Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• House Republicans pass Trump's $9 billion federal funding rescissions package — The House of Representatives passed a rescissions bill on a party-line vote (216–213) that claws back $9 billion in federal spending, including $8 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS). Two Republicans broke ranks. The Senate had approved the measure earlier; it now heads to the president's desk for signature. The vote was delayed by Democratic amendments related to Jeffrey Epstein documents.

Supporting reports

• Senator Durbin reveals FBI pressure to flag Trump mentions in Epstein records — In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, revealed that his office had received information that Attorney General Pam Bondi pressured the FBI to put 1,000 personnel to work in 24-hour shifts to review approximately 100,000 Epstein records. The personnel were instructed to "flag" any records in which President Trump was mentioned. Durbin asked Patel to answer questions about the information the FBI holds and how the administration is handling that information.

Supporting reports

• Trump denies authorship and threatens lawsuit against Wall Street Journal — When contacted by Wall Street Journal reporters about the Epstein letter story, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture and threatened to sue the newspaper. Trump later told reporters that Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden had fabricated the story, despite neither being in office during the FBI's Epstein investigation. Trump personally called the Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief to attempt to stop publication.
• Wall Street Journal published article reporting Trump sent birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell from Epstein's friends. The card contained a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman with Trump's signature and a typewritten conversation between Trump and Epstein discussing shared secrets. Trump denied the report, claiming it was fake, and stated he would sue the Journal, Rupert Murdoch, and NewsCorp. The Journal stood by the story after Trump's denials.

Supporting reports

• Trump posted demanding sports teams change names to Native American mascots — On Friday, July 18, 2025, Trump posted on social media demanding that the Washington football team change its name back to the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland baseball team change back to the Cleveland Indians, claiming Native Americans want this in "massive numbers." He stated that heritage and prestige were being "systematically taken away." Hours later he posted that the post had "blown up" positively and threatened to block the Commanders' relocation deal to Washington, D.C., unless they changed the name back to the Redskins.

Supporting reports

• Trump accused Senator Schiff of falsifying loan documents and demanded prosecution — On Friday, July 18, 2025, Trump posted on social media that Senator Adam Schiff is a "THIEF" who should be prosecuted for allegedly falsifying loan documents in 2011. Trump claimed Schiff should face the same prosecution Trump faced, asserting both were "TOTALLY INNOCENT" and "ALL A GIANT HOAX." In 2023, a judge determined that the Trump Organization had falsified loan documents. Schiff managed one of the impeachment cases against Trump when Schiff was a representative.

Supporting reports

• VA Secretary Collins attacks Guardian reporting and demands retraction — VA Secretary Doug Collins appeared on Fox News, Newsmax, and Barstool Sports to denounce the Guardian's reporting on bylaw changes, calling the story "fabricated," "ridiculous," and "false and unbelievable." Both the VA and White House demanded a retraction. The Guardian amended the story with additional context but did not retract it. The VA press secretary similarly demanded a retraction from the Advocate after it reported the policy reversal on gender-affirming care, then the VA publicly announced the policy change three days later.

Supporting reports

• Wall Street Journal published article reporting Trump sent birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell from Epstein's friends. The card contained a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman with Trump's signature and a typewritten conversation between Trump and Epstein discussing shared secrets. Trump denied the report, claiming it was fake, and stated he would sue the Journal, Rupert Murdoch, and NewsCorp. The Journal stood by the story after Trump's denials.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cut data collection efforts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics — The Trump administration scaled back data-collection efforts at the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which produces the monthly inflation estimate and employment report. The article reports that the BLS was forced to increase the percentage of prices it "imputes" (estimates from other data) from 9% before Trump took office to 35% currently. Additional cutbacks are anticipated if Congress approves Trump's proposal to slash $56 million from the BLS budget.

Supporting reports

• Arrest of John Caravello, CSU Channel Islands professor, on assault charges during ICE raid protest — John Caravello, a math and philosophy professor at California State University Channel Islands and immigrant rights advocate, was arrested and charged with assaulting a federal officer and throwing a teargas canister at ICE agents during the Glass House farm raid. Witnesses, including immigrant rights organizer Genevieve Flores-Haro, dispute the police account, stating they saw only ICE agents and National Guard deploying teargas, and that Caravello appeared to be assisting a demonstrator in a wheelchair. Caravello was released on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on August 1, 2025.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice requests inmate data from California county jails — The Department of Justice announced it has issued data requests to sheriffs in multiple major California counties—including Los Angeles and San Francisco—seeking lists of all non-citizen inmates, their crimes, and release dates. The department stated the requests are designed to assist federal immigration authorities in prioritizing removal of immigrants convicted of crimes. DOJ indicated it will pursue subpoenas or compulsory process if sheriffs do not voluntarily comply.

Supporting reports

• Guardian publishes explainer on 3.5% protest rule and anti-Trump resistance movements — The Guardian publishes an explainer article examining the "3.5% protest rule," a figure derived from political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan's research on civil resistance campaigns from 1900–2006. The article explains that sustained participation by 3.5% of a population in non-violent resistance can topple regimes, notes how this figure has been adopted by anti-Trump activists as a rallying cry, and discusses limitations of applying the rule to the current US context, where institutions are backsliding rather than fully authoritarian.
• Nationwide protests organized to honor John Lewis and oppose Trump administration policies — On July 17, 2025, organizers coordinated a "Good Trouble Lives On" day of action across more than 1,500 sites nationwide to protest the Trump administration while honoring the legacy of Representative John Lewis, who died five years prior. Participants gathered at streets, courthouses, and community spaces to advance Lewis's causes of voting rights, justice, and dignity. The protests occurred as public attention focused on the release of Epstein files.

Supporting reports

• White man shoots at Black man in racist attack; victim calls for state hate crime law — Jarvis McKenzie, a Black man in South Carolina, was shot at by white man Jonathan Felkel on July 17 while waiting to go to work. Felkel fired a rifle over McKenzie's head and shouted a racial slur. Police arrested Felkel, who admitted to firing because of McKenzie's race. Felkel was charged under Richland County's hate crime ordinance (the first such arrest), plus assault and battery and weapons charges. McKenzie is now calling for South Carolina to enact a statewide hate crime law; the state currently lacks one, as does Wyoming.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet on new "Schedule G" federal employee classification — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 17, 2025, describing a new executive order signed by President Trump creating "Schedule G," a non-career federal employee classification. The order amends Civil Service Rule VI to establish positions for employees engaged in policy-making or policy-advocating work. Schedule G employees are designated as non-career, expected to leave office when the appointing President departs. The fact sheet states the classification aims to enhance government efficiency, accountability, and implementation of Administration policy, and claims it fills a gap in existing federal hiring categories.
• White House signed Executive Order 14317 creating Schedule G in the excepted service for federal employment — President Trump signed Executive Order 14317 on July 17, 2025, establishing Schedule G within the excepted service to classify noncareer federal positions of a "policy-making or policy-advocating character" as exempt from competitive civil service requirements. The order amends 5 CFR 6.2 and 6.4 to add Schedule G alongside existing excepted service schedules (A, B, C, D, E, Policy/Career). The order states that Schedule G positions are "normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition" and directs the Office of Personnel Management to adopt implementing regulations. It specifies that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider whether appointees would be "suitable exponents of the President's policies" but shall not consider political affiliation or activity.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14317 establishing Schedule G in excepted civil service for policy-making and policy-advocating positions. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14317 on July 17, 2025, creating Schedule G within the excepted service of the federal civil service. Schedule G permits noncareer appointments to positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally subject to change upon Presidential transition. The order amends Civil Service Rule VI and 5 CFR 6.2 and 6.4 to establish this new schedule. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is directed to consider appointees' suitability as exponents of the President's policies while disregarding political affiliation or activity. The Director of OPM shall adopt implementing regulations.
• Trump issued executive order creating Schedule G in the excepted service for noncareer policy-making and policy-advocating positions — President Trump signed an executive order on July 17, 2025, establishing Schedule G within the federal excepted service. This new schedule permits noncareer appointments to positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally subject to change upon presidential transition. The order amends Civil Service Rule VI and exempts Schedule G positions from standard civil service removal protections, allowing the administration to appoint and remove personnel without competitive examination or standard procedural safeguards.
• Trump signs executive order creating Schedule G federal worker classification for at-will political appointees — On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order establishing Schedule G, a new classification of federal employees subject to presidential hiring and firing without civil service protections. The order targets policy-level positions across agencies, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs, and is framed as streamlining appointments and dismantling the "deep state." The classification mirrors Schedule C (temporary policy employees) and complements Schedule F, which strips civil service protections from career federal workers. Critics argue it further politicizes the federal workforce and undermines nonpartisan government service.

Supporting reports

• Trump compares Epstein files to Russia investigation in Oval Office meeting — During an Oval Office meeting on July 17, 2025, Trump reiterated claims that the Epstein files were written by Democrats and continued to attack his own supporters for demanding their release. He compared the Epstein matter to the Russia investigation, characterizing both as hoaxes designed to harm him, despite the Russia investigation's findings being corroborated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Republican-dominated Senate Intelligence Committee.

Supporting reports

• Trump posts second social media message attacking supporters over Epstein files — Trump posted another lengthy message on social media on the morning of July 17, 2025, again blaming "Radical Left Democrats" for the Epstein files story and calling it the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax." He attacked his own supporters for demanding the administration release the files, calling them "stupid Republicans," "foolish Republicans," and "stupid people" who had been "conned by the Lunatic Left."

Supporting reports

• Newsom threatens to redraw California congressional districts in response to Texas redistricting plan — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he is prepared to redraw the state's 52 congressional districts to offset a Republican plan in Texas to pick up seats through redistricting. Newsom framed the threat as a response to what he characterized as Republicans playing by different rules. However, California voters approved a constitutional amendment over a decade ago that stripped lawmakers of redistricting power and gave it to an independent commission. Newsom suggested the legislature could call a voter referendum or attempt to enact new maps unilaterally, though legal experts said such moves would be unlawful and undermine the independent process.
• California Democrats consider competitive district strategy — Some California Democrats have indicated willingness to run in more competitive districts to gain approximately a half dozen more blue seats in response to Texas redistricting efforts. However, a major roadblock is that California voters approved a constitutional amendment handing redistricting authority to an independent commission ahead of the 2011 remap.
• Newsom mobilizes California response to Texas redistricting — Gov. Gavin Newsom is mobilizing California to respond to Texas calling a special session to attempt to gerrymander congressional districts before the midterms at Trump's direction. Trump stated he believes Republicans could gain five additional seats through this redistricting. Some California Democrats have indicated willingness to run in more competitive districts to gain a half dozen more blue seats.
• Rep. Garcia supports Newsom's redistricting response — Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) stated that Gov. Newsom is a street fighter who will not let Trump or anyone interfere with California or the country, and that if Republicans bring knives to the fight, Newsom is bringing tanks.
• Rep. Jacobs pledges California response to Texas redistricting — Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) stated that California is ready and if Texas proceeds with redistricting, California will respond.

Supporting reports

• Class-action lawsuit filed against Trump administration for arrests at immigration courts — Twelve immigrants and advocacy groups filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court (D.C.) on July 16, 2025, alleging that the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security coordinated to arrest and deport people attending immigration hearings. The plaintiffs claim the administration stripped due-process rights under immigration law and the Fifth Amendment, placing detainees in expedited removal without hearings. The suit challenges ICE and immigration court guidance as arbitrary and capricious, seeking to vacate those directives.
• Immigrants and advocates sue DHS over courthouse arrests — A group of immigrants and legal advocates sued the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and ICE as part of a class-action lawsuit arguing that the arrests of thousands of people at courthouses violate immigration law and the Constitution. The lawsuit challenges the practice of arresting immigrants at courthouses where they appear for legal proceedings.
• Federal immigration enforcement conducts mass courthouse detentions at Manhattan federal building — On 16 July 2025, federal immigration agents conducted multiple detentions at the Jacob K Javits federal building in Manhattan, apprehending individuals both during and immediately after immigration hearings. The Guardian documented detentions of at least five people, including a father separated from his family and individuals granted follow-up hearings. Agents held detainees in stairwells and the building's 10th floor. The practice reflects the Trump administration's stated goal of arresting 3,000 people daily and has prompted a class-action lawsuit challenging courthouse arrest tactics.

Supporting reports

• Federal immigration enforcement conducts mass courthouse detentions at Manhattan federal building — On 16 July 2025, federal immigration agents conducted multiple detentions at the Jacob K Javits federal building in Manhattan, apprehending individuals both during and immediately after immigration hearings. The Guardian documented detentions of at least five people, including a father separated from his family and individuals granted follow-up hearings. Agents held detainees in stairwells and the building's 10th floor. The practice reflects the Trump administration's stated goal of arresting 3,000 people daily and has prompted a class-action lawsuit challenging courthouse arrest tactics.

Supporting reports

• Afghan SIV translator detained by ICE despite legal entry and green card processing — Zia S, a 35-year-old Afghan wartime translator who legally entered the US in October 2024 with an approved special immigrant visa (SIV) and humanitarian parole, was arrested by masked ICE agents on July 16, 2025, during a routine biometrics appointment for his green card in East Hartford, Connecticut. He was transported to a detention facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts. A judge issued a temporary stay preventing his removal, but he remains detained. DHS claims he is under investigation for an unspecified "serious criminal allegation," which his attorney denies. He is the third known Afghan ally to be seized by ICE since Trump returned to power.

Supporting reports

• DOJ recommends one-day sentence for Brett Hankison in Breonna Taylor civil rights case — The U.S. Department of Justice filed a sentencing memorandum recommending a one-day jail sentence and three years of supervised release for Brett Hankison, a former Louisville police officer convicted in November 2024 of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights. Hankison fired into Taylor's bedroom during a March 2020 narcotics raid on the wrong home; his bullets struck the neighboring apartment but hit no one. The DOJ argued no prison sentence was necessary despite Hankison facing a maximum of life imprisonment, citing his clean record and psychological stress from trials. Hankison is scheduled for sentencing on Monday (July 21, 2025).
• Assistant Attorney General Dhillon requests minimal sentence for Brett Hankison — Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Unit Harmeet Dhillon, a Trump loyalist, asked a federal judge to sentence Brett Hankison, the former police officer convicted of depriving Breonna Taylor of her civil rights, to a single day in jail—time he has already served. Hankison was convicted in 2024 of firing several shots into Taylor's home through a covered window and glass door during a botched police raid in 2020, though his bullets did not kill her.