Trump Action Archive

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

• ICE denies Mahmoud Khalil temporary release to attend birth of his son — Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained in Louisiana by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, requested temporary release to attend the birth of his first child in New York. ICE denied the request despite his lawyers proposing reasonable alternatives including a two-week furlough with ankle monitoring. Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla, gave birth on April 21, and Khalil was only able to participate via telephone call from over 1,000 miles away. Abdalla characterized the denial as a "purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer."

Supporting reports

• Palestinian green-card holder detained during naturalization interview — Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green-card holder and Columbia student, was detained by immigration authorities while attending a naturalization interview on April 21, 2025. Senator Peter Welch of Vermont met with Mahdawi following his detention, indicating congressional concern over the arrest.

Supporting reports

• Trump attacked Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump continued his attacks on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, calling him a "major loser" and urging him to lower interest rates. Trump also baselessly claimed that Powell lowered interest rates in the leadup to the 2024 election to help Kamala Harris win, attacking the independence of the Federal Reserve.
• Stock market declined sharply amid Trump harassment of Federal Reserve chair and tariff instability — The stock market experienced significant declines on April 21 following President Trump's continued public pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 971.82 points (2.48%), the S&P 500 dropped 2.36%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.55%. The dollar hit a three-year low while gold prices soared. Since Trump took office, the Dow has fallen 13.8%, the S&P 500 is down 15.5%, and the Nasdaq is down 20.5%. The Dow Jones is headed for its worst April performance since 1932, during the Great Depression.

Supporting reports

• Sarah Palin retrial in defamation suit against New York Times begins following appellate reversal — Sarah Palin's defamation lawsuit against the New York Times entered retrial after the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 2024 found that Judge Jed Rakoff committed procedural errors in the original 2022 trial. Rakoff had signaled to jurors he would set aside a verdict in Palin's favor and withheld information about whether the Times editorial page editor knew the disputed editorial was incorrect. The retrial, which began in April 2025, addresses the same underlying claim that a 2017 Times editorial incorrectly linked Palin's political rhetoric to a 2011 mass shooting.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court hears constitutional challenge to Affordable Care Act preventive services taskforce — The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of the US Preventive Services Taskforce, a 16-member panel of medical experts appointed by the HHS secretary without Senate confirmation that determines which preventive healthcare services insurers must cover without cost to patients. The plaintiffs argue taskforce members are "principal officers" requiring presidential appointment and Senate confirmation; the Trump administration argues they are "inferior officers" lawfully appointed by the HHS secretary. A lower court ruled the taskforce's structure violates the Constitution. If upheld, life-saving preventive screenings and treatments could become subject to co-pays and deductibles.

Supporting reports

• Judge Boasberg orders government not to deport men to CECOT; administration defies order — Judge James Boasberg issued an order prohibiting the government from deporting men to CECOT and instructing that if planes were already airborne, they be turned around. The administration proceeded with deportations despite the judicial order. On April 16, Boasberg issued an opinion concluding that probable cause exists to find the government in criminal contempt of court for defying his order.
• US District Judge James Boasberg finds probable cause of contempt against Trump administration for defying deportation halt orders — US District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court for defying his orders to halt deportations. Boasberg outlined a series of escalating punitive actions he could take against Trump officials, though an appellate court has paused the contempt process while the administration appeals.

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

• FDA v. SWT Global Supply, Inc. — Certiorari Granted and Vacated for Reconsideration — The Supreme Court granted the petition for a writ of certiorari in this FDA regulatory case, vacated the lower court judgment, and remanded to the Fifth Circuit for reconsideration in light of the Court's recent decision in FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments, LLC (2025). The remand directs the appellate court to apply the new precedent to the case.
• USPS v. Konan, Lebene — Certiorari Granted — The Supreme Court granted the petition for a writ of certiorari in this case involving the United States Postal Service and petitioner Lebene Konan. The grant indicates the Court will review the lower court decision on the merits.
• Supreme Court denies stay application in Yost v. Brown — The Supreme Court denied an emergency stay application filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in the pending case Yost v. Brown (Docket 24A970). The application had been presented to Justice Kavanaugh, who referred it to the full Court. The Court's order vacated Kavanaugh's prior order. Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh dissented, indicating they would have granted the stay.
• Supreme Court denies stay and certiorari in Mendoza v. Texas death penalty case — The Supreme Court denied both an emergency application for stay of execution and a petition for certiorari in Mendoza v. Texas (Docket 24-7030). The case involved a death sentence; the applicant sought to halt the execution and obtain full Court review. Both requests were rejected, allowing the sentence to proceed without further Supreme Court intervention.

Supporting reports

• Stephen Miller mischaracterizes Supreme Court decision to press — During or after the April 14 meeting with Bukele, deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller mischaracterized the Supreme Court's 9–0 decision, falsely claiming it had ruled unanimously in favor of the administration—the exact opposite of the actual ruling.

Supporting reports

• Trump attacked Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump continued his attacks on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, calling him a "major loser" and urging him to lower interest rates. Trump also baselessly claimed that Powell lowered interest rates in the leadup to the 2024 election to help Kamala Harris win, attacking the independence of the Federal Reserve.

Supporting reports

• Trump dismissed Hegseth Signal reports as "fake news" — Speaking to reporters, Trump dismissed reports about Hegseth's Signal group chat as "fake news" from "disgruntled employees." The dismissal contradicted reporting from major news outlets and attempted to discredit legitimate journalism about potential security breaches.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Marjorie Greene posts about Pope's death as divine judgment — Representative Marjorie Greene (R-GA) posted on social media that major shifts in global leadership represented evil being defeated by the hand of God, in reference to Pope Francis's death occurring one day after his meeting with Vice President JD Vance.
• Right-wing figures promote conspiracy theories about Pope's death — Following Pope Francis's death one day after meeting with Vice President JD Vance, conspiracy theories circulated among right-wing figures about whether Vance was responsible. Right-wing talk show host Ann Coulter posted "Good work, JD." Representative Marjorie Greene posted that major shifts in global leadership represented evil being defeated by God's hand. These statements reflect MAGA's historical opposition to Pope Francis's positions on immigration and church reforms.

Supporting reports

• American Oversight filed amended lawsuit to preserve Hegseth Signal messages — The nonprofit watchdog organization American Oversight filed an amended lawsuit asking a federal judge to force the Trump administration to preserve all messages sent on Signal as part of their official business, including Hegseth's second private group chat. The filing seeks to ensure government records are preserved for oversight and accountability.

Supporting reports

• Senator Schiff requested investigation into Trump administration Signal use — Democratic Senator Adam Schiff sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration requesting an investigation into the Trump administration's use of Signal and other messaging apps. The request sought to determine whether the administration was violating records preservation laws by conducting official business on non-compliant platforms.

Supporting reports

• Trump publicly supports Hegseth despite second Signal chat disclosure — Donald Trump offered public support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on April 21, dismissing criticism after reports emerged that Hegseth had shared classified or sensitive information about US strikes in Yemen in a second Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, personal lawyer, and Pentagon aides. Trump told Hegseth he had his support and blamed "disgruntled leakers" for the story. Trump instructed his team to defend Hegseth publicly, while Hegseth denied wrongdoing and called the reporting a "hit piece."
• Trump defends Hegseth and characterizes criticism as fake news — President Trump defended Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, characterizing reports of dysfunction and security breaches as fake news and disgruntled employee complaints. Trump stated Hegseth was placed in the position to remove bad people and that he is doing a great job.

Supporting reports

• Secretary of the Interior delegates departmental control to DOGE operative — On April 21, 2025, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signed an order (SO-3429) consolidating and unifying administrative functions within the Department of the Interior by assigning control over the department—including its 70,000 employees and entire budget—to the assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget (AS-PMB). The position is currently held by Tyler Hassen, a DOGE operative and CEO of a Houston-based energy company, who holds the role without Senate confirmation as required by the appointments clause of the Constitution.

Supporting reports

• Harvard University president refuses Trump administration demands for government control over university operations — Harvard University President Alan Garber issued an open letter refusing a series of demands from the Trump administration, including the appointment of a White House-approved external body to audit the university for "viewpoint diversity" and the immediate shutdown of all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Garber characterized the demands as "direct governmental regulation" that violated the school's independence and constitutional rights, stating that no government should dictate what private universities teach, whom they admit and hire, or which areas of study they pursue.

Supporting reports

• Deportation of Venezuelan Musician to El Salvador — Arturo Suárez Trejo, a Venezuelan musician, was deported from the United States to El Salvador under the Trump administration's immigration policies. Suárez, who had been living in North Carolina, was detained and accused without evidence of being a criminal. He was subsequently sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, where his family has lost contact with him. This action is part of a broader policy affecting over 200 Venezuelan men, raising concerns about human rights and due process.

Supporting reports

• DOGE inflates spending-cut claims without itemized support — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) updated its official website on April 20, 2025, to claim $160 billion in spending cuts, up from $155 billion, but provided no new itemized documentation for the $5 billion increase. Analysis by Musk Watch's DOGE Tracker found that only $12.6 billion in cuts are verifiable against original government sources, while the claimed total of $160 billion far exceeds the $61.5 billion itemized on the website. The discrepancy suggests DOGE is publicly inflating budget-cut figures without substantiation.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court blocks deportations under Alien Enemies Act; federal judges escalate enforcement against Trump administration defiance — The US Supreme Court issued a temporary order early Saturday blocking the federal government from removing detainees held in northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, after lawyers reported detainees received English-only notices with no information on how to challenge deportation. Separately, US District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause to hold the government in contempt for defying orders to halt deportations, and Judge Paula Xinis ordered daily compliance updates after the administration ignored orders to facilitate the return of wrongly deported Kilmar Ábrego García to the United States. The rulings underscore an escalating constitutional conflict over judicial enforcement power.
• Case update — D.B.U. v. Trump (D. Colo.) 1:25-cv-01163 — Petitioners filed a reply in support of their motion for an emergency TRO and requested the Court maintain the TRO due to the government's transfer of detainees under the AEA with less than 24 hours notice.
• Amy Klobuchar calls on Supreme Court to hold Trump officials in contempt for ignoring deportation order — Senator Amy Klobuchar called on the U.S. Supreme Court to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for allegedly ignoring a court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident the government admitted it deported by mistake to El Salvador. Klobuchar suggested the Court appoint an independent special prosecutor outside the Department of Justice to enforce the rule of law. Her comments followed Justice Samuel Alito's dissent criticizing the Court's decision to block deportations of Venezuelans held in Texas.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth shared classified Yemen strike details in private Signal chat with family and associates — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent detailed information about planned military strikes on Yemen to a private Signal group chat he created, which included his wife Jennifer, his brother Phil, and approximately a dozen other personal associates and advisers. The chat contained operational details including F/A-18 flight schedules for strikes on Houthi targets. This represents a second unauthorized disclosure channel, separate from a previously reported Signal group created by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Sources confirmed Hegseth used a personal phone rather than a government device to access the chat.
• Hegseth's second Signal chat with sensitive military details revealed — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth created a private Signal group chat including his wife, brother, and about a dozen personal associates, in which he shared details of a U.S. attack on Yemeni Houthi rebels, including F/A-18 flight schedules. The New York Times reported the existence of this second chat on April 21, 2025. The revelation prompted calls for Hegseth's resignation from Democratic senators and criticism from former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who described the Pentagon as experiencing a "full-blown meltdown" under Hegseth's leadership.
• SecDef Hegseth created Signal chat discussing sensitive DOD operations — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth created a private Signal chat group called "Team Huddle" with 13 people, including his brother and personal attorney, to discuss sensitive Department of Defense operations including bombing targets in Yemen. The New York Times reported the group's existence and composition. This follows an earlier Signal chat scandal involving his wife.
• Don Jr. declares John Ullyot exiled from MAGA movement — Donald Trump Jr. responded to John Ullyot's editorial criticizing Pentagon dysfunction by declaring Ullyot a traitor and officially exiling him from the MAGA movement. Trump Jr. stated that Ullyot has worked for years to subvert his father's agenda and that this behavior ends today.
• Hegseth's former spokesman publishes editorial on Pentagon dysfunction — John Ullyot, Hegseth's former spokesman, published an editorial in Politico describing the Department of Defense as in "total chaos" under Hegseth's leadership. Ullyot detailed mass firings, leaks of sensitive operational plans, and the departure of Hegseth's two closest advisers of over a decade. Ullyot stated the dysfunction is a major distraction for the president and predicted more significant stories would emerge.
• White House begins search for new Secretary of Defense — According to a U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly, the White House has begun the process of looking for a new Secretary of Defense. NPR reported this development, though the White House social media account subsequently denied the report as fake news.
• White House Press Secretary defends Hegseth — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement asserting that President Trump stands strongly behind Pete Hegseth and that he is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon. She characterized the criticism as coming from a Pentagon working against the secretary and against the administration's reform agenda.
• Hegseth defends Signal chat use, blames ousted Pentagon officials for leaks — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his use of encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive military operations, including details about strikes against Houthis in Yemen. In a Fox News interview, Hegseth blamed fired Pentagon officials for orchestrating leaks and claimed the shared information was unclassified. The controversy follows reporting that Hegseth shared operational details—launch times, bomb drop timings, missile launches—with 13 people including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, some lacking security clearance. An internal Pentagon investigation is underway.
• Pete Hegseth disclosed sensitive military intelligence in unsecured Signal group chats — Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly shared highly sensitive military intelligence, including information on active strikes in Yemen and troop movements, through unsecured Signal group chats with his wife, brother, Trump administration officials, and a journalist. National security experts and former Biden administration officials expressed grave concerns that these disclosures have endangered Pentagon secrets, weakened U.S. defense posture, and made Hegseth and his circle prime espionage targets for foreign adversaries including Russia and China.
• Concerns over Pete Hegseth's unsecured communications — Reports have emerged that Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, has been disclosing sensitive military intelligence in unsecured Signal group chats, raising fears that this behavior has compromised US defense secrets and made him a target for foreign espionage. Experts warn that such leaks could endanger military operations and expose the US to significant risks, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions with adversaries like Russia and China. Hegseth's actions have led to concerns about the integrity of US intelligence-sharing and the safety of personnel involved in military operations.
• Pete Hegseth used unsecured internet connection for Signal — The Associated Press reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection installed in his Pentagon office that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. The connection, known as a "dirty" internet line, connects directly to the public internet without the security filters and protocols maintained on Pentagon secured connections. The Washington Post reported Hegseth used this workaround to continue using Signal in secure areas where personal cell phones were not permitted.
• Pete Hegseth ordered Pentagon makeup studio renovation — CBS reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered modifications to a room next to the Pentagon press briefing room to retrofit it as a makeup studio for TV appearance preparation. The project cost several thousand dollars at a time when the administration is seeking cost-cutting measures. The original renovation plan was estimated at over $40,000 but was scaled back. A DOD spokesperson stated that changes to the Pentagon Briefing Room routinely happen during administrative transitions.
• Pete Hegseth's chief of staff Joe Kasper departed DOD — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial chief of staff Joe Kasper left the Department of Defense today, according to Politico. Kasper is the fifth top DOD official to leave the agency in the past week and was a central figure in a power struggle that cost three top aides their jobs. On Tuesday, Hegseth had stated Kasper was "staying with us" in a "slightly different role."
• Pete Hegseth set up unsecured internet line in Pentagon office to bypass security protocols and use Signal — Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary, had an unsecured commercial internet connection installed in his Pentagon office to circumvent government security filters and use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. The "dirty line" allowed him to bypass both SiprNet (classified) and NiprNet (unclassified) Pentagon networks. Multiple personal computers were present at his desk, creating vulnerability to hacking and surveillance. The Pentagon's chief spokesperson denied Hegseth used Signal on government computers, contradicting reporting that he directed Signal installation on a desktop in his office.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth directed installation of Signal on unsecured Pentagon computer — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed staffers to install the Signal messaging application on his desktop computer in a secure area where personal cell phones are not permitted. The computer was connected to the internet via an unsecured commercial line, making it highly susceptible to hacking and creating a significant security vulnerability for classified communications.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth posted classified information in unsecure Signal chat — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted information he had just received from Army General Michael Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, in an unsecure second Signal chat containing his wife, brother, and personal friends. The information was posted from Hegseth's personal phone, violating security protocols for classified material.
• Hegseth's management of the Pentagon criticized for lack of expertise — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced scrutiny for his management style, relying on a small circle of advisors without significant experience in defense matters. His approach has led to internal conflicts within the Pentagon, including a breach of security protocols by using unsecured communication methods for sensitive information.
• Hegseth's unsecure communications raise security concerns — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reported to have shared sensitive information from Army General Michael Erik Kurilla in an unsecure Signal chat with personal contacts. Additionally, he directed staff to install Signal on a desktop computer connected to an unsecured internet line, raising significant security concerns regarding the handling of classified information.
• Pentagon lacks confirmed NSA and Cyber Command director after Hegseth firings — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fired General Hauck and his deputy without stated reason, leaving the position of National Security Advisor and Cyber Command director vacant with no confirmed replacement or nominee. The position oversees the crown jewel of U.S. intelligence and signals intelligence (SIGINT). This vacancy occurs during sensitive negotiations with Russia and China, creating a gap in senior intelligence leadership.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announces funding freezes to Brown, Northwestern, Princeton, and Cornell universities — The White House announced funding freezes to multiple universities including Brown, Northwestern, Princeton, and Cornell, as part of a broader campaign to pressure higher education institutions to comply with Trump administration demands regarding curriculum, admissions, hiring, and DEI programs. The specific demands and freeze amounts are not detailed in the article.
• Trump administration circulates draft executive order for radical State Department restructuring — A draft executive order reportedly circulating within the Trump administration proposes a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. State Department, including elimination of the Bureau of African Affairs, Bureau of International Organizations, Office of Global Women's Issues, and special envoy for climate. The order would close unspecified "non-essential" embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan Africa, reduce diplomatic operations in Canada, and reorganize the department into four regional bureaus. State Department officials disputed the authenticity of the leaked document, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it "fake news," though the New York Times and Bloomberg reported on the draft.
• Trump administration cuts federal funding to Harvard University and demands policy changes — The Trump administration cut approximately $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard University after the institution refused to concede to administration demands. Trump also called for Harvard's tax-exempt status to be revoked. The administration deployed an "antisemitism taskforce" to demand policy changes at universities nationwide. Columbia University capitulated to similar demands, agreeing to restore $400 million in federal funding in exchange for measures including banning face masks, empowering security to arrest people, and placing control of its Middle Eastern department under new oversight.
• Trump administration freezes $2.2bn in Harvard grants and demands government control over admissions, hiring, and curriculum — The Trump administration announced a freeze of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard University after President Alan Garber refused demands that would grant the government authority to audit the student body, faculty, and leadership for "viewpoint diversity" and to shut down all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Garber stated the demands violated the university's independence and constitutional rights. The administration framed the action as addressing antisemitism and civil rights violations, though critics view it as authoritarian overreach targeting higher education as an independent sector.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration targets major U.S. law firms with executive orders, prompting capitulation and pledges of pro bono work — The Trump administration issued executive orders targeting major U.S. law firms, prompting many to capitulate and pledge hundreds of millions of dollars in pro bono work to causes backed by the Trump administration. The article frames this as part of a broader authoritarian strategy to intimidate and control independent civic institutions beyond universities.

Supporting reports

• Defense and Homeland Security secretaries to report on Insurrection Act invocation — By April 20, the secretaries of defense and homeland security are required to report to the president on whether he should invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to enable the use of the military to aid in mass deportations. The Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy the military domestically in response to insurrection, rebellion, or invasion. The administration's consideration of invoking this statute for immigration enforcement represents an extraordinary expansion of executive power and a potential violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.
• Hegseth and Noem ordered to report on Insurrection Act recommendation; deadline April 21 — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem were ordered to report to the president by April 21 whether they recommended invoking the Insurrection Act to deal with conditions at the southern border. The Insurrection Act enables the president to use military troops as law enforcement officers inside the United States. According to CNN reporting on Friday, April 18, when the two officials file their report, they will not recommend invoking the act.