Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal agencies instructed employees to ignore Musk's email — Following Elon Musk's directive for federal employees to report weekly accomplishments, several federal agencies, including the State Department and FBI, instructed their employees to disregard the email, asserting that responses should follow established procedures.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration fires thousands of federal workers — The Trump administration has fired thousands of federal workers from agencies responsible for managing public lands, including the US Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. This action has left significant operational gaps, particularly affecting wildfire response and conservation efforts. The firings targeted employees in probationary status, many of whom had dedicated years to public service. The move has sparked concerns about the agencies' ability to manage extreme weather events and has led to fears of increased privatization of public lands. Unions and labor advocates are preparing legal challenges, and legislators are urging the administration to reverse the firings.

Supporting reports

• Federal judges block DOGE from accessing Treasury data — At least two federal judges have blocked Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive data from the Department of the Treasury. This action follows a lawsuit filed by Public Citizen on behalf of federal unions and a nonprofit organization, which argued that DOGE's access to such information would violate privacy rights. The Department of Justice agreed to restrict DOGE's access to Treasury data, except for two special employees who were granted limited access. One of these employees resigned after past racist social media posts were discovered.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — New York et al v. Donald J. Trump (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01144 — Judge Vargas granted a limited preliminary injunction, enjoining the Treasury Department from granting access to DOGE-affiliated individuals to any payment record, payment systems, or any other data systems maintained by the Treasury Department containing personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees. The court noted that “a real possibility exists that sensitive information has already been shared outside of the Treasury Department, in potential violation of federal law.” The court ordered the Treasury Department to submit a report by March 24 including several forms of information and certifications including “the vetting and security clearances processes that members of the Treasury DOGE Team have undergone;” ”setting forth the legal authority pursuant to which each DOGE Team member was employed by or detailed to the Treasury Department;” and “explaining the reporting chains that govern the relationship between the DOGE Team members, USDS/DOGE, and Treasury leadership.”

Supporting reports

• USDA mistakenly fired bird flu officials — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accidentally terminated several employees working on the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. The USDA had previously announced plans to optimize its workforce by cutting staff, a move supported by Elon Musk's unofficial agency, the "department of government efficiency." The USDA is now attempting to rehire the affected employees to rectify the situation. This incident is part of broader federal workforce reductions, including significant job losses at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.

Supporting reports

• Judge allows Trump administration to continue mass firings of federal workers — A federal judge, Christopher Cooper, ruled that the Trump administration can continue its mass firings of federal employees, rejecting a bid by labor unions to halt the downsizing. The unions had sought to block the administration from firing hundreds of thousands of federal workers and granting buyouts to those who quit voluntarily. The judge stated that the court likely lacks jurisdiction over the claims, suggesting the unions file complaints with the Federal Labor Relations Authority instead. This ruling is temporary while litigation continues.
• Judge rules Trump administration can continue mass firings — A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with mass firings of federal employees, rejecting a bid by labor unions to halt the downsizing of the federal workforce. The decision affects approximately 2.3 million federal workers, with the IRS beginning layoffs of around 7,000 employees. The ruling allows the administration to continue its efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, despite opposition from labor unions representing affected workers.
• Trump administration conducts mass firings of federal workers — The Trump administration has initiated mass firings of federal workers, citing "poor performance" as the reason. However, many of the terminated employees, including those with positive performance reviews, claim the firings are unjustified. The administration's actions have led to legal challenges, with a federal judge ruling against a restraining order to halt the firings. The firings have affected thousands of probationary employees and have raised concerns about potential legal and financial repercussions for the government.

Supporting reports

• Trump created DOGE by executive order — Trump signed an executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and appointed Elon Musk to head it, as stated by Trump on February 19: "I signed an order creating [DOGE] and put a man named Elon Musk in charge." The White House has attempted to maintain that Musk was only an advisor despite this explicit statement of his official appointment.

Supporting reports

• USDA employees fired over Neuralink review — Over the weekend, USDA employees involved in reviewing Elon Musk's company Neuralink were fired. The dismissals included about 20 people from the FDA’s office of neurological and physical medicine devices, some of whom were overseeing Neuralink. This action raises concerns about the integrity of regulatory oversight and potential political influence in the review process of high-profile tech companies.

Supporting reports

• US Forest Service and National Park Service to fire thousands of workers — The US Forest Service and National Park Service are set to terminate approximately 4,400 employees as part of a federal spending cut initiative under the Trump administration. The layoffs will affect recent hires still in their probationary period, excluding firefighters, law enforcement, and certain meteorologists. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce federal bureaucracy and spending, impacting sites like the Appalachian Trail and Yellowstone. Critics warn of negative consequences for park maintenance and visitor experience due to reduced staffing levels.

Supporting reports

• DOJ fires USDA lab staff amid bird flu outbreak — The Department of Justice fired 25% of the staff in a central program office of the USDA's National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which coordinates responses to animal disease outbreaks like the H5N1 bird flu. The firings are expected to slow testing and response efforts, impacting public health and safety.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order to empower Doge committee — President Trump signed an executive order granting the Doge committee, led by Elon Musk, the power to shrink the federal workforce. This move is part of a broader strategy to halt government spending and increase efficiency, despite legal challenges from unions and concerns about the impact on federal agencies' operations, particularly in health sectors.

Supporting reports

• Mass termination of probationary federal workers across multiple agencies — The Trump administration, through Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), terminated approximately 24,000 probationary federal workers across agencies including the US Forest Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Health and Human Services on February 14, 2025. Workers were given minimal notice (some two hours) to return equipment. Subsequent legal challenges resulted in court-ordered reinstatements, though implementation has been inconsistent, leaving workers in administrative limbo with uncertain benefits and job status.

Supporting reports

• Dept of Veterans Affairs fires 1,000 employees — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the firing of 1,000 employees, claiming it would save $98 million annually. This decision is part of a larger trend of federal workforce reductions, raising concerns about the impact on veteran services and support.

Supporting reports

• Dept of Energy fires 300 National Nuclear Security Administration employees — The Department of Energy fired 300 employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees nuclear weapons. This action is part of a broader reduction affecting 275,000 federal workers, raising concerns about the impact on national security and nuclear safety.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order Ending Procurement and Use of Paper Straws — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14208, directing federal agencies to cease procurement and use of paper straws. The order mandates the development of a national strategy to eliminate policies disfavoring plastic straws and addresses contract policies with entities banning plastic straws. This action revokes a previous order promoting federal sustainability.
• Executive Order to Eliminate the Federal Executive Institute — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14207 to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute, a program providing leadership training to federal employees. The order directs the Office of Personnel Management to take necessary steps to dismantle the institute, revoking prior documents establishing it. The action aims to refocus government efforts on serving taxpayers and reducing bureaucratic influence.
• Trump issues executive order ending paper straw procurement — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 10, 2025, directing federal agencies to cease the procurement and use of paper straws. The order mandates the elimination of policies that disfavor plastic straws and requires the development of a national strategy to end the use of paper straws within 45 days. This strategy will address contract policies with entities that ban or penalize plastic straw use and utilize all available tools to implement the policy nationwide. The order aims to reverse previous policies promoting paper straws as part of environmental sustainability efforts.
• Trump issues executive order to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 10, 2025, to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute, a government program established over 50 years ago to provide leadership training to federal employees. The order directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to take necessary steps to dismantle the institute, citing the need to refocus government efforts on serving taxpayers and reducing the influence of the federal bureaucracy. The order also revokes prior documents establishing the institute, including a 1968 Presidential Memorandum and provisions of Executive Order 11348.
• White House issues fact sheet on elimination of Federal Executive Institute — The White House issued a fact sheet on February 10, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute. The order directs the Office of Personnel Management to terminate the institute and revoke related documents. The fact sheet characterizes the institute as a wasteful 50-year-old program created during the Johnson administration for bureaucratic leadership training, and notes it operates a resort property in Charlottesville, Virginia formerly used as a luxury hotel.
• White House signed executive order eliminating the Federal Executive Institute — The White House issued an executive order directing the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute, a federal leadership training program established in 1968. The order characterizes the institute as a program that has enlarged the "Washington, D.C., managerial class" and states it should be eliminated to refocus government on serving taxpayers and the Constitution rather than the federal bureaucracy. The order revokes prior presidential memoranda and executive orders establishing the institute.

Supporting reports

• CIA offers buyouts to workforce — The CIA offered buyouts to its entire workforce, a move that could significantly reduce the agency's personnel and impact its operational capabilities. This action aligns with broader efforts to downsize federal agencies.

Supporting reports

• DOGE accesses CMS systems — Unvetted representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accessed payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to search for fraud or waste. This unauthorized access raises concerns about data security and oversight.

Supporting reports

• Energy Department grants DOGE IT access — Energy Secretary Chris Wright granted a DOGE associate access to the Energy Department's IT system despite objections from the department's general counsel. This decision raises concerns about the security and integrity of sensitive government systems.

Supporting reports

• Musk's DOGE team targets NOAA for elimination — Bloomberg reports that Elon Musk's DOGE team has targeted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for possible elimination. NOAA is a critical agency providing weather forecasts and cooperating internationally on climate data. The potential elimination of NOAA raises concerns about the impact on global weather forecasting and scientific cooperation.
• Musk's DOGE team disrupts government agencies — WaPo reports that Musk's DOGE team has sought access to sensitive data and disrupted operations in at least 15 government agencies. The team has focused on gaining control of key agencies like OPM, GSA, and the Treasury Department. The lack of transparency about DOGE's personnel and actions raises concerns about government integrity and data security.

Supporting reports

• DOGE cuts at Department of Education — Approximately 20 representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are working to cut spending and staff at the Department of Education as President Trump prepares an executive order to dismantle the department. This action threatens the department's ability to function effectively.
• EPA employees face potential firing — Over 1,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees were notified they could be fired immediately. This action is part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the size of federal agencies and limit their regulatory power.

Supporting reports

• EPA places environmental justice employees on leave — The EPA placed more than 160 environmental justice employees on paid administrative leave. This action is part of the administration's efforts to reduce the agency's focus on environmental justice issues.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders NGO funding review — President Trump issued an executive memo ordering a review of federal funding to all non-government organizations. This review could impact the financial support and operations of NGOs across various sectors.

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• USAID employees placed on leave — The Trump administration announced that thousands of global USAID employees would be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, with orders to return to the US within 30 days. This action is part of the administration's efforts to restructure and control foreign aid operations.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocks federal employee buyout plan — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration and DOGE/Musk from implementing a federal employee buyout plan. Judge George O'Toole Jr. set a hearing to consider further blocking the offer, which unions argue is unlawful and harmful to federal operations. The plan's legality and impact on civil service stability are under scrutiny.
• Trump administration restricts DOGE access to Treasury systems — Following a lawsuit by government employee unions, the Trump administration filed a proposed order to temporarily restrict DOGE officials' access to sensitive Treasury payment systems. The order allows two DOGE employees to read data without further access. This move likely preempted a judicial restraining order, and its acceptance by the judge or plaintiffs remains uncertain.
• Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s buyout deadline for federal employees — A federal judge, George O’Toole, temporarily blocked the Trump administration's deadline for federal employees to decide on a buyout offer. The deadline, initially set for February 6, 2025, was extended to allow time for legal briefs before a hearing. The buyout offer involved severance pay and benefits for those leaving their jobs, with new reforms for those staying. The judge's decision provides time for further legal examination without indicating the final ruling outcome.
• Case update — American Federation of Gov’t Employees, AFL-CIO v. Ezell (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10276 — Judge George O'Toole issued an order to pause the program and extend the deadline until Monday when a hearing is scheduled.

Supporting reports

• Musk offers federal workers pay to resign — Elon Musk offered all 2 million federal workers eight months' pay if they resign, a move that has been criticized as potentially illegal and disruptive. The offer has raised concerns about the impact on government operations and the potential loss of experienced personnel.
• Treasury Secretary grants Musk access to payment systems — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent approved access to the Treasury's payments system for Elon Musk's team, following the administrative leave and subsequent retirement of Acting Secretary David Lebryk, who had refused the access. The payments system controls disbursement of over $6 trillion annually, and the decision to grant access to Musk's team has raised concerns about political influence and security.
• Attempt to Access Payment Systems — Elon Musk's team forced the resignation of David A. Lebryk, the highest-ranking career official at the Treasury Department, amid concerns that Musk's associates sought access to the U.S. government's payment systems. This access could allow for politically motivated interference in federal payments.
• Musk's team takes control of Treasury payment system — Elon Musk's team gained control of the Treasury's payment system, which manages approximately $6 trillion annually, allowing them access to sensitive financial information of Americans and businesses. This takeover was facilitated by the Trump administration, which placed two USAID security officials on leave when they attempted to prevent Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing classified information. The implications of this action raise significant concerns about the security and integrity of U.S. government operations.
• Elon Musk gains access to US Treasury payment system — Elon Musk has reportedly gained access to the US Treasury payment system, which is responsible for funding government operations. This access has raised concerns about bypassing traditional government oversight, as Musk is neither a federal employee nor appointed by the President. The situation has been described as a potential coup, with Musk and his team allegedly circumventing Congress and the executive branch. This development has sparked significant public outcry and calls for action to prevent further unauthorized control over government functions.
• Musk's Team Takes Control of U.S. Treasury Payment Systems — Elon Musk's team, operating under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has taken control of the U.S. Treasury payment systems, which manage approximately $6 trillion in annual transactions. This action allows them access to sensitive personal information and enables Musk to cancel transactions he deems wasteful, including the IRS Direct File system that allowed free online tax filing. This move raises concerns about the legality and security of government operations.
• Musk's team takes control of U.S. Treasury systems — Elon Musk's team, operating under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has taken control of the U.S. Treasury payment systems, which manage approximately $6 trillion in annual transactions. This action allows them access to sensitive personal information and enables Musk to cancel transactions he deems wasteful, including the IRS Direct File system. This move raises significant concerns about the security and integrity of government operations.
• Musk's DOGE given access to federal payment systems — Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been granted access to federal payment systems, allowing them to review government payments for waste. Although their access is described as "read only," this move is highly irregular and raises concerns about data privacy and the influence of private entities on government operations.
• Treasury grants Musk's team access to payment systems — The U.S. Department of the Treasury granted Elon Musk's team "read-only" access to coded data of the government's payment systems, which handle transactions such as social security payments and tax refunds. This access has sparked protests and concerns among Democratic lawmakers and the public about the potential misuse of sensitive financial data. Treasury officials assured that the system remains robust and effective, with no valid payment requests rejected, but the decision has been met with skepticism and fear of data exploitation.
• Elon Musk seizes control of US Treasury — Elon Musk, a private citizen, has reportedly seized control of the US Treasury, leading to significant financial disruptions. This action has resulted in the loss of funds for organizations such as the Haw River Assembly and World Relief, affecting grants and refugee resettlement money. The seizure is part of broader concerns about the potential confirmation of Russell Vought to the Office of Management and Budget, who is expected to support such actions if confirmed.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration releases order to identify civil servants for dismissal — The Trump administration released an order requiring federal agencies to identify civil servants who could be stripped of legal protections against arbitrary dismissal. This order potentially affects a large number of federal employees, undermining the 1978 Civil Service Act's protections. The move is seen as an effort to politicize the federal workforce by allowing dismissals based on political loyalty.
• Trump demands mass resignations of civil servants — President Trump demanded the mass resignation of civil servants, offering eight months' pay for those who resign within a week. This move is part of an effort to reshape the federal workforce to be more loyal to his administration. The Office of Personnel Management sent an email to approximately 2.3 million federal workers, indicating a push to create a "reliable, loyal, trustworthy" workforce, raising concerns about politicization of the civil service.
• Trump issues executive order stripping civil servants of protections — President Trump signed an executive order that strips civil servants of many employment protections, making it easier to dismiss them for political reasons. This order is seen as an attempt to bypass the 1978 Civil Service Act, which ensures that federal workers are hired based on merit and cannot be arbitrarily dismissed. The move has been criticized as an attack on the independence and integrity of the civil service.
• Musk announces "deferred resignation" program for federal employees — Elon Musk, using his access to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), emailed all federal civil employees to announce a "deferred resignation" program. The program offers pay and benefits until September 30, 2025, for employees who choose to resign, with minimal work requirements. The program has been condemned by the American Federation of Government Employees as it could disrupt federal government operations. Musk's influence in Washington stems from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency, despite not being a federal employee.
• Agencies can rescind resignation agreements at their discretion — The OPM memo states that agencies can rescind the "deferred resignation" agreement at their sole discretion, without review by the Merit Systems Protection Board or any other forum. While employees can request a rescission of their resignation, the agency is not obligated to agree. This provision gives agencies significant control over the resignation process and limits employees' ability to challenge decisions.
• Federal employees may be required to work despite resignation agreement — The OPM contract for the "deferred resignation" agreement specifies that federal employees who accept the offer must work through February 28. After this date, they may not be expected to work except in "rare circumstances" determined by their agency. The contract does not define these circumstances, leaving the decision to the agency's discretion. This contradicts earlier claims that employees would not have to work during the resignation period.
• OPM contract waives federal employees' legal rights — The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a contract for the "deferred resignation" agreement, which includes a waiver of federal employees' rights to enforce the agreement in court or any other forum. Section 13 of the contract states that employees waive their right to pursue any legal action related to their employment or the resignation offer. This waiver includes claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and prohibits labor unions from filing grievances on behalf of employees.
• Trump administration offers "deferred resignation" to federal employees — The Trump administration, through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), offered a "deferred resignation" deal to federal employees, claiming they could resign effective September 30 and receive full pay without working until then. However, the fine print revealed employees might still be required to work until their resignation date. About 20,000 federal workers accepted the offer. The administration aimed for a 5-10% resignation rate, but the offer was misleadingly reported as a "buyout" without a lump sum payment. The deal's terms were clarified in a new OPM memo and contract.