Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposed $56 million budget cut to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — The Trump administration proposed slashing $56 million from the Bureau of Labor Statistics budget. The article notes this follows earlier decisions to eliminate hundreds of gauges tracking wholesale prices and represents part of broader cuts to government agencies responsible for collecting economic statistics.
• Trump administration cut data collection efforts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics — The Trump administration scaled back data-collection efforts at the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which produces the monthly inflation estimate and employment report. The article reports that the BLS was forced to increase the percentage of prices it "imputes" (estimates from other data) from 9% before Trump took office to 35% currently. Additional cutbacks are anticipated if Congress approves Trump's proposal to slash $56 million from the BLS budget.

Supporting reports

• Became Law: GENIUS Act — The GENIUS Act was enacted as Public Law 119-27 on July 18, 2025. The bill became law through the standard legislative process, reflecting congressional action on the measure. The specific policy provisions and democratic effects depend on the act's substantive content, which the source record does not detail.
• Trump signs GENIUS Act regulating cryptocurrency — On July 18, 2025, Trump signed the GENIUS Act, the first major piece of legislation to regulate the cryptocurrency industry. The law, largely written by crypto lobbyists, sets standards for stablecoins—cryptocurrency tokens pegged to government currency values. While bitcoin is not a stablecoin, stablecoins facilitate many crypto transactions. By legitimizing stablecoins, the GENIUS Act sets the stage for wider adoption of crypto overall, including bitcoin. Trump also holds a large financial interest in World Liberty Financial, which recently launched its own stablecoin called USD1.
• White House issues fact sheet on GENIUS Act signing — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 18, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law. The fact sheet states the act establishes federal regulation of stablecoins, requiring 100% reserve backing with U.S. dollars or short-term Treasuries, monthly public disclosures, strict marketing rules, and compliance with anti-money laundering and sanctions enforcement. The document claims the act protects consumers, strengthens the U.S. dollar's reserve currency status, and positions the United States as a leader in digital assets.

Supporting reports

• Health insurers request largest premium increases in five years following tax credit cuts — On July 18, health policy tracker KFF reported that health insurers have requested state regulatory approval for the highest premium increases in more than five years. Insurers attribute the increases primarily to the end of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that provided financial assistance to enrollees. Insurers predict healthcare costs for those who used the tax credits will rise more than 75% starting in January 2026, which will drive healthier enrollees from the market and cause prices to rise further for remaining enrollees.

Supporting reports

• Trump proclamation exempts ethylene oxide sterilization facilities from EPA emissions standards for two years. — President Trump issued Proclamation 10959 on July 17, 2025, exempting certain stationary sources subject to the EPA's April 2024 ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions rule from compliance for two years beyond the rule's original deadlines. The proclamation asserts that required emissions-control technology does not exist in commercially viable form and that the exemption serves national security by preventing disruption to the supply of sterile medical devices. Affected facilities will remain subject to pre-rule emissions obligations during the exemption period.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting medical sterilization facilities from EPA ethylene oxide emissions rule for two years — President Trump issued a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from the EPA's April 2024 ethylene oxide emissions standards rule for commercial sterilization facilities. The proclamation states the exemption applies to 24 named companies operating approximately 40 facilities nationwide. Trump asserts the rule's compliance technology does not exist in commercially viable form and that the exemption is necessary for national security to prevent disruption of sterile medical device supply. The proclamation extends all EtO Rule compliance deadlines by two years for listed facilities.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting taconite iron ore processing facilities from Clean Air Act emissions standards for 2 years — President Trump signed a proclamation on July 17, 2025, exempting certain taconite iron ore processing facilities from compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's March 2024 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rule. The proclamation extends all compliance deadlines under the Taconite Rule by 2 years, citing national security interests and claims that required emissions-control technologies are not commercially viable. The exemption applies to six named facilities operated by U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs in Minnesota and Michigan.
• Trump proclamation exempts certain chemical manufacturers from HON Rule emissions standards for two years — President Trump issued Proclamation 10957 on July 17, 2025, exempting certain stationary sources subject to the EPA's May 2024 Hazardous Organic Naphtha (HON) Rule from compliance with section 112 Clean Air Act emissions-control requirements for two years beyond the rule's original compliance deadlines. The proclamation invokes national security and chemical manufacturing resilience, asserting that compliance technology is not commercially available. Affected facilities will revert to pre-HON Rule emissions obligations during the exemption period.
• Trump proclamation exempts taconite iron ore processors from Clean Air Act emissions standards for two years — President Trump issued Proclamation 10958 on July 17, 2025, exempting certain stationary sources engaged in taconite iron ore processing from compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's March 2024 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. The proclamation extends all compliance deadlines by two years, citing unavailability of required emissions-control technology and national security interests in domestic steel production. Affected facilities revert to pre-rule emissions obligations during the exemption period.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting 25 chemical manufacturing facilities from Clean Air Act emissions standards for 2 years — President Trump signed a proclamation on July 17, 2025, exempting 25 named chemical manufacturing facilities from compliance with the EPA's May 2024 Hazardous Organic Noxides (HON) Rule for 2 years beyond the rule's original compliance deadlines. The proclamation asserts that the technology to implement the HON Rule is not commercially available and that the exemption serves national security interests by protecting domestic chemical supply chains. The exemption extends all compliance deadlines by 2 years, during which affected facilities remain subject to pre-HON Rule emissions standards.
• Trump issued proclamation exempting coal-fired power plants from EPA emissions standards for two years — President Trump signed a proclamation on July 17, 2025, exempting certain coal-fired electric utility generating units from compliance with the EPA's 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for a two-year period (July 8, 2027 to July 8, 2029). The proclamation states the exemption applies to three named facilities (Cardinal Units 1–3 in Ohio, Craig Generating Station Units 2–3 in Colorado, and Dallman Unit 4 in Illinois) and asserts that the required emissions-control technology does not exist in commercially viable form and that the exemption serves national security interests by protecting coal-sector jobs and grid reliability.
• White House issues fact sheet on EPA regulatory relief proclamations — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 17, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed four proclamations granting two years of regulatory relief from EPA emissions standards for coal plants, taconite iron ore processing facilities, and chemical manufacturers producing semiconductors, medical device sterilization, and defense-related chemicals. The fact sheet states these exemptions allow facilities to comply with pre-Biden EPA standards instead of current rules, claiming the relief supports national security and economic stability while avoiding "unattainable compliance requirements."

Supporting reports

• Trump Organization announces Trump Tower Belgrade deal with Affinity Partners on Serbian military site — The Trump Organization announced a deal with Affinity Partners to build Trump Tower Belgrade on a former military site owned by the Serbian government. Affinity Partners is a private equity firm launched in 2021 by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and funded by $2 billion from the Saudi government's Public Investment Fund and other foreign governments. The deal involves the Trump Organization licensing its brand to develop property on Serbian government-owned land.
• Trump Organization announces Trump Tower Bucharest deal with Romanian developer SDC Imobiliare — The Trump Organization announced a partnership with SDC Imobiliare, a Romanian luxury real estate developer, to build Trump Tower Bucharest in Romania's capital. The arrangement involves SDC Imobiliare paying licensing fees to the Trump Organization for use of the Trump brand. The project requires permits from Romanian government officials, creating potential leverage for Romania—which is seeking restoration of its Visa Waiver Program status revoked by the Trump administration in May and wants the U.S. to maintain military presence at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. SDC Imobiliare's co-owner is under investigation in a corruption case involving a politician sentenced to eight years for bribery and money laundering.
• Trump Organization announces two new real estate projects in Saudi Arabia with Dar Global — The Trump Organization announced a partnership with luxury developer Dar Global to build two new real estate projects in Saudi Arabia. This follows the company's removal of restrictions on foreign deals in its January 2025 ethics statement, which previously prohibited new foreign deals during Trump's presidency. The Saudi projects are part of the Trump Organization's expanded global real estate portfolio announced during Trump's second term.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration lifted export controls on AI chips and design software for China — The Trump administration reversed earlier restrictions and approved export licenses for Nvidia's H20 artificial intelligence accelerator and chip design software for sale to China, according to Bloomberg reporting. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who met with President Trump and attended a Chinese government conference, announced the decision on Chinese state television. The reversal came after the administration had tightened controls on H20 sales in April and represented a departure from Biden-era export control policy designed to maintain U.S. technological advantage.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration imposed tariffs on U.S. allies including Japan, Europe, and South Korea — The Trump administration imposed tariffs on allied nations including Japan, Europe, and South Korea. The tariffs fragment the American alliance system and degrade U.S. manufacturing capacity by cutting allies off from American markets and vice versa, while leaving China's economy largely unweakened. The move represents a shift from earlier tariffs on China, which the administration found too difficult to enforce.

Supporting reports

• Commerce Department halts NOAA rainfall prediction tool — The Washington Post reported that the Commerce Department halted work on a tool to help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict extreme rainfall. The suspension of weather-prediction research undermines disaster preparedness.

Supporting reports

• 30-year Treasury yield rose to 5% — The 30-year Treasury yield rose to 5%, reflecting market concerns about inflation, deficits, and economic stability. The increase signals rising borrowing costs for government and private entities and reflects investor concerns about the economic trajectory.
• Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in June, 12-month inflation at 2.7% — The Consumer Price Index increased 0.3% in June, with the 12-month inflation rate reaching 2.7%, the highest since February and above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) rose 0.2% monthly and 2.9% annually. Specific price increases included durable goods (+0.5%), linens (+5.9%), oranges (+4.7%), olives (+4.4%), and cookware (+4%), attributed partly to Trump's tariffs beginning to work through the economy.
• Trump administration imposed 50% tariff on copper imports — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick justified a 50% tariff on copper imports, stating the tariff was necessary for domestic steel production to support military capability. Nearly all U.S. copper imports come from Canada, Chile, and Peru, making the tariff a significant trade action against allied and partner nations.
• Trump imposed 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes — Trump imposed a 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes. Mexico supplies approximately 50% of tomatoes consumed in the United States, making the tariff likely to significantly increase consumer prices for a staple food item.
• Rep. Tony Gonzales expressed support for tariffs despite district impact — Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) was asked on CNN whether Trump's 30% tariff on all goods from Mexico—Texas's biggest trading partner—would hurt his constituents. Gonzales responded that it may hurt them but he supports the president, stating that Mexico has been able to get away with everything for too long.
• White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett claimed Trump has "seen some sketches of deals" — White House Economic Senior Advisor Kevin Hassett was asked on ABC why there are no trade deals yet despite Trump's promises. Hassett responded by characterizing Trump as one of the most successful businessmen of the 20th century because of his ability to squeeze everything out of every deal, and stated that Trump has "seen some sketches of deals."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposes alternative Medicare rule for skin substitutes more favorable to industry than Biden rule — On July 14, 2025, the Trump administration announced a new proposed Medicare rule for skin substitute products that would cap payments at $806 per square inch. While lower than current charges by Extremity Care and Legacy, the new rule would not restrict coverage to scientifically proven products, unlike the Biden rule. The proposal would allow doctors to continue receiving reimbursement for products from Extremity Care and Legacy. Both the Biden and Trump rules are now delayed until January 2026.
• Trump administration proposes new Medicare skin substitute payment cap — On July 14, 2025, the Trump administration announced a proposed Medicare rule capping payments for skin substitutes at $806 per square inch. While lower than current charges by Extremity Care and competitors, the proposal does not restrict coverage to scientifically proven products and remains significantly higher than proven alternatives (e.g., $75–$195 per square inch). The skin substitute industry, represented by the Medicare Access to Skin Substitutes Coalition (MASS Coalition), opposes the cap and proposes an alternative of up to $6,277.41 per square inch plus additional payments for "innovative" products.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration orders destruction of emergency food aid — The Trump administration ordered the destruction of nearly 500 metric tons of emergency high-nutrition biscuits purchased by USAID during the Biden administration for distribution to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The food, costing approximately $800,000, was in storage in the United Arab Emirates. The State Department claimed providing food to Afghanistan might benefit terrorists but gave no stated reason for destroying food destined for Pakistan. The food had passed its safe use date and cannot be repurposed. Destruction will cost taxpayers $130,000.
• Trump administration orders destruction of emergency food supplies — The Trump administration ordered the destruction of nearly 500 metric tons of emergency high-nutrition biscuits intended for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, citing concerns that providing food could benefit terrorists. This decision has raised questions about the administration's priorities and its impact on vulnerable populations.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announces voluntary dairy industry agreement to remove synthetic dyes from ice cream — Robert F Kennedy Jr, US health secretary, and FDA head Dr Marty Makary announced that over 40 ice-cream companies agreed to voluntarily remove synthetic dyes from products. Kennedy stated the administration had been pushing industry to eliminate dyes and chemicals from food since taking office five and a half months prior. The FDA simultaneously approved a new plant-based dye, "gardenia blue." Kennedy also signaled upcoming dietary guidelines that would elevate full-fat dairy products in nutritional recommendations, reversing decades of government caution about saturated fats.
• White House announces food industry commitments to remove artificial additives — The White House issued a fact sheet announcing that dozens of ice cream companies representing over 90% of U.S. ice cream volume have pledged to eliminate certified artificial colors from their products. The announcement also highlighted commitments from major food manufacturers—including PepsiCo, Nestlé, General Mills, Kraft-Heinz, and others—to remove artificial dyes, synthetic colors, and other additives from their food products. The White House characterized these as deliverables on its "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative.

Supporting reports

• Noem diverted HHS disaster funds to immigration enforcement and advertising — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spent $200 million on an advertising campaign promoting Trump's agenda and $21 million to transport approximately 400 migrants to Guantanamo Bay, many of whom were subsequently transferred out. Senator Chris Murphy warned in May 2025 that Noem was on track to violate the Anti-Deficiency Act by spending more money than Congress allocated, leaving the agency "broke by July, over two months before the end of the fiscal year." Noem justified the spending as fulfilling a mandate from voters for border security.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces 30% tariff on EU and Mexico goods effective August 1 — On Saturday, July 12, 2025, President Trump announced via Truth Social that goods imported from the European Union and Mexico will face a 30% US tariff rate starting August 1, 2025. The announcement shocked European capitals, as the European Commission and US trade representative Jamieson Greer had spent months negotiating a deal they believed was acceptable, involving a 10% tariff. EU trade ministers scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday to consider retaliatory measures worth €21 billion.
• Trump maintains 10% universal tariff on UK goods with limited negotiation scope — Lord Mandelson, British ambassador to the US, stated that the 10% universal tariff on most UK goods imported into the US is likely "here to stay," though he indicated there is "scope" for negotiations in specific sectors such as technology. The comments reflect acceptance of Trump's tariff regime while acknowledging limited room for bilateral adjustment. A separate 25% tariff on British steel remains subject to further negotiation.
• EU leader Ursula von der Leyen announced retaliatory countermeasures against U.S. tariffs — EU leader Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union is prepared to implement countermeasures in response to Trump's 30% tariffs, which take effect August 1. Von der Leyen stated that the EU and other American trading partners are forging closer ties and laying groundwork for a global trading system that revolves less around the United States.
• Trump announced 30% tariffs on the European Union — Trump announced 30% tariffs on the European Union in a form letter released over the weekend. The tariffs are set to take effect on August 1. EU leader Ursula von der Leyen responded by stating the EU is prepared to retaliate with countermeasures and is seeking to create new trade alliances around the world while excluding the United States, signaling a shift away from U.S.-centered global trade.