Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee overseeing the classified documents case, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report on the investigation. This action departed from standard practice, as special counsels routinely release final reports upon conclusion of their work. The report's suppression prevents public disclosure of the factual findings and legal analysis underlying the investigation into Trump's retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon undisclosed military fatalities in Iran war — According to six U.S. officials familiar with Department of Defense internal casualty accounting data, more American service members have died in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed. Five officials reported at least 22 military fatalities—four more than the Pentagon's public database shows. A sixth official stated 23 service members have died. The discrepancy indicates incomplete public reporting of war casualties.

Supporting reports

• Severe undisclosed damage to U.S. bases from Iranian attacks — Satellite imagery and recently obtained images show severe damage to U.S. military bases in the Middle East from Iranian attacks. Bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan have sustained significant structural damage. The Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the extent of damage. A senior U.S. service member stated that bases have been "irreparably damaged" and that rebuilding would require "years and years of construction," not months. MeidasTouch obtained exclusive images showing complete destruction of several structures at a U.S. base in Kuwait.

Supporting reports

• FDA announces temporary guidance for compounding starter parenteral nutrition products for neonates — The Food and Drug Administration published guidance establishing temporary enforcement policies for compounding certain starter parenteral nutrition drug products for neonates. The guidance applies to both pharmacy compounders under Section 503A and outsourcing facilities under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA implemented the guidance immediately without prior public comment to ensure continued patient access to essential neonatal nutrition products following the expected market exit of a predominant supplier. The guidance remains subject to subsequent public comment.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ANDEMBRY patent term extension — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ANDEMBRY (garadacimab-gxii), a human biological product for hereditary angioedema prophylaxis, as 2,528 days (1,916 testing phase, 612 approval phase). The determination, made pursuant to patent term restoration law, establishes the maximum potential patent extension length. The testing phase began July 14, 2018; the complete application was submitted October 13, 2023; approval occurred June 16, 2025. Interested parties may petition FDA by March 8, 2027, to challenge the dates or contest due diligence.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ANKTIVA patent extension — The Food and Drug Administration has determined that the regulatory review period for ANKTIVA (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln), a human biological product approved for treating BCG-unresponsive nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, is 3,922 days (3,222 testing phase, 700 approval phase). The determination spans from July 26, 2013 (investigational exemption effective date) through April 22, 2024 (approval date). This establishes the maximum potential patent extension length; the applicant seeks between 795 and 1,827 days of actual extension across five patents. Comments on date accuracy are due by November 9, 2026; petitions regarding applicant diligence are due by March 8, 2027.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ANZUPGO patent extension at 3,532 days — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ANZUPGO (delgocitinib), a topical treatment for chronic hand eczema, to be 3,532 days (3,167 testing phase, 365 approval phase), spanning from November 20, 2015 (investigational exemption effective date) through July 23, 2025 (NDA approval). The determination establishes the maximum potential patent extension length; the applicant seeks 1,827 days of actual extension. Comments on date accuracy are due by November 9, 2026; petitions regarding due diligence may be filed by March 8, 2027.
• GSA submits Accessibility Conformance Report Repository information collection to OMB for review — The General Services Administration's Office of Governmentwide Policy submitted a new information collection requirement to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval regarding a centralized Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) Repository. The repository will allow federal agencies and the public to access vendor-submitted accessibility reports for information and communication technology products, supporting Section 508 compliance and federal procurement decisions. A 60-day public comment period closed with eight comments received; GSA responded to concerns about administrative burden, public access, sustainability, and standardization.
• EPA submits non-substantive changes to three information collection requests for grant performance reporting to OMB for review — The Environmental Protection Agency published a notice soliciting public comment on proposed non-substantive revisions to three information collection requests (ICRs) governing performance reporting by EPA grant recipients. The changes align ICR forms with Executive Orders issued by the current Administration regarding naming conventions, merit-based opportunity, and state/local preparedness. The ICRs cover General Performance Reporting for Assistance Programs (ICR 2802.01), Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (ICR 2804.01), and the National Estuary Program (ICR 1500.11). EPA stated the changes are non-substantive and impose no additional burden on respondents. A 30-day public comment period ends October 9, 2026.
• FDA announces Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine strain selection — The Food and Drug Administration published notice of a public advisory committee meeting scheduled for October 1, 2026, to discuss and recommend influenza virus vaccine strains for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza season. The meeting will be held online via teleconference. FDA established a public docket (FDA-2026-N-10232) accepting comments through September 29, 2026. Background materials will be posted two business days before the meeting. Interested persons may submit written comments or request time for oral presentations by September 22, 2026.
• FDA Proposes Reinstatement of Information Collection for Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice soliciting public comment on the proposed reinstatement of an existing information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection supports regulatory requirements governing human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) regulated solely under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act. The notice invites comments on necessity, burden accuracy, quality enhancement, and burden minimization. The comment period closes November 9, 2026.
• FDA solicits public comment on proposed information collection for Pregnancy Exposure Registry Enrollment Project survey — The Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeking public comment on a voluntary survey of healthcare providers regarding barriers to patient enrollment in pregnancy exposure registries. The FDA will survey approximately 400 healthcare providers (obstetrician/gynecologists, family medicine physicians, nurse-midwives, physician assistants, specialists, and pharmacists) via internet-administered questionnaire to understand their knowledge, attitudes, and perceived obstacles to recruiting pregnant patients into drug safety registries. Results will inform regulatory guidance on registry protocol design and pregnancy labeling. The comment period closes November 9, 2026.
• EPA solicits public comment on renewal information collection for PBT chemical regulations under TSCA Section 6(h) — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed renewal of an Information Collection Request (ICR No. 2599.04, OMB Control No. 2070-0213) governing reporting and compliance activities for five persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals: decabromodiphenyl ether, phenol isopropylated phosphate, 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl)phenol, pentachlorothiophenol, and hexachlorobutadiene. The renewal consolidates this ICR with a separate 2024 final-rule ICR, increasing total estimated annual burden to 42,309 hours across approximately 26,829 respondents. Public comment period closes November 9, 2026.
• EPA solicits public comment on renewal of information collection request for TSCA user fees — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed renewal of an existing Information Collection Request (ICR No. 2569.07, OMB Control No. 2070-0208) governing user fees for administering the Toxic Substances Control Act. The ICR addresses fee collection from manufacturers and importers of chemical substances under TSCA sections 4, 5, and 6. The renewal reflects a decrease of 269 hours in estimated respondent burden compared to the prior approval. EPA solicits public comment through November 9, 2026, before submitting the final ICR to OMB for review and approval.
• FCC Invites Public Comment on Information Collection for Cable Service Rate Certification Petitions — The Federal Communications Commission published a notice requesting public comments on an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection concerns 47 CFR 76.916, which governs petitions filed by franchising authorities seeking recertification to regulate basic cable service rates after prior certification denial or revocation. The FCC estimates 2 respondents submitting 3 responses annually, with 10 hours per response and 30 total annual burden hours. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
• FCC Requests Public Comments on Information Collection for Universal Service Auction Eligibility and Bidding Communications — The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice requesting public comments on an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection (OMB Control Number 3060-1166) pertains to FCC rules sections 1.21001 and 1.21002, which govern eligibility determinations and prohibited communications during competitive bidding for Universal Service Fund support. The FCC seeks feedback on necessity, burden estimates, and ways to minimize compliance costs for respondents, particularly small businesses. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
• FCC requests public comments on information collection requirements for satellite and earth station licensing — The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice requesting public comments on revised information collection requirements under OMB Control No. 3060-0678, governing licensing and spectrum usage by commercial earth stations and space stations under Part 25 of FCC rules. The revision reflects two recent FCC orders: a Second Report and Order (FCC 25-48, August 8, 2025) streamlining satellite and earth station application processing, and a Report and Order (FCC 26-26, May 1, 2026) modernizing spectrum-sharing criteria for satellite broadband. The collection affects approximately 4,171 respondents with an estimated annual burden of 37,129 hours and annual cost of $7,159,040. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
• FDA announces priority review voucher fee rate for fiscal year 2027 — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice establishing the fiscal year 2027 fee rate for using priority review vouchers at $1,798,596. This fee applies to applications for tropical disease, rare pediatric disease, or material threat medical countermeasure products submitted with a priority review voucher, in addition to standard Prescription Drug User Fee Act fees. The rate is effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and was calculated based on the difference between average costs of priority and standard drug application reviews in fiscal year 2025, adjusted for cost increases.
• GSA releases FY 2027 CONUS per diem reimbursement rates for federal employee travel — The General Services Administration published Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin FTR 27-01, establishing maximum per diem reimbursement rates for federal employees traveling within the Continental United States during fiscal year 2027. The standard lodging rate increases by $3 to $113 per night, following a rate freeze in FY 2026. Meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) reimbursement rates remain at $68–$92, with the standard M&IE rate at $68. The rates apply to travel performed October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Agencies may request GSA review of rates for specific locations if insufficient to meet necessary expenses.
• EPA solicits public comment on NASA's emergency exemption application for ortho-phthalaldehyde use on International Space Station — The Environmental Protection Agency announced receipt of a specific exemption request from NASA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 18 to use ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) as a biocide in the International Space Station's internal active thermal control system coolant. OPA, an unregistered pesticide, would control aerobic and microaerophilic bacteria in the aqueous coolant at concentrations up to 350 mg/liter. NASA asserts OPA is the most effective biocide meeting safety and material-compatibility criteria, with no adequate alternative long-term solution available. The EPA is soliciting 15 days of public comment before deciding whether to grant the exemption, which NASA expects to continue through 2030.
• EPA solicits public comment on renewal of information collection for soil and non-soil fumigant risk mitigation measures — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed renewal of an existing Information Collection Request (ICR No. 2451.04, OMB Control No. 2070-0197) governing fumigant risk mitigation activities. The ICR documents paperwork requirements for fumigant users, registrants, and states implementing risk mitigation measures under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The renewal reflects an increase of 333,720 burden hours and adds Ethylene Oxide-using facilities to the scope. Public comment period closes November 10, 2026.
• FDA finalizes removal of PABA and trolamine salicylate from OTC sunscreen monograph — The Food and Drug Administration issued final administrative order OTC000008-1, removing aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate as permitted active ingredients in over-the-counter sunscreen drug products under OTC Monograph M020. FDA determined these ingredients are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) because available safety data shows risks outweigh benefits. The final order was announced on the FDA website and published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2026, following a proposed order issued in September 2021 with an extended comment period.
• FDA solicits public comment on medical device tracking information collection requirements — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice requesting public comment on the proposed extension of an existing information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection pertains to tracking requirements for class II and III medical devices that meet specified criteria—including those likely to cause serious adverse health consequences, implanted devices, or life-sustaining devices used outside facilities. The comment period closes November 10, 2026. FDA estimates 22,000 potential respondents and a total annual burden of approximately 663,000 hours across reporting, recordkeeping, and third-party disclosure activities.
• GSA rescinds and removes FMR Bulletin B-51 on executive agency property reporting — The General Services Administration rescinded and removed Federal Management Regulation (FMR) Bulletin B-51, which required annual executive agency reports on exchange/sale and personal property furnished to non-federal recipients. GSA cited the bulletin as outdated; the reporting requirement was eliminated by FMR Case 2025-05, which aligned FMR with the administration's deregulatory priorities following Executive Order 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, January 31, 2025). The action became effective immediately on September 11, 2026.
• GSA submits OMB review request for annual SAM.gov certification of higher education compliance with Executive Order 14400 on college sports — The General Services Administration submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request to approve a new information collection requiring registered higher education institutions with $20 million or more in intercollegiate athletics revenue to certify annually their compliance with Executive Order 14400 (Urgent National Action to Save College Sports) via the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). The collection affects approximately 11,720 respondents with an estimated annual burden of 14,620 responses and 181,584.50 hours. A 30-day public comment period closes October 13, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: Democratic National Committee v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02928) — The Democratic National Committee filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Department of Justice, FBI, and Criminal Division violated the Freedom of Information Act by failing to respond to February 2026 FOIA requests seeking records on any planned inspection or seizure of ballots, voting machines, and voting system components ahead of federal election certification. The DNC filed the requests after President Trump's January 2026 statements regretting not seizing voting machines after the 2020 election and an FBI raid that month seizing archived ballots from a Georgia county election office. The DNC seeks an order compelling production of non-exempt responsive records, a detailed Vaughn index of withheld material, and an injunction against further withholding.

Supporting reports

• Treasury and FinCEN eliminated beneficial ownership reporting requirement — The Treasury Department and FinCEN announced a final rule permanently eliminating the requirement for U.S. companies and individuals to report beneficial ownership information. FinCEN also announced it will delete all beneficial ownership information already collected. The beneficial ownership reporting requirement, enacted in 2020, was designed to prevent drug traffickers, Russian and Chinese kleptocrats, and international criminals from hiding money in anonymous shell companies. Former Congressman Tom Malinowski stated the move is likely illegal, as the administration is making its own rules to circumvent a law passed by Congress.
• Treasury Department repeals beneficial ownership reporting requirement — The Treasury Department officially repealed the requirement for U.S. companies and individuals to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), implemented under the Biden administration pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act passed by Congress in 2020. The repeal also exempts Americans who obtained FinCEN IDs from updating or correcting information and eliminates the requirement for foreign companies to report Americans who helped them register to do business in the U.S. The original law was authored by then-Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, who had called it "the most significant anti-corruption and money laundering law in decades."

Supporting reports

• ICE body camera policy allows agency discretion to withhold footage of officer-involved deaths — ICE announced that every field officer nationwide will have a body camera by the end of September. However, the agency's policy states that video of shootings and encounters where officers cause death or serious injury is released "promptly" only after ICE determines that doing so "is in the best interests of the agency." The ICE director can block or indefinitely delay release if "specific and compelling circumstances" justify withholding. Released footage will have officers' faces, names, and badge numbers redacted. ICE spent $30.9 million on body camera equipment in July, one day after an ICE officer fatally shot a 25-year-old motorist in Maine; days later, another officer shot and killed a Houston homebuilder, neither shooting recorded on body camera.
• ICE adopts body-camera policy with director discretion to withhold footage — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced deployment of body cameras to officers by end of August 2026, following deaths and serious injuries in encounters with immigration agents. However, the policy grants the ICE director authority to restrict public release of footage unless "it is in the best interests of the agency." A review committee including ICE officials and lawyers will determine whether to release video of shootings and serious confrontations, with the director able to indefinitely delay release if "specific and compelling circumstances" justify withholding. The policy was first established in February 2025 but funding was delayed by government shutdown.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge ordered Acting AG Todd Blanche to produce unredacted Epstein Files documents — U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to hand over unredacted Epstein Files emails and documents for the court's private review in a lawsuit brought by MeidasTouch host Katie Phang. Judge Sullivan directed the DOJ to produce the unredacted records in camera (for judicial review only) by July 30, along with documentation supporting DOJ's claims that redacted names and information fall within the categories the department claims they do.
• DOJ Submits Unredacted Epstein Records for Judicial Review — The Department of Justice has submitted unredacted Epstein-related records to U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan for private review. This action follows a lawsuit challenging the government's handling of these files. The DOJ complied with a July 25 order to produce documents supporting contested redactions, delivering them to Judge Sullivan's chambers. The records are being reviewed in camera, allowing the judge to assess the government's redactions and determine their validity.
• DOJ delivered unredacted Epstein records to federal judge for private in-camera review in response to court order. — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's DOJ notified U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan on July 30 that it had complied with his July 25 order to produce unredacted documents supporting contested redactions in Epstein-related records. Hard copies were delivered by hand to Judge Sullivan's chambers at 2:28 p.m. Thursday. The records are being reviewed in camera—privately by the judge—allowing Sullivan to examine what the government concealed and determine whether DOJ's redaction justifications are valid. This development stems from a lawsuit brought by attorney Katie Phang challenging the government's handling of the files.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon removes four recently killed service members from official casualty list — The Pentagon's official Defense Casualty Analysis System website reduced its count of US military personnel killed in Operation Epic Fury (the Iran war) from 18 to 14 on Thursday, removing four soldiers killed over the weekend despite their names appearing in a Pentagon press release on Wednesday announcing the transfer of their remains. Military officials told the New York Times the Trump administration removed them because their deaths occurred after Trump declared a ceasefire in April; a Pentagon spokesperson attributed the change to "temporary data disruptions."
• Pentagon altered casualty figures to exclude deaths after declared ceasefire — The Pentagon reported 18 American service members killed in the Iran war on Wednesday, then reduced the figure to 14 on Thursday. Military officials stated the Trump administration removed four service members killed the previous weekend—three in Jordan and one in northern Iraq—from official casualty counts because their deaths occurred after Trump declared a ceasefire in April. The alteration raised questions about the accuracy of casualty reporting and the administration's characterization of the conflict's status.
• Pentagon removes four service members from Iran conflict death toll — The Pentagon removed the names of four Americans killed in Jordan and Iraq from its official count of personnel killed in the Iran conflict, reducing the total from 18 to 14. Three military officials told reporters the revision occurred because the four deaths happened after Trump announced a ceasefire in April 2026. Pentagon acting press secretary Joel Valdez attributed the removal to "temporary data disruptions." The revision supports the administration's argument that congressional approval is not required for continued operations against Iran because the April ceasefire declaration ended the initial operation.
• Pentagon revises U.S. death toll downward — The Pentagon quietly reduced the reported U.S. death toll from military operations from 18 to 14. The bulletin does not explain the reason for the revision or provide context on when the original figure was released.

Supporting reports

• ICE failed to comply with official body camera policy despite adequate funding and authority — Since February 2025, ICE's official policy required law enforcement officers to wear body cameras during enforcement activities. However, as of February 2026, only 3,000 of ICE's 13,000 officers were equipped with body cameras. ICE avoided compliance with the policy by simply not ordering sufficient cameras, despite having access to $75 billion in unrestricted funding since July 4, 2025, and existing contracting authority since 2023 to purchase up to $100 million in body cameras from Axon Enterprise. This non-compliance resulted in at least eight deaths during immigration enforcement actions under the current Trump administration, with body cameras present in only one instance.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon provides minimal information on Iran war strategy after nearly five months of conflict — The Pentagon has provided little information about American military strategy in the Iran conflict after nearly five months of war. The last major Pentagon briefing on the war was in early May. The Trump administration has failed to disclose how the Iran war has drained U.S. supplies of critical, costly weapons and how Iran retained and rebuilt substantial missile capabilities.
• Pentagon Transparency Questions — Questions have arisen regarding the Pentagon's transparency about the true scope of U.S. casualties in the Middle East. This follows reports of increased military activity and direct hits in the region, including in Kuwait and Bahrain. The lack of clear information from the Pentagon has led to concerns about the accountability and oversight of military operations abroad.

Supporting reports

• CENTCOM statement omits disclosure of service members injured in prior Iranian attacks — In a statement on Saturday, July 19, CENTCOM said that four American service members wounded in Friday's attack were taken to Jordanian hospitals and had been discharged. The statement noted that more American troops received minor injuries and returned to duty but did not specify how many. Critically, the statement did not mention service members injured in the three previous attacks in Jordan the prior week.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon failed to disclose three prior Iranian strikes on U.S. forces in Jordan — In the week leading up to the Iranian attack on Friday, July 18, that killed two U.S. soldiers and left one service member missing in Jordan, Iran carried out three other strikes against U.S. forces in the country. Those attacks injured dozens of U.S. service members and damaged several helicopters. However, the Pentagon did not disclose the earlier strikes, nor the casualties and damage they inflicted, citing operational security concerns.

Supporting reports

• Congressional investigation found Trump administration misused 250th anniversary celebration — A congressional investigation titled "From Vanity to Insanity: How the WH Cheated the American People Out of Their 250th Birthday" found that Trump staged a hostile takeover of the United States' 250th anniversary celebration to enrich political allies, harvest voter data, and promote Christian nationalist ideology. The report outlined a web of alleged corruption, wire fraud, and pay-to-play schemes orchestrated through a shadow corporation embedded within the National Park Service.
• House Democratic subcommittee releases report alleging Trump administration hijacked US 250th anniversary celebration for corruption, partisan gain, and ideological purposes — A House Democratic natural resources subcommittee released an interim report titled "From Vanity to Insanity" alleging that the Trump administration orchestrated a hostile takeover of the US semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) celebration. The report documents alleged corruption, wire fraud, pay-to-play schemes, and misuse of the National Park Foundation (NPF) through a shadow corporation called Freedom 250. The administration allegedly diverted resources from the non-partisan America250 Foundation, installed campaign operatives on the NPF board, misled donors, steered federal contracts to Trump loyalists, harvested voter data through event registration, and replaced civic programming with Christian nationalist content while erasing historical narratives about slavery and Indigenous removal from national parks.
• House Democrats released report on Freedom 250 corruption allegations — Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Rep. Jared Huffman, released a report titled "From Vanity to Insanity" accusing Trump's allies of turning the nation's 250th birthday into a "hotbed of corruption and self-enrichment." The report alleges that when the bipartisan America250 commission would not bend to Trump, the White House created a rival group, Freedom 250, and placed it inside the National Park Foundation to avoid transparency rules. The report describes alleged wire fraud (donors directed to Freedom 250 instead of America250), selling presidential access through sponsorship packages, soliciting foreign money, and steering contracts to Trump allies. Freedom 250 denies the allegations.

Supporting reports

• National Design Studio installs undisclosed visitor-tracking software on federal websites — The National Design Studio (NDS), a White House office led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and staffed by Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) veterans, rebuilt sensitive federal websites for passport applications, voter registration, prescription-drug pricing, and children's savings accounts. The NDS installed commercial visitor-tracking software (PostHog) configured to evade privacy tools on four public federal websites without publishing required privacy impact assessments or system-of-records notices mandated by the Privacy Act of 1974 and E-Government Act of 2002. The NDS removed the tracking software after Guardian inquiry on 4 June; White House responded 17 June claiming compliance with legal requirements.

Supporting reports

• National Design Studio installs undisclosed visitor-tracking software on federal websites — The National Design Studio (NDS), a White House office led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and staffed by Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) veterans, rebuilt sensitive federal websites for passport applications, voter registration, prescription-drug pricing, and children's savings accounts. The NDS installed commercial visitor-tracking software (PostHog) configured to evade privacy tools on four public federal websites without publishing required privacy impact assessments or system-of-records notices mandated by the Privacy Act of 1974 and E-Government Act of 2002. The NDS removed the tracking software after Guardian inquiry on 4 June; White House responded 17 June claiming compliance with legal requirements.
• White House National Design Studio rebuilt federal websites outside normal oversight — An investigation by The Guardian found that an opaque White House office called the National Design Studio, staffed largely by veterans of Elon Musk's DOGE and led by Trump-aligned Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, has quietly rebuilt some of the federal government's most sensitive websites for passport applications, voter registration, prescription-drug pricing, and children's savings accounts. The office, established by Trump executive order in August 2025, has built and operates four public federal websites: ndstudio.gov, trumprx.gov, realfood.gov, and trumpaccounts.gov. All four sites run commercial visitor-tracking software configured to evade privacy tools, and none carry the public filings required under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the E-Government Act of 2002. The sites route sensitive interactions between Americans and their government through infrastructure apparently controlled by the White House and outside normal reporting and accountability systems.

Supporting reports

• ODNI withheld report on voting machine vulnerabilities — Reuters reported that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is sitting on a report identifying vulnerabilities in the nation's voting machines. The machines' software is outdated, leaving exploitable vulnerabilities. Former DNI Gabbard initiated the report to investigate Trump's claim that the 2020 election was rigged, but the investigation found no evidence of such fraud. A second report by government contractor Mojave Research, which investigated voting machines in Puerto Rico, also recommended immediate updates to software systems, but those plans have not been implemented.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Department of Agriculture (FOIA violation) — The Center for Biological Diversity filed a complaint in D.D.C. alleging that the U.S. Department of Agriculture violated the Freedom of Information Act by failing to meet the statutory deadline to determine a FOIA request submitted on February 26, 2026, concerning Executive Order 14387 (which delegated Defense Production Act authority over elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides to the Secretary of Agriculture). CBD seeks declaratory judgment, an order requiring immediate determination and production of nonexempt records, a Vaughn index of withheld records, and an injunction against further unlawful withholding.

Supporting reports

• White House East Wing renovation costs balloon to $600 million with taxpayer funding — The Washington Post obtained internal contractor documents showing Trump's White House East Wing renovation, including a new ballroom, underground bunker, and security facilities, has grown from the $200 million Trump promised to an estimated $600 million. More than half is expected to come from taxpayers through the Secret Service, White House Military Office, and Executive Residence. Tens of millions in taxpayer funds were approved before Trump stated in March that "We have no taxpayer putting up 10 cents." The White House responded that Trump and donors are paying for the ballroom itself, ignoring other project costs.
• Trump administration approved tens of millions in taxpayer funds for White House ballroom addition — The Washington Post reported that while Trump assured the public that private donors would pay for a White House ballroom addition, the White House had already approved tens of millions of taxpayer dollars for the contractor building the addition. Internal cost estimates were significantly higher than administration officials had acknowledged in public comments or court filings. Project summaries showed the work was projected to rely heavily on taxpayer dollars from the moment it was announced.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration's Iran deal text remains unpublished and signing ceremony details unclear — The Trump administration has not released the text of the Iran Memorandum of Understanding to the public, Congress, or reporters. Trump stated the text would be released "pretty soon," then walked that back, saying it would come out "sometime after Friday"—after the signing ceremony itself. Trump indicated he may not attend the signing ceremony, telling reporters "JD is coming in for it. I'll probably be gone by then." The agreement is described as a statement of intent to negotiate, with actual technical talks and a final deal still pending.
• Iran MOU text withheld from Congress, press, and Israel — The text of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding remains classified and has not been released to the public, Congress, or Israel, despite Trump's promises to eventually hold a press conference and read it word by word. Israeli officials specifically requested to see the MOU text and were denied by U.S. counterparts, despite prior American assurances that certain preconditions were included in the agreement.

Supporting reports

• ICE ended policy requiring reporting of deaths within 30 days of release — ICE quietly ended the policy requiring it to report deaths of people who die within 30 days of release from custody. Under the new policy, individuals detained, neglected, and released in crisis will not appear in the public record, and deaths will continue but remain invisible to oversight and the public.
• Deaths continue in ICE custody — The article reports that on average one person in ICE detention dies every single week, and references ongoing deaths in ICE custody.

Supporting reports

• ICE eliminated guideline requiring reporting of deaths within 30 days of release — The Washington Post reported that ICE acting director David Venturella sent a memo to employees announcing the elimination of a guideline that required the agency to report deaths occurring less than 30 days after people are released from ICE custody. The policy had been designed to ensure the agency does not release people in an effort to avoid deaths in custody.
• ICE director rescinds reporting requirement for detainee deaths within 30 days of release — Acting ICE Director David Venturella issued a memo rescinding a 2021 Biden-era policy that required the agency to report to Congress and investigate deaths of detainees occurring within 30 days of their release. The policy had been implemented to prevent ICE from avoiding accountability by releasing severely ill detainees. Venturella's memo narrows reporting to deaths occurring only while individuals remain in ICE custody, eliminating oversight of post-release mortality that may result from conditions during detention.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposed federal employee nondisclosure agreement requirement — The Trump administration proposed sweeping language requiring federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements. According to Don Moynihan's analysis, the new requirement would make it impossible for the American people to know what government officials are doing. The tool has been relied upon heavily by Trump to protect himself from potential exposure for wrongdoing.

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

• Wyden accuses Deputy Attorney General Blanche of blocking Epstein document release — Senator Wyden sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on March 19, 2026, alleging that Blanche intervened to prevent the DEA from complying with Wyden's request for an unredacted copy of the Epstein investigation memo. According to a confidential tip to Wyden's staff, DEA Administrator Terry Cole was prepared to provide the unredacted document, but Blanche stepped in to block it. Wyden noted the document is marked "unclassified" on every page and demanded immediate authorization for its release. Wyden also highlighted Blanche's role in Ghislaine Maxwell's transfer to a minimum-security facility and suggested the interference reflects a coverup to protect individuals in the Trump administration.
• Wyden posts on social media alleging Blanche coverup — Senator Wyden posted on social media on March 19, 2026, publicly accusing Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche of intervening to block the DEA from providing details of the Epstein investigation to the Senate Finance Committee. Wyden characterized the interference as "stunning" and noted that the document is marked "unclassified" and the investigation is closed. Wyden stated that given Blanche's close personal ties to Donald Trump, the action "reeks of a continued coverup to protect key names in the Trump administration."
• Todd Blanche blocked release of DEA task force document on Epstein — A 69-page target profile prepared for the DEA by a now-defunct Department of Justice task force details money laundering and drug trafficking schemes linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense attorney now serving in the Department of Justice, is blocking the release of this document. The document relates to financial machinery connected to a child sex trafficking network.