Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration unilaterally cancels federal union contracts after appeals court overrules injunction — The Trump administration, following a federal appeals court decision overruling an injunction, unilaterally terminated collective bargaining agreements for approximately 400,000 federal workers across the Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Agriculture. An executive order issued in March had sought to cancel all collective bargaining agreements for most federal employees, citing national security concerns. Union leaders warn this represents an unprecedented attack on labor rights and a test case for dismantling unions nationwide.

Supporting reports

• Walmart terminates Adrian Martinez following his arrest — Walmart terminated Adrian Martinez's employment after his arrest by Border Patrol agents, citing "gross misconduct" in company records. Martinez had been on break from work when he objected to the detention of an older janitor. Despite never being charged with assault, the false public allegations made by US Attorney Essayli and Border Patrol Chief Bovino resulted in Martinez losing his job and being unable to pursue his truck-driving license.

Supporting reports

• Texas senator requests FBI assistance to locate and arrest Democratic state lawmakers who left state — U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas requested that FBI Director Kash Patel assist Texas law enforcement in locating and arresting Democratic state legislators who departed the state to prevent a quorum on redistricting votes. The request escalates a confrontation between Texas Republicans (backed by Trump) seeking aggressive congressional redistricting and Democratic lawmakers who fled to Illinois. Governor Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition to remove state representative Gene Wu from office, and state troopers were ordered to arrest and return absent members. The FBI declined to comment on the request.
• Senator John Cornyn requests FBI arrest of Democratic legislators — Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas asked the FBI to find and arrest the Democratic legislators who left the state to break quorum on the redistricting vote. Trump told reporters the FBI might have to get involved. The request represents a significant overreach of federal power to enforce state legislative quorum requirements.
• Senator Cornyn claims FBI agreed to assist in locating Texas Democratic lawmakers — Senator John Cornyn claimed the FBI had agreed to help locate Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a Republican-backed gerrymandered congressional map. Democrats condemned the claim as authoritarian overreach and weaponization of federal law enforcement. The FBI declined to comment; an administration official and federal law enforcement source told NBC News the government did not plan to arrest the lawmakers and had not assisted in locating them. No lawmakers have been charged with a crime.
• Sen. John Cornyn requested FBI assistance to locate Texas House Democrats who fled the state — Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) issued a statement that Kash Patel, head of the FBI, approved his request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating House Democrats who left Texas to avoid a legislative session. Cornyn characterized the absent legislators as "rogue" and stated they cannot avoid their constitutional responsibilities. Legal experts questioned the legal basis for FBI involvement in locating state legislators.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatened federal takeover of Washington, DC — On Truth Social, Trump threatened to have the federal government take control of Washington, DC, if it "doesn't get its act together" after police say a former DOGE employee known as "Big Balls" was assaulted over the weekend. He also called for minors as young as 14 years old who are charged with violent crimes to be tried as adults in court, and "lock them up for a long time." Trump, however, cannot take over DC by executive order, and would be required to go through Congress to do so.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive order modifying tariff rates for dozens of countries — The Trump administration issued an executive order outlining tariff modifications for dozens of countries after twice delaying implementation. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated the tariff rates were "pretty much set" and unlikely to be renegotiated before taking effect, though some rates depend on trade deficit or surplus levels with specific countries. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett characterized the rates as "more or less locked in" with only minor adjustments possible.
• Trump imposed tariffs at highest rates since 1934 — President Trump began levying higher import taxes on dozens of countries, with tariff rates reaching approximately 18.3% on average for imported products—the highest level since 1934. The Wall Street Journal reported that the effective average tariff rate on all imported goods stands at roughly 18% compared to 2.3% the previous year. U.S. manufacturing activity contracted from March to July, with the Manufacturing PMI at 48, below the 50 threshold indicating growth. Trump announced plans to double tariffs on India to 50%, while tariff levels on China and Mexico remain in flux.
• Trump tariff wave implemented; retailers report price increases — On August 8, 2025, a new wave of Trump tariffs came into force affecting more than 60 countries. Business leaders warned the high, volatile tariffs would force companies to raise US consumer prices. Retailers including Walmart and Best Buy are already reporting price increases. The tariffs are affecting back-to-school supply costs as the new school year approaches, with families reporting rises in the cost of items needed for school.
• Trump's tariffs on foreign products take effect — Tariffs of at least 10 percent on products from other countries went into effect just after midnight Eastern Time on August 8. Despite administration claims that Trump's economic policies will generate "unprecedented" growth, economic indicators show signs of contraction: economic growth is slowing, job growth is stagnant, and prices are rising. Manufacturing activity in the U.S. has shrunk for most of Trump's second term, contrary to Trump's claims that tariffs would boost domestic manufacturing.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration reversed policy withholding disaster aid over Israeli boycott certification — Hours after Reuters reported that the Trump administration implemented a policy to withhold federal aid for natural disaster preparedness to states and cities unless they certify that they will not sever "commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies," the policy was reversed. While the explicit guideline was removed, the Department of Homeland Security tweeted that it will "enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies," including those related to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
• DHS issues and then revises FEMA disaster relief Israel boycott requirement — DHS published a directive stating that states and cities must certify they will not boycott Israel or face denial of FEMA disaster relief. Following public controversy, DHS revised the wording and issued a statement claiming there is no FEMA requirement tied to Israel in current notices of funding opportunity. However, DHS confirmed that boycotting Israel is considered a form of antisemitic "discrimination" under anti-discrimination laws and policies, meaning the policy remains in effect under revised language. A Community Note fact-check noted that DHS removed explicit language about Israeli companies but reworded the clause as a ban on "discriminatory prohibited boycotts."

Supporting reports

• Texas governor threatens removal and extradition of absent Democratic legislators — Texas governor Greg Abbott threatened to remove from office any Democratic state representatives absent for Monday's redistricting vote and replace them with his own appointees. Abbott also suggested he would consider the Democrats felons for accepting financial support for housing and meals in Illinois, and threatened to use his extradition authority to compel their return to Texas. These threats were issued in response to the Democratic quorum break.
• Texas Gov. Abbott ordered arrest of Democratic state representatives who fled to break quorum — Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Texas House Democrats who left the state to prevent a quorum on a special legislative session aimed at aggressive gerrymandering. Abbott claimed the Democrats were "abandoning their duty" and "holding hostage" flood relief legislation. The walkout, which included over 51 of 62 Democratic members, successfully blocked the session. Abbott threatened removal from office, felony bribery charges, and prosecution under a legal opinion from AG Ken Paxton, though legal experts disputed the validity of these threats.
• Abbott threatened felony bribery charges against Democratic legislators — Governor Abbott threatened to prosecute Texas House Democrats for felony bribery if they accepted travel, lodging, or meals from other state governors (such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker) while out of state. Abbott framed acceptance of such support as a "quid pro quo" for breaking quorum. Legal experts, including Democratic Rep. Jolanda Jones, a lawyer, stated no such felony exists in Texas law and Abbott was fabricating charges.
• Texas Republicans advanced aggressive gerrymandering map in special session — Texas Governor Abbott convened a special legislative session to advance a radical gerrymandering plan that would eliminate at least five Democratic state House seats. The map was so extreme that it placed U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett's house outside her own district and combined the districts of U.S. Representatives Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett. Democratic legislators' walkout successfully blocked the session.
• Texas House Republicans advance redistricting plan as Democrats flee state to deny quorum — Texas House Republicans, at the direction of Governor Greg Abbott following a White House proposal, moved forward with a redistricting plan to redraw congressional lines in Republican favor. Democrats denied a quorum by leaving the state on August 4. Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest and return absent Democratic lawmakers. The special session, lasting 30 days, imposes $500-per-day fines on absent members. Democrats vowed to fight the plan, which would dilute Democratic voting strength and give Republicans five additional congressional seats.
• Texas Governor Abbott announces plan to arrest Democratic representatives — Texas Governor Greg Abbott appeared on Fox News discussing his plan to hunt down and arrest Democratic representatives who refuse to show up for what the source characterizes as his "illegal gerrymander." Abbott stated that Texas officers are on the streets looking for those Democratic House members to arrest them.