Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Senators introduce bill to rename mountain Denali — Republican US Senator Lisa Murkowski, along with fellow Alaskan Senator Dan Sullivan, introduced legislation to officially rename North America's tallest mountain as Denali. This move counters an executive order by Donald Trump, which sought to revert the mountain's name to Mount McKinley. The bill mandates that the peak be referred to as Denali on all US maps, laws, and regulations. The name Denali, meaning "great one," has been used by Indigenous people in Alaska for thousands of years and was officially recognized by the state in 1975.

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• Louisiana health department cancels mass vaccination promotion — The Louisiana health department, under the direction of Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, has decided to cease promoting mass vaccinations through media campaigns and health fairs. This decision, outlined in an internal memo, emphasizes vaccination as a personal choice rather than a public health mandate. The move has sparked concerns about potential increases in preventable diseases like measles and polio. Despite this, the department will continue to stock and provide vaccines. The decision comes amid a measles outbreak in neighboring Texas and has been criticized by public health advocates.

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• 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.

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• Prosecutors request dismissal of Eric Adams charges — Under pressure from the Justice Department leadership, prosecutors in Washington filed a request to dismiss the criminal corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The charges included bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions. This decision followed the resignation of seven prosecutors, including the acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, who opposed the dismissal for political reasons. The Justice Department argued that the case impeded Adams' cooperation with immigration enforcement, despite not being based on the strength of the evidence.
• Six prosecutors resign in protest over order to dismiss charges against Eric Adams — On February 13, 2025, six prosecutors resigned in protest after Emil Bove III, the acting deputy attorney general, ordered them to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The prosecutors had previously indicted Adams on multiple counts, including bribery and campaign finance offenses, and expressed concerns that the dismissal was politically motivated.
• Six prosecutors resign over order to dismiss charges against Eric Adams — Six prosecutors resigned in protest after Emil Bove III, the acting deputy attorney general, ordered them to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The prosecutors argued that the dismissal was politically motivated and undermined the rule of law, as Adams had been indicted on serious charges including bribery and campaign finance offenses.

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• White House issues promotional release claiming multiple policy achievements — The White House published a promotional release titled "Wins Come All Day Under President Donald J. Trump" on February 14, 2025, cataloging claimed achievements from the preceding week. The document asserts actions including: hostage releases from Russia and Belarus; tariff impositions on steel and aluminum; trade policy announcements; diplomatic engagement with Russia, Ukraine, Jordan, and India; energy project approvals; federal workforce reductions (75,000+ resignations); executive orders on vaccine mandates, federal hiring freezes, and DEI program restrictions; agency investigations; name changes (Gulf of America); and various regulatory and personnel actions. The release attributes supportive statements to industry groups and foreign officials.

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• JD Vance meets with AfD leader in Germany — During the Munich Security Conference, US Vice-President JD Vance met with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right AfD party. This meeting broke a longstanding taboo in German politics known as the "firewall against the far-right," which aims to keep extremist parties out of the mainstream. The meeting signals the Trump administration's support for populist and anti-immigrant parties in Europe, aligning with their broader political strategy.
• Vice President Vance attacked Europe at Munich Security Conference — On February 14, 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference to deliver a blistering attack on European leaders and democratic values. Vance declined to acknowledge the threat of Russian aggression and indicated that the United States would no longer stand with Ukraine, signaling a fundamental shift in U.S. commitment to European security and alliance partnerships.
• Vice President Vance attacks European values at Munich Security Conference — At the Munich Security Conference on February 14, Vice President J.D. Vance criticized European values, claiming they undermine national strength and promote equality among diverse groups. He called for a shift in Europe’s direction and expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), breaking diplomatic protocol by meeting with its leader instead of the German Chancellor. His remarks were met with condemnation from European leaders, highlighting a growing ideological divide.
• Vice President criticizes European democratic values — At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Europe for retreating from democratic values, citing Romania's annulment of an election result, Sweden's jailing of a rightist activist, and Britain's arrest of an anti-abortion activist. He urged European governments to increase defense spending and address public concerns over immigration. Vance's remarks highlight tensions between U.S. and European perspectives on democracy and governance.

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• Five charged with murder of trans man in New York — Five individuals in New York have been charged with the murder of Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota. The suspects, identified as Precious Arzuaga, Jennifer Quijano, Kyle Sage, Patrick Goodwin, and Emily Motyka, are accused of subjecting Nordquist to prolonged physical and psychological abuse before his death. The charges include second-degree murder with depraved indifference. Nordquist's remains were discovered in a field near Canandaigua, New York, after a missing person investigation was launched. The case has drawn attention to the rising culture of hate against LGBTQ+ individuals.

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• Trump signs memorandum for new tariff plan — President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing the development of a comprehensive plan to address trade imbalances by imposing "reciprocal" duties on countries that target US products. The plan aims to create a system of US import duties matching those imposed by other countries. The US Commerce Department, led by Howard Lutnick, will conduct studies and report back by April. No specific new tariffs were announced, but the administration emphasized the potential for economic and national security improvements.
• Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs — President issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate non-reciprocal trade arrangements and propose remedies to establish reciprocal trade relations. The memorandum outlines the "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" to address trade imbalances and unfair practices by foreign trading partners. The plan aims to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and improve economic competitiveness by countering tariffs and non-tariff barriers imposed by other countries.
• President Trump announces Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan — The White House issued a release announcing President Trump's "Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan," framed as correcting trade imbalances by imposing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. The release states the U.S. has an open economy while trading partners keep markets closed, and cites support from industry groups, cabinet officials, and Republican lawmakers. No specific tariff rates, implementation timeline, or formal executive order text is included in the release itself.
• White House issues fact sheet on Trump's "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" trade memorandum — The White House published a fact sheet on February 13, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering development of a comprehensive trade plan to address what the administration characterizes as non-reciprocal trading arrangements. The fact sheet claims the plan will correct trade imbalances, reduce the trade deficit, and prioritize American workers. It cites specific tariff disparities with Brazil, India, the European Union, and others, and asserts that reciprocal tariffs will restore fairness to international trade.
• White House issues memorandum directing reciprocal tariff investigation and "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" — The White House issued a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Trade Representative, and other officials to investigate non-reciprocal trade arrangements with all U.S. trading partners and propose remedies. The memorandum establishes a "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" to examine tariffs, taxes, nontariff barriers, exchange-rate policies, subsidies, and other trade practices deemed unfair. The Secretary of Commerce and USTR are instructed to initiate investigations and submit a report with proposed remedies; OMB must assess fiscal impacts within 180 days.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• Judge pauses Trump’s order restricting healthcare for transgender youth — A federal judge in Baltimore, Brendan Hurson, temporarily blocked an executive order by Donald Trump that aimed to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals under 19. The order, issued on February 9, 2025, sought to revoke federal funding from hospitals and clinics providing such care. The judge's ruling grants a temporary restraining order for 14 days, halting the directive while the case proceeds. The lawsuit was filed by civil rights groups and families affected by the order, arguing it was unconstitutional and discriminatory.
• Case update — PFLAG, Inc. v. Trump (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00337 — Judge Brendan Abell Hurson issued a two-week TRO , blocking enforcement of the Executive Order.

Supporting reports

• Motion granted — AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00400 — Judge Amir Ali granted a TRO in this case and in Global Health Council v. Trump on narrower terms than originally requested. The order enjoins implementation on the blanket suspension of foreign aid funding, but does not enjoin enforcement or implementation of Executive Order 14169, individual personnel decisions, or termination of individual contracts.
• Motion granted — Global Health Council v. Trump (D.D.C.) ​​1:25-cv-00402 — Judge Amir Ali granted Plaintiff's motion for a TRO in this case and in AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State , No. 1:25-cv-00400, on narrower terms than originally requested. The order enjoins implementation on the blanket suspension of foreign aid funding, but does not enjoin enforcement or implementation of Executive Order 14169, individual personnel decisions, or termination of individual contracts.
• U.S. District Judge orders disbursement of impounded foreign aid — U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ordered the Trump administration to disburse foreign aid that had been impounded. The judge rejected the administration's justification for the suspension, stating that it was not a rational precursor to reviewing programs and had caused significant disruption to agreements with various organizations.
• U.S. District Judge orders Trump administration to disburse impounded foreign aid — On February 13, 2025, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ordered the Trump administration to release foreign aid that had been impounded. The judge rejected the administration's justification for the suspension, stating that it disrupted numerous agreements and lacked a rational basis.

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• Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence — The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the U.S. director of national intelligence, with all Democrats voting against her and all Republicans, except Mitch McConnell, voting in favor. McConnell expressed concerns about Gabbard's qualifications for the significant role overseeing the intelligence community.

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• Denver public school system sues Trump administration over ICE access — The Denver public school system has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its policy that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to schools. The lawsuit argues that this policy forces schools to divert educational resources and has led to decreased attendance due to fear of immigration enforcement on school grounds. The lawsuit seeks to block ICE from conducting raids in schools and demands that the Department of Homeland Security publish the directive to allow better preparation by the district.

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• Trump administration sues New York over immigration policies — On Thursday, the Trump administration, through newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi, announced a lawsuit against New York. The federal government accuses state officials of prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens. This legal action is part of a broader crackdown on immigration policies by the Trump administration, which has been met with protests and resistance in New York City. The lawsuit challenges New York's sanctuary laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
• US Justice Department sues New York over immigration rules — The US Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has filed a lawsuit against New York State over its "green light" law, which allows individuals to obtain driver's licenses without legal residency. The lawsuit claims the law undermines federal immigration laws and seeks to have it struck down. Bondi criticized the law as prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens and emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to enforcing federal immigration efforts. New York Attorney General James has vowed to defend the state's laws, asserting they protect the rights and safety of New Yorkers.

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• National Park Service erases trans references from Stonewall website — The National Park Service removed all references to transgender people from the Stonewall national monument's website. This monument commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots, where trans women of color played a significant role. The change aligns with an executive order signed by Donald Trump, which defines sex strictly as male or female. This act has been criticized for distorting historical truth and dishonoring the contributions of transgender individuals to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

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• Elon Musk's DOGE website posts classified information — Elon Musk's new DOGE website posted classified information about the size and staff of a U.S. intelligence agency, raising concerns about the source of this information and its implications for national security. The details pertain to the National Reconnaissance Office, which manages U.S. intelligence satellites.

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• Establishment of the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14212, establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission. The commission, chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, aims to address the rising rates of chronic diseases in the U.S., with a focus on childhood health issues. The commission will study contributing factors, advise on policy, and recommend strategies to combat these health challenges.
• President Trump signed executive order establishing Make America Healthy Again Commission — President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission on February 13, 2025. The commission, chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, aims to address the rising rates of chronic diseases and mental health disorders in the United States. It will focus on reversing these trends by promoting transparency in health research, improving food quality, and expanding treatment options. The commission will also provide recommendations to the President on strategies to combat childhood chronic diseases.
• White House established Make America Healthy Again Commission by executive order — President Trump signed an executive order establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Commission is tasked with investigating root causes of America's health crisis, with initial focus on childhood chronic diseases. It will produce a 100-day assessment on childhood chronic disease and a 180-day strategy to improve children's health, operating under four policy directives: transparency in federally funded health research, prioritizing gold-standard research on disease causation, working with farmers on food safety and affordability, and expanding treatment options and health coverage flexibility.
• — The White House issued an executive order establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to address what the order characterizes as a childhood chronic disease crisis in the United States. The order directs the Commission to study contributing causes—including diet, medical treatments, environmental factors, and corporate influence—and to submit an assessment within 100 days and a strategy within 180 days. The Commission comprises 14 federal officials across health, agriculture, education, and other departments.

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• Eric Adams plans to reestablish ICE office at Rikers Island — New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to implement an executive order to reestablish an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office at Rikers Island jail. This move would allow ICE agents to operate on the premises, assisting in criminal investigations, despite existing city laws prohibiting ICE operations on city department of corrections property. The plan has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it undermines New York's sanctuary laws and could lead to increased deportations of immigrants held at the jail.

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• White House issues release asserting enforcement actions against states and entities for non-compliance with Trump administration directives — The White House issued a release titled "Trump Administration: Follow the Law" on February 13, 2025, announcing enforcement actions by multiple federal agencies against states, cities, and entities the administration characterizes as defiant. The release states the Department of Education launched investigations into California and Minnesota athletic organizations over alleged non-compliance with an executive order on girls' sports, and into universities over anti-Semitic harassment; the DOJ sued New York State and filed lawsuits against Illinois and Chicago over immigration and sanctuary policies; the EPA referred matters to inspectors general and DOJ over alleged fund-sheltering by Biden-era staffers; the FCC opened investigations into Comcast, NPR, and PBS, and took action against a San Francisco radio station; and DHS "clawed back" tens of millions in FEMA funds.

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• ICE officials reassigned over deportation targets — Two senior officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Russell Hott and Peter Berg, have been reassigned due to dissatisfaction with the pace of deportations and arrests, which were not meeting the targets set by the Trump administration. Hott was moved to ICE's Washington DC office, while Berg was reassigned to St Paul, Minnesota. This move comes amid pressure from President Trump and his administration to increase deportation numbers, with new arrest quotas being issued to ICE to boost figures.

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• Sangamon County settles with Massey family for $10m — Sangamon County, Illinois, reached a $10 million settlement with the family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed by a sheriff's deputy in her home. The settlement aims to avoid a lawsuit over the shooting by former deputy Sean Grayson, who is charged with first-degree murder. The county also agreed with the Justice Department to improve training in de-escalation and non-discriminatory policing. The incident highlighted issues of police brutality and systemic racism, prompting the formation of a citizen's commission to address these concerns.

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• Elon Musk awarded State Department contract — Elon Musk is likely to be awarded a $400 million State Department contract for "Armored Teslas," which was later changed to "Armored Electric Vehicles." The contract has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as Musk's companies stand to benefit significantly from government contracts.

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• Trump threatens tariffs on countries with VAT — President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries with domestic Value Added Taxes (VAT), targeting the European Union. Trump claims that VAT systems are more punitive than tariffs and plans to treat them similarly. This move could escalate trade tensions between the US and the EU, potentially leading to a trade conflict.
• Trump threatens tariffs on VAT countries

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• Interim US Attorney resigns over corruption case — Danielle Sassoon, the interim US Attorney handling the NYC Mayor Eric Adams' public corruption case, resigned after refusing to drop charges despite pressure from DOJ Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. Sassoon's resignation follows a letter to AG Pam Bondi detailing alleged unethical proposals from Adams' attorneys. Other senior US Attorneys also resigned in protest, highlighting concerns over political interference.
• US Attorney resigns over refusal to drop charges — Danielle Sassoon, the interim US Attorney in charge of the NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ public corruption case, resigned after refusing to drop the charges despite demands from DOJ Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. Sassoon wrote a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, outlining an alleged quid pro quo proposal from Adams' attorneys. Following Sassoon's resignation, senior US Attorneys in New York also refused to dismiss the case and resigned in protest. Bove, who previously served as Trump's criminal defense attorney, is involved in the case.
• DOJ pressures Public Integrity Section lawyers — DOJ leadership reportedly pressured Public Integrity Section lawyers to decide within an hour who would dismiss the indictment against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, threatening to fire all if none complied. This move has sparked resignations and widespread dismay within the legal community, reminiscent of the 1973 Saturday Night Massacre.
• Memo issued to dismiss Adams case for political reasons — A memo was issued stating that the criminal case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams was dismissed for political reasons, citing that the case restricted his ability to assist in deportation efforts. The memo admitted the decision was not based on evidence or law, raising ethical concerns about the DOJ's actions.
• Prosecutor Hagan Scotten resigns over DOJ pressure — Prosecutor Hagan Scotten resigned after refusing to dismiss a corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Scotten's resignation letter criticized the use of prosecutorial power to influence elected officials, stating that he would not comply with such directives. His resignation follows that of co-counsel Danielle Sassoon, highlighting internal DOJ tensions over the case.