Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DOJ sends federal prosecutor to observe California ballot processing — The US Department of Justice sent a federal prosecutor to observe ballot processing in Los Angeles County during the ongoing count of California's gubernatorial primary. A Trump-appointed assistant US attorney stated that his office was conducting "multiple election fraud investigations" related to the primary.
• DOJ sends federal prosecutor to observe California ballot processing amid Trump election-fraud claims — The U.S. Justice Department deployed a federal prosecutor to Los Angeles County's Ballot Processing Center on Friday to observe ballot-counting operations, as President Trump made baseless claims that California Democrats were "rigging" primary election results. Bill Essayli, the Trump-appointed first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, simultaneously announced "multiple election fraud investigations" and alleged "serious structural vulnerabilities" in the state's election systems. State officials rejected the allegations, and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber affirmed the integrity of the counting process.

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• Trump administration planned to mark 2.7 million living people as dead, whistleblower says — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration planned to mark 2.7 million living people as dead, according to a whistleblower who worked at the Social Security Administration for 25 years and refused to help reclassify the people after agency lawyers warned doing so could violate federal law. The move, which the whistleblower says was possibly meant to intimidate immigrants and affect their finances, included some U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

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• Trump and GOP allies promote baseless election fraud claims about California primary results — President Trump and Republican allies used California's ongoing primary ballot count to falsify claims of election fraud after Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt (R) slipped to third place. Trump posted on Truth Social that Pratt's loss was "not possible" and called California a "3rd World Nation" with "Rigged Elections." The article explains California's extended count results from pro-voting policies requiring ballot verification and mail-in ballot processing, not fraud.
• Conservative commentators promote unsubstantiated voter-fraud allegations in California primary — As vote-counting continued in California's governor's primary, some conservative commentators promoted unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud, specifically targeting mail-in ballots that tend to skew Democratic. Trump had previously issued a national executive order aimed at curbing mail-in ballot use. The California secretary of state urged patience and reaffirmed the state's commitment to balancing voting rights with election security.
• Ron DeSantis amplified unsubstantiated claims about California vote counting — Ron DeSantis, seeking a position in the Trump administration, posted on social media suggesting that California's vote counting process was fraudulent, stating "California keeps dumping votes. Odds are shifting because the vote dumps always seem to go one way. Count until you get the result you want?" His remarks echoed Trump's earlier unsubstantiated claims about election fraud in California.
• Trump posted unsubstantiated claims about California election fraud at 1:00 AM — Trump posted multiple messages on Truth Social claiming widespread fraud in California's primary elections, alleging that vote counting was being delayed and that Democrats were "stealing" races for governor and Los Angeles mayor. He claimed the situation was "under investigation by the US Attorney's Office in Los Angeles." The posts were made during a 1:00 AM posting rampage while Trump had fallen asleep earlier that day during an EPA Administrator's remarks at a press event in the Oval Office.
• Trump declares election rigging in California without evidence — President Trump publicly accused California of "cheating" and election "rigging" on Thursday and Friday, claiming mail-in ballots were being found "shockingly" and stating the DOJ would open an investigation. He congratulated his favored candidate Steve Hilton despite ongoing ballot counting. State officials and Democratic lawmakers rejected the allegations as baseless and characterized Trump's statements as deliberate election misinformation designed to undermine voter confidence in democratic processes.

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• Pentagon designated press office as classified facility — The Pentagon designated its press office as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), a classified space. Journalists, including those who retain press badges, now require appointments to speak with the press secretary. This represents an escalation of Pentagon efforts to control information about military operations that have been ongoing for months.
• Pentagon designates press office as classified facility, bars journalists from entry — The Pentagon's acting press secretary Jose Valdez announced that the Pentagon Press Office has been redesignated as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) due to speechwriters handling classified material, resulting in a blanket ban on journalist access to the office space. This move follows months of escalating restrictions on press access to the defense department, including a September mandate requiring journalists to pledge not to gather unauthorized information and an October announcement of a curated "next generation" press corps. The New York Times has sued the Pentagon twice over these policies; a federal judge ruled against the Pentagon in March, but an appeals court stay allowed the government to continue enforcement while appealing.
• Pentagon designates press room as classified facility — The Department of Defense announced on June 2, 2026, that the Pentagon press office, the longstanding workspace where journalists seek information from military and defense officials, is now a classified space off-limits to the press. The stated reason is that speechwriters handling sensitive material need the room. The Pentagon designated the press room as a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF), which allows reporters to be excluded on classification grounds.

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• Trump posted AI images depicting authoritarian iconography — Trump's social media account posted a series of AI-generated images depicting Trump alongside historical figures (George Washington, Mount Rushmore presidents, King Charles, Xi Jinping), as a superhero admiral, dunking over Governor Kathy Hochul, and in 1950s-style Dick and Jane imagery showing an all-white America labeled "AMERICA IS BACK!" He also posted images contrasting "Biden's America" (depicting theft, violence, illegal immigration) with "Trump's solutions" (showing imprisonment, arrest, deportation).

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• Trump posted dismissive statement on Iran negotiations — At 1:43 p.m. on June 1, Trump posted on social media that "Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran," contradicting his earlier statement to CNBC that he "couldn't care less" if negotiations ended and that they were becoming "very boring." At 5:47 p.m., he posted that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and indirectly with Hezbollah, claiming both agreed to stop striking each other.
• Trump administration suspended Iran nuclear negotiations framework — Following two hours of Situation Room discussions on May 31, the Trump administration appeared poised to accept a 60-day memorandum of understanding with Iran that would have released approximately $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, established a postwar investment fund (reportedly valued at $300 billion), and deferred nuclear program discussions. Trump emerged without final approval. On June 1, Iranian officials suspended negotiations, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon that they claim violate the ceasefire agreement, and threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz and target the Bab al-Mandab strait.
• Iran suspends all diplomatic communications with the United States — Iran's Tasnim News Agency announced that Iran has halted all dialogue and message exchanges with the United States through mediators, citing Netanyahu's military escalation in Lebanon as a violation of ceasefire preconditions. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that a ceasefire must apply to all fronts, including Lebanon. Iran's IRGC threatened to fully blockade the Strait of Hormuz and activate the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea in response.
• Iran suspends peace negotiations with United States and Israel — Iran announced it is breaking off all peace talks with the United States and Israel, citing repeated violations of the ceasefire by both parties. The Iranian negotiating team suspended discussions and text exchanges through intermediaries. Iran's state media Tasnim reported that violations on all fronts, including Lebanon, had prompted the suspension. Iranian officials emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts—including Lebanon—was a precondition for continued dialogue, and stated that as long as Iran's stance on immediate halt to operations and complete withdrawal from occupied areas was not satisfied, there would be no dialogue.
• Trump posts contradictory statements on Truth Social regarding ceasefire status — President Trump posted on Truth Social claiming he had productive calls with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives, stating that all shooting would stop and that Israel would not attack Hezbollah. He also posted that talks with Iran were continuing at a rapid pace. However, Netanyahu immediately contradicted Trump's account, stating that Israel would continue to attack terror targets in Beirut if Hezbollah did not cease attacking Israeli cities and citizens, and that the IDF would continue operations in southern Lebanon as planned.

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• Trump posted call for rally echoing January 6 language — Trump posted on social media that he was "ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location. Only Great Patriots invited—It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America!" The language ("will be wild") directly echoed his December 19, 2020, tweet calling his base to Washington, D.C., on January 6th: "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!"

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• Trump made false claims about California voting procedures — Trump claimed that California "don't have voting booths, everything is by mail" and stated he does not believe a Republican can win California until they pass the SAVE Act. Governor Gavin Newsom responded by stating Trump is "actively lying to Americans" to suppress voting.

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• Kevin Hassett dismissed consumer sentiment data showing economic pessimism — Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, appeared on Fox News Sunday and argued that consumer sentiment data reflecting economic pessimism does not reflect reality but rather reflects Democratic partisanship. He characterized inflation data as "a technical matter" related to reductions in transfers and food stamps, and reframed increased consumer spending on gas and groceries as a sign of optimism.
• Kevin Hassett characterized credit card delinquency as sign of optimism — White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett responded to a question about credit card delinquency reaching 13 percent—the highest since the financial crisis—by distinguishing delinquency from default, stating there is no financial threat to credit card companies, and characterizing increased spending on gas, groceries, and restaurants as a sign that "people are optimistic about the future."
• Kevin Hassett dismissed inflation concerns as technical matter — White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett responded to a question about inflation outpacing wage growth by characterizing it as "a technical matter" and stating that personal income includes transfers and food stamps that the administration has been reducing "as part of our effort to make govt leaner and meaner," implying that reduced benefits explain lower real income.

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• Trump contradicted himself on Iran's military capacity in Fox interview — During an interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Fox News, Trump stated that he intentionally preserved Iran's military, specifically the IRGC, as a "moderate" faction and negotiating partner. Moments later, he declared Iran has no military. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was simultaneously unable to define what "finish the job" means when asked about further military action against Iran.
• Trump made contradictory statements about Iran's military capabilities — Trump made contradictory public statements about Iran's military, first stating "We've actually let their military alone - people would be surprised to hear that" and moments later claiming "Iran is a very bad position. They have no military." These statements contradict each other and conflict with intelligence assessments that Iran's military capabilities remain largely intact.

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• Trump posted multiple Truth Social messages attacking artists, judges, and promoting rally alternatives — Trump posted numerous messages on Truth Social over the weekend criticizing artists scheduled for the Freedom 250 event, calling them "third rate" and "overpriced," and announcing plans to replace them with a rally featuring himself. He also attacked Judge Cooper over Kennedy Center naming rights, claimed a perfect cognitive test score, and criticized Judge Richard Leon over drone port security matters. The posts included attacks on judges he characterized as "crooked" and suggestions they should be impeached.

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• Judge orders removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center; blocks summer closure — US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts cannot be renamed without an act of Congress, ordering the Trump administration to remove all signage bearing Trump's name within 14 days. Cooper also temporarily blocked the center's proposed two-year closure for renovations, finding the board's decision "ill-informed and seemingly preordained." Trump responded by instructing the Department of Commerce to arrange a full transfer of the institution to Congress.
• Federal judge orders Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center — A federal judge blocked Trump's effort to shut down the Kennedy Center and ordered his name removed from the building. Trump responded with a multi-thousand-word statement on Truth Social blaming the judge, the judge's wife, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Lisa Page, Russia investigations, E. Jean Carroll, tariffs, birthright citizenship, and the broader court system. Trump declared the Kennedy Center will "probably never open again" and stated he wants to relinquish control of the center entirely.
• Trump posted social media screed attacking Kennedy Center ruling — President Trump responded to Judge Cooper's order to remove his name from the Kennedy Center with a lengthy social media post in which he claimed he alone was "saving a dying Performing Arts Center" and stated he would "transfer this failing Institution back to" Congress. Trump also complained that the New York Times was criticizing the "magnificent restoration of the Reflecting Pool" and asserted that no president had been treated as unfairly by the courts as he had been.
• Trump threatened federal judge over Kennedy Center drone port project — Trump attacked a federal judge who blocked his planned Kennedy Center renovations, which included a drone port to be built in the White House ballroom. The President's threats against the judge occurred as he simultaneously expressed desire to cancel the "Freedom 250" anniversary celebration and replace it with a MAGA rally after several artists declined to participate.
• Kennedy Center begins removing president's name from signage and materials — The Kennedy Center's general counsel directed staff to remove the president's name from signage, letterhead, and materials by June 12, after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on May 29 that the board lacked authority to rename the institution and also blocked its planned two-year closure. The center said it is evaluating its legal options. The ruling restored the principle that public institutions are governed by rules that do not bend to a single person.
• Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center — Lawyers for the Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts instructed staff to immediately begin switching the facility's name back to its original title, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The instructions, laid out in a memo sent by the center's general counsel, represent the first official signal that the national arts hub is complying with a federal court order to drop Trump's name and reconsider plans to close for two years of renovations. Changes to interior and exterior signage and furniture carrying Trump's name must be switched back by the following Friday.

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• United States Postal Service proposed mail-in ballot restriction — The United States Postal Service proposed a rule that would send mail-in ballots only to voters registered with the federal government. The proposal would represent a massive expansion of federal control over voting without congressional authorization. The proposal reflects the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to gain control over state voter lists and election administration, efforts that have been repeatedly rejected by courts on the grounds that the Constitution establishes that states run elections.
• Federal judge in Massachusetts blocks USPS mail ballot restriction — A federal judge in Massachusetts issued an order in June 2026 blocking the Trump administration's directive to the USPS to restrict mail ballot delivery to voters on federal pre-approved lists. The block applies to the 23 blue states and Washington, D.C. that challenged the order.
• Trump orders DOJ to investigate California elections — Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate California elections after his preferred candidate trailed in the state's June gubernatorial primary. The order relied on conspiracy theories to justify the investigation.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted social media screed attacking Kennedy Center ruling — President Trump responded to Judge Cooper's order to remove his name from the Kennedy Center with a lengthy social media post in which he claimed he alone was "saving a dying Performing Arts Center" and stated he would "transfer this failing Institution back to" Congress. Trump also complained that the New York Times was criticizing the "magnificent restoration of the Reflecting Pool" and asserted that no president had been treated as unfairly by the courts as he had been.

Supporting reports

• CBS 60 Minutes correspondent departs after editorial independence compromised — Sharyn Alfonsi, a correspondent for CBS's 60 Minutes, departed the program this week after her contract was not renewed. In a statement, Alfonsi criticized CBS management for "abandoning" the show's mission of "fearless, independent reporting," stating the network is "choosing access journalism over accountability and protecting power rather than scrutinizing it." She alleged that "the wall between editorial independence and corporate interest at CBS is being methodically torn down."
• Kash Patel's girlfriend sues MSNBC for defamation — Alexis Wilkins, girlfriend of Kash Patel, filed a defamation lawsuit against MSNBC. Her legal team used the phrase "This was hogwash and they knew it" in the filing.
• Scott Pelley confronts new 60 Minutes leadership hire at all-hands meeting — Scott Pelley publicly confronted new 60 Minutes hire Nick Bilton at an all-hands meeting, questioning his qualifications. Pelley also called out Bari Weiss by name, stating she was brought in to kill the show and is doing exactly that, per Puck's Dylan Byers.

Supporting reports

• Lead Left super PAC linked to House Republican leadership in Democratic primary interference operation — Popular Information investigation revealed that Lead Left, a political action committee spending millions to boost Democratic primary candidates with significant political liabilities, is secretly linked to the Congressional Leadership Fund, the super PAC of House Republicans. The discovery indicates a coordinated GOP operation to weaken Democratic candidates in primary races by promoting vulnerable nominees, potentially advantaging Republican general-election prospects.
• Two additional progressive super PACs linked to House GOP and Speaker Johnson — A follow-up Popular Information investigation connected two other purportedly progressive super PACs spending millions in primary races to House Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). The discovery expands the scope of the covert GOP operation to manipulate Democratic primaries through multiple front organizations.
• California Blue PAC runs coordinated operation benefiting Ken Calvert in primary — California Blue PAC, linked to Republicans, is running ads supporting Democratic candidate Esther Kim Varet in California's 40th Congressional District primary, where Republican incumbents Young Kim and Ken Calvert are competing. Simultaneously, California Conservatives PAC (funded through the same dark-money chain) is attacking Kim. Both efforts benefit Calvert, who chairs the Defense Appropriations subcommittee. The operation uses a jungle primary system to potentially eliminate one Republican incumbent before the general election.
• Real Change PAC email infrastructure reveals GOP coordination — Real Change PAC, a purportedly progressive super PAC attacking Democratic candidates, uses email infrastructure provided by Cavalry LLC, a Republican communications firm founded by Mitch McConnell's former Chief of Staff. Cavalry has received over $10 million from the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) in the 2024 cycle alone. Real Change PAC is attacking Democratic candidates perceived as strong general-election contenders, including Joe Baldacci in Maine's 2nd District and Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey's 7th District, while funneling spending through shell company Four Ponies Consulting LLC to obscure relationships.
• Cavalry LLC provides infrastructure for coordinated GOP attack operation — Cavalry LLC, a Republican communications firm founded by Josh Holmes (Mitch McConnell's former Chief of Staff), provides email and digital advertising infrastructure for Real Change PAC and California Conservatives PAC. FEC filings show Cavalry received over $10 million from the Congressional Leadership Fund in the 2024 cycle and over $5 million in each of the two previous cycles. Cavalry also received over $200,000 in the last month to run digital ads attacking Republican candidate Young Kim.
• Congressional Leadership Fund connected to dark-money chain obscuring election spending — The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), the House Republican super PAC, is connected through a chain of dark-money organizations to California Conservatives PAC and Real Change PAC. The American Prosperity Alliance, a 501(c)(4) dark-money organization, received $5.5 million from the American Action Network (the 501(c)(4) associated with the CLF) in 2024. This funding chain obscures the ultimate source of political spending attacking and supporting candidates in California's 40th Congressional District and other races.
• Four Ponies Consulting LLC used as shell company to obscure PAC relationships — Real Change PAC and California Blue PAC are funneling all spending through a newly created shell company called Four Ponies Consulting LLC. No other federal committee has spent money with Four Ponies, indicating it exists solely to obscure the relationship between the two PACs and their shared vendor, Cavalry LLC. The shell company structure prevents voters from understanding the coordinated nature of the attack operation.
• Super PACs linked to GOP attack Democrats from the left — An investigation by Popular Information has revealed that two super PACs, which present themselves as progressive and have been attacking Democrats from the left, are connected to the Republican Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF). Further investigation linked these PACs to the Republican communications firm Cavalry LLC, exposing their true political motivations. This discovery highlights the use of deceptive tactics in political campaigns to influence voter perceptions and undermine Democratic candidates.

Supporting reports

• Office of Management and Budget proposed federal grant control rule — The Office of Management and Budget, directed by Russell Vought, proposed a sweeping change to federal rules that would place Trump appointees in control of billions of dollars in federal grants. The proposed rule would empower Trump's appointees to terminate grants that do not align with Trump's priorities, including grants awarded to universities through the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The rule represents an attempt to politicize the distribution of federal research funding.
• OMB publishes sweeping grant-vetting proposal requiring political approval of federal awards to universities and NGOs — The White House Office of Management and Budget published a 400-page proposal requiring Trump-appointed officials to vet all federal grants to universities and nongovernmental organizations based on "American values" as defined by the president and "demonstrably advance the president's policy priorities." The proposal would bypass peer review, allow grants to be terminated at any time for any reason, ban diversity and LGBTQ+ support, prohibit disparate-impact research, and centralize grant administration under OMB Director Russell Vought. The rule-making process began with Friday's Federal Register publication and would take effect in October.

Supporting reports

• State police replace ICE officers outside Delaney Hall; violent clashes ensue — On Friday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that state police would replace ICE officers outside Delaney Hall detention center. State police established roadblocks approximately half a mile on either side of the facility. That night, clashes erupted when state police officers on horseback and in riot gear moved into the crowd of protesters, deploying teargas canisters, aggressively shoving demonstrators, and arresting six people. Advocates criticized the state police response as more aggressive than prior ICE conduct.
• State police deploy teargas and pepper balls against anti-ICE protesters at Newark detention facility — On Friday night, New Jersey state police fired teargas canisters and pepper ball pellets at anti-ICE protesters outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark. State police also deployed on horseback to drive protesters back. This followed Governor Mikie Sherrill's announcement that state officials would take over policing outside the facility from ICE, including attempts to establish a "protected speech zone" with fences. The action occurred amid a nine-day hunger and labor strike by detained immigrants demanding improved conditions and medical care.
• New Jersey state police deploy at Delaney Hall ICE facility; dozens of protesters arrested for curfew violations — On Sunday night, New Jersey state police in riot gear enforced a curfew at Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, resulting in arrests of at least 20–46 protesters who defied dispersal orders. Governor Mikie Sherrill had announced Friday that state law enforcement would take over policing duties from federal ICE officers following eight days of confrontations. The rapid deployment—less than 15 minutes after issuing a dispersal order—drew criticism from protesters, elected officials, and journalists, who alleged excessive force and attacks on press documenting the scene.
• Governor Sherrill establishes "free speech zone" restricting protester access to Delaney Hall — On Friday, Governor Mikie Sherrill enacted a "free speech zone" that kept protesters at least half a mile away from the entrance to Delaney Hall detention center. Protesters reported this restriction prevented them from being visible or heard by detainees inside, effectively nullifying their ability to demonstrate solidarity with those held in the facility during ongoing hunger and labor strikes.
• Newark Mayor imposes indefinite overnight curfew at Delaney Hall area — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka imposed an indefinite overnight curfew from 9pm to 6am in the area surrounding Delaney Hall immigration detention center, effective immediately following Saturday night clashes between state police and protesters. The curfew order threatened arrest or legal action against those who did not disperse during the restricted hours. The curfew was announced after violent confrontations in which state police on horseback and in riot gear used teargas, aggressive shoving, and arrests against demonstrators.
• DHS posts mocking video of protester arrest; launches "zero tolerance" messaging campaign — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a video on its X account showing an unarmed protester being dragged at gunpoint by officers in riot gear, captioned "Don't be this guy." The post was part of a broader DHS messaging campaign on Sunday featuring slogans including "law and order," "ZERO tolerance for rioters," and "if you riot, you will face the consequences." The DHS also dismissed detainee complaints of poor food and lack of medical care as "a hoax."
• Journalist Adriano Kalin reports first direct police attack on press at anti-ICE protests — Photojournalist Adriano Kalin, documenting protests at Delaney Hall, reported that state police directly targeted press for the first time in his coverage of anti-ICE demonstrations nationwide. Kalin posted video footage of a flash-bang grenade thrown directly at his feet as state police in riot gear advanced on the crowd. He noted that while press had previously been in harm's way at other protests, they had never been deliberately targeted until this incident.
• New Jersey Governor Sherrill deploys state police to suppress Delaney Hall immigration detention protests — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill sent state police in riot gear to "lower the temperature" at protests outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, where 300+ detainees were conducting a hunger and labor strike over poor conditions. State police arrested dozens of protesters, hospitalized some, pulled journalists from vehicles and exposed them to teargas, and arrested other journalists who were held in custody for a full day. Sherrill blamed "outside agitators" and has not met strikers' demands, including a meeting with the governor.