Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court weakens Voting Rights Act protections — The Supreme Court weakened the 1965 Voting Rights Act by giving southern legislatures the right to redraw congressional districts previously drawn to ensure racial minority representation. Legal experts predict this move will benefit Republicans and drastically reduce the number of Black representatives in Congress, triggering "a huge set of ripple effects" across the political landscape.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court strikes down 91-year-old precedent, grants president unlimited removal power over independent agencies — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Slaughter v. Trump that federal law restricting the president's ability to fire members of independent executive agencies (including the FTC) violates the constitutional separation of powers. The decision overruled Humphrey's Executor v. U.S., a 91-year-old precedent, and endorsed the "unitary executive" theory, granting the president sweeping authority over approximately two dozen multi-member agencies Congress intended to be independent.
• Supreme Court rules in Trump v. Slaughter to expand presidential removal power over independent agencies — On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Trump v. Slaughter that the president has broad authority to remove members of independent federal agencies, effectively overturning the 91-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent. The decision arose from Trump's March 2025 firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. Fired officials and legal experts warn the ruling eliminates civil service protections, enabling politicization, corruption, and pay-to-play dynamics in federal agencies designed to operate independently.
• US Supreme Court rules Trump can fire independent agency leaders, overturning 90-year precedent — The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Slaughter that the president can fire leaders of independent agencies without cause, overturning the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent. The case centered on Trump's March 2025 firing of Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter via email. The ruling affects approximately two dozen agencies with multi-member bipartisan boards, including the FTC, NLRB, and Federal Reserve. Justices Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan dissented, arguing the decision grants the president unconstitutional power and defies centuries of political practice and congressional authority.
• Supreme Court rules president has unrestricted power to remove independent agency officials — The Supreme Court decided Slaughter v. Trump in a 6–3 decision, holding that the president has complete authority to remove officers from independent agencies established by Congress without cause. The case arose when Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic FTC commissioner, claiming her service conflicted with his administration's priorities. The majority rejected 90 years of precedent requiring removal only for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance." Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, arguing the ruling grants the president power exceeding even the English Crown and undermines centuries of bipartisan practice protecting nonpartisan expertise in agencies like the FTC, EPA, SEC, and others.
• Supreme Court Affirms Federal Reserve Independence — The Supreme Court ruled in favor of maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve, rejecting challenges that could have subjected the institution to increased political influence. This decision preserves the Fed's ability to operate without direct political pressure, which is crucial for maintaining economic stability and policy effectiveness.
• Supreme Court Decision Weakens Independent Agencies — The Supreme Court delivered a ruling that significantly weakens the authority of certain independent federal agencies. This decision could lead to increased political influence over these agencies, potentially affecting their ability to function autonomously and effectively.
• Supreme Court allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner and overturns major restraint on presidential power — The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump has the authority to fire the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, effectively overturning a significant limitation on presidential power. This decision marks a shift in the balance of power between the executive branch and independent federal agencies, potentially increasing presidential control over such agencies. The ruling could have far-reaching implications for the independence of federal regulatory bodies and the separation of powers within the U.S. government.
• Supreme Court Overturns 90-Year-Old Independent Agency Protections — The Supreme Court overturned a 90-year-old precedent protecting members of independent agencies from being fired by the president without cause. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned in dissent that the ruling "reshapes our government," noting that dozens of independent commissions are now likely to become purely executive agencies, shifting tremendous power over broad swaths of American life into the president's hands.
• Supreme Court Overturns Protections for Independent Agencies — The Supreme Court overturned a 90-year-old precedent that protected members of independent agencies from being fired without cause by the president. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that this decision could transform these agencies into executive-controlled entities, concentrating power in the presidency. This ruling is seen as a significant shift in the balance of power within the U.S. government.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Trump v. Slaughter (25-332) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Trump v. Slaughter. Docket number(s): 25-332.
• Trump claims unchecked power following Supreme Court ruling — Following the Supreme Court's decision in Slaughter v. Trump, President Trump stated that he now has the authority to remove heads of independent agencies at will, which he believes will allow him to control these agencies to serve his administration's interests. This claim raises concerns about the potential politicization of agencies that have historically operated independently of presidential influence.
• Supreme Court rules in favor of Trump in Slaughter v. Trump — On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in favor of President Donald J. Trump in the case of Slaughter v. Trump, allowing him to fire members of independent agencies created by Congress. This decision overruled nearly 90 years of precedent that limited presidential power over such agencies, asserting that the president has complete control over executive branch officials. The dissenting justices warned that this ruling undermines the independence of agencies designed to operate free from political influence.
• US Supreme Court rules president can fire independent agency heads at will — On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of President Trump in a case brought by former Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, who was fired in March. The court overturned a 90-year-old precedent by holding that the president has the right to remove the head of any federal government agency at will. The decision, justified through the unitary executive theory, grants the president sole total control over the executive branch and opens the door to what critics call an "imperial presidency."

Supporting reports

• President approves Ambler Road Project appeal under ANILCA — The President approved an appeal by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) filed June 6, 2025, under section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), authorizing the Ambler Road Project transportation system. The decision, dated October 6, 2025, directs all relevant federal agencies to promptly issue necessary authorizations for the project's establishment. The President's statement of reasons spans 26 pages and addresses the manner in which federal agencies must issue required permits and approvals.
• Trump approves Ambler Road mining project in Alaska, benefiting major donor Paulson — President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum on October 6, 2025, approving construction of a 211-mile road through Alaskan wilderness to enable mining of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals in the Ambler Mining District. The project had been rejected during the Biden administration following environmental review concluding it would threaten caribou, wildlife, and Alaska Native subsistence hunting and fishing. Trump's order directs the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Army Corps of Engineers to reissue necessary permits. The decision directly benefits billionaire John Paulson, a major Trump fundraiser and shareholder in Trilogy Metals (one of two companies operating the mine), whose stake value increased from approximately $30 million to over $100 million following the announcement.
• President approves Ambler Road Project appeal and directs federal agency authorizations — President Trump issued a presidential memorandum on October 6, 2025, approving an appeal by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) under section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The memorandum approves AIDEA's 2016 revised consolidated application for the Ambler Road Project, a transportation system in Alaska. Trump directed all relevant federal agencies to promptly issue necessary authorizations for the project's establishment.
• President Trump approves Ambler Road Project and directs federal agencies to issue permits — The White House issued a fact sheet stating that President Trump approved the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority's appeal and directed the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reissue permits for the 211-mile Ambler Road Project connecting the Dalton Highway to Alaska's Ambler Mining District. The fact sheet claims the project will enable access to copper, cobalt, and other critical minerals, support 2,730 jobs, and generate over $1.1 billion in state revenues. The U.S. government announced a $35.6 million investment in Trilogy Metals, acquiring a 10% stake and warrants for an additional 7.5%.
• President Trump approves Ambler Road Project appeal, reversing Biden-era rejection — President Trump approved an appeal for Alaska's Ambler Road Project, a 211-mile industrial road connecting the Dalton Highway to critical mineral deposits in northwest Alaska. The decision reverses a Biden administration rejection and was issued under Section 1106 of the Alaska National Interest Land Claims Act (ANILCA). The White House states the move advances American energy dominance, reduces reliance on foreign mineral sources, and supports job creation and domestic supply chains. Alaska state and federal officials, mining companies, and industry groups issued statements of support.
• U.S. government purchases 10% stake in Trilogy Metals following Ambler Road approval — Concurrent with approving the Ambler Road project, the Trump administration announced that the United States will purchase a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals, one of two companies operating the mine. This equity purchase directly increases the value of existing shares held by other investors, including John Paulson, whose 8.7% stake in the company increased in value from under $30 million to over $100 million immediately following the announcement. Trilogy Metals has no other business ventures; its entire value is tied to the Ambler Mining District project, which is projected to produce minerals worth up to $7 billion.

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• Bondi issues revised directive on MPD services and immigration enforcement — Attorney General Bondi issued a revised two-page order designating Terry Cole as her "designee" for directing DC to provide Metropolitan Police Department services deemed "necessary and appropriate." The order explicitly included assisting federal immigration enforcement, contradicting DC's sanctuary city policies that restrict local police involvement in immigration matters. The directive also authorized use of MPD officers for federal purposes in emergencies.
• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

Supporting reports

• Trump and DOJ execute maneuver to restore Habba as interim U.S. attorney — After Attorney General Bondi fired Desiree Leigh Grace, Trump and the DOJ executed a multistep maneuver to restore Alina Habba to the U.S. attorney position. Habba resigned as interim U.S. attorney, Trump withdrew her nomination before the Senate, Bondi appointed Habba to Grace's former first assistant position and designated her a "special attorney to the attorney general." The DOJ then claimed that Habba would automatically fill the vacant U.S. attorney role for a 210-day term under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, circumventing the judges' selection of Grace and the statutory appointment process.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration filed to dissolve injunctions in deportation case — The Trump administration filed a late-night 35-page motion on Monday to dissolve the injunctions and dismiss the case related to the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deporting Venezuelan nationals. The administration is challenging two injunctions: one preventing the deportation of five Venezuelans and another expanding the order to cover all removals under the Act. The administration argues that the deportation flights were outside the judge's jurisdiction once they left U.S. airspace.
• Trump administration sought removal of Judge Boasberg — The Trump administration sent a letter to an appeals court calling for Judge Boasberg to be removed from hearing the deportation case associated with the Alien Enemies Act, escalating efforts to disqualify the judge.
• DOJ argued judge's order was not enforceable — In a court filing, the Department of Justice argued that Judge Boasberg's verbal order was "not enforceable as an injunction," challenging the judge's authority to issue the restraining order blocking Alien Enemies Act deportations.