic consultation under the Endangered Species Act, and identify federal lands for data center development. It revokes Executive Order 14141 from January 2025 and authorizes financial support including loans, grants, and tax incentives for qualifying projects.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14319 restricting federal AI procurement to models meeting "Unbiased AI Principles" excluding diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14319 on July 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to procure only large language models (LLMs) that comply with "Unbiased AI Principles" emphasizing truth-seeking and ideological neutrality. The order defines DEI as suppression of factual information, manipulation of representation, and incorporation of concepts like critical race theory and intersectionality. OMB must issue implementation guidance within 120 days. Agencies must include compliance terms in new LLM contracts and revise existing ones where practicable, with vendor decommissioning costs charged for noncompliance.
• Trump administration unveils plan to fast-track AI infrastructure by dismantling environmental regulations — The Trump administration rolled out a 28-page scheme on Wednesday to accelerate AI sector development by removing environmental and land-use regulations, streamlining permitting for datacenters and semiconductor facilities, rolling back Biden-era climate-linked subsidy requirements, and seeking exclusions for datacenters from the National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Water Act. Trump is expected to sign three AI-related executive orders during a DC summit keynote address. The plan explicitly rejects "radical climate dogma" and pledges to review state AI laws for interference with federal authority, threatening to withhold federal funding from states with protective AI regulations.
• Trump signs three executive orders on AI, targeting "woke" models and removing environmental protections for datacentres — On Wednesday at an AI summit in Washington, Trump signed three executive orders aimed at advancing U.S. AI development. One order requires AI companies receiving federal funding to maintain "politically neutral" models free of "ideological dogmas such as DEI." A second order deregulates AI development and removes environmental protections for datacentre construction. A third expedites federal permitting for datacentre infrastructure. The orders accompany a 24-page "AI action plan" titled "Winning the Race" that repeals Biden-era AI safeguards and emphasizes speed over regulation.
• Trump issued executive order establishing American AI Exports Program to promote global deployment of U.S. AI technology packages. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 23, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish the American AI Exports Program within 90 days. The program supports development and deployment of full-stack U.S. AI technology packages—including hardware, data pipelines, AI models, security measures, and applications—to allied and partner nations. The order mobilizes federal financing tools through the Economic Diplomacy Action Group to provide loans, guarantees, equity investments, and technical assistance for selected industry consortia. The initiative aims to extend American technological dominance and reduce international dependence on adversary-developed AI systems.
• Trump issues executive order accelerating federal permitting for AI data center infrastructure — President Trump issued an executive order on July 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to streamline permitting and environmental reviews for large-scale data center projects (>100 MW) and related infrastructure. The order establishes expedited review processes under NEPA, creates categorical exclusions for environmental assessment, authorizes use of federal lands for data center development, and revokes a prior Biden-era AI infrastructure order. Agencies must identify financial support mechanisms and coordinate permitting timelines.
• Trump issues executive order requiring federal AI procurement to prioritize "truth-seeking" and "ideological neutrality" over diversity and inclusion principles. — President Donald Trump signed Executive Order "Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government" on July 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to procure only large language models (LLMs) that comply with two principles: truth-seeking (prioritizing historical accuracy and scientific objectivity) and ideological neutrality (rejecting DEI-influenced outputs). The order defines DEI in AI as suppression of factual information about race or sex, manipulation of representation, and incorporation of concepts like critical race theory and intersectionality. Within 120 days, the Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance to agencies; agencies must include compliance terms in new LLM contracts and revise existing ones within 90 days of guidance issuance.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14319 directing federal agencies to procure only large language models compliant with "Unbiased AI Principles" excluding diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14319 on July 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to procure large language models (LLMs) that comply with two stated principles: "truth-seeking" and "ideological neutrality." The order defines "DEI" as including suppression of factual information about race or sex, manipulation of representation, and incorporation of concepts like critical race theory and systemic racism. OMB must issue implementation guidance within 120 days. Agencies must include compliance terms in new LLM contracts and revise existing ones where practicable, with vendor decommissioning costs charged for noncompliance.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting executive order on AI procurement standards — The White House published a fact sheet on July 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing federal agencies to procure artificial intelligence models that adhere to "Unbiased AI Principles" emphasizing truthfulness and ideological neutrality. The order instructs the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance for agency implementation and mandates that federal contracts for large language models include compliance terms and vendor accountability provisions. The fact sheet frames the order as preventing "woke AI" and DEI-driven bias in federal AI systems.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order accelerating federal permitting for data center infrastructure — The White House published a fact sheet on July 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to accelerate federal permitting of data center infrastructure. The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial support (loans, grants, tax incentives) for qualifying projects exceeding 100 megawatts of new load, including data centers, semiconductors, and related infrastructure. The order revokes a Biden-era executive order, streamlines environmental reviews, designates projects for expedited permitting under FAST-41, promotes use of Brownfield and Superfund sites, and authorizes data center construction on federal lands.
• White House releases "America's AI Action Plan" outlining 90+ federal policy actions — The White House issued "Winning the AI Race: America's AI Action Plan" on July 23, 2025, pursuant to President Trump's January executive order on AI leadership. The plan identifies over 90 federal policy actions across three pillars: accelerating innovation, building AI infrastructure, and leading in international diplomacy. Key policies include exporting American AI to allies, expediting data center permits, removing federal regulations hindering AI development, and updating procurement guidelines to ensure frontier AI models are "objective and free from top-down ideological bias."
• White House signed Executive Order 14318 accelerating federal permitting for data center infrastructure — The White House issued Executive Order 14318 on July 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to expedite permitting and environmental reviews for data center projects exceeding 100 megawatts of new load dedicated to AI, as well as related energy and component manufacturing infrastructure. The order revokes Executive Order 14141, establishes categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to bypass environmental review, streamlines Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permitting, authorizes use of federal lands including military installations for data center development, and directs the EPA to expedite Brownfield and Superfund Site reuse. The order defines "Qualifying Projects" to include facilities with $500 million+ capital commitments or national security designation, with authority to designate projects vested in Commerce, Defense, Interior, and Energy secretaries.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14320 establishing American AI Exports Program to promote global deployment of U.S. AI technology packages. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14320 on July 23, 2025, establishing the American AI Exports Program to coordinate federal support for exporting full-stack American AI technologies globally. The order directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with State and OSTP, to issue a public call for industry proposals within 90 days. Selected proposals will receive priority access to federal financing tools, including loans, loan guarantees, equity investments, and political risk insurance, coordinated through the Economic Diplomacy Action Group. The program aims to extend U.S. technological dominance and reduce international dependence on adversary AI systems.
• White House issues fact sheet promoting export of American AI technologies via executive order — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to establish an American AI Exports Program. The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop and deploy full-stack AI technology packages (hardware, data systems, models, cybersecurity, sector applications) to allies and partners. The fact sheet states the initiative aims to strengthen ties with allies, promote U.S. standards, maintain technological dominance, and reduce global reliance on systems from adversarial nations.
• White House issues fact sheet promoting U.S.-Indonesia reciprocal trade deal — The White House published a compilation of industry statements praising a reciprocal trade framework with Indonesia. The document claims the deal eliminates approximately 99% of tariff barriers on U.S. industrial, food, and agricultural exports, unlocks market access, and removes non-tariff barriers. Industry groups representing steel, petroleum, technology, agriculture, dairy, and meat sectors issued statements welcoming the agreement's provisions on digital trade, tariff elimination, and market access.
• White House signed Executive Order 14320 establishing American AI Exports Program — The White House signed Executive Order 14320 on July 23, 2025, directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish the American AI Exports Program within 90 days. The order mandates a coordinated federal effort to promote export of full-stack American AI technology packages (hardware, data pipelines, models, security measures, and applications) to specified target countries. The order mobilizes federal financing tools through the Economic Diplomacy Action Group, including direct loans, loan guarantees, equity investments, and political risk insurance, to support selected priority AI export packages.

Supporting reports

• Washington Post reported on US deportees beaten in El Salvador — The Washington Post spoke with three men who were detained at El Salvador's megaprison after being deported from the US, with one describing it as a "horror movie." They said they were beaten with wooden bats, held in cells of nine to 15 people with metal benches for beds, and denied access to their lawyers.
• Venezuelan deportee reported sexual abuse in El Salvador — The Venezuelan make-up artist who had also been sent to a Salvadoran prison and falsely accused of being part of the TdA gang said that he was mistreated and allegedly sexually abused by the guards in El Salvador.

Supporting reports

• EPA proposes rule eliminating the endangerment finding for greenhouse gases — The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new rule to eliminate the endangerment finding established in 2009 that, based on scientific evidence, determined that greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide and methane warm the planet and endanger human life. Most vehicle, factory, and power plant emissions standards currently in place derive from this finding. EPA officials told the New York Times they intend to argue that climate regulations, rather than greenhouse gas emissions themselves, cause harm to human health through higher prices and reduced consumer choice.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet claiming six-month record of policy achievements — The White House published a fact sheet asserting accomplishments across economic, border, military, and diplomatic domains during the first six months of the Trump administration. The document claims the largest tax cut in history, record-low border encounters, 671,000 net job additions, egg price declines, tariff revenue collection, military recruitment goals met, and diplomatic agreements including ceasefires and NATO defense spending increases. The fact sheet attributes these outcomes to executive orders, legislation, and administration policy direction.
• White House issues promotional fact sheet claiming fulfillment of campaign promises — The White House published a fact sheet titled "President Trump Has Kept His Promises — and Then Some," asserting that the administration has delivered on 20 core campaign commitments within six months. The document claims achievements across border security, deportations, inflation reduction, energy production, manufacturing, tax cuts, constitutional protections, military modernization, and election integrity. It attributes specific policy actions (executive orders, regulatory changes, enforcement operations) to each claimed promise and frames them as accomplished outcomes.

Supporting reports

• EPA eliminates research and development office and begins mass layoffs — The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday the elimination of its Office of Research and Development (ORD) and a reduction of more than 3,700 employees (nearly 23% of total staff), bringing EPA staffing from January levels to 12,448. The ORD, which has provided scientific underpinnings for EPA's environmental and health protection mission, will be replaced by a new office of applied science. The agency projects savings of nearly $750 million. Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers warned the cuts will devastate public health and eliminate hundreds of scientist positions.

Supporting reports

• Trump proclamation exempts ethylene oxide sterilization facilities from EPA emissions standards for two years. — President Trump issued Proclamation 10959 on July 17, 2025, exempting certain stationary sources subject to the EPA's April 2024 ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions rule from compliance for two years beyond the rule's original deadlines. The proclamation asserts that required emissions-control technology does not exist in commercially viable form and that the exemption serves national security by preventing disruption to the supply of sterile medical devices. Affected facilities will remain subject to pre-rule emissions obligations during the exemption period.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting medical sterilization facilities from EPA ethylene oxide emissions rule for two years — President Trump issued a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from the EPA's April 2024 ethylene oxide emissions standards rule for commercial sterilization facilities. The proclamation states the exemption applies to 24 named companies operating approximately 40 facilities nationwide. Trump asserts the rule's compliance technology does not exist in commercially viable form and that the exemption is necessary for national security to prevent disruption of sterile medical device supply. The proclamation extends all EtO Rule compliance deadlines by two years for listed facilities.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting taconite iron ore processing facilities from Clean Air Act emissions standards for 2 years — President Trump signed a proclamation on July 17, 2025, exempting certain taconite iron ore processing facilities from compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's March 2024 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rule. The proclamation extends all compliance deadlines under the Taconite Rule by 2 years, citing national security interests and claims that required emissions-control technologies are not commercially viable. The exemption applies to six named facilities operated by U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs in Minnesota and Michigan.
• Trump proclamation exempts certain chemical manufacturers from HON Rule emissions standards for two years — President Trump issued Proclamation 10957 on July 17, 2025, exempting certain stationary sources subject to the EPA's May 2024 Hazardous Organic Naphtha (HON) Rule from compliance with section 112 Clean Air Act emissions-control requirements for two years beyond the rule's original compliance deadlines. The proclamation invokes national security and chemical manufacturing resilience, asserting that compliance technology is not commercially available. Affected facilities will revert to pre-HON Rule emissions obligations during the exemption period.
• Trump proclamation exempts taconite iron ore processors from Clean Air Act emissions standards for two years — President Trump issued Proclamation 10958 on July 17, 2025, exempting certain stationary sources engaged in taconite iron ore processing from compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's March 2024 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. The proclamation extends all compliance deadlines by two years, citing unavailability of required emissions-control technology and national security interests in domestic steel production. Affected facilities revert to pre-rule emissions obligations during the exemption period.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting 25 chemical manufacturing facilities from Clean Air Act emissions standards for 2 years — President Trump signed a proclamation on July 17, 2025, exempting 25 named chemical manufacturing facilities from compliance with the EPA's May 2024 Hazardous Organic Noxides (HON) Rule for 2 years beyond the rule's original compliance deadlines. The proclamation asserts that the technology to implement the HON Rule is not commercially available and that the exemption serves national security interests by protecting domestic chemical supply chains. The exemption extends all compliance deadlines by 2 years, during which affected facilities remain subject to pre-HON Rule emissions standards.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting coal-fired power plants from EPA emissions standards for two years — President Trump signed a proclamation on July 17, 2025, exempting certain coal-fired electric utility generating units from compliance with the EPA's 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for a two-year period (July 8, 2027 to July 8, 2029). The proclamation states the exemption applies to three named facilities (Cardinal Units 1–3 in Ohio, Craig Generating Station Units 2–3 in Colorado, and Dallman Unit 4 in Illinois) and asserts that the required emissions-control technology does not exist in commercially viable form and that the exemption serves national security interests by protecting coal-sector jobs and grid reliability.
• White House issues fact sheet on EPA regulatory relief proclamations — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 17, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed four proclamations granting two years of regulatory relief from EPA emissions standards for coal plants, taconite iron ore processing facilities, and chemical manufacturers producing semiconductors, medical device sterilization, and defense-related chemicals. The fact sheet states these exemptions allow facilities to comply with pre-Biden EPA standards instead of current rules, claiming the relief supports national security and economic stability while avoiding "unattainable compliance requirements."

Supporting reports

• Commerce Department halts NOAA rainfall prediction tool — The Washington Post reported that the Commerce Department halted work on a tool to help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict extreme rainfall. The suspension of weather-prediction research undermines disaster preparedness.

Supporting reports

• NASA announces it will not publish climate change assessments — Trump's NASA announced that it will not publish major Congress-mandated climate change assessments and reports on the agency's website, after saying earlier this month that it would do so. The decision reverses a prior commitment to transparency.

Supporting reports

• EPA Secretary Zeldin announced investigation into geoengineering conspiracy theory — EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin announced he will investigate claims advanced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others that the "Deep State" caused the Texas floods through geoengineering and contrails. Zeldin framed the investigation as responding to legitimate public questions that had previously been dismissed by media and government.

Supporting reports

• Pregnant physician and medical associations sue Trump administration over RFK Jr's anti-vaccine guidance — A pregnant doctor and leading medical associations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, and American Public Health Association—filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's unilateral decision to recommend against Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children. Kennedy's May announcement circumvented expert scientific review and contradicted evidence of heightened risk to pregnant women and infants. The lawsuit alleges the administration sought to "desensitize the public to anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announces tariff implementation delay to August 1 with notification letters to trading partners — President Trump announced his administration will begin sending letters to trading partners on July 7 notifying them of new tariff rates, with implementation delayed from the original July 9 deadline to August 1. Trump stated approximately 12–15 letters would be sent, with some countries having already reached deals. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that tariffs take effect August 1. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated letters would go to approximately 100 smaller trading partners. Trump also threatened an additional 10% tariff on BRICS nations for opposing unilateral tariff measures.
• White House issues fact sheet on reciprocal tariff enforcement and announces new tariff rates effective August 1 — The White House issued a fact sheet announcing that President Trump signed an executive order extending tariff rate expiration from July 9 to August 1, 2025, and sent letters to 15 countries announcing new reciprocal tariff rates to take effect on August 1. The fact sheet states that some countries will face revised rates lower than initially announced on April 2, while others face higher rates. The administration characterizes the action as addressing trade deficits and establishing "more reciprocal" bilateral trade relationships.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order eliminating renewable energy tax credits — The White House published a fact sheet on July 7, 2025, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump that directs the Treasury Secretary to terminate clean electricity production and investment tax credits for wind and solar facilities, and directs the Interior Secretary to revise regulations eliminating preferential treatment for renewable energy. The fact sheet characterizes these sources as "unreliable" and "foreign-controlled" and frames the action as advancing energy independence and national security.
• Trump issues executive order ending renewable energy tax credits and subsidies — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on July 7, 2025, directing the Treasury Department and Department of Interior to eliminate federal tax credits and subsidies for wind and solar energy within 45 days of enactment of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." The order mandates strict enforcement of the termination of clean electricity production and investment tax credits (sections 45Y and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code), implementation of foreign entity restrictions, and elimination of regulatory preferences for renewable energy sources compared to dispatchable energy sources.
• White House signed executive order eliminating wind and solar energy tax credits and directing agency review of preferential treatment — President Trump signed an executive order directing the elimination of federal tax credits for wind and solar energy facilities under sections 45Y and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code. The order instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce termination of these credits within 45 days of enactment of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and to implement enhanced restrictions on foreign entities. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to review and revise regulations and policies that provide preferential treatment to wind and solar facilities compared to dispatchable energy sources. The order characterizes renewable energy subsidies as market distortions that threaten national security and fiscal health.

Supporting reports

• RFK Jr. promoted unproven supplements for measles treatment — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoted over-the-counter vitamins and supplements, including Vitamin A and cod liver oil, as treatments for measles, despite neither being effective treatments. Kennedy also requested that the CDC develop new guidance for treating measles with drugs and vitamins, diverting resources from evidence-based interventions during an active outbreak.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive order ending renewable energy tax credits and subsidies — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on July 7, 2025, directing the Treasury Department and Department of Interior to eliminate federal tax credits and subsidies for wind and solar energy within 45 days of enactment of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." The order mandates strict enforcement of the termination of clean electricity production and investment tax credits (sections 45Y and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code), implementation of foreign entity restrictions, and elimination of regulatory preferences for renewable energy sources compared to dispatchable energy sources.

Supporting reports

• Public health organizations sued RFK Jr. over vaccine recommendation removal — National public health organizations sued Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for directing the removal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant people, a move they argue exceeded his authority and violated federal rules.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Greene introduces weather modification conspiracy bill — Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she is introducing legislation that would prohibit the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity, making it a felony offense. Greene stated: "I have been researching weather modification and working with the legislative counsel for months writing this bill. We must end the dangerous and deadly practice of weather modification and geoengineering." The bill was introduced in the context of the Central Texas flooding disaster.