Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration uses nonprofit to conceal ballroom renovation donations — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration has concealed the sources of donations for a $330 million ballroom renovation project by channeling funds through a nonprofit organization into a White House account directly controlled by the president. The Post obtained a list of 57 donors committed to giving $100,000 or more. The vast majority of funds came from companies and wealthy individuals with federal interests, including Nvidia and Apple ($25 million each), Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin ($10 million each). Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's son Brandon contributed stock worth $2.5 million; U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Popolo Jr. and his wife gave $1 million. Trump, who claimed he would help pay for the project, does not appear on the donor list.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration claims executive privilege over Kennedy Center renovation conversations — The White House claimed that all conversations between Trump and advisors regarding plans to renovate the Kennedy Center are protected by executive privilege and therefore must be kept secret. This represents a dramatic expansion of executive privilege doctrine, which traditionally shields only communications with key advisors from public scrutiny, extending it to cover virtually all presidential conversations. Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo upon taking office asserting that presidents can shield "presidential communications with private advisers so long as the communications relate to official presidential decisionmaking."

Supporting reports

• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee overseeing the classified documents case, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report on the investigation. This action departed from standard practice, as special counsels routinely release final reports upon conclusion of their work. The report's suppression prevents public disclosure of the factual findings and legal analysis underlying the investigation into Trump's retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order requiring federal agencies to integrate services into America.gov — At the America.gov launch event on September 29, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to facilitate integration of their services into the new America.gov platform. The order aims to consolidate federal government services into a single interface, though the article notes that at launch, America.gov is not yet integrated with actual agency services and whether it will function as advertised remains uncertain.
• Trump administration launches America.gov chatbot, then censors its fact-checking function — On September 29, 2026, President Trump unveiled America.gov, a new federal website featuring an AI chatbot designed to answer citizen questions using official government data. Within hours of launch, the chatbot had debunked multiple false claims Trump frequently makes—including claims about grocery prices, vaccine requirements, farm bankruptcies, and prescription drug costs. By Tuesday afternoon, the administration had censored the chatbot's ability to answer questions that contradicted Trump's statements. The chatbot was restored by evening but the incident revealed the administration's willingness to suppress factual government information when it conflicts with presidential messaging.
• Trump administration launched America.gov chatbot capable of debunking Trump's public statements — President Trump unveiled America.gov, a website presented as a federal government services interface. The site functions as an AI chatbot drawing on government data. Because it bases answers on authoritative government information, the chatbot is capable of automatically debunking falsehoods that are routine in Trump's public remarks, creating a potential contradiction between official government information and presidential statements.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon undisclosed military fatalities in Iran war — According to six U.S. officials familiar with Department of Defense internal casualty accounting data, more American service members have died in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed. Five officials reported at least 22 military fatalities—four more than the Pentagon's public database shows. A sixth official stated 23 service members have died. The discrepancy indicates incomplete public reporting of war casualties.

Supporting reports

• Severe undisclosed damage to U.S. bases from Iranian attacks — Satellite imagery and recently obtained images show severe damage to U.S. military bases in the Middle East from Iranian attacks. Bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan have sustained significant structural damage. The Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the extent of damage. A senior U.S. service member stated that bases have been "irreparably damaged" and that rebuilding would require "years and years of construction," not months. MeidasTouch obtained exclusive images showing complete destruction of several structures at a U.S. base in Kuwait.

Supporting reports

• FDA announces temporary guidance for compounding starter parenteral nutrition products for neonates — The Food and Drug Administration published guidance establishing temporary enforcement policies for compounding certain starter parenteral nutrition drug products for neonates. The guidance applies to both pharmacy compounders under Section 503A and outsourcing facilities under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA implemented the guidance immediately without prior public comment to ensure continued patient access to essential neonatal nutrition products following the expected market exit of a predominant supplier. The guidance remains subject to subsequent public comment.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ANDEMBRY patent term extension — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ANDEMBRY (garadacimab-gxii), a human biological product for hereditary angioedema prophylaxis, as 2,528 days (1,916 testing phase, 612 approval phase). The determination, made pursuant to patent term restoration law, establishes the maximum potential patent extension length. The testing phase began July 14, 2018; the complete application was submitted October 13, 2023; approval occurred June 16, 2025. Interested parties may petition FDA by March 8, 2027, to challenge the dates or contest due diligence.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ANKTIVA patent extension — The Food and Drug Administration has determined that the regulatory review period for ANKTIVA (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln), a human biological product approved for treating BCG-unresponsive nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, is 3,922 days (3,222 testing phase, 700 approval phase). The determination spans from July 26, 2013 (investigational exemption effective date) through April 22, 2024 (approval date). This establishes the maximum potential patent extension length; the applicant seeks between 795 and 1,827 days of actual extension across five patents. Comments on date accuracy are due by November 9, 2026; petitions regarding applicant diligence are due by March 8, 2027.
• FDA determines regulatory review period for ANZUPGO patent extension at 3,532 days — The Food and Drug Administration determined the regulatory review period for ANZUPGO (delgocitinib), a topical treatment for chronic hand eczema, to be 3,532 days (3,167 testing phase, 365 approval phase), spanning from November 20, 2015 (investigational exemption effective date) through July 23, 2025 (NDA approval). The determination establishes the maximum potential patent extension length; the applicant seeks 1,827 days of actual extension. Comments on date accuracy are due by November 9, 2026; petitions regarding due diligence may be filed by March 8, 2027.
• GSA submits Accessibility Conformance Report Repository information collection to OMB for review — The General Services Administration's Office of Governmentwide Policy submitted a new information collection requirement to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval regarding a centralized Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) Repository. The repository will allow federal agencies and the public to access vendor-submitted accessibility reports for information and communication technology products, supporting Section 508 compliance and federal procurement decisions. A 60-day public comment period closed with eight comments received; GSA responded to concerns about administrative burden, public access, sustainability, and standardization.
• EPA submits non-substantive changes to three information collection requests for grant performance reporting to OMB for review — The Environmental Protection Agency published a notice soliciting public comment on proposed non-substantive revisions to three information collection requests (ICRs) governing performance reporting by EPA grant recipients. The changes align ICR forms with Executive Orders issued by the current Administration regarding naming conventions, merit-based opportunity, and state/local preparedness. The ICRs cover General Performance Reporting for Assistance Programs (ICR 2802.01), Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (ICR 2804.01), and the National Estuary Program (ICR 1500.11). EPA stated the changes are non-substantive and impose no additional burden on respondents. A 30-day public comment period ends October 9, 2026.
• FDA announces Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine strain selection — The Food and Drug Administration published notice of a public advisory committee meeting scheduled for October 1, 2026, to discuss and recommend influenza virus vaccine strains for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza season. The meeting will be held online via teleconference. FDA established a public docket (FDA-2026-N-10232) accepting comments through September 29, 2026. Background materials will be posted two business days before the meeting. Interested persons may submit written comments or request time for oral presentations by September 22, 2026.
• FDA Proposes Reinstatement of Information Collection for Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice soliciting public comment on the proposed reinstatement of an existing information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection supports regulatory requirements governing human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) regulated solely under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act. The notice invites comments on necessity, burden accuracy, quality enhancement, and burden minimization. The comment period closes November 9, 2026.
• FDA solicits public comment on proposed information collection for Pregnancy Exposure Registry Enrollment Project survey — The Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeking public comment on a voluntary survey of healthcare providers regarding barriers to patient enrollment in pregnancy exposure registries. The FDA will survey approximately 400 healthcare providers (obstetrician/gynecologists, family medicine physicians, nurse-midwives, physician assistants, specialists, and pharmacists) via internet-administered questionnaire to understand their knowledge, attitudes, and perceived obstacles to recruiting pregnant patients into drug safety registries. Results will inform regulatory guidance on registry protocol design and pregnancy labeling. The comment period closes November 9, 2026.
• EPA solicits public comment on renewal information collection for PBT chemical regulations under TSCA Section 6(h) — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed renewal of an Information Collection Request (ICR No. 2599.04, OMB Control No. 2070-0213) governing reporting and compliance activities for five persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals: decabromodiphenyl ether, phenol isopropylated phosphate, 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl)phenol, pentachlorothiophenol, and hexachlorobutadiene. The renewal consolidates this ICR with a separate 2024 final-rule ICR, increasing total estimated annual burden to 42,309 hours across approximately 26,829 respondents. Public comment period closes November 9, 2026.
• EPA solicits public comment on renewal of information collection request for TSCA user fees — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed renewal of an existing Information Collection Request (ICR No. 2569.07, OMB Control No. 2070-0208) governing user fees for administering the Toxic Substances Control Act. The ICR addresses fee collection from manufacturers and importers of chemical substances under TSCA sections 4, 5, and 6. The renewal reflects a decrease of 269 hours in estimated respondent burden compared to the prior approval. EPA solicits public comment through November 9, 2026, before submitting the final ICR to OMB for review and approval.
• FCC Invites Public Comment on Information Collection for Cable Service Rate Certification Petitions — The Federal Communications Commission published a notice requesting public comments on an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection concerns 47 CFR 76.916, which governs petitions filed by franchising authorities seeking recertification to regulate basic cable service rates after prior certification denial or revocation. The FCC estimates 2 respondents submitting 3 responses annually, with 10 hours per response and 30 total annual burden hours. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
• FCC Requests Public Comments on Information Collection for Universal Service Auction Eligibility and Bidding Communications — The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice requesting public comments on an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection (OMB Control Number 3060-1166) pertains to FCC rules sections 1.21001 and 1.21002, which govern eligibility determinations and prohibited communications during competitive bidding for Universal Service Fund support. The FCC seeks feedback on necessity, burden estimates, and ways to minimize compliance costs for respondents, particularly small businesses. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
• FCC requests public comments on information collection requirements for satellite and earth station licensing — The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice requesting public comments on revised information collection requirements under OMB Control No. 3060-0678, governing licensing and spectrum usage by commercial earth stations and space stations under Part 25 of FCC rules. The revision reflects two recent FCC orders: a Second Report and Order (FCC 25-48, August 8, 2025) streamlining satellite and earth station application processing, and a Report and Order (FCC 26-26, May 1, 2026) modernizing spectrum-sharing criteria for satellite broadband. The collection affects approximately 4,171 respondents with an estimated annual burden of 37,129 hours and annual cost of $7,159,040. Comments are due by November 9, 2026.
• FDA announces priority review voucher fee rate for fiscal year 2027 — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice establishing the fiscal year 2027 fee rate for using priority review vouchers at $1,798,596. This fee applies to applications for tropical disease, rare pediatric disease, or material threat medical countermeasure products submitted with a priority review voucher, in addition to standard Prescription Drug User Fee Act fees. The rate is effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and was calculated based on the difference between average costs of priority and standard drug application reviews in fiscal year 2025, adjusted for cost increases.
• GSA releases FY 2027 CONUS per diem reimbursement rates for federal employee travel — The General Services Administration published Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin FTR 27-01, establishing maximum per diem reimbursement rates for federal employees traveling within the Continental United States during fiscal year 2027. The standard lodging rate increases by $3 to $113 per night, following a rate freeze in FY 2026. Meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) reimbursement rates remain at $68–$92, with the standard M&IE rate at $68. The rates apply to travel performed October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Agencies may request GSA review of rates for specific locations if insufficient to meet necessary expenses.
• EPA solicits public comment on NASA's emergency exemption application for ortho-phthalaldehyde use on International Space Station — The Environmental Protection Agency announced receipt of a specific exemption request from NASA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 18 to use ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) as a biocide in the International Space Station's internal active thermal control system coolant. OPA, an unregistered pesticide, would control aerobic and microaerophilic bacteria in the aqueous coolant at concentrations up to 350 mg/liter. NASA asserts OPA is the most effective biocide meeting safety and material-compatibility criteria, with no adequate alternative long-term solution available. The EPA is soliciting 15 days of public comment before deciding whether to grant the exemption, which NASA expects to continue through 2030.
• EPA solicits public comment on renewal of information collection for soil and non-soil fumigant risk mitigation measures — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed renewal of an existing Information Collection Request (ICR No. 2451.04, OMB Control No. 2070-0197) governing fumigant risk mitigation activities. The ICR documents paperwork requirements for fumigant users, registrants, and states implementing risk mitigation measures under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The renewal reflects an increase of 333,720 burden hours and adds Ethylene Oxide-using facilities to the scope. Public comment period closes November 10, 2026.
• FDA finalizes removal of PABA and trolamine salicylate from OTC sunscreen monograph — The Food and Drug Administration issued final administrative order OTC000008-1, removing aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate as permitted active ingredients in over-the-counter sunscreen drug products under OTC Monograph M020. FDA determined these ingredients are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) because available safety data shows risks outweigh benefits. The final order was announced on the FDA website and published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2026, following a proposed order issued in September 2021 with an extended comment period.
• FDA solicits public comment on medical device tracking information collection requirements — The Food and Drug Administration published a notice requesting public comment on the proposed extension of an existing information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection pertains to tracking requirements for class II and III medical devices that meet specified criteria—including those likely to cause serious adverse health consequences, implanted devices, or life-sustaining devices used outside facilities. The comment period closes November 10, 2026. FDA estimates 22,000 potential respondents and a total annual burden of approximately 663,000 hours across reporting, recordkeeping, and third-party disclosure activities.
• GSA rescinds and removes FMR Bulletin B-51 on executive agency property reporting — The General Services Administration rescinded and removed Federal Management Regulation (FMR) Bulletin B-51, which required annual executive agency reports on exchange/sale and personal property furnished to non-federal recipients. GSA cited the bulletin as outdated; the reporting requirement was eliminated by FMR Case 2025-05, which aligned FMR with the administration's deregulatory priorities following Executive Order 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, January 31, 2025). The action became effective immediately on September 11, 2026.
• GSA submits OMB review request for annual SAM.gov certification of higher education compliance with Executive Order 14400 on college sports — The General Services Administration submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request to approve a new information collection requiring registered higher education institutions with $20 million or more in intercollegiate athletics revenue to certify annually their compliance with Executive Order 14400 (Urgent National Action to Save College Sports) via the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). The collection affects approximately 11,720 respondents with an estimated annual burden of 14,620 responses and 181,584.50 hours. A 30-day public comment period closes October 13, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Treasury denies press credentials to major U.S. newsroom reporters for G-20 finance meeting — The U.S. Treasury Department declined to grant press credentials to individual reporters from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg to cover the G-20 finance meeting in North Carolina. Alan Rappeport, an economic policy reporter for the NYT who has attended nearly a dozen G7 and G20 meetings, was excluded. The meeting will address significant global economic issues including the war in Iran, sanctions, bond markets, and inflation. The NYT spokeswoman characterized the exclusion as "a blatant attempt to evade public scrutiny" of consequential economic policy.

Supporting reports

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced elimination of shell company ownership disclosure requirements — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the Treasury Department will no longer require shell companies to disclose the name, address, and identification of people who own an interest of more than 25% or who exercise "significant control" over the company, reversing requirements established in the 2021 Corporate Transparency Act. Bessent justified the elimination by characterizing the disclosure requirements as an undue burden on businesses, despite Congress designing the law to combat money laundering.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: Democratic National Committee v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02928) — The Democratic National Committee filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Department of Justice, FBI, and Criminal Division violated the Freedom of Information Act by failing to respond to February 2026 FOIA requests seeking records on any planned inspection or seizure of ballots, voting machines, and voting system components ahead of federal election certification. The DNC filed the requests after President Trump's January 2026 statements regretting not seizing voting machines after the 2020 election and an FBI raid that month seizing archived ballots from a Georgia county election office. The DNC seeks an order compelling production of non-exempt responsive records, a detailed Vaughn index of withheld material, and an injunction against further withholding.

Supporting reports

• Treasury Department ends shell company beneficial ownership registry and destroys collected data — This week, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the Treasury Department ended the beneficial ownership registry established by Congress in 2021 through the Corporate Transparency Act—legislation passed over Trump's veto—and destroyed all data already collected. The registry required owners of shell companies to file reports identifying beneficial owners and persons exercising substantial control, with information including name, birthdate, address, and identifying number. Congress enacted the measure on a bipartisan basis after 2020 leaked documents revealed that between 1999 and 2017, banks flagged over $2 trillion in potentially laundered money moved through shell companies by criminals from Russia, China, Iran, and Syria.

Supporting reports

• Treasury and FinCEN eliminated beneficial ownership reporting requirement — The Treasury Department and FinCEN announced a final rule permanently eliminating the requirement for U.S. companies and individuals to report beneficial ownership information. FinCEN also announced it will delete all beneficial ownership information already collected. The beneficial ownership reporting requirement, enacted in 2020, was designed to prevent drug traffickers, Russian and Chinese kleptocrats, and international criminals from hiding money in anonymous shell companies. Former Congressman Tom Malinowski stated the move is likely illegal, as the administration is making its own rules to circumvent a law passed by Congress.
• Treasury Department repeals beneficial ownership reporting requirement — The Treasury Department officially repealed the requirement for U.S. companies and individuals to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), implemented under the Biden administration pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act passed by Congress in 2020. The repeal also exempts Americans who obtained FinCEN IDs from updating or correcting information and eliminates the requirement for foreign companies to report Americans who helped them register to do business in the U.S. The original law was authored by then-Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, who had called it "the most significant anti-corruption and money laundering law in decades."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration deploys bulldozers in Big Bend National Park for border wall construction — The Trump administration has begun bulldozing ground at Big Bend National Park in Texas to construct border security infrastructure, including patrol roads and vehicle barriers, as part of a multibillion-dollar "smart wall" expansion. The Department of Homeland Security waived dozens of federal environmental and cultural protection laws to expedite construction. CBP initially denied the bulldozers were related to its plans, then claimed they were conducting survey work, though opponents say construction has clearly begun. The region experiences only 100–125 unlawful crossings annually.

Supporting reports

• ICE body camera policy allows agency discretion to withhold footage of officer-involved deaths — ICE announced that every field officer nationwide will have a body camera by the end of September. However, the agency's policy states that video of shootings and encounters where officers cause death or serious injury is released "promptly" only after ICE determines that doing so "is in the best interests of the agency." The ICE director can block or indefinitely delay release if "specific and compelling circumstances" justify withholding. Released footage will have officers' faces, names, and badge numbers redacted. ICE spent $30.9 million on body camera equipment in July, one day after an ICE officer fatally shot a 25-year-old motorist in Maine; days later, another officer shot and killed a Houston homebuilder, neither shooting recorded on body camera.
• ICE adopts body-camera policy with director discretion to withhold footage — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced deployment of body cameras to officers by end of August 2026, following deaths and serious injuries in encounters with immigration agents. However, the policy grants the ICE director authority to restrict public release of footage unless "it is in the best interests of the agency." A review committee including ICE officials and lawyers will determine whether to release video of shootings and serious confrontations, with the director able to indefinitely delay release if "specific and compelling circumstances" justify withholding. The policy was first established in February 2025 but funding was delayed by government shutdown.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge ordered Acting AG Todd Blanche to produce unredacted Epstein Files documents — U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to hand over unredacted Epstein Files emails and documents for the court's private review in a lawsuit brought by MeidasTouch host Katie Phang. Judge Sullivan directed the DOJ to produce the unredacted records in camera (for judicial review only) by July 30, along with documentation supporting DOJ's claims that redacted names and information fall within the categories the department claims they do.
• DOJ Submits Unredacted Epstein Records for Judicial Review — The Department of Justice has submitted unredacted Epstein-related records to U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan for private review. This action follows a lawsuit challenging the government's handling of these files. The DOJ complied with a July 25 order to produce documents supporting contested redactions, delivering them to Judge Sullivan's chambers. The records are being reviewed in camera, allowing the judge to assess the government's redactions and determine their validity.
• DOJ delivered unredacted Epstein records to federal judge for private in-camera review in response to court order. — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's DOJ notified U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan on July 30 that it had complied with his July 25 order to produce unredacted documents supporting contested redactions in Epstein-related records. Hard copies were delivered by hand to Judge Sullivan's chambers at 2:28 p.m. Thursday. The records are being reviewed in camera—privately by the judge—allowing Sullivan to examine what the government concealed and determine whether DOJ's redaction justifications are valid. This development stems from a lawsuit brought by attorney Katie Phang challenging the government's handling of the files.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposes triumphal arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery — The Trump administration is pursuing construction of a triumphal arch at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. Congressional ranking members from both chambers with jurisdiction over monuments in Washington, D.C., have opposed the project, stating it would "deface one of the most deliberate and historic sightlines in America" and would violate at least three federal laws. The Section 106 review process for the project fell short of legal requirements, including a comment period of only ten days. Revisions to Section 106 would eliminate legal obstacles to the project's construction.
• Lawmakers Oppose Proposed Triumph Arch Project Near Arlington National Cemetery — On June 15, 2026, a group of lawmakers, including Senators Angus King and Martin Heinrich, expressed strong opposition to a proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, citing concerns that the project violates multiple laws and lacks adequate public comment time. They warned that officials proceeding with the project could face legal consequences.

Supporting reports

• White House Office of Administration begins preparations to paint Eisenhower Executive Office Building white — Deputy Assistant to the President Heather Martin filed a declaration on Monday stating that the White House Office of Administration was beginning preparations to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white. The administration is asserting that the White House Office of Administration has taken control of the building from the General Services Administration (GSA), which normally handles federal building maintenance and is subject to the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act review requirements. More than two dozen experts have sued to stop the plan, arguing the paint could irreversibly damage the stone and create ongoing maintenance costs.

Supporting reports

• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation votes to advance revisions to Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act — On July 25, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, composed of 21 Trump appointees on a 24-member board, voted to move forward with dramatic revisions to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 currently requires federal agencies to "take into account" the impact of their actions on historic properties and mandates consultation with the public, local, state, and tribal governments. The proposed revisions would eliminate these requirements, allowing federal agencies to proceed with projects affecting historic sites without mandatory public input or review.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon removes four recently killed service members from official casualty list — The Pentagon's official Defense Casualty Analysis System website reduced its count of US military personnel killed in Operation Epic Fury (the Iran war) from 18 to 14 on Thursday, removing four soldiers killed over the weekend despite their names appearing in a Pentagon press release on Wednesday announcing the transfer of their remains. Military officials told the New York Times the Trump administration removed them because their deaths occurred after Trump declared a ceasefire in April; a Pentagon spokesperson attributed the change to "temporary data disruptions."
• Pentagon altered casualty figures to exclude deaths after declared ceasefire — The Pentagon reported 18 American service members killed in the Iran war on Wednesday, then reduced the figure to 14 on Thursday. Military officials stated the Trump administration removed four service members killed the previous weekend—three in Jordan and one in northern Iraq—from official casualty counts because their deaths occurred after Trump declared a ceasefire in April. The alteration raised questions about the accuracy of casualty reporting and the administration's characterization of the conflict's status.
• Pentagon removes four service members from Iran conflict death toll — The Pentagon removed the names of four Americans killed in Jordan and Iraq from its official count of personnel killed in the Iran conflict, reducing the total from 18 to 14. Three military officials told reporters the revision occurred because the four deaths happened after Trump announced a ceasefire in April 2026. Pentagon acting press secretary Joel Valdez attributed the removal to "temporary data disruptions." The revision supports the administration's argument that congressional approval is not required for continued operations against Iran because the April ceasefire declaration ended the initial operation.
• Pentagon revises U.S. death toll downward — The Pentagon quietly reduced the reported U.S. death toll from military operations from 18 to 14. The bulletin does not explain the reason for the revision or provide context on when the original figure was released.

Supporting reports

• ICE failed to comply with official body camera policy despite adequate funding and authority — Since February 2025, ICE's official policy required law enforcement officers to wear body cameras during enforcement activities. However, as of February 2026, only 3,000 of ICE's 13,000 officers were equipped with body cameras. ICE avoided compliance with the policy by simply not ordering sufficient cameras, despite having access to $75 billion in unrestricted funding since July 4, 2025, and existing contracting authority since 2023 to purchase up to $100 million in body cameras from Axon Enterprise. This non-compliance resulted in at least eight deaths during immigration enforcement actions under the current Trump administration, with body cameras present in only one instance.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon provides minimal information on Iran war strategy after nearly five months of conflict — The Pentagon has provided little information about American military strategy in the Iran conflict after nearly five months of war. The last major Pentagon briefing on the war was in early May. The Trump administration has failed to disclose how the Iran war has drained U.S. supplies of critical, costly weapons and how Iran retained and rebuilt substantial missile capabilities.
• Pentagon Transparency Questions — Questions have arisen regarding the Pentagon's transparency about the true scope of U.S. casualties in the Middle East. This follows reports of increased military activity and direct hits in the region, including in Kuwait and Bahrain. The lack of clear information from the Pentagon has led to concerns about the accountability and oversight of military operations abroad.

Supporting reports

• Third immigrant death at Delaney Hall; DHS changes reporting policy — Federal officials announced that a third immigrant detained at New Jersey's Delaney Hall has died. Jose Chajon-Raxon experienced a medical emergency on July 19 and died in the hospital. DHS implemented a new policy to stop reporting the deaths of detainees released from federal custody, classifying Chajon-Raxon as "released from ICE custody" on July 22, despite his death occurring after that date. The policy change obscures the circumstances and frequency of detainee deaths.

Supporting reports

• CENTCOM statement omits disclosure of service members injured in prior Iranian attacks — In a statement on Saturday, July 19, CENTCOM said that four American service members wounded in Friday's attack were taken to Jordanian hospitals and had been discharged. The statement noted that more American troops received minor injuries and returned to duty but did not specify how many. Critically, the statement did not mention service members injured in the three previous attacks in Jordan the prior week.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon failed to disclose three prior Iranian strikes on U.S. forces in Jordan — In the week leading up to the Iranian attack on Friday, July 18, that killed two U.S. soldiers and left one service member missing in Jordan, Iran carried out three other strikes against U.S. forces in the country. Those attacks injured dozens of U.S. service members and damaged several helicopters. However, the Pentagon did not disclose the earlier strikes, nor the casualties and damage they inflicted, citing operational security concerns.

Supporting reports

• ICE agent shot and killed Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine — Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old father of a 3-year-old girl, was shot and killed by an ICE agent on July 13 in Biddeford, Maine. He was not the target of the operation. The agents involved were not wearing body cameras. The shooting has triggered large community protests across Maine, including over 250 people demonstrating outside the ICE facility in Scarborough.
• ICE shooting death in Biddeford, Maine — An unidentified person was shot and killed in an incident involving ICE near Pool and Hill streets in Biddeford, Maine on the morning of July 13, 2026. Authorities have not released the victim's name, identified who fired the shot, or explained the circumstances. The incident occurred six days after ICE agent shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights documented 52 deaths in ICE custody over 500 days, with mortality rates more than double the previous administration.
• Democratic lawmakers call for investigation into ICE officer shooting and hiring practices in Maine — On 13 July 2026, an ICE officer identified as David Brouillette fatally shot Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian immigrant, in Biddeford, Maine. News reports subsequently revealed allegations that Brouillette had a history of mental health issues and violent, threatening behavior toward his ex-wife. Democratic lawmakers, including House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called for an investigation into the shooting and a review of ICE hiring practices, criticizing the Trump administration for rapidly hiring 12,000 ICE agents without adequate vetting.
• ICE agents fatally shoot Colombian national in Maine vehicle stop — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot and killed Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian national, during a vehicle stop in Biddeford, Maine on July 13, 2026. ICE stated agents were conducting surveillance on an "illegal alien" with a removal order when Durán Guerrero's vehicle attempted to flee; an officer discharged his weapon, striking the driver. Immigrant rights activists reported Durán Guerrero held a valid social security number and work authorization. By July 15, ICE had ordered agents to halt most vehicle stops pending review. The incident marks the 11th fatal shooting by federal immigration officials since Trump's second term began in 2025.
• ICE officer fatally shoots Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine traffic stop — An ICE officer shot and killed Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian driver, during a traffic stop in Biddeford, Maine on July 13. Durán was not the intended target of the operation. According to immigrant rights activists, Durán was authorized to work in the US and held a social security number. The Department of Homeland Security claimed officers feared for their safety. No body-camera footage exists from the incident. This was the second fatal ICE shooting in six days.
• ICE agent David Brouillette shoots and kills Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine — On July 13, ICE agent David Brouillette shot and killed Joan (or Johan) Sebastián Durán Guerrero, 25, in Biddeford, Maine. Guerrero was not the target of the operation. Brouillette, an Army combat veteran and former security agent, was hired as an ICE agent despite two ex-wives having restraining orders against him for abuse. His ex-wife Ashley Brouillette stated she thought he was "being delusional" when he said he had been hired as an ICE agent. Brouillette was not required to undergo in-person training due to his prior federal law enforcement experience.
• ICE agent shot and killed Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine — At approximately 7:15 a.m., an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed 26-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. Guerrero was a Colombian national authorized to work in the U.S. with a Social Security number and was en route to work. ICE and DHS did not immediately comment. Representative Chellie Pingree later stated that the man killed was not the person ICE had an order to apprehend. DHS claimed the officer shot out of concern for "public safety" rather than self-defense.
• ICE shooting victim was not the target of the enforcement operation — Representative Chellie Pingree stated this evening that the man ICE shot and killed in Biddeford was not the person they had an order to pick up, indicating a case of mistaken identity in a targeted enforcement operation.
• Ten people shot and killed by federal immigration officers since Trump's second term began — José Olivares of The Guardian reported that Salgado Araujo was the tenth person shot and killed by federal immigration officers from either ICE or Border Patrol since Trump took office a second time. Additionally, twenty-one more people have died in ICE detention this year.
• ICE officer fatally shot Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero without body camera recording — On July 13, 2026, ICE officer fatally shot Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national legally authorized to work in the United States, in Biddeford, Maine. DHS claimed Durán Guerrero "attempted to flee the scene" and the officer discharged his weapon "fearing for public safety." Durán Guerrero was not the target of the enforcement action. None of the ICE officers involved were wearing body cameras. This was the eighth person killed in federal immigration enforcement actions during the current Trump administration, with body cameras present in only one instance.
• Man struck and killed by vehicle while fleeing ICE enforcement in Florida — A 28-year-old man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on July 14 in St. Augustine, Florida, while fleeing when ICE and Homeland Security Investigations agents confronted a parked car at a gas station. He was one of four people who ran from the vehicle. Authorities have not released his name. The incident occurred the same day the administration directed ICE to pause most vehicle stops nationwide.
• ICE agent shoots and kills man in Biddeford, Maine during vehicle stop — An ICE agent shot and killed a 26-year-old Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine on Monday morning during what DHS claimed was a targeted surveillance operation. The victim was not the target of the arrest operation, according to Maine Senator Angus King. DHS stated the vehicle "attempted to flee" and an officer discharged his weapon "fearing for public safety." The shooting occurred without body cameras present. This marks the 11th person fatally shot by federal immigration officials since Trump's second term began, and the fifth killed while driving a vehicle.
• ICE encounter results in death of Mexican tourist during gas station approach in Florida — Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán, a 28-year-old Mexican national on a valid tourist visa vacationing in Florida, was struck and killed by a semi-truck on July 14 after federal immigration officials, including ICE agents, approached him and others at a gas station. Coronilla ran into traffic while fleeing the encounter. His death is one of four ICE-related fatalities within a week, prompting calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups to restrict ICE operations under the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.
• ICE officer fatally shoots Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine vehicle stop — An ICE officer shot and killed 26-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine during a vehicle stop. The officer was not wearing a body camera. The shooting occurred less than a week after a similar fatal shooting by ICE in Texas and has prompted calls from communities, lawmakers, and civil liberties groups for an independent investigation into the incident.
• ICE agent shoots and kills Joan Sebastian Guerrero — On July 13, 2026, an ICE agent shot and killed 26-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. Guerrero, a Colombian national authorized to work in the U.S., was reportedly on his way to work when the incident occurred. The shooting has sparked calls for an investigation and protests outside Senator Susan Collins's office.
• Federal immigration official shoots and kills 26-year-old Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine — On July 14, 2026 (or the preceding Monday), a 26-year-old Colombian man was shot and killed by a federal immigration official in Biddeford, Maine, according to DHS confirmation. This was the second fatal shooting by immigration authorities within one week in July 2026 and part of a broader pattern of at least 11 shooting deaths by federal immigration officials since January 2025.
• ICE officer David Brouillette shot and killed Colombian national Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine — ICE officer David Brouillette shot and killed 25-year-old Colombian national Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero on Monday in Biddeford, Maine, while Guerrero was in his car near his home. According to AP reporting, Brouillette is an Army veteran with a documented history of serious mental health issues since childhood and violent behavior toward women, including threatening voicemails. Relatives stated he should never have been given a badge and gun. At least 10 people have died in encounters with immigration agents since Trump's immigration crackdown began.