Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump attended Supreme Court oral arguments in birthright citizenship case — President Donald J. Trump attended oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court on April 1, 2026, in Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. Trump sat in the front row alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The case arose from Trump's January 20, 2025 executive order declaring that individuals born in the United States are not citizens if their parents lack legal permanent status. Three families, represented by the ACLU, sued to challenge the order. Trump departed after approximately ninety minutes, before the ACLU's oral argument began.
• Trump attended Supreme Court oral arguments on birthright citizenship case — On April 1, 2026, President Trump attended oral arguments before the Supreme Court on the birthright citizenship case, breaking precedent by sitting in the front row of public seating alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He left after an hour and a half, before the ACLU lawyer began her argument. Lower court judges had already called the executive order "blatantly unconstitutional."
• Trump Attends Supreme Court Oral Arguments — On April 1, 2026, President Donald J. Trump attended oral arguments at the Supreme Court regarding the legality of his executive order on birthright citizenship. This marked the first time a sitting president attended such proceedings, raising concerns about potential intimidation of the justices. Trump was present alongside his attorney general and commerce secretary but left before the plaintiffs' attorney began speaking.
• Supreme Court hears birthright citizenship arguments; justices skeptical of Trump position — The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship. Justice Kagan stated directly that the text of the 14th Amendment does not support Trump's position and that the administration was relying on "pretty obscure sources." Justice Kavanaugh acknowledged that other countries lack birthright citizenship but questioned its constitutional relevance. Justice Gorsuch raised the landmark precedent Wong Kim Ark in a manner unfavorable to the government's argument.
• Trump attends Supreme Court oral argument and leaves early — Trump became the first sitting president in history to attend a Supreme Court oral argument. He sat in the front row of the public gallery during the birthright citizenship case but left before the arguments concluded, apparently finding the proceedings not to his liking.
• ACLU Represents Families Against Trump’s Order — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is representing three families in a lawsuit against the Trump administration's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. The case, Trump v. Barbara, includes an asylum applicant from Honduras whose child is due after the order's implementation.
• President Trump Attends Supreme Court Oral Arguments — On April 1, 2026, President Donald J. Trump attended oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court for the case Trump v. Barbara, which seeks to end birthright citizenship as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. This marked the first time a sitting president has attended such proceedings. The case stems from Trump's executive order issued on January 20, 2025, which declared that individuals born in the U.S. are not citizens if their parents lack legal permanent status. The ACLU represents families challenging this order.
• Trump’s Historical Precedent at the Supreme Court — President Trump’s attendance at the Supreme Court oral arguments on April 1, 2026, breaks historical precedent, as no sitting president has previously attended such proceedings. His presence is seen as an attempt to influence the court's decision on a case that could significantly alter the interpretation of citizenship in the U.S.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens NATO withdrawal over Iran war alliance refusal — Trump told The Telegraph he is "strongly considering" withdrawing the United States from NATO because member nations did not join his unilateral war on Iran. He called NATO a "paper tiger" and claimed Vladimir Putin agrees with him. Trump's complaint centers on NATO's refusal to support an offensive military action he launched without advance consultation with allies. A bipartisan law signed by President Biden, originally sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio, requires a two-thirds Senate vote for any presidential NATO withdrawal.

Supporting reports

• The Save America Act: A Modern Day Poll Tax — The Democracy Docket article discusses the implications of the Save America Act, which is characterized as a modern-day poll tax. The act is critiqued for potentially restricting voting rights and access, drawing parallels to historical poll taxes that disenfranchised voters. The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring such legislative actions as they can significantly impact democratic participation and election fairness.
• Trump administration executive order restricting mail-in voting challenged in federal court — A coalition of civil rights groups filed a lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts on Thursday challenging an executive order Trump signed on Tuesday that restricts mail-in voting. The order instructs the federal government to create a list of eligible voters in each state and directs the US Postal Service to transmit mail-in ballots only to people on that list. The plaintiffs argue the order violates the Constitution's separation of powers, Article I Section 4 (state control of elections), the Voting Rights Act, and the Privacy Act. This is Trump's second attempt to unilaterally alter voting procedures; a previous order was largely blocked by a federal judge last year.
• Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections — President Trump issued an executive order directing creation of lists of US citizens eligible to vote in each state and requiring the US Postal Service to refrain from sending mailed ballots to anyone not on those lists. The order drew immediate condemnation for apparent unconstitutionality and swift threats of legal action from voting rights advocates.
• Trump issues executive order on voter eligibility lists and mail ballot restrictions — President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to compile a national voter file and restricting mail-in ballot use. The order requires USPS to establish rule-making for a process prohibiting mail-in ballots unless voters are on a federal approval list. Election law experts and Democratic officials immediately challenged the order as unconstitutional, citing the Constitution's grant of election authority to states. Multiple lawsuits were announced within hours of signing.
• Trump signs executive order restricting mail-in ballots and directing national voter file compilation — President Trump signed an executive order attacking mail-in voting, directing the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Social Security Administration to create a federal list of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state. The order directs the U.S. Postal Service to send mail-in ballots only to voters on the list and to mark each ballot with a unique barcode. It threatens states refusing to cooperate with loss of federal funding and directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate anyone wrongfully distributing mail-in ballots. Election law experts and Democratic officials immediately challenged the order as unconstitutional.
• Trump signed executive order restricting mail-in voting — The White House published a fact sheet characterizing the Trump administration's policies on transgender issues as dismantling "woke" initiatives. The document claims the administration declared two immutable sexes as official policy, banned federal funding for gender-affirming medical care for minors, ended federal support for "gender ideology" curricula, enforced sex-based sports eligibility, reinstated military service standards based on biological sex, eliminated gender ideology from service academies, directed enforcement of single-sex spaces based on biological sex, ended gender self-identification on federal documents, and redirected billions in grants. The fact sheet attributes policy changes to multiple health systems and sports organizations.
• White House issued fact sheet on Trump administration policies regarding transgender-related healthcare, military service, and education — The White House published a fact sheet on March 31, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to compile state citizenship lists of eligible voters, requires the Postmaster General to establish secure ballot procedures through USPS, and directs the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute election officials who issue ballots to ineligible voters and to withhold federal funds from noncompliant states. The fact sheet frames the order as strengthening election integrity and preventing non-citizen voting.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order requiring citizenship verification for federal elections — On March 31, Trump signed an executive order directing the administration to compile lists of verified eligible voters in each state and requiring USPS to deliver mail-in ballots only to voters on state-approved absentee lists. On April 21, 37 Democratic senators warned that the order illegally transforms USPS into an election administration agency. State attorneys general filed suit on April 22, and senators introduced the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to nullify the order. Election law experts called it unconstitutional.
• Trump's mail-voting executive order drew legal challenges and legislative response — On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order framed as an "election integrity" measure that directs the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to create a national voter list, orders the Postal Service to send mail-in ballots only to those on the list, and instructs the Attorney General to withhold federal funds from "non-compliant" states and cities. Legal experts and voting rights advocates say the order is unconstitutional and likely to be blocked by courts, as the President lacks authority over elections—a power reserved to states and Congress.
• Trump signs executive order restricting mail-in voting and directing creation of national voter list — Trump signed an executive order at 5:00 PM requiring the federal government to compile a list of US citizens eligible to vote in each state and mandating that ballots be sent only to those on each state's approved mail-in ballot list. The order threatened to withhold federal funding from states that disobey. The Postal Service was directed to monitor mail-in ballot distribution for federal elections.
• Trump signed executive order restricting mail-in voting nationwide — President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit state citizenship lists to election officials, requiring the Postal Service to implement unique ballot identifiers (barcodes) on mail-in ballots, and instructing the Attorney General to prioritize investigation and prosecution of election officials and others involved in issuing ballots to non-citizens. The order mandates DHS establish infrastructure within 90 days and USPS complete rulemaking within 120 days to enforce these requirements across federal elections.
• Trump issues executive order on citizenship verification and mail-in ballot tracking for federal elections — President Trump signed Executive Order 14399 on March 31, 2026, directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to state election officials a "State Citizenship List" derived from federal citizenship, naturalization, and Social Security Administration records. The order requires the U.S. Postal Service to initiate rulemaking within 60 days mandating that all outbound ballot mail bear unique Intelligent Mail barcodes and "Official Election Mail" markings, with states required to submit lists of eligible mail-in voters to USPS at least 60 days before elections. The order directs the Attorney General to prioritize investigation and prosecution of state and local election officials and others involved in issuing ballots to ineligible individuals. The USPS must issue final rules within 120 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14399 directing federal citizenship verification and mail-in ballot tracking for federal elections — Trump signed an executive order on March 31 to restrict mail-in voting by creating a list of eligible US citizen voters in every state and prohibiting the US Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to voters not on state-approved lists. The order threatens to withhold federal funding from states that refuse to comply. States including Oregon and Arizona have challenged the order, arguing it violates the Constitution.
• Trump signs executive order restricting mail-in voting

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.

Supporting reports

• Trump deployed ICE agents to fourteen airports without security training — As TSA agents went unpaid for over a month and airport lines grew longer, President Trump deployed ICE agents to fourteen airports in eleven cities to relieve congestion. The ICE agents lacked training for security checkpoint operations and were ineffective at reducing delays. The deployment appeared designed to pressure Democrats into capitulating on funding demands, but instead highlighted the contrast of ICE agents collecting paychecks while TSA agents worked without pay, ultimately pressuring Trump rather than Democrats.

Supporting reports

• Trump called for Senate to eliminate the filibuster — President Trump posted on social media demanding that Senate Majority Leader John Thune eliminate the filibuster to allow Senate Republicans to pass legislation without Democratic votes. Trump stated: "When is 'enough, enough' for our Republican Senators... TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, and get our airports, and everything else, moving again. Also, add the complete, all five items, SAVE AMERICA ACT items. Go for the Gold!!!" The demand was made to force passage of his combined DHS funding and voting restriction agenda.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces executive order directing DHS to pay TSA agents immediately amid funding standoff — President Trump announced he will sign an executive order instructing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents who have gone without pay for over a month due to a partial DHS shutdown. TSA staffing shortages have caused record airport delays and nearly 500 agents have quit. The order addresses an impasse where Democrats have refused to fund DHS without ICE accountability reforms, while Trump has demanded Democratic support for the Save America Act, which would tighten voter registration and identification requirements.
• Trump signs executive order to pay TSA agents during shutdown — President Trump announced via Truth Social that he would sign an executive order directing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay 50,000 TSA agents during the ongoing DHS shutdown. Trump invoked a national emergency to justify the action. Senate Majority Leader Thune acknowledged the order as a "short-term solution" that takes "immediate pressure off" Congress to reach a funding deal.
• Trump signs executive order to pay TSA workers during shutdown — President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay 60,000 airport security workers, declaring an "unprecedented emergency situation." The order came as TSA officers went weeks without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown. Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, accusing them of prioritizing "criminal illegal aliens over American citizens." Acting TSA Chief Ha Nguyen McNeill reported that 40% of officers had stopped reporting to work and nearly 500 had quit since the previous month.
• Trump announced emergency order to pay TSA agents — President Trump announced he would sign an emergency executive order to pay TSA agents who had been without paychecks for over a month. The announcement came after the contrast of unpaid TSA workers and paid ICE agents created public pressure on the administration. It remained unclear where the funding would come from or whether the executive action to appropriate funds—a power constitutionally vested in Congress—was legally permissible.
• White House issued memorandum directing DHS and OMB to pay TSA employees during government shutdown — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on March 27, 2026, directing the Secretary of Homeland Security and Director of the Office of Management and Budget to use funds with "reasonable and logical nexus" to TSA operations to compensate approximately 60,000 TSA employees, including 50,000 security officers, who had not been paid during an ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The memorandum characterizes the situation as an emergency compromising national security due to security wait times and staff attrition.

Supporting reports

• Trump acknowledged circumventing constitutional war declaration requirement — At an annual Republican congressional fundraising dinner, Trump acknowledged that he was avoiding the word "war" to circumvent the constitutional requirement for congressional approval. He stated: "I won't use the word war 'cause they say if you use the word war, that's maybe not a good thing to do. They don't like the word war because you are supposed to get approval. So I will use the word military operation." He characterized the Iran action as a "tremendous success" of his "military operation."

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents to airports — President Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports to take over security due to DHS funding issues. He framed this as a crackdown, targeting Somali immigrants and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. This move comes amid a global conflict and reflects Trump's focus on immigration enforcement over other pressing issues. The threat is part of a broader pattern of using immigration as a political tool, especially in the context of ongoing funding disputes in Congress.
• Trump threatens ICE deployment to airports amid DHS funding standoff — President Trump threatened via Truth Social post to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to U.S. airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to measures strengthening security and immigration enforcement. The threat came amid a partial DHS shutdown that began February 14, with Democrats blocking a funding bill for the fifth time. Democrats are demanding changes to ICE operations, including better officer identification, codes of conduct, and judicial warrant requirements, following an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis that resulted in two protester deaths. TSA agents have begun quitting en masse due to missed paychecks.
• Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports and demanded voting restrictions — At 11:34 a.m. on March 22, Trump posted a threat to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to airports to conduct security operations and arrest undocumented immigrants unless Democrats agreed to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The post specifically targeted Somali immigrants and Minnesota officials including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Later that evening, Trump stated he would not agree to any DHS funding deal unless Democrats also agreed to the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote and ends mail-in voting, measures widely understood as voter suppression tactics. The post also included attacks on transgender Americans.

Supporting reports

• White House issues national AI legislative framework proposal — The White House issued a comprehensive legislative framework addressing six key AI policy objectives: protecting children and empowering parents through account controls and safety features; safeguarding communities by streamlining data center permitting and combating AI-enabled scams; respecting intellectual property while enabling fair use; preventing censorship and protecting free speech from AI systems; removing innovation barriers to ensure American AI dominance; and developing an AI-ready workforce. The administration states the framework requires uniform federal application to prevent conflicting state laws from undermining innovation.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatened massive escalation against Iran on Truth Social — Trump posted on Truth Social that "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the US, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before."

Supporting reports

• Trump stated he does not need congressional approval to withdraw from NATO — When asked whether he was considering withdrawing from NATO, Trump stated he was disappointed in NATO and asserted: "I don't need Congress for that decision. As you probably know, I can make that decision myself." However, the National Defense Authorization Act mandates that NATO withdrawal requires either a two-thirds Senate vote or a joint act of Congress, limiting unilateral presidential action. Trump's statement indicated intent to ignore this statutory requirement.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed Executive Order 14395 establishing Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in federal benefit programs — President Trump signed Executive Order 14395 on March 16, 2026, establishing a Task Force to Eliminate Fraud within the Executive Office of the President. The order, published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2026, directs the Vice President to chair the task force and coordinates representatives from twelve federal agencies to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs. The task force is authorized to develop eligibility verification measures, establish fraud-prevention controls, disrupt fraud networks, and coordinate information-sharing between federal and state authorities. The order mandates agencies submit fraud-prevention plans within 90 days and directs the Attorney General to promote private civil actions under the False Claims Act.
• Trump issues executive order establishing Task Force to Eliminate Fraud — President Trump signed an executive order on March 16, 2026, establishing a Task Force to Eliminate Fraud within the Executive Office of the President. The Vice President chairs the task force, with the FTC Chairman as Vice Chair. The order directs the task force to coordinate a national strategy to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs administered by states, including Medicaid, SNAP, and childcare assistance. The order mandates agencies to improve eligibility verification, implement anti-fraud controls, and share data with federal authorities within 30–90 days.
• White House issues fact sheet on Task Force to Eliminate Fraud executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on March 16, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The order creates a task force chaired by the Vice President to coordinate government-wide efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs including housing, food, medical care, and cash assistance. The fact sheet states the task force will improve eligibility verification, implement pre-payment controls, detect fraud trends, and develop minimum anti-fraud requirements including proof of identity and documentation standards.
• White House signed Executive Order 14395 establishing Task Force to Eliminate Fraud — President Trump signed Executive Order 14395 on March 16, 2026, establishing a Task Force to Eliminate Fraud within the Executive Office of the President. The order directs the Vice President to chair the task force, with the FTC Chairman as Vice Chairman. The task force is tasked with coordinating a national strategy to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs, including Medicaid, food stamps, and childcare assistance. The order directs member agencies to identify fraud-susceptible transactions within 30 days, adopt minimum anti-fraud requirements within 60 days, and submit implementation plans within 90 days. The order also directs the Attorney General to promote private civil actions under the False Claims Act concerning benefits fraud.

Supporting reports

• Trump imposes 10% temporary tariffs under alternative Trade Act authority following Supreme Court invalidation — Following the Supreme Court's February ruling against his tariffs, Trump invoked section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to impose 10% tariffs on goods from much of the world. These temporary duties expire after 150 days (July 2026). Trump vowed to raise the temporary duty to 15% but has not yet done so. US officials simultaneously launched trade investigations to establish grounds for permanent replacement tariffs.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to cut off all trade with Spain over refusal to permit US military strikes on Iran from jointly operated bases — Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after the Spanish government refused to grant the US permission to use two jointly operated military bases in southern Spain for US strikes on Iran. The threat represents Trump's use of economic coercion to override the sovereign decisions of an allied nation.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration invokes Defense Production Act to force reopening of California offshore oil pipeline — On Friday, March 15, 2026, the Trump administration ordered the reopening of the Santa Ynez offshore oil pipeline system in California, which had been closed since 2015 following a major oil spill. Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked emergency powers under the Defense Production Act, citing national security and military readiness amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Sable Offshore Corporation, the Houston-based operator, announced oil was flowing through the system by Monday, March 18. California Governor Gavin Newsom immediately threatened legal action and the state parks department ordered removal of the pipeline from Gaviota State Park.

Supporting reports

• Energy secretary Chris Wright restarts Sable Offshore pipeline under Trump Defense Production Act order — US energy secretary Chris Wright restarted the Sable Offshore pipeline system using powers granted by Trump through an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act. The pipeline, which links the Santa Ynez offshore platform to California refineries, had been shut down following a 2015 spill that released over 100,000 gallons of crude oil. Wright's restart order superseded California state law and court orders. Sable Offshore began shipping hydrocarbons on March 14 and expects to sell 50,000 barrels per day by April 1, 2026.
• Trump administration invokes Defense Production Act to force reopening of California offshore oil pipeline — On Friday, March 15, 2026, the Trump administration ordered the reopening of the Santa Ynez offshore oil pipeline system in California, which had been closed since 2015 following a major oil spill. Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked emergency powers under the Defense Production Act, citing national security and military readiness amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Sable Offshore Corporation, the Houston-based operator, announced oil was flowing through the system by Monday, March 18. California Governor Gavin Newsom immediately threatened legal action and the state parks department ordered removal of the pipeline from Gaviota State Park.

Supporting reports

• Trump declares war completion based on personal feeling rather than military assessment — When asked by Fox News personality Brian Kilmeade when the war will end, Trump replied "When I feel it, when I feel it in my bones." This statement reflects Trump's pattern of basing major military decisions on personal intuition rather than intelligence, strategy, or military counsel. It mirrors his earlier justification for initiating the war based on a "feeling" that Iran was planning attack, contradicted by Pentagon officials' private briefings to Congress that no such intelligence exists.
• Trump stated war would end when he "felt it in his bones" without military strategy or objectives — When asked how long the war would last, Trump responded that it would end when he felt it in his bones. The statement provided no military strategy, defined objectives, or timeline. Military analysts and former officials noted that wars are decided by logistics, strategy, alliances, and political resolve, not gut feelings or social media posts. The response demonstrated a lack of coherent war planning.

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• Trump told advisors Iran would capitulate if struck — According to reporting by Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman, Alex Leary, and Vera Bergengruen of the Wall Street Journal on March 14, Trump's advisors, including Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, warned Trump that if the U.S. struck Iran, its leaders could well respond by closing the Strait of Hormuz. Trump rejected this assessment, saying that Iran's leaders would capitulate and that even if they tried to close the strait, the U.S. military could handle it. The advisors' warnings proved accurate; Iran did close the strait, and the administration was unprepared for the consequences.

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• Trump signs Executive Order 14391 amending Defense Production Act delegations to include Secretary of Energy alongside Secretary of Commerce — President Trump signed Executive Order 14391 on March 13, 2026, amending Executive Order 13603 to delegate Defense Production Act authorities jointly to the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Energy, each exercising authority independently. The order also clarifies that agency heads need not recommend action to the President when they already possess delegated authority under prior executive orders. The amendment expands the Secretary of Energy's role in national defense resource preparedness decisions.
• Trump issued executive order adjusting Defense Production Act delegations to Secretary of Energy — President Trump issued Executive Order amending Executive Order 13603 to grant the Secretary of Energy independent authority alongside the Secretary of Commerce to exercise delegated powers under the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.). The order also clarified that agency heads need only recommend action to the President when the President alone holds authority and has not delegated it. The amendment expands the Secretary of Energy's role in national defense resource preparedness and supply chain management.
• White House signed Executive Order 14391 adjusting Defense Production Act delegations — The White House signed Executive Order 14391 on March 13, 2026, amending Executive Order 13603 to grant the Secretary of Energy independent authority alongside the Secretary of Commerce to exercise delegated powers under the Defense Production Act. The order also clarifies that agency heads need not recommend action to the President when they already possess delegated authority. The order states it amends prior national defense resource preparedness authorities and clarifies a January 2025 national energy emergency order.

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• Trump signs executive order removing regulatory barriers to affordable housing construction — President Trump signed Executive Order 14394 directing federal agencies to review and revise environmental, housing, transportation, and energy regulations that impede residential development. The order targets Clean Water Act permitting, stormwater requirements, energy-efficiency standards, and historic preservation burdens. It instructs HUD to develop best practices for state and local governments to streamline permitting, eliminate green-building mandates, and remove urban growth restrictions. Treasury and HUD are directed to align Opportunity Zone incentives with single-family home construction.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14394 directing federal agencies to reduce regulatory barriers to residential housing construction — President Trump signed Executive Order 14394 on March 13, 2026, directing the Secretaries of the Army, EPA, Commerce, HUD, Transportation, Agriculture, Energy, and other officials to review and revise federal regulations affecting housing development. The order instructs agencies to streamline permitting for stormwater, wetlands, and Clean Water Act compliance; eliminate energy-efficiency and water-use requirements for housing; provide guidance on categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act; and develop best practices for state and local governments to reduce permitting timelines, eliminate green-energy mandates, and remove urban growth boundaries. The order also directs coordination between Treasury and HUD on Opportunity Zone incentives for single-family home construction.
• White House issues fact sheet promoting executive order on housing regulatory reform — The White House published a fact sheet on March 13, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing multiple federal agencies to review and revise environmental, energy, and housing-related regulations. The order instructs the EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, Commerce, HUD, Transportation, FHFA, Agriculture, Energy, and Council on Environmental Quality to streamline permitting, reduce "green" building code requirements, and eliminate what the fact sheet characterizes as "unduly burdensome" rules. The fact sheet claims regulatory barriers add over $90,000 to home construction costs and that green energy mandates can add $30,000 per home.
• Trump issued executive order removing regulatory barriers to affordable home construction — President Trump signed an executive order on March 13, 2026, directing federal agencies to review and revise regulatory requirements related to environmental permitting, stormwater management, wetlands protection, and energy-efficiency standards that affect residential construction costs. The order instructs the Secretaries of Army, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Agriculture, and Energy, along with EPA and FHFA leadership, to streamline permitting processes, eliminate burdensome rules, and develop best practices for state and local governments to reduce housing construction timelines and costs while promoting single-family home development and affordability.

Supporting reports

• Trump discloses Kushner's role in advising military action against Iran — At a press conference on March 10, 2026, President Trump stated that his son-in-law Jared Kushner, along with Steve Witkoff, Pete Hegseth, and Marco Rubio, convinced him to launch major combat operations against Iran. Trump claimed Iran was preparing an imminent attack. However, U.S. intelligence agencies subsequently told Congress that intelligence did not support the claim of an Iranian preemptive strike threat, contradicting Trump's stated rationale for the military action.

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• Trump administration bypassed Congress to expedite bomb sales to Israel — The Trump administration bypassed Congress using emergency authority to expedite the sale of more than 20,000 bombs to Israel worth approximately $650 million. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that an emergency existed requiring immediate sale and waived congressional review requirements. The weapons package included 12,000 BLU-110A/B general purpose 1,000-pound bomb bodies.

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• Trump posted demands to condition legislation on passage of voting restrictions bill — Trump posted on social media that he will not sign other bills until the "SAVE AMERICA ACT" is passed, demanding voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship, elimination of mail-in ballots except for military/illness/disability, prohibition of transgender athletes in women's sports, and bans on gender-affirming care for minors. He stated the bill "supersedes everything else" and "MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE."
• Trump threatens legislative veto unless Congress passes strict voter ID act — On Sunday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he will not sign any bills until Congress passes the Save America Act, a voting restriction measure. On Monday, he reiterated this demand at a Republican event in Miami, calling for proof of citizenship, elimination of mail-in ballots except in narrow cases, and unrelated provisions banning transgender participation in women's sports. The bill has passed the House but faces steep odds in the Senate due to the filibuster rule. Trump's threat represents an attempt to leverage executive power to force legislative action on a measure voting rights advocates say would disenfranchise millions of Americans.
• Trump announced refusal to sign legislation until Congress passes SAVE America Act — On Sunday, President Trump announced he would not sign any other legislation until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, which passed the House on February 11, 2026, by a vote of 218 to 213. The bill requires documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. A Center for American Progress analysis estimated that approximately 69 million American women and 4 million men lack birth certificates matching their current legal names due to marriage or name changes, and would be blocked from voting under the bill. The measure would also apply to routine voter registration updates and threatens election officials with civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
• Trump threatened to withhold bill signatures unless Senate passes SAVE Act — Trump posted on social media threatening that unless the Senate weakens the filibuster to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act over Democratic objections, he will not sign other bills. His message demanded voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements, elimination of mail-in ballots except for military and disability cases, and other restrictions. The message also included demands unrelated to voting, including bans on transgender medical care for minors and transgender athletes in women's sports.
• Trump threatens Congress over voting legislation — Donald Trump threatened Republican senators on social media, stating he would not sign any bills unless they passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which includes strict voter ID requirements and limits on mail-in ballots. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer criticized the act as a modern form of Jim Crow that would disenfranchise millions.
• House passes Save America act with restrictive voting provisions — The House approved the Save America act, legislation requiring documented proof of U.S. citizenship to register and vote, voter ID requirements, prohibitions on mail voting, bans on gender-affirming care for minors, and restrictions on transgender women in sports. The bill would allow private parties to sue election officials and impose criminal penalties for registration without citizenship documentation. Voting rights advocates warned the measure would prevent millions of Americans from voting, particularly affecting married women whose documents may not match current names.
• Trump demands Senate majority leader alter filibuster rules to force vote on Save America act — Donald Trump publicly pressured Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune to change Senate filibuster rules to force a vote on the Save America act, a bill that would impose strict voter ID and citizenship documentation requirements, ban mail voting, and restrict transgender medical care and sports participation. Trump declared he would not sign any other legislation until the bill reached his desk. Thune refused, citing lack of votes, but some Republicans including John Cornyn reversed prior positions to support rule changes to advance the bill.
• Trump escalated pressure on Congress to pass SAVE America Act — Trump escalated pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Court records indicate that approximately 69 million American women do not have a birth certificate matching their current legal name, often due to marriage, making compliance with such a requirement difficult for a large eligible voter population.
• Save America act introduced with expansive voting restrictions and election worker liability provisions — The Save America act, a rebranded expansion of last year's failed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility act, includes four major provisions: mandatory documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and any registration changes; strict photo ID requirements for all voting methods including mail ballots; criminal penalties and private right of action against election officials who register voters without citizenship proof; and mandatory transfer of state voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security for comparison against federal benefit eligibility databases. The bill would take immediate effect upon signature, requiring states to overhaul voter registration systems mid-election cycle.
• Trump vows to block all legislation until Senate votes on Save America voting restrictions bill — Donald Trump announced he will not sign any other legislation until Republicans pass the Save America act, a sweeping voting restrictions bill that would impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements, strict voter ID mandates for mail and in-person voting, criminal liability for election officials, and mandatory transfer of state voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate is scheduled to vote next week but lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster, making passage unlikely. The bill would take effect immediately upon presidential signature and would affect all American voters.