Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Grubhub donated $25,000 to Republican Attorneys General Association — Grubhub, which committed to providing reimbursement of up to $4,000 per year for employees who had to travel out of state for healthcare access, donated $25,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association on June 26, 2025. RAGA uses funds to support legal efforts restricting abortion access nationwide.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court rules Medicaid beneficiaries lack enforceable right to sue over provider discrimination — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, holding that Medicaid beneficiaries do not possess an enforceable right to sue states that violate the "free choice of provider" clause. The case arose from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster's 2018 executive order blocking abortion-providing clinics from Medicaid reimbursement. Lower courts had repeatedly blocked the order, but the Supreme Court's ruling eliminates the primary legal mechanism for challenging such state discrimination, effectively clearing the path for South Carolina and other states to defund Planned Parenthood and similar providers from Medicaid programs.
• Supreme Court ruled Medicaid patients cannot sue to enforce provider choice — On June 26, the Supreme Court ruled that Medicaid patients can't sue to enforce their right to pick a medical provider, clearing the way for states to exclude Planned Parenthood from their Medicaid programs.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (23-1275) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Docket number(s): 23-1275.

Supporting reports

• RFK Jr withdraws COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for pregnant women — Robert F Kennedy Jr announced he is withdrawing the federal recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, claiming "there was no science supporting that recommendation" despite extensive research demonstrating vaccine safety in pregnancy. Kennedy stated pregnant women could still choose to receive the vaccine but it would no longer be officially recommended by the health department.

Supporting reports

• Pregnant ICE detainee lost baby after being denied medical care — Iris Dayana Monterroso-Lemus was arrested by ICE in Lenoir City, Tennessee and transferred to Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana while pregnant. Despite repeatedly requesting medical assistance and reporting symptoms of serious complications, facility staff dismissed her concerns and provided no prenatal care. She experienced intrauterine fetal death and underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery while under constant guard by two federal officers, one of whom shackled her feet during labor. Clinical notes confirmed she received no prenatal care throughout her detention.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents arrest US citizen Andrea Velez in downtown Los Angeles without identifying themselves — On June 24, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in plainclothes and gaiter masks forcibly detained Andrea Velez, a 32-year-old US citizen, during a street operation in downtown Los Angeles. Velez was dragged into an unmarked SUV without being told why. The Department of Justice subsequently charged her with assaulting a federal officer, a felony carrying up to 20 years imprisonment. Sixteen days later, prosecutors dismissed the charges after Velez's attorney requested body-worn footage and witness statements that the government could not produce. Video evidence showed Velez did not resist and appeared to be standing still when taken.
• US citizen arrested during ICE raid in Los Angeles — Andrea Velez, a 32-year-old US citizen and Cal Poly Pomona graduate, was arrested by ICE agents during an immigration raid in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. Witnesses reported agents did not request identification and used force, lifting her off the ground. Her family, including her mother (a resident alien) and sister, were present and screamed for help. Authorities did not inform the family of her whereabouts for over a day. DHS claimed she assaulted an ICE officer; no charges have been formally disclosed. The incident reflects a pattern of US citizens being swept up in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations.
• Andrea Velez, U.S. citizen, detained by ICE during immigration raid and charged with felony obstruction — On June 24, 2025, Andrea Velez, a U.S. citizen, was swept up in an immigration raid in Los Angeles while on her way to work. ICE officers knocked her to the ground, and despite her declaring her citizenship, detained and led her to a car. Believing she was being kidnapped, Velez attempted to run to nearby police officers before ICE agents caught her. She spent two nights in jail and was charged with a felony for obstructing an officer, a charge the Justice Department dropped two weeks later.
• Department of Justice charges Andrea Velez with felony assault on federal officer — Following her June 24 arrest, the DOJ charged Andrea Velez, a 4-foot-11-inch US citizen, with assaulting a federal officer based on an affidavit claiming she extended her arm into an officer's path. Velez denied the allegation, stating she never touched anyone. The charge carried a potential 20-year sentence. Prosecutors later moved to dismiss the charges sixteen days after her arrest when Velez's attorney requested body-worn footage and witness statements that the government could not produce.

Supporting reports

• US Court of Appeals orders Trump administration to return wrongfully deported man to US — The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered the Trump administration to return Jordin Melgar-Salmeron to the United States after he was deported to El Salvador on May 7, less than 30 minutes after the court had expressly barred his removal. The court also required the government to provide a declaration of his current whereabouts and custodial status within one week, and to explain compliance steps. The ruling was designed to address a pattern of apparent government defiance of judicial orders.
• Case update — Melgar-Salmeron v. Bondi (2d Cir.) 23-7792 — The Second Circuit ruled that the government must facilitate the Petitioner's return from El Salvador as soon as possible. The court explained that the Government acknowledged that they had transferred the Petitioner, an alleged MS-13 member, to El Slavador on May 7, 2025 in defiance of a court order and despite assurances given to the court due to a “a confluence of administrative errors" in the Government's words. The court also directed the administration to report back within one week on Melgar-Salmeron's current location and status and plans about his return.
• Federal appeals court ordered return of deported man — On June 24, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration must seek the return of another man deported to El Salvador in violation of a court order "as soon as possible."
• Daniel Lozano-Camargo deported in violation of settlement agreement — Daniel Lozano-Camargo, a 20-year-old Venezuelan, was deported along with approximately 240 other men from Venezuela to El Salvador's Cecot facility after US authorities declared them members of Tren de Aragua. A Maryland court later ruled that he had been improperly removed in violation of an earlier settlement forbidding his removal while his immigration case was pending.
• Guatemalan immigrant deported to Mexico in violation of asylum protections — A Guatemalan immigrant identified only as "OCG" was deported to Mexico despite claiming to have been raped and kidnapped in that country. The deportation appears to violate protections against returning individuals to places where they face persecution or danger.

Supporting reports

• Democrats introduce "My Body, My Data" bill to protect reproductive health data — On June 11, 2025, Democratic lawmakers Representative Sara Jacobs, Senator Mazie Hirono, and Senator Ron Wyden introduced the "My Body, My Data" bill in both the US House and Senate. The bill aims to restrict companies from collecting, using, retaining, or disclosing information related to reproductive health unless necessary for a requested service. This includes data on pregnancy, menstruation, abortion, and contraception. The bill is a response to concerns about data privacy in the post-Roe v Wade era, where law enforcement has used data trails to identify abortion seekers. Despite its introduction, the bill faces challenges in passing due to Republican control of Congress.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration sends funding cut requests to Congress — The Trump administration submitted requests to Congress to rescind previously allocated funding totaling $9.4 billion, including cuts to the State Department and programs supporting women and children.

Supporting reports

• West Virginia Prosecutor Suggests Women Report Miscarriages to Police

Supporting reports

• Administration ends emergency abortion requirement — The Trump administration announced it will no longer enforce the Biden administration's guidance requiring emergency rooms to perform necessary abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which could endanger patients' lives.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order targeting DEI programs at military academies — President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government, which has led to significant changes at military service academies, including West Point. As a result, several student clubs, such as the Society of Women Engineers, the Latin Cultural Club, and a group serving the LGBTQ+ community, have been disbanded. Additionally, the defense department has instructed these academies to remove books and materials that may conflict with the DEI-related policy. This move has sparked protests and at least one faculty resignation at West Point.

Supporting reports

• South Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Six-Week Abortion Ban — The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the state's six-week abortion ban, rejecting Planned Parenthood's argument that the definition of a "fetal heartbeat" was incorrect. The court's 5-0 decision confirmed that the legislative intent was to prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This ruling is a significant setback for Planned Parenthood, which argued that the ban should not apply until nine weeks, when a fetus's heart is formed. The decision reinforces the restrictive abortion laws prevalent in the southeastern United States.

Supporting reports

• RFK Jr orders FDA review of mifepristone regulations — On Wednesday, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the FDA to review the regulations surrounding the abortion pill mifepristone. This decision follows pressure from anti-abortion groups and is based on "new data" from a flawed analysis by a right-wing think tank. The analysis claims higher complication rates from mifepristone, although it has not been peer-reviewed. The review could lead to reinstating previous restrictions on the drug, such as banning telemedicine prescriptions and limiting its use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy.

Supporting reports

• DNC announced new election for Vice Chair seats — The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced it will hold a new election for two Vice Chair seats after a complaint was filed alleging improper vote tallying that favored male candidates. The Credentials Committee voted to re-run the election to address concerns about gender parity.
• Hogg claims DNC election re-run is retribution for PAC spending — David Hogg claimed that the DNC's decision to re-run the election for Vice Chair seats is a form of retribution for his announcement to spend $20 million from his PAC to challenge long-time Democratic incumbents in primaries.
• Kenyatta expressed frustration over DNC election re-run — Malcolm Kenyatta expressed frustration over the DNC's decision to re-run the election for Vice Chair seats, stating he was upset that the challenge was successful despite his resounding victory. He emphasized that the challenge was initiated before Hogg's announcement.
• DNC chair warns against intervention in primary elections — DNC chair Ken Martin has publicly stated that party officials should not intervene in primary elections, emphasizing the need for neutrality to avoid alienating voters. He has proposed a rule change that would require David Hogg to choose between his role as vice-chair and his leadership of the political organization Leaders We Deserve, which aims to challenge incumbent Democrats.
• DNC subcommittee recommends invalidating vice-chair election — A subcommittee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has recommended invalidating the election of David Hogg and Malcolm Kenyatta as vice-chairs, citing improper parliamentary procedure during the election process. If the full DNC voting body approves this recommendation, a new election for the vice-chair positions will be held. This decision has sparked internal conflict within the party, particularly as Hogg is advocating for primary challenges against incumbent Democrats.
• DNC subcommittee recommends invalidating vote for vice-chair roles

Supporting reports

• Proposed Budget Reconciliation Bill — The Republican-led Congress is advancing a Budget Reconciliation Bill that aims to implement significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, while providing substantial tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. The bill is framed as a measure for fiscal discipline but has been criticized for its potential impact on vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly. The bill's passage is being expedited, with a deadline set for May 26.
• House Energy and Commerce Committee Proposes Medicaid Cuts — The House Energy and Commerce Committee has released a proposal to cut $880 billion in federal spending over a decade, with significant reductions targeting Medicaid. This plan would strip nearly 9 million low-income Americans of their health insurance and require those earning above the federal poverty level to make co-payments for medical services. The proposal is part of an effort to fund the extension of the 2017 tax cuts. The plan requires approval from both the House and the Senate, where it faces opposition from some Republican senators, including Josh Hawley and Susan Collins.
• House committees release plans for tax cuts and spending cuts — Several House committees, including the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees, released plans for a legislative measure that includes extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts and implementing cuts to various public services, including Medicaid and climate initiatives. The proposed legislation is part of a broader effort to enact Trump's agenda, which has faced significant public opposition.
• House Republicans propose cuts to Medicaid and SNAP — House Republicans are working on a legislative measure that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to millions of Americans. The proposed cuts are part of a larger bill that also seeks to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these cuts could result in the loss of healthcare for at least 10.3 million Americans over the next decade.
• House Republicans propose budget bill with major changes — House Republicans have introduced a budget bill that includes significant tax cuts and spending increases, which could add trillions to the federal deficit. Key provisions include a $1,000 savings fund for babies born between 2024 and 2028, increased standard deductions for seniors, work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and additional defense spending. The bill also proposes ending green tax incentives and altering tax deductions for tips and car loan interest. The proposal has sparked internal conflict among Republicans, with some members threatening to block the bill.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration canceled funding for UN Population Fund — The Trump administration canceled funding for the United Nations Population Fund, which supports women's health and reproductive rights.

Supporting reports

• Case update — Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Department of Interior (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00612 — Plaintiff filed a reply in support of its motion to expedite discovery.
• Case update — Mahmoud Khalil v. William P. Joyce et al. (D.N.J.) 2:25-cv-01963 — Petitioner Mahmoud Khalil submitted a letter requesting to amend his petition to reflect the transfer of his case to the District of New Jersey, the addition of Yolanda Pittman as a defendant, and the addition of a new charge of removability. On May 8, he submitted a third amended petition and complaint .
• Case update — RFE/RL, Inc. v. Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00799 — The D.C. Circuit imposed an administrative stay .
• Case update — State of California v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-03372 — Plaintiffs filed their opposition to Defendants' motion to transfer the case to the U.S. Court of International Trade, claiming that the current court has jurisdiction to decide the lawsuit because the action does not arise out of a law providing for tariffs.
• Motion to dismiss decided — Centro de Trabajadores Unidos v. Bessent (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00677 — Defendants replied to Plaintiffs' April 23 supplemental memorandum in which they emphasized that Plaintiffs lack standing and requested that the Court grant its motion to dismiss.
• Motion to dismiss decided — J. Doe 4 v. Musk (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00462 — Defendants filed a motion to dismiss and a supporting memorandum , asserting that the Plaintiffs do not have jurisdiction and they fail to state a claim.
• Motion to dismiss decided — Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-002 — Plaintiffs filed a response in opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — A.S.R. v. Trump (W.D. Pa.) 3:25-cv-00113 — The administration filed its opposition to the preliminary injunction motion, arguing A.S.R. lacks standing to bring the claims and is unlikely to succeed on the merits of his claims. Plaintiffs replied in support of their motion on May 2.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Association of University Professors v. United States Department of Justice (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02429 — Defendants filed a memorandum in opposition to the Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, claiming that the Plaintiffs lack subject matter jurisdiction and standing and their claims also fail on the merits.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-02005 — Plaintiff filed a reply in support of its motion to modify the preliminary injunction, emphasizing that Defendants' opposition does not dispute the plain language of the statutes and appropriations reports that demonstrate the grants at issue are intentionally funded by Congressional action.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Kennedy (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10814 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion. Among its arguments in opposition, Defendants assert that the court lacks jurisdiction in part because the Plaintiffs' challenges are not to final agency actions and the grant terminations are not subject to APA review.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — CREW v. CDC (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01020 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion. On May 8, Plaintiff replied in further support of their preliminary injunction motion
• Preliminary injunction ruling — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' April 25 motion for a preliminary injunction in which they suggest that the United States has and will continue to provide procedural due process and that Plaintiffs' claims fail on the merits.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Learning Resources v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01248 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants assert that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction and that the issue of Trump's tariffs under the IEEPA is a political question because Congress lawfully delegated authority to the President to regulate importation through the imposition of tariffs under special circumstances.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Nat’l Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Ed. v. Trump (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-00333 — The Court denied Plaintiffs' request to vacate the preliminary injunction order.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — New York et al v. Donald J. Trump (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01144 — Defendants filed a motion to dissolve the preliminary injunction, claiming that they have provided the information requested by the Court in its Feb. 21 order granting the preliminary injunction, and documented that they have used appropriate processes for hiring, reporting, training, vetting, and mitigation with respect to all of the members of the Treasury DOGE Team.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Widakuswara v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01015 — The D.C. Circuit imposed an administrative stay including in a set of consolidated cases, but for this case, the D.C. Circuit did not stay the district court's preliminary injunction with respect to ordering the administration to reinstate staff at Voice of America and resume the media outlet's news programming.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-03698 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) which requested that the court block Defendants from taking action to implement or enforce EO 14210.
• Planned Parenthood Sues HHS Over Teen Pregnancy Program Funds — Five Planned Parenthood affiliates sued the Department of Health and Human Services and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for freezing funds for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. This lawsuit challenges the administration's funding decisions.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth ends Women, Peace & Security program — Pete Hegseth announced the termination of the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) program within the Department of Defense, labeling it a divisive initiative. The program was originally enacted during Trump's first administration and aimed to integrate gender perspectives into security policies.
• Pete Hegseth Ends Pentagon’s Women, Peace and Security Program — On April 29, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the termination of the Pentagon’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program. Hegseth criticized the program as a "woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative," despite its origins in the Trump administration. The WPS program, established by the Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017, aimed to enhance women's roles in peace and security efforts. Hegseth indicated that the Pentagon would meet only the minimum federal requirements and plans to lobby for defunding the program in the next budget cycle.

Supporting reports

• Trump executive order eliminates disparate-impact liability from federal civil rights enforcement — On April 24, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to "deprioritize enforcement" of civil rights laws where policies have discriminatory effects, even without discriminatory intent. The order instructs the attorney general to begin repealing or amending regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and requires all federal agencies to review pending cases and consent decrees based on disparate-impact theory within 90 days. Civil rights advocates argue the order guts decades of civil rights protections.
• Trump executive order eliminates disparate-impact liability in civil rights enforcement — On April 24, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order that eliminates "disparate-impact liability" from federal civil rights enforcement, directing federal agencies to deprioritize enforcement of laws that have discriminatory effects. This order has drawn significant criticism from civil rights advocates who argue it undermines protections against discrimination that have been in place for decades. The order also instructs the attorney general to begin repealing or amending related regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Supporting reports

• Trump proclaims Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, 2025 — President Trump issued Proclamation 10922 on April 23, 2025, designating April 20–27, 2025, as Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust. The proclamation honors the six million Jewish victims and other groups persecuted by Nazi Germany, commemorates the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation, and acknowledges recent anti-Semitic incidents in the United States. The proclamation directs federal action against anti-Semitic harassment in schools and colleges, including removal of resident aliens who violate laws, and pledges investigation and punishment of anti-Semitic discrimination in universities.
• Trump proclaims National Park Week and announces National Garden of American Heroes monument — President Trump issued Proclamation 10921 designating April 19–27, 2025, as National Park Week. The proclamation celebrates national parks as sources of inspiration and education, references the restoration of Mount McKinley's name, and announces creation of a National Garden of American Heroes monument honoring 250 American patriots. The proclamation ties park preservation to patriotic education and the White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday.
• Trump proclaims National Volunteer Week, April 20–26, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump issued Proclamation 10923 designating April 20–26, 2025, as National Volunteer Week. The proclamation honors Americans who volunteer their time and talents in service to communities and the nation, celebrating volunteerism as central to American life. It calls upon all Americans to observe the week by volunteering in service projects and pledging to make service part of their daily lives. The proclamation was signed April 23, 2025, and published in the Federal Register on April 28, 2025.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14277 establishing White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education and directing federal agencies to develop K-12 AI curricula, teacher training, apprenticeships, and a Presidential AI Challenge. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14277 on April 23, 2025, establishing a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The order directs federal agencies to develop public-private partnerships for K-12 AI literacy resources, issue guidance on using federal education grants for AI instruction, create teacher professional development programs, expand AI-related registered apprenticeships, and establish a Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge to highlight student and educator achievements. Implementation deadlines range from 90 to 120 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14278 directing comprehensive review and expansion of federal workforce development programs and registered apprenticeships. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14278 on April 23, 2025, directing the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to review all federal workforce development programs within 90 days and submit a report identifying ineffective programs, consolidation opportunities, and strategies to align training with reindustrialization needs. The order also directs submission of a plan within 120 days to expand Registered Apprenticeships to reach 1 million new active apprentices and improve transparency on program performance outcomes including earnings and employment data.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14280 rescinding equity-based school discipline guidance and directing Education Department to issue new discipline guidance within 30 days. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14280 on April 23, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to issue new guidance to schools within 30 days regarding school discipline and Title VI compliance, explicitly rejecting what the order characterizes as "discriminatory equity ideology" in discipline policies. The order rescinded 2023 guidance from the prior administration that encouraged schools to analyze racial disparities in discipline data. It also directs the Secretary of Defense to revise military-family school discipline codes within 60 days and requires a comprehensive 120-day report on discipline-related Title VI investigations and non-profit organizations promoting equity-based approaches.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14281 eliminating disparate-impact liability in federal civil rights enforcement — President Trump signed Executive Order 14281 on April 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to eliminate use of disparate-impact liability across all civil rights enforcement contexts. The order revokes prior presidential approvals of Department of Justice Title VI regulations, instructs agencies to deprioritize enforcement of statutes containing disparate-impact standards, and requires the Attorney General and other agency heads to review and modify pending investigations, consent judgments, and regulations within 30–90 days to align with the new policy of merit-based, colorblind administration.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14283 establishing White House Initiative on HBCUs — President Trump signed Executive Order 14283 on April 23, 2025, establishing a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) housed in the Executive Office of the President and led by a presidentially designated Executive Director. The Initiative will coordinate with federal agencies, private sector, and philanthropic organizations to strengthen HBCU institutional capacity, infrastructure, and student outcomes. The order revokes Executive Order 14041 from September 2021 and directs the EPA to terminate the HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions Advisory Council within 14 days.
• Trump signs executive order on foreign funding disclosure at American universities — President Trump signed Executive Order 14282 directing the Secretary of Education to robustly enforce Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, requiring universities to disclose foreign funding sources and purposes. The order mandates the Department of Education reverse prior administration actions that permitted secrecy regarding foreign funds, require more detailed disclosure, increase public access to foreign funding information, and hold institutions accountable for non-compliance. Federal funding eligibility is made contingent on certification of compliance with foreign funding disclosure requirements.
• Trump signs executive order reforming higher education accreditation standards — President Trump signed Executive Order 14279 directing the Secretary of Education to reform accreditation standards for colleges and universities, specifically targeting "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) requirements in accreditation. The order instructs the Secretary and Attorney General to investigate and terminate unlawful discrimination by law schools, medical schools, and graduate medical education programs, and to assess suspending or terminating accreditor status. It mandates new accreditation principles focused on student outcomes, intellectual diversity, and high-value education, while reducing barriers to institutional innovation and streamlining accreditor recognition processes.
• Trump signed executive orders targeting universities on diversity and foreign gifts — On April 23, 2025, Trump signed executive orders targeting universities, addressing foreign gifts and directing federal enforcement of disclosure laws on large donations and college accreditation. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated the administration would look at "those who have real merit" and examine universities not enforcing merit standards. The orders continue Trump's crackdown on diversity and inclusion efforts in higher education.
• Trump signs executive orders targeting university diversity, accreditation, and foreign gifts — On Wednesday, President Trump signed multiple executive orders directing federal enforcement of foreign gift disclosure laws at universities, empowering the education secretary to hold accreditors accountable through denial or termination of recognition, and investigating alleged "unlawful discrimination" in higher education. The orders frame diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards as violations of federal civil rights law. Trump also signed a separate order establishing a White House initiative on historically Black colleges and universities to promote affordability and retention. The administration has simultaneously cut billions in university funding and detained international students in retaliation for activism.
• Trump issued executive order establishing White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education — President Trump signed an executive order on April 23, 2025, establishing a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education to promote AI literacy among American youth. The order directs federal agencies to develop public-private partnerships for K-12 AI resources, enhance teacher training in AI, establish a Presidential AI Challenge, and expand registered apprenticeships in AI-related occupations. Implementation timelines range from 90 to 120 days for various agency actions.
• Trump issued executive order on skilled trade workforce development — President Trump issued an executive order on April 23, 2025, directing the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to review federal workforce development programs within 90 days and submit a comprehensive strategy to align training with reindustrialization needs. The order also mandates a plan within 120 days to expand Registered Apprenticeships to reach 1 million new active apprentices, improve transparency on program outcomes, and identify alternative credentials to four-year degrees aligned with employer skill demands.
• Trump issues executive order establishing White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities — President Trump signed an executive order on April 23, 2025, establishing a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), housed in the Executive Office of the President and led by a designated Executive Director. The order directs the Initiative to work with federal agencies, private-sector employers, foundations, and educational associations to increase HBCU capacity, strengthen institutional planning and fiscal stability, upgrade infrastructure, and provide professional development opportunities in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. The order revokes Executive Order 14041 from September 2021 and directs the EPA to terminate the HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions Advisory Council within 14 days.
• Trump issues executive order reforming higher education accreditation standards and investigating DEI requirements — President Trump issued an executive order on April 23, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to reform accreditation standards for higher education institutions and hold accreditors accountable for what the order characterizes as unlawful discrimination through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements. The order instructs the Attorney General and Secretary of Education to investigate and take action against law schools, medical schools, and graduate medical education programs that enforce DEI-based accreditation standards, and authorizes suspension or termination of accreditor recognition. The order also mandates new accreditation principles focused on student outcomes and institutional quality without reference to race, ethnicity, or sex.
• Trump issues executive order requiring transparency on foreign funding to American universities — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on April 23, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to enforce Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires institutions to disclose foreign funding sources. The order mandates robust enforcement, reversal of prior administration actions that permitted secrecy, more detailed disclosure requirements, public access to foreign funding information, and accountability measures including audits and potential withholding of federal grants for non-compliance. Trump cited a prior study showing universities failed to disclose over half of reportable foreign gifts from 2010–2016.
• Trump issues executive order rescinding equity-based school discipline guidance and directing new federal guidance on race-neutral discipline policies. — President Trump signed an executive order on April 23, 2025, directing the Department of Education and Department of Justice to issue new guidance to schools within 30 days regarding school discipline and Title VI civil rights protections. The order characterizes prior 2014 and 2023 federal guidance on racial disparities in student discipline as "discriminatory equity ideology" and directs agencies to prevent schools from using race-conscious discipline policies. It requires a 120-day report assessing discipline-related Title VI investigations since 2009 and model discipline policies aligned with "American values and traditional virtues."
• Trump issues executive order restricting disparate-impact liability in federal civil rights enforcement — President Trump signed "Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy" on April 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to deprioritize enforcement of disparate-impact liability under civil rights statutes including Title VI, Title VII, and the Fair Housing Act. The order revokes prior presidential approvals of DOJ regulations permitting disparate-impact claims, instructs the Attorney General to repeal or amend implementing regulations across all agencies within 30 days, and requires agencies to reassess pending investigations and consent judgments relying on disparate-impact theory within 45–90 days and take "appropriate action" consistent with the order's policy.
• President Trump issued proclamation designating Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, April 20–27, 2025 — President Trump issued a proclamation on April 23, 2025, designating April 20–27, 2025, as Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust. The proclamation honors the six million Jewish victims and other groups persecuted by the Nazi regime. It references an executive order directing federal action against anti-Semitic harassment in schools and colleges, including removal of resident aliens who violate laws, and commits to investigating anti-Semitic discrimination in universities.
• President Trump issued proclamation designating National Park Week, April 19–27, 2025 — President Trump signed a proclamation on April 23, 2025, designating April 19–27, 2025, as National Park Week. The proclamation celebrates national parks as sources of inspiration, education, and recreation, and references the administration's actions to restore names to parks (including returning Mount McKinley to its former name) and the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes honoring 250 American patriots. The proclamation encourages Americans to learn about the natural and historical heritage of national parks.
• President Trump issued proclamation designating National Volunteer Week, 2025 — The White House issued a proclamation on April 23, 2025, designating April 20–26, 2025, as National Volunteer Week. The proclamation honors volunteers across the country who serve in soup kitchens, shelters, schools, hospitals, and religious organizations. It calls upon all Americans to observe the week by volunteering in service projects and pledging to make service part of their daily lives.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14278 on workforce development and skilled trades training — President Trump signed Executive Order 14278 directing the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to review all Federal workforce development programs within 90 days and submit a report identifying opportunities to consolidate, streamline, and redirect fragmented programs toward skilled trades and reindustrialization. The order also directs a 120-day plan to expand Registered Apprenticeships to reach 1 million new active apprentices and mandates improved transparency on program performance outcomes including earnings and employment data.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14279 reforming higher education accreditation standards — President Trump signed Executive Order 14279 on April 23, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to reform accreditation practices in higher education. The order states that accreditors have "abused their enormous authority" by approving low-quality institutions and imposing "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) standards. It directs the Secretary to hold accreditors accountable for unlawful discrimination, investigate law schools and medical schools for DEI-based accreditation requirements, and establish new accreditation principles focused on student outcomes without reference to race, ethnicity, or sex. The order also directs resumption of recognition for new accreditors and streamlined processes for institutions to change accreditors.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14281 eliminating disparate-impact liability in federal civil rights enforcement — President Trump signed Executive Order 14281 on April 23, 2025, directing federal agencies to deprioritize enforcement of civil rights statutes and regulations that rely on disparate-impact liability theory. The order revokes prior presidential approvals of Department of Justice Title VI regulations, instructs the Attorney General to repeal or amend implementing regulations across all agencies, and requires agencies to reassess pending civil rights investigations, lawsuits, and consent judgments within 45–90 days to align them with the order's policy. The order states that disparate-impact liability "mandates, rather than proscribes, discrimination" and claims it violates the Constitution and equal protection principles.
• Trump signed executive order eliminating disparate-impact liability in federal enforcement — The White House issued a fact sheet announcing that President Trump signed an executive order eliminating the use of disparate-impact liability across federal agencies. The order directs agencies to deprioritize enforcement of statutes and regulations containing disparate-impact provisions, instructs the Attorney General to repeal or amend Title VI racial nondiscrimination regulations that contemplate disparate-impact liability, and orders review of pending investigations, lawsuits, and consent judgments relying on disparate-impact theory. The fact sheet characterizes the order as restoring "merit-based" opportunity and "equal treatment."
• White House Initiative on HBCUs established by executive order — President Trump signed Executive Order 14283 establishing a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, housed in the Executive Office of the President and led by a presidentially designated Executive Director. The Initiative is tasked with increasing private-sector engagement in HBCU institutional development, infrastructure upgrades, workforce preparation, and research funding competitiveness. The order also establishes a President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs in the Department of Education and revokes Executive Order 14041 from September 2021, along with directing termination of the EPA's HBCU and Minority Serving Institutions Advisory Council within 14 days.
• White House issues fact sheet on AI education executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on April 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to advance AI education and workforce development for American youth. The order establishes a White House Task Force on AI Education, chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, to coordinate a Presidential AI Challenge, develop public-private partnerships for K-12 AI education, and direct federal agencies to prioritize AI training in grant programs and workforce initiatives. The fact sheet states the order directs the Secretary of Labor to increase AI apprenticeships and the Secretary of Education to prioritize AI in teacher training grants.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order establishing HBCU Initiative — The White House published a fact sheet on April 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that day establishing a White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), housed in the Executive Office of the President. The order creates a President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs within the Department of Education and directs the Initiative to prioritize private-sector partnerships, workforce preparation in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance, and to address barriers to federal and state grant funding. The fact sheet states the Initiative will convene an annual White House Summit on HBCUs.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order mandating foreign funding disclosure by universities — The White House published a fact sheet on April 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that day. The order directs the Secretary of Education to require universities to disclose foreign funding sources and purposes, reverse prior administration actions that permitted obscuring such details, and work with the Attorney General to enforce compliance through audits and investigations. The fact sheet states that federal grant funds may be revoked for non-compliance and claims the prior administration had weakened oversight of foreign funding in higher education.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order reforming higher education accreditation — The White House published a fact sheet on April 23, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that directs the Secretary of Education to overhaul the accreditation system for higher education institutions. The order states it will hold accreditors accountable through denial, monitoring, suspension, or termination of recognition; directs investigation of alleged unlawful discrimination by institutions; and mandates accreditation realignment around student outcomes, intellectual diversity among faculty, and program-level data without reference to race, ethnicity, or sex. The fact sheet claims accreditors have failed to ensure quality and have imposed discriminatory diversity standards.
• White House issues fact sheet on school discipline executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on April 23, 2025, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump on school discipline policies. The order directs new guidance to educational agencies emphasizing compliance with Title VI protections and requiring discipline based on "objective behavior, not DEI." The fact sheet characterizes prior Obama-era guidance as having pressured schools to equalize disciplinary rates by race, and claims the Biden Administration "weaponized" Title VI. The order requires a report analyzing DEI-based discipline and proposing model policies.
• White House issues fact sheet on workforce training executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on April 23, 2025, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Commerce to review and modernize federal workforce programs. The order states it aims to prepare workers for skilled trades and emerging industries, with a stated goal of supporting more than 1 million apprenticeships per year. The fact sheet claims the order addresses a projected shortage of skilled tradespeople and redirects federal workforce investment away from traditional higher education toward apprenticeships and career-technical training.
• White House signed Executive Order 14277 establishing AI education task force and initiatives — The White House signed Executive Order 14277 on April 23, 2025, directing the establishment of a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The order directs federal agencies to develop public-private partnerships for K-12 AI resources, create a Presidential AI Challenge, enhance educator training in AI, and expand AI-related registered apprenticeships and workforce development programs. Implementation deadlines range from 90 to 120 days.
• White House signed executive order on foreign funding disclosure at universities — President Trump signed Executive Order 14282 directing the Secretary of Education to enforce Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires universities to disclose foreign funding sources. The order states that universities failed to disclose more than half of reportable foreign gifts from 2010–2016, and claims the prior administration undermined investigations. It directs the Secretary to reverse prior actions permitting secrecy, require more detailed disclosure, increase public access to foreign funding information, and hold institutions accountable for non-compliance, including through withholding federal grants.
• White House signed executive order on school discipline policies — President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Education and Department of Justice to issue new guidance within 30 days requiring schools to apply discipline policies without regard to racial disparities, characterizing prior guidance as promoting "discriminatory equity ideology." The order directs the Secretary of Education to take enforcement action against schools failing to comply with Title VI, requires coordination with state officials within 60 days, mandates a Department of Defense school discipline code revision within 90 days, and requires a comprehensive report within 120 days assessing discipline-related Title VI investigations since 2009 and recommending model policies.
• Trump rolled back school discipline guidance on racial bias — Trump rolled back guidance on school discipline that addresses racial bias, which was introduced by Barack Obama in 2014. Trump had previously removed the guidance during his first term, but Biden reinstated it in 2023. The rollback eliminates protections against racially disparate discipline in schools.
• Trump signed executive order overhauling college accreditation system — Trump signed a series of executive orders, including an overhaul of the accreditation system for colleges and universities to prevent "unlawful discrimination and ideological overreach" through DEI-related policies and standards. The order targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education.
• Trump signed order eliminating disparate-impact liability — Another executive order sought to eliminate "disparate-impact liability" – the legal theory that policies that appear neutral but disproportionately harm marginalized communities can still be considered discriminatory – from federal civil rights enforcement. The move prompted backlash from advocates.

Supporting reports

• Secretary of State announced major State Department reorganization with 15% staff reduction — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a significant reorganization of the State Department that includes a 15% reduction in total staff and consolidation of bureaus from 734 to 602. According to reporting, the reorganization eliminates departments related to global women's issues, global criminal justice, conflict stabilization operations, trafficking in persons, and international religious freedom offices.
• Marco Rubio announces sweeping State Department reorganization — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a comprehensive reorganization of the U.S. State Department on Tuesday, April 23, 2025, proposing to cut more than 700 positions and eliminate 132 of 734 offices. The plan targets bureaus focused on democracy promotion, human rights, and refugee assistance, which Rubio characterized as advancing "radical political ideology" rather than national interests. The reorganization would close overseas missions, reduce staff, and subsume human-rights and democracy-promotion functions into regional bureaus, marking the largest diplomatic corps reduction in decades.

Supporting reports

• EEOC sends text survey to Barnard College employees asking religious/national origin identity — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sent unsolicited text messages to Barnard College employees on their personal phones, linking to a voluntary survey asking whether recipients are Jewish, Israeli, practice Judaism, or have Jewish/Israeli ancestry. The survey was part of a Trump administration investigation into alleged antisemitism at the college. Barnard's general counsel confirmed the college had received no advance notice and that the EEOC was legally entitled to obtain employee contact information. Faculty expressed alarm that the survey effectively creates a list of Jewish employees and represents unprecedented surveillance intruding into personal devices.

Supporting reports

• U.S. House passes SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration — The U.S. House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require states to obtain proof of citizenship when people register to vote or update their registration. The bill mandates in-person presentation of documents such as a passport or state/federal ID card plus a birth certificate with matching names, effectively ending online or mail-based registration and updates. The measure would also ban states from counting mail ballots arriving after Election Day. The bill faces a likely Democratic filibuster in the Senate.

Supporting reports

• Harmeet Dhillon issues new civil rights division mission statements deprioritizing marginalized groups — Harmeet Dhillon, Trump-appointed head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division (confirmed early April 2025), sent new internal mission statements to multiple sections this week that fundamentally redirect the division's focus away from protecting marginalized groups' rights. The Voting Rights Section now prioritizes hunting noncitizen voters and preventing "fraud" over enforcing the Voting Rights Act. The Housing and Civil Enforcement Section omits the Fair Housing Act entirely and targets "racially discriminatory lending programs" (code for attacking minority credit initiatives). The Educational Opportunities Section focuses on preventing discrimination against white applicants and anti-transgender issues. The Disability Rights Section redirects resources toward targeting transgender Americans via executive orders.

Supporting reports

• Proposed NC Bill to Restrict Voter Registration — North Carolina's HB 127, titled "Voter Registration Drive Form," is set for committee review. The bill would make it illegal for any person or organization to use an actual registration form to register voters, potentially hindering voter registration efforts and access to democratic participation.
• US House passes Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote — The US House of Representatives approved the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (Save Act) on a 220-208 vote on Thursday, requiring voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate when registering or updating registration. Supporters claim the bill prevents noncitizen voting; opponents argue it will disenfranchise millions of American citizens, particularly people of color, young voters, rural residents, and those without readily available citizenship documents. The bill codifies elements of a presidential executive order signed on 25 March and faces uncertain prospects in the Senate.
• U.S. House passes SAVE Act restricting voting rights — The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act as part of a broader legislative package. Democracy Docket characterized the act as "the most extraordinary attack on voting rights in American history." The legislation now faces Senate consideration, with advocacy groups mobilizing opposition and urging senators to vote against it.