Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration eliminated "X" gender marker on federal passports and denied or revoked requests to update gender markers — Within days of returning to office on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration reversed Biden-era protections for transgender Americans by eliminating the "X" gender marker on passports that had been introduced in 2022. Requests to update gender markers were returned with instructions to "correct" them back to birth sex. Some applicants reported their passports were seized and never reissued. The Supreme Court allowed the administration to continue enforcing these rules while litigation proceeds, leaving trans people unable to obtain identification documents that reflect their identity.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14168 eliminating gender markers from federal recognition and banning trans military service. — On his first day back in office, President Trump signed Executive Order 14168 titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." Over the subsequent ten months, the order resulted in elimination of passport gender markers, ban on trans military service with reinstatement of discharge codes, threats to youth healthcare funding, closure of the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Lifeline (which had served 1.3 million youth), transfer of trans women to men's prisons, removal of federal data on trans Americans from government websites, removal of shelter protections, and deletion of LGBTQ health pages from federal sites.
• Executive Order on Gender Definitions and Policies — President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14168, mandating federal agencies to recognize only two biological sexes, male and female, and rescinding previous orders that supported gender identity recognition. The order directs agencies to enforce sex-based distinctions in federal policies and documents, and prohibits federal funding for gender ideology. It also requires changes to identification documents and agency policies to reflect these definitions.
• Trump issues executive order on gender and fetal personhood — Donald Trump issued an executive order that defines gender based on biological sex at conception, incorporating language that aligns with the concept of fetal personhood. This doctrine, advocated by the anti-abortion movement, suggests that life begins at conception, granting embryos and fetuses full legal rights. The order's language has raised concerns among abortion rights supporters, as it could potentially lead to nationwide abortion bans and criminalization of the procedure. The order was issued shortly after Trump took office, signaling a possible shift in federal policy regarding reproductive rights.
• Trump issues executive order on passport sex markers — On January 20, 2025, Trump issued an executive order overturning a 33-year State Department policy allowing transgender individuals to change sex markers on passports. The order declared that "It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female," defined as "an individual's immutable biological classification" assigned "at conception." The order characterized transgender identity as "false" and "corrosive" to the country.
• Trump issues executive order on gender ideology — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government." The order mandates federal agencies to recognize only two biological sexes, male and female, and to enforce sex-based rights and protections accordingly. It directs agencies to revise policies, documents, and communications to reflect this definition and prohibits the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology. The order also rescinds previous executive orders related to gender identity and dissolves the White House Gender Policy Council.
• White House issued executive order redefining sex and gender in federal policy and rescinding prior LGBTQ+ protections — The White House issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, establishing federal policy that recognizes only two sexes (male and female) as immutable biological categories and directs all federal agencies to enforce this definition across law, policy, and identification documents. The order directs the Attorney General to reinterpret the Supreme Court's Bostock decision, rescind prior guidance protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, remove gender-identity-affirming materials from federal programs, prohibit federal funding for gender-affirming care in prisons, and enforce sex-based distinctions in detention facilities and shelters. It explicitly rescinds five prior executive orders and dissolves the White House Gender Policy Council.
• Trump administration issued new federal prison guidance transferring transgender women to men's prisons and authorizing male guards to conduct pat-down searches — New federal guidance issued by the Trump administration reshaped the federal prison system by directing the transfer of transgender women into men's prisons regardless of their safety or medical needs. Male guards were authorized to conduct pat-down searches on trans women, a practice condemned by advocates and medical professionals. Those who reported threats were placed in solitary confinement labeled as "protective custody," despite isolation being known to cause psychological harm. Federal court filings describe some trans women as being at "imminent risk" of assault.
• Trump administration issued directives removing LGBTQ and race-related books from federal military-base schools — The Trump administration issued directives around "gender ideology" that reshaped education in federal military-base schools. Administrators removed hundreds of LGBTQ- and race-related books from shelves. A federal judge ordered the books restored after legal challenge. Teacher unions warned that educators now face legal and administrative risks for using a student's correct name or pronouns. Federal guidance discouraged any support for social transition, even when recommended by medical professionals.
• Trump administration issued Executive Order 14168 directing federal agencies to delete LGBTQ health pages, suicide-risk data, and trans-related terminology from government records — Executive Order 14168, signed January 20, 2025, directed federal agencies to delete LGBTQ health pages, suicide-risk data, trans-related terminology, public health guidance, federal surveys, workforce protections, and research pages from government systems. Almost overnight, web pages went dark and guidance documents disappeared. Datasets that once helped hospitals, schools, and researchers understand risk and allocate resources became inaccessible. Some pages were restored only after lawsuits forced agencies to comply with transparency requirements.
• Trump creates policy recognizing only two genders — President Donald Trump signed an executive order removing "gender ideology guidance" from federal government communication, policies, and forms. The order establishes a policy recognizing only two genders, male and female, reversing a Biden-era action on gender identity acceptance.
• White House initiates Foreign Terrorist Organization designation process for Ansar Allah (Houthis) — President Trump signed a presidential action on January 22, 2025, directing the Secretary of State to initiate a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation process for Ansar Allah (the Houthis) within 30 days, followed by formal designation within 15 days thereafter. The order cites Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy vessels, civilian infrastructure in the Middle East, commercial shipping in the Red Sea, and Israeli targets. It directs the State Department to consult with intelligence and Treasury officials, and mandates USAID to review and terminate relationships with entities that have made payments to or are controlled by Ansar Allah or have criticized counter-Houthi efforts.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration signed Executive Order 14183 banning most transgender people from military service and discharging those already serving — Executive Order 14183, signed on January 20, 2025, banned most transgender people from enlisting in the military and began discharging those already serving. The order cut off gender-affirming medical care in the military health system, required service members to use facilities tied to birth sex regardless of lived identity or safety, and introduced discharge codes that can shadow service members for life, appearing in background checks and job applications.
• Trump plans rollback of transgender rights — Donald Trump has vowed to institute a sweeping rollback of transgender rights on his first day in office. This includes reinstating a military ban on transgender individuals and barring transgender women from competing in women's sports. Additionally, he plans to convene an FDA panel to investigate alleged links between hormone treatments and behavioral issues.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cut funding for dedicated LGBTQ+ youth line on national suicide hotline — The Trump administration cut funding for the dedicated "Press 3" option on the national suicide hotline (988), a line that had served over 1.3 million LGBTQ youth. Young trans callers are now routed to the general crisis line, often reaching counselors with no specialized training in LGBTQ issues. This action occurred in a year when 61 percent of transgender people who died by suicide were between ages 15 and 24.

Supporting reports

• CBPOne asylum appointment system canceled by Trump administration — On January 20, 2025, hours after Trump's inauguration, the Trump administration canceled the CBPOne mobile application system that had allowed asylum seekers to request legal appointments to apply for refuge at the US-Mexico border. The system, created during the Biden administration, was a legal mechanism for rationing asylum appointments. Its cancellation left asylum seekers with scheduled appointments—including Alexander's family with a February 2 appointment in Calexico, California—without recourse.
• Trump administration cancels 30,000 CBPOne asylum appointments via executive order — On 20 January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order cancelling all scheduled CBPOne appointments for asylum seekers, affecting approximately 30,000 migrants who had been granted prized appointments to enter the US legally from Mexico. The order abruptly closed the border for those planning to seek asylum through official channels. Families like a Salvadoran household were turned back at the international bridge; many have since dispersed across Mexico, entered unlawfully, or given up on seeking US asylum.
• Trump administration plans to cancel CBP One app — The Trump administration plans to cancel the CBP One app, which migrants in Mexico use to arrange US asylum appointments. This move is part of a broader set of immigration policy changes that include reviving the Remain in Mexico policy and Title 42. These changes are expected to increase the number of migrants in Mexico's border cities, potentially overwhelming local resources and increasing the risk of exploitation by criminal groups.
• Trump administration shuts down CBP One app and reclassifies legal immigrants as illegal — The Trump administration shut down the CBP One mobile app on the first day of Trump's second term in January 2025, eliminating the scheduling and pre-screening tool that allowed immigrants to request legal entry appointments. The app was then repurposed as a tool for requesting removal from the U.S. The administration has begun reclassifying many people who entered the U.S. legally via the app as suddenly illegal, affecting their immigration status retroactively.
• Trump administration terminates CBP One asylum app and deploys troops to southern border — Hours after Trump's second inauguration, the administration signed a national emergency order allowing additional US troops at the southern border and terminated the CBP One mobile app, which had permitted tens of thousands of people in Mexico to cross legally and apply for asylum. The action reversed Biden-era policy and contributed to a dramatic drop in border crossings in the Del Rio sector from over 2,300 daily in December 2023 to an average of 30 by September 2025.
• Trump cancels CBP One app — On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration abruptly canceled the CBP One app, which was used by asylum seekers to schedule appointments at the US-Mexico border. This action resulted in the cancellation of approximately 30,000 scheduled appointments, leaving hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in limbo. The app had been a critical tool for managing asylum requests, allowing limited daily appointments and reducing congestion at the border. The cancellation has caused significant distress among asylum seekers and may lead to increased attempts to cross the border illegally.
• Trump disables CBP One app for migrants — On the day of his inauguration, President Trump disabled the CBP One phone app's appointment system, which allowed prospective migrants and asylum seekers to schedule appointments with U.S. authorities for legal entry. This action affected approximately 270,000 people trying to apply and canceled existing appointments for about 30,000 individuals, many of whom had waited in dangerous conditions in Mexico. This move effectively closed a legal pathway for migrants and asylum seekers to enter the United States.
• Trump administration deports Russian asylum-seeking family to Costa Rica without asylum hearing — The Trump administration canceled an asylum appointment for a Russian family (Alexander, his wife, and son) scheduled for February 2, 2025, after Trump's January 20 inauguration. When the family presented themselves at the US-Mexico border, they were arrested, detained for one month, then forcibly deported via military aircraft to Costa Rica—a country they had no connection to—as part of a third-country deportation deal. The family was subsequently detained in Costa Rica for two months in poor conditions before being released following a June 2025 Costa Rican constitutional court ruling that their rights had been violated.
• Trump cancels asylum appointment system — On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration canceled the CBP One app, an online system that allowed asylum seekers to schedule appointments with border agents. This cancellation left many asylum seekers stranded and without access to the process.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Immigration Enforcement — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," which revokes several previous executive orders related to immigration policies. The order mandates strict enforcement of immigration laws, prioritizes the removal of inadmissible and removable aliens, and establishes Homeland Security Task Forces nationwide. It also directs federal agencies to revoke policies based on the revoked orders and to ensure compliance with immigration laws.
• Suspension of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program — President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14163, suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) effective January 27, 2025. The order cites national interest and security concerns, allowing exceptions on a case-by-case basis. It revokes Executive Order 14013 from February 4, 2021, and mandates periodic reviews to assess the program's resumption.
• Trump administration plans to revive Remain in Mexico policy — The Trump administration plans to revive the Remain in Mexico policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait in dangerous border cities while their applications are processed. This policy change is expected to increase the number of migrants in Mexico's border cities, potentially overwhelming local resources and increasing the risk of exploitation by criminal groups.
• Trump administration plans to revive Title 42 policy — The Trump administration reportedly plans to revive Title 42, a pandemic-era public health policy that expelled people almost 3 million times without allowing them to request asylum. This policy change is expected to increase the number of migrants in Mexico's border cities, potentially overwhelming local resources and increasing the risk of exploitation by criminal groups.
• Trump administration suspends asylum system at southern border — Within hours of taking office in his second term, Trump suspended the asylum system at the southern border as part of a wide-ranging immigration crackdown. This action eliminated legal pathways for asylum seekers and represents one of several concurrent restrictions on immigration, including ending temporary legal residency for Haitian, Venezuelan, and Cuban nationals and moving to revoke temporary protected status for multiple immigrant groups.
• Trump resumes Migrant Protection Protocols — President Trump reinstated the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy. This policy requires migrants and asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. immigration court proceedings are pending, exposing them to high risks of violence. The resumption of MPP is part of Trump's broader immigration crackdown.
• Trump suspends U.S. Refugee Admissions Program — President Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, halting the resettlement of thoroughly vetted refugees in the United States. This suspension affects the resettlement infrastructure and funding for agencies that support refugees, potentially leading to office closures and reduced capacity to assist future refugees.
• Trump issues executive order on immigration enforcement — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Protecting The American People Against Invasion." The order revokes several previous executive orders related to immigration policies and mandates strict enforcement of immigration laws. It directs federal agencies to prioritize the removal of inadmissible and removable aliens, establish Homeland Security Task Forces nationwide, and enhance cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The order also calls for the reestablishment of the VOICE Office to support victims of crimes committed by removable aliens and imposes penalties on illegal aliens and those facilitating their presence in the U.S.
• President Trump signed executive order on immigration enforcement titled "Protecting The American People Against Invasion" — President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) on January 20, 2025. The order cites concerns over the ability of the U.S. to absorb large numbers of refugees without compromising resources, safety, and security. The suspension will remain in effect until a determination is made that resuming the program aligns with U.S. interests. The order allows for case-by-case admissions if deemed in the national interest and revokes a previous executive order aimed at enhancing refugee resettlement programs.
• White House signed executive order on border security and immigration enforcement — The White House issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing federal agencies to enforce immigration laws against all "inadmissible and removable aliens." The order revokes four prior executive orders from the Biden administration, establishes Homeland Security Task Forces in all states, directs ICE to prioritize removal of recent entrants, authorizes state and local law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement functions, and instructs agencies to deny public benefits to unauthorized aliens and audit funding to NGOs serving immigrants. The order also directs the Secretary of State to pressure foreign governments to accept deportations and instructs the Attorney General to prosecute unauthorized entry as a criminal priority.
• White House signed executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program — The White House signed an executive order titled "Securing Our Borders" directing the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to deploy physical barriers, personnel, and technology along the southern border; the Secretary of Homeland Security to maximize detention of apprehended aliens pending removal; the Attorney General and DHS to prioritize prosecution of immigration-related offenses; and multiple agencies to resume the Migrant Protection Protocols, terminate parole programs including CBP One, and pursue international cooperation on immigration enforcement.
• Trump suspends entry at southern border — President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, suspending entry into the United States of refugees under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), effective January 27, 2025. The order cites record migration levels over the preceding four years and claims the U.S. lacks capacity to absorb refugees without compromising resources for citizens. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend decisions on refugee applications and requires a report within 90 days on whether resumption would serve U.S. interests. Case-by-case admissions may continue at the discretion of State and Homeland Security secretaries if deemed in the national interest.
• Trump suspends Refugee Admissions Program — On January 20, 2025, President Trump suspended the entry of people newly arriving at the southern border. This action is part of a series of executive orders targeting immigration and border security. The suspension is expected to have significant humanitarian and legal implications, affecting asylum seekers and migrants seeking entry into the United States.
• Trump signed executive order freezing refugee admissions — President Trump suspended the Refugee Admissions Program for at least 90 days on January 20, 2025. This suspension is part of a broader strategy to restrict immigration and refugee intake. The decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and could have severe consequences for refugees seeking safety in the United States.
• — On January 23, 2025, Trump signed an executive order suspending the country's refugee resettlement program. Refugees may only be admitted on a case-by-case basis if their entry is in the "national interest." The order cited "record levels of migration" and claimed the country lacked capacity to "absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees." Advocates say the move endangered lives and left families devastated, with thousands of refugees stranded globally.

Supporting reports

• Trump ends legal pathways for certain nationalities — President Trump ended processes that allowed Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans with financial sponsors to live and work legally in the U.S. for two years. This decision removes a legal pathway for these individuals to explore permanent immigration options, affecting their ability to seek safety and stability in the U.S.
• Trump resumes border wall construction — President Trump signed an executive order to resume construction of the border wall along the US-Mexico border. This action reverses the previous administration's halt on the project and is part of Trump's broader immigration crackdown. The resumption of construction is expected to face logistical and legal challenges, as well as opposition from various groups.
• Trump administration reinstates 'remain in Mexico' policy — The Trump administration has announced the reinstatement of the "remain in Mexico" policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols. This policy requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the program would restart immediately, following its termination by President Biden in 2021. Critics argue that the policy exposes migrants to dangerous conditions, while Trump officials claim it deters fraudulent asylum claims.
• Trump reimplements "remain in Mexico" policy — Trump reissued an executive order to reinstate the "remain in Mexico" policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed in the U.S. This policy, previously implemented during Trump's first term, has faced criticism for endangering asylum seekers and complicating the asylum process. Legal challenges are expected as the policy is seen as a deterrent to asylum claims.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration increases ICE detention quotas and budget — Within days of Trump's second inauguration on 20 January 2025, the administration ordered ICE to detain more people, establishing new quotas that increased daily arrests from a few hundred to 1,200–1,500. ICE's annual budget has grown from $6 billion a decade ago to $85 billion, making it the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the US. New ICE recruits receive signing-on bonuses of up to $50,000. The administration also expanded Project Homecoming, a self-deportation scheme offering $2,600 exit bonuses (increased from $1,000 in May 2025), funded by repurposing $250 million previously allocated to refugee aid.
• ICE detainee death toll reaches 16 since Trump's January return to office — Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, at least 16 people have died in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, including Ismael Ayala-Uribe, a 39-year-old Mexican national and former DACA recipient, who died at an ICE facility in Adelanto, California on September 21. ICE was holding 59,762 detainees as of September 25, exceeding the previous record of 60,000 set in August. Data shows a death rate of approximately 1.88 per month under Trump compared to 0.54 per month during the Biden administration. Immigration advocates cite "horrendous conditions" and inadequate medical monitoring despite ICE's assertions of safe, humane environments.
• Escalation of Deportation of Undocumented People — The incoming administration has announced plans to escalate the deportation of undocumented individuals, a move that is expected to increase fear among immigrant communities. This strategy is part of a broader approach to immigration enforcement that has been criticized for its potential to create a climate of fear and uncertainty. The National Immigrant Justice Center is highlighted as a resource for those affected by these policies, offering support and advocacy in response to the administration's actions.
• Trump ICE raids cause worker absences — New ICE raids under the Trump administration have led to significant worker absences in California's agricultural sector. The raids are reportedly targeting individuals based on racial profiling rather than criminal suspicion, causing fear and disruption in communities.
• DoJ orders prosecution of officials resisting immigration crackdown — The U.S. Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, has issued a directive to federal prosecutors to target state and local officials who resist the administration's mass deportation campaign. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed prosecutors to investigate and potentially bring criminal charges against officials in "sanctuary" jurisdictions for harboring undocumented immigrants or withholding immigration information. This directive is part of a broader immigration crackdown, including executive orders to mobilize federal agencies for enforcement and challenge local laws blocking Trump's immigration agenda.
• ICE raid in Newark targets Hispanic military veteran — ICE agents conducted a raid at a seafood wholesaler in Newark, NJ, arresting three people, including a Puerto Rican military veteran. The raid was part of a racial profiling operation targeting Hispanic individuals, raising concerns about discrimination and unlawful targeting of US citizens.

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• Trump issues executive order on gender and fetal personhood — Donald Trump issued an executive order that defines gender based on biological sex at conception, incorporating language that aligns with the concept of fetal personhood. This doctrine, advocated by the anti-abortion movement, suggests that life begins at conception, granting embryos and fetuses full legal rights. The order's language has raised concerns among abortion rights supporters, as it could potentially lead to nationwide abortion bans and criminalization of the procedure. The order was issued shortly after Trump took office, signaling a possible shift in federal policy regarding reproductive rights.

Supporting reports

• Presidential Proclamation on Border Security — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation declaring an ongoing invasion at the southern border of the United States. The proclamation suspends the entry of aliens involved in this invasion and imposes restrictions on their access to immigration provisions. The President directed the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to take actions necessary to repel and remove aliens engaged in the invasion.
• Trump issued proclamation declaring southern border "invasion" and suspending entry of migrants — President Trump signed a proclamation on January 20, 2025, declaring the southern border situation an "invasion" under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution. The proclamation suspends physical entry of aliens "engaged in the invasion" across the southern border, restricts their access to asylum provisions (Section 208 of the INA), and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to "repel, repatriate, or remove" such aliens. The order applies to aliens who fail to provide medical, criminal history, or background information before entry. Trump asserts inherent constitutional authority to take these actions independent of statutory immigration law.

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• DNC intervenes in GOP's ballot challenge case — The Democratic National Committee intervened in the case brought by the RNC and North Carolina GOP, asking a court to block their request to discard thousands of ballots. The DNC cited state and federal laws that protect the votes of eligible voters despite minor registration application issues. This intervention is part of the ongoing legal battle over the 2024 election results in North Carolina.
• North Carolina Virtual Town Hall on Election Overturn Efforts — A virtual town hall is scheduled for January 23 in North Carolina to address GOP efforts to overturn the election of Supreme Court Justice Alison Riggs. This event aims to inform and mobilize citizens against attempts to challenge the legitimacy of a duly elected official. The town hall will provide a platform for discussing the implications of these efforts on the state's judicial system and democratic processes.
• Challenges to NC Supreme Court Justice election — Challenges have been raised against the election of NC Supreme Court Justice Alison Riggs, with concerns that the GOP is attempting to overturn the election results. This situation is characterized as a "five alarm fire" for democracy by Marc Elias, indicating the potential for similar attempts in future elections, including the 2028 Presidential election.

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• Trump revoked Biden police reform executive orders — On January 20, 2025, President Trump revoked executive orders issued by President Biden that implemented limited police reforms. The article notes that Trump dismantled the federal database tracking police misconduct on the same date. These actions reversed measures intended to address police accountability following the George Floyd protests and the passage of related legislation in Congress.
• Trump decommissioned federal police misconduct database on first day of office — On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order directing the decommissioning of a federal database tracking police misconduct. This action removed a key transparency and accountability mechanism for monitoring law enforcement violations across jurisdictions, making it more difficult to identify patterns of abuse or hold departments accountable.