Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• NCPC approves Trump White House ballroom project despite pending judicial review — The National Capital Planning Commission, chaired by Trump's former personal lawyer William Scharf, approved Trump's $400 million East Wing ballroom project on Thursday. The approval came two days after a federal judge ruled that work cannot proceed without congressional approval and granted a preliminary injunction to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Justice Department has appealed the judge's ruling. The commission described the 90,000 sq ft ballroom as a continuation of the White House's historical evolution.

Supporting reports

• DOJ opinion claims Presidential Records Act unconstitutional — Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser published an opinion stating that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional, arguing it infringes on presidential autonomy. This opinion could significantly impact the handling of presidential records and accountability.
• Office of Legal Counsel published opinion declaring Presidential Records Act unconstitutional — Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser of the Office of Legal Counsel published a legal opinion for the White House arguing that the Presidential Records Act (PRA), which requires presidents to keep records of official business and transfer them at the end of their term, is unconstitutional. The memo claims the PRA "unconstitutionally intrudes on the independence and autonomy of the President guaranteed by Article II" and states "the President need not further comply with its dictates."

Supporting reports

• US judge halts Trump's $400m White House ballroom project via preliminary injunction — US District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction requested by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, halting construction of a $400 million White House ballroom project. Trump had demolished the historic East Wing without congressional approval. Leon ruled that Trump exceeded his authority and must obtain congressional authorization before continuing. The Trump administration immediately appealed the order. Trump attacked both the nonprofit and the judge on Truth Social, claiming the project was "under budget, ahead of schedule" and required no congressional approval.
• Department of Justice appealed Judge Leon's ballroom ruling — Following Judge Richard Leon's ruling that Trump cannot proceed with White House ballroom construction without congressional approval, the Department of Justice filed an appeal of the decision.
• Judge Richard Leon blocked Trump's White House ballroom construction project — U.S. District Judge Richard Leon of the District of Columbia ruled that Trump cannot proceed with construction of a giant ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House without congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had sued Trump and federal agencies to halt construction, alleging Trump bypassed required legal reviews and approvals. Leon wrote that "The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!" and stated that "no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims." Leon ordered that "the ballroom construction project must stop until Congress authorizes its completion." The Department of Justice immediately appealed.
• Appeal filed — National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04316 — The government appealed to the court's March 31 order to the D.C. Circuit, Case No. 26-5101 .
• Preliminary injunction ruling — National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04316 — In an opinion and order , Judge Leon granteda preliminary injunction stopping the planned White House ballroom project, finding the President is acting without statutory authority. “[U]nless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!,” the judge wrote. The court stayed its order for 14 days.
• US District Judge Richard Leon halted construction of Trump's ballroom project — US District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction halting construction of Trump's ballroom, ruling that the National Trust for Historic Preservation was likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that the President lacks statutory authority for the project. The judge found no statute grants the President the claimed authority and ordered construction to stop until Congress authorizes completion. Trump responded with a lengthy Truth Social post attacking the National Trust and comparing the ballroom to other federal projects.
• NCPC approves Trump White House ballroom project despite pending judicial review — The National Capital Planning Commission, chaired by Trump's former personal lawyer William Scharf, approved Trump's $400 million East Wing ballroom project on Thursday. The approval came two days after a federal judge ruled that work cannot proceed without congressional approval and granted a preliminary injunction to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Justice Department has appealed the judge's ruling. The commission described the 90,000 sq ft ballroom as a continuation of the White House's historical evolution.
• Stay pending appeal decided — National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04316 — The administration filed an emergency motion for a stay pending appeal of the District Court's March 31 preliminary injunction. In the alternative, the administration requested “at least” a 14-day stay so the Solicitor General could seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court. Per the motion, the East Wing is actively under construction and the building materials onsite must be installed rather than “be exposed to the conditions and elements of an open construction site. Time is of the essence!”

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice appealed Judge Leon's ballroom ruling — Following Judge Richard Leon's ruling that Trump cannot proceed with White House ballroom construction without congressional approval, the Department of Justice filed an appeal of the decision.

Supporting reports

• House approved two-month DHS spending stopgap; Senate vote uncertain. — The House approved a two-month stopgap spending plan for the Department of Homeland Security late Friday night. The bill heads to the Senate on Monday morning for a vote. A Republican senator is expected to seek unanimous consent to take up the bill, but if any senator objects, the House bill dies and the DHS shutdown continues. If the Senate blocks the bill, it is unlikely the shutdown will end until after both bodies return in mid-April following the Easter/Passover recess.
• Department of Homeland Security shutdown continued with TSA workers unpaid — The Department of Homeland Security shutdown continued, with TSA workers having gone weeks without pay. Back pay was beginning to arrive, allowing workers to afford food, gas, medication, and catch up on rent. Many TSA agents reported receiving only a fraction of what they were actually owed. The shutdown resulted from Trump and House Republicans refusing a bipartisan Senate bill that would have funded DHS except for ICE and Border Patrol, demanding additional funding for ICE instead.
• House and Senate Republicans publicly blamed each other for DHS shutdown impasse — During the 44-day DHS funding shutdown, House and Senate Republicans engaged in public recriminations over responsibility for the impasse. House Speaker Johnson rejected Senate Majority Leader Thune's negotiating approach, ensuring continued shutdown. Senate Republicans, led by Thune, attempted to negotiate with Senate Democrats while House Republicans maintained their position. Trump remained silent on the Senate proposal initially, then sided with House Republicans when rejection became clear, leaving House Republicans with ownership of the impasse.
• Senate Democrats rejected House Republican DHS funding proposal — Senate Democrats, through Schumer's office, rejected the House Republican DHS continuing resolution, stating they would not accept anything less than what was passed unanimously by the Senate. A Schumer spokesperson attributed the shutdown to Republican division and intransigence, stating that Johnson and House Republicans "needlessly extended this DHS shutdown" and that Republicans should not expect Senate Democrats to resolve Republican internal caucus problems.
• Trump endorses Republican plan to fund ICE and CBP via reconciliation — President Trump endorsed a plan by Republican leaders Mike Johnson and John Thune to pass the Senate's DHS compromise bill, then separately fund ICE and CBP through the budget reconciliation process, which bypasses the Senate filibuster. Trump also directed that the reconciliation measure be completed by June 1 and signaled it may include funding for Iran conflict operations and voter identification requirements from the Save America Act.
• Senate passes DHS funding bill excluding ICE and CBP — The Senate passed a compromise measure funding most of the Department of Homeland Security while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and elements of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The deal emerged after weeks of deadlock between Democrats, who demanded guardrails on federal immigration enforcement agents, and Republicans. The measure represents a negotiated settlement but was rejected by House Republicans, who sought full DHS funding including ICE and CBP.
• Senate Republicans plan reconciliation bill to fund ICE and border enforcement outside Democratic reach — Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham initiated a budget resolution to fund ICE and immigration enforcement using the reconciliation procedure, which requires only Republican votes and cannot be filibustered by Democrats. This move circumvents Democratic demands for conduct reforms on immigration arrests, including mask-wearing bans and warrant requirements for residential entry. The reconciliation bill is also expected to include funding for conflict with Iran and voter identification requirements from the Save America Act.

Supporting reports

• House Freedom Caucus blocked Senate DHS measure — Members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus opposed the Senate's DHS funding measure, apparently because they wanted more money for ICE and Border Patrol, inclusion of the SAVE Act, and Trump's approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson, dependent on the far-right caucus to maintain his speakership, refused to bring the Senate measure to a vote despite knowing it could pass with Democratic votes and most Republican votes.
• House Republicans reject Senate funding measure — House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that House Republicans would not pass the Senate's funding measure for DHS, which excludes additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol. Instead, he indicated a preference for a 60-day continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels.
• Speaker Johnson announced 60-day continuing resolution instead of Senate bill — House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he would refuse to pass the Senate's DHS funding measure and instead direct the House to pass a 60-day continuing resolution to fund DHS at current levels. This action left TSA agents facing two more weeks without paychecks while the Senate was on recess. Johnson stated the Senate "went dark and did not communicate with us," despite the Senate having just passed and departed after voting on the measure.
• House Republicans reject Senate-passed DHS funding bill — House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, including FEMA and the Coast Guard, but excluding ICE and border patrol. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the bill a "gambit," and Majority Leader Steve Scalise claimed it defunded 25% of DHS operations at a time of heightened threat level. The House had previously sent a short-term alternative bill, but the impasse over ICE operations remained unresolved as Congress entered spring recess.
• House Speaker Johnson rejected Senate DHS funding bill and adjourned House — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) rejected the Senate's plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security without appropriations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Bowing to pressure from far-right House Republicans, Johnson called the Senate bill "a joke" and sent House members home until April 13 without a vote. Johnson announced he would bring the bill forward with Democratic support and attempt to fund ICE and CBP through budget reconciliation, which does not require Democratic votes.
• House Republicans reject Senate DHS compromise, extend partial shutdown — The US House of Representatives declined to vote on a Senate-passed compromise bill funding most of the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, April 3, despite Republican leaders Mike Johnson and John Thune agreeing to advance it. The partial DHS shutdown, ongoing since mid-February, has become the longest in US history. House Republicans instead passed their own 60-day funding measure that includes ICE and CBP, which Senate Democrats blocked via filibuster. The impasse reflects internal Republican divisions over separating ICE/CBP funding from broader DHS appropriations.

Supporting reports

• Trump demands Senate eliminate filibuster for funding legislation — President Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to eliminate the filibuster to allow Senate Republicans to pass funding legislation without Democratic votes. This demand comes as Trump seeks to include the controversial SAVE America Act in the funding plan, which would impose stricter voting requirements and target transgender Americans.