Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security issued interim final rule restricting immigration appeals — The Department of Homeland Security issued a new interim final rule making sweeping changes to Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) procedures. The rule reduces the time for immigrants to file appeals after receiving a deportation order from 30 days to 10 days and mandates dismissal of all cases within 15 days unless a majority of BIA members vote to accept the appeal. Immigration lawyer Craig Relles warned the rule will "flood the federal courts" and result in more immigrants being detained by ICE.

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• House Republicans advanced new voter ID requirement — House Republicans introduced a new version of the SAVE Act with stricter voter ID requirements. The new requirement mandates that voters demonstrate U.S. citizenship at the polls using photo ID that proves citizenship. Only two types of ID prove citizenship: a U.S. Passport or an "Enhanced" driver's license, offered by only five states (Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington). Voters with regular driver's licenses would be required to bring birth certificates or other citizenship documents to the polls on Election Day—a brand-new requirement for federal elections in all 50 states.

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• Florida mandates English-only driver's license testing — As of February 6, 2026, Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles eliminated multilingual driver's license examinations, requiring all knowledge and skills tests to be conducted in English only. Previously, noncommercial exams were offered in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese. Translation services and printed exams in other languages are now prohibited. Critics argue the policy disproportionately affects immigrant communities and non-English speakers, including U.S. citizens, and creates barriers to essential services.

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• Trump proclamation increases beef tariff-rate quota by 80,000 metric tons for Argentine lean trimmings — President Trump issued Proclamation 11010 on February 6, 2026, increasing the in-quota quantity of lean beef trimmings imports by 80,000 metric tons for calendar year 2026, allocated entirely to Argentina. The action invokes section 404 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, citing natural disaster (drought and wildfires) and major national market disruption as justification. The increased quota is administered in four quarterly tranches beginning February 13, 2026, to address record-low U.S. cattle inventory and historically high ground beef prices ($6.69/lb in December 2025).
• Trump issued proclamation temporarily increasing lean beef trimmings imports under tariff-rate quota — President Trump signed a proclamation on February 6, 2026, invoking section 404 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act to temporarily increase the in-quota import quantity for lean beef trimmings by 80,000 metric tons for calendar year 2026. The proclamation states that drought, wildfires, disease restrictions on Mexican cattle imports, and record-low U.S. cattle inventory have constrained domestic beef supply, driving ground beef prices to $6.69 per pound (the highest since the 1980s). The increased quota is allocated entirely to Argentina and administered in four quarterly tranches beginning February 13, 2026. The proclamation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to continue monitoring domestic supply and advise on further action if needed.
• White House issued fact sheet on beef tariff proclamation — The White House issued a fact sheet on February 6, 2026, describing a proclamation signed by President Trump that temporarily increases the U.S. tariff-rate quota for lean beef trimmings. The proclamation permits an additional 80,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings per year from Argentina to be imported tariff-free in quarterly tranches. The fact sheet attributes the action to responding to record-low U.S. cattle herds (86.2 million head as of January 2026), drought, wildfires, and Mexican cattle import restrictions, which the document states have driven ground beef prices to $6.69 per pound in December 2025.

Supporting reports

• Trump revokes fishing restrictions in Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument — President Trump issued Proclamation 11009, revoking Proclamation 10287 and reinstating Proclamation 10049 to permit commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean. The 4,913-square-mile monument, originally designated by President Obama under the Antiquities Act, had been closed to commercial fishing by President Biden in 2021. Trump's proclamation asserts that existing federal fisheries laws and environmental statutes provide adequate protection for marine resources and that well-regulated commercial fishing poses no significant risk to the monument's scientific and historic objects.
• Trump revokes Biden proclamation, reopens Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing — President Trump issued a proclamation on February 6, 2026, revoking Proclamation 10287 (issued by President Biden on October 8, 2021) and reinstating Proclamation 10049 (issued by Trump on June 5, 2020), which permits commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean. The proclamation covers approximately 4,913 square miles of waters and submerged lands. Trump's order states that existing federal laws, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Endangered Species Act, provide sufficient protection for marine resources and that "appropriately managed commercial fishing would not put the objects of historic and scientific interest that the monument protects at risk."
• White House issued fact sheet promoting proclamation opening Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing — The White House published a fact sheet on February 6, 2026, promoting a proclamation signed by President Trump that revokes protections on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (4,913 square miles off New England), restoring commercial fishing access. The fact sheet states the proclamation removes restrictions established by President Obama in 2016 and reinstated by President Biden in 2021, claiming the action supports coastal fishing communities and economic growth while asserting that commercial fishing restrictions are unnecessary for monument management.

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• Trump eliminates 25% tariff on Indian imports after India commits to halt Russian oil purchases — President Trump signed Executive Order 14384 on February 6, 2026, eliminating the 25% additional tariff on Indian imports imposed under EO 14329 (August 2025). The removal takes effect February 7, 2026. Trump determined that India has taken significant steps to address the Russian threat by committing to cease direct or indirect importation of Russian Federation oil, pledging to purchase U.S. energy products, and agreeing to expand defense cooperation with the United States over ten years. The order authorizes the Secretary of State to implement the tariff removal and directs the Secretary of Commerce to monitor India's compliance.
• Trump eliminates 25% tariff on Indian imports in response to India's commitment to cease Russian oil purchases — President Trump issued an executive order on February 6, 2026, eliminating a 25% ad valorem tariff on Indian imports that had been imposed in August 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The order cited India's commitment to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, its pledge to purchase U.S. energy products, and a new defense cooperation framework with the United States. The tariff removal became effective February 7, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST.
• Trump signed executive order eliminating 25% tariff on Indian imports — President Trump signed Executive Order 14384 on February 6, 2026, eliminating a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from India that had been imposed in August 2025 under Executive Order 14329. The order states India has committed to cease importing Russian oil, purchase U.S. energy products, and expand defense cooperation with the United States over ten years. The tariff removal is effective February 7, 2026. The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to monitor whether India resumes Russian oil imports and authorizes reimposition of the tariff if such imports resume.
• White House issues fact sheet on U.S.-India trade deal framework — The White House issued a fact sheet announcing a trade framework between the United States and India. According to the document, President Trump agreed to remove a 25% tariff on Indian imports in exchange for India ceasing purchases of Russian oil, and to reduce reciprocal tariffs on India from 25% to 18%. The agreement states India will reduce tariffs on U.S. industrial and agricultural goods and commit to purchasing over $500 billion in U.S. energy, technology, and other products. The fact sheet claims the deal addresses what it characterizes as India's historically high tariff barriers.

Supporting reports

• Congress struggled to avoid DHS shutdown — Congress is struggling to make progress in negotiations to avoid a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security scheduled for the following week. The House and Senate left town for a long weekend without resolving the impasse. If the deadline is missed, DHS will shut down. Operations the Trump administration deems essential—TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard—would continue, but employees would go without pay. ICE was allocated $75 billion under Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and would be unaffected by a shutdown.

Supporting reports

• AOC called for preventing ICE deployment at polling sites — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that preventing ICE agents from deploying near polling sites in November must be part of DHS shutdown negotiations. She characterized ICE agents as "killing US citizens."

Supporting reports

• Trump signed Executive Order 14385 authorizing DHS to access DOJ criminal history records and share felony conviction data with foreign governments for border security and immigration screening. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14385 on February 6, 2026, directing the Attorney General to provide the Department of Homeland Security maximum access to criminal history record information (CHRI) maintained by the Department of Justice. The order further authorizes DHS to exchange felony conviction records with Visa Waiver Program countries, countries with serious crime agreements with the U.S., and other trusted allies, on a reciprocal basis under bilateral or multilateral agreements with privacy safeguards. The stated purpose is to enhance border security and immigration screening by identifying foreign nationals with criminal histories.
• Trump issues executive order on criminal alien screening and felony record sharing with foreign governments — President Trump issued an executive order on February 6, 2026, directing the Department of Homeland Security to access criminal history records maintained by the Department of Justice for immigration screening purposes, and authorizing DHS to exchange felony conviction records with Visa Waiver Program countries and other trusted allies under bilateral or multilateral agreements with privacy safeguards. The order frames the policy as protecting national security and public safety from criminal actors, including foreign nationals with criminal histories who have entered or remained in the United States in violation of immigration law.
• Executive Order 14385: Criminal History Record Information Sharing with DHS and Foreign Governments — The White House issued Executive Order 14385 on February 6, 2026, directing the Attorney General to provide the Department of Homeland Security with access to criminal history record information (CHRI) maintained by the Department of Justice to the maximum extent permitted by law. The order also authorizes DHS to exchange felony conviction records with Visa Waiver Program countries, countries with serious crime agreements with the U.S., and other trusted allies, on a reciprocal basis under bilateral or multilateral agreements with privacy safeguards.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive order imposing tariffs on countries trading with Iran — President Trump signed an executive order on February 6, 2026, authorizing tariffs of up to 25 percent on goods imported from any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or acquires goods or services from Iran. The order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, citing Iran as an ongoing national security threat. The Secretary of Commerce will determine which countries trade with Iran; the Secretary of State will recommend tariff levels; and the President will make final determinations. The order became effective February 7, 2026.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14382 imposing tariffs on countries purchasing Iranian goods or services — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14382 on February 6, 2026, authorizing the imposition of additional ad valorem duties (e.g., 25 percent) on imports from any foreign country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or acquires goods or services from Iran. The order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, citing Iran as an ongoing national security threat. The Secretary of Commerce determines which countries engage in Iranian trade; the Secretary of State then recommends tariff levels to the President for final decision. The order became effective February 7, 2026.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14382 imposing tariffs on countries that trade with Iran — President Trump signed Executive Order 14382 on February 6, 2026, authorizing the imposition of additional ad valorem tariffs (stated as potentially 25 percent) on goods imported into the United States from any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or acquires goods or services from Iran. The order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, citing Iran as an ongoing national emergency threat. The Secretary of Commerce is directed to determine which countries trade with Iran; the Secretary of State then recommends tariff levels; the President makes final determinations. The order becomes effective February 7, 2026, and grants the President authority to modify tariffs in response to retaliation or changed circumstances.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed executive order establishing America First Arms Transfer Strategy — President Trump signed an executive order on February 6, 2026, directing the establishment of an "America First Arms Transfer Strategy" to use military arms sales as a tool of foreign policy and to expand domestic defense production capacity. The order directs the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to develop a prioritized sales catalog within 120 days, streamline arms transfer processes, establish an End Use Monitoring coordination group, and create a Promoting American Military Sales Task Force to oversee implementation and report quarterly on foreign military sales metrics.
• White House signed executive order establishing America First Arms Transfer Strategy — President Trump signed Executive Order 14383 on February 6, 2026, directing the establishment of an "America First Arms Transfer Strategy" to use military arms sales as a tool of foreign policy and to expand domestic defense production capacity. The order directs the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to develop a prioritized sales catalog within 120 days, streamline arms transfer processes, establish an End Use Monitoring coordination group, and create a Promoting American Military Sales Task Force to oversee implementation and report quarterly on foreign military sales metrics.
• White House issues fact sheet on America First Arms Transfer Strategy executive order — The White House published a fact sheet on February 6, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump establishing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy. The order directs the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Commerce to develop a prioritized arms sales catalog, streamline approval processes, and establish a task force to oversee implementation. The fact sheet states the strategy aims to leverage $300 billion in annual defense sales to reindustrialize the U.S. defense industrial base while accelerating weapons delivery to allies.
• Trump signs executive order establishing America First Arms Transfer Strategy — President Trump signed Executive Order 14383 on February 6, 2026, establishing a comprehensive arms transfer strategy designed to leverage military equipment sales as a tool of foreign policy while expanding domestic defense industrial production. The order directs the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to develop a prioritized sales catalog, streamline Foreign Military Sales processes, reduce third-party transfer restrictions, and establish a task force to coordinate implementation and enhance transparency through quarterly performance metrics.
• Trump issues executive order establishing America First Arms Transfer Strategy — President Trump signed an executive order on February 6, 2026, directing the establishment of an "America First Arms Transfer Strategy" to use foreign military sales as a tool of U.S. foreign policy while expanding domestic defense industrial production. The order requires the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to develop a prioritized sales catalog within 120 days, streamline arms transfer processes, establish an inter-agency task force, and publish quarterly performance metrics on foreign military sales and export licenses.

Supporting reports

• Trump demanded renaming of Penn Station and Dulles Airport as condition for infrastructure funding — Trump told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) last month that he would release appropriated funds for the $16 billion Gateway tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey if Schumer agreed to rename Penn Station in New York City and Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C., after Trump. Schumer refused. Following the refusal, Trump's social media account accused Schumer of "holding up" the project. The Gateway tunnel is a major infrastructure project important to the entire region.
• Democratic representatives rejected Trump's infrastructure naming demand — Representatives Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), and Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) publicly rejected the Trump administration's demand to rename federal properties in exchange for Gateway project funding. Menendez stated he is "a no on this 'deal'" and expressed confidence that New York and New Jersey will "win in court" with a new lawsuit against the administration aimed at unblocking the funds. Subramanyam characterized the demand as "holding critical infrastructure funding hostage for more vanity projects."
• Trump administration conditioned infrastructure funding on naming federal properties after Trump — The Trump administration asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to rename Dulles Airport and New York's Penn Station after Trump in exchange for releasing $16 billion in federal funds for the Gateway project, a long-delayed tunnel connecting New Jersey and New York under the Hudson River. The administration halted funding at the start of the government shutdown in fall 2025. Despite the shutdown ending in November and appropriations passing this week, the administration has not released the funds. The Gateway project warned it will halt construction Friday if funding does not flow, forcing thousands of construction workers to be laid off.

Supporting reports

• Measles outbreak confirmed at Dilley family detention center in Texas — At least two confirmed measles cases were reported at the Dilley family detention center in south Texas, a major ICE facility holding children and parents. The outbreak occurs amid a broader national measles surge, with 588 confirmed US cases in 2026 and vaccination rates declining. Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro called for the facility to be "shut down immediately," citing inadequate conditions and the risk of exponential spread in close quarters. ICE and HHS did not respond to inquiries about vaccination campaigns or containment measures.

Supporting reports

• Cryptocurrency market lost $2 trillion in value since October — Kobeissi Letter reported that the cryptocurrency market had lost $2 trillion in market capitalization since October 6, 2025, when crypto markets hit a record high of $4.3 trillion. The market had declined to $2.3 trillion, representing a 46% loss of total crypto value in four months.
• Cryptocurrency market lost over $2 trillion in value since October 2025 — The cryptocurrency market has lost over $2 trillion in market value since October 2025. After peaking at a $4.3 trillion market cap, the sector is now worth approximately $2.3 trillion. The sell-off has been relentless. Trump's family company, World Liberty Financial, purchased crypto near the market top and has since sold more than $5 million worth of Bitcoin after the crash, locking in losses.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cancels 560 arts grants totaling $27 million in funding cuts — The Trump administration cancelled approximately 560 arts grants in the previous year, resulting in over $27 million in funding cuts to arts organizations and programs nationwide. The cuts targeted cultural institutions including the Kennedy Center, which subsequently announced closure for renovations, and the Smithsonian. The cancellations prompted widespread artistic response in the form of resistance theater and creative works across the country.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet on TrumpRx.gov prescription drug pricing platform — The White House issued a fact sheet announcing the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a website through which patients can access discounts on prescription drugs negotiated under most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing agreements. The platform initially features 40 branded medicines from five manufacturers (AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer). The fact sheet claims price reductions on high-cost drugs including Ozempic (from $1,028 to $350 monthly), Wegovy, fertility medications, and inhalers. The administration states it has negotiated 16 such deals since September 2025.
• White House issues release announcing TrumpRx.gov prescription drug pricing platform — The White House issued a release announcing the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a government platform offering reduced prices on prescription drugs through Most-Favored-Nation pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers. The release claims specific price reductions for GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound) and fertility drugs (Gonal-F, Cetrotide, Ovidrel), stating savings ranging from $22.50 to over $2,000 per cycle. The administration states additional medications will be added on a rolling basis and calls on Congress to pass the "Great Healthcare Plan" to extend coverage.

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• Democrats issue 10 demands for ICE reforms, threaten to block DHS funding — Following fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a formal letter to GOP leadership on February 5, 2026, laying out 10 conditions Democrats will require before supporting long-term Department of Homeland Security funding. The demands include judicial warrant requirements for property entry, prohibition on agent masks, mandatory ID display, protection of sensitive locations, racial profiling bans, use-of-force standards, state/local coordination, detention safeguards, body-camera mandates, and restrictions on paramilitary equipment. Democrats signaled intent to introduce legislation codifying these proposals.
• Democrats demand conditions on DHS funding including warrant requirements and agent accountability — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sent Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) a letter outlining conditions Democrats demand be incorporated into DHS appropriations legislation. Demands include requiring judicial warrants for home entry, visible agent identification, prohibition of racial profiling, restrictions on raids of sensitive sites (schools, churches, polling places, courts), use-of-force policies, body cameras, and state jurisdiction over federal agents who break the law. Republicans called the demands "unrealistic" and "radical."
• Democratic leaders released 10-point DHS funding negotiation list with immigration enforcement safeguards — House and Senate Democratic leaders submitted a formal list of 10 policy demands to Republican leadership for DHS funding negotiations, including judicial warrant requirements, prohibition of enforcement in schools and churches, ban on race-based stops, mandatory body cameras, officer identification requirements, use-of-force standards, detention standards, state investigation authority, and prohibition of officer masks. Republican leaders dismissed the demands as unrealistic and a non-starter, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and GOP Whip Tom Barrasso claiming the list had expanded and represented radical demands designed to appease left-wing groups.
• Senate Minority Leader Schumer detailed ICE enforcement abuses — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described widespread ICE enforcement abuses across U.S. cities, including warrantless arrests, detention in "dark chambers" without phone access, and two American deaths. Schumer stated that 90% of Americans surveyed had viewed videos of the enforcement operations and rejected them as un-American. He outlined Democratic objectives: stopping roving patrols, prohibiting enforcement in sensitive locations, establishing accountability mechanisms, and requiring officer identification and body cameras.

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• Democrats warn they will subpoena Trump and his family following Comer precedent — Following House Oversight Committee Chair Comer's subpoena of the Clintons, Democratic members of Congress stated they will follow the precedent when they regain control of the House. Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) said "We are absolutely going to have Donald Trump testify under oath." Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said Democrats will follow Comer's precedent and subpoena Trump, his children, and others. Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) warned that Comer's actions will become his legacy when Democrats use the same tactics against Trump family members and their business interests.
• House Oversight Committee Chair Comer subpoenas Clintons to testify about Epstein files — House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) subpoenaed former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to testify under oath about their relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Comer stated he does not need to subpoena Trump for the same purpose because Trump is answering questions for reporters. The Clintons agreed to testify publicly, with Hillary Clinton posting on social media that they will appear before cameras. This establishes a precedent that Congress can force past presidents and their families to testify under threat of contempt.
• Trump expressed concern about prosecution of Bill Clinton — In the NBC interview, Trump expressed concern about congressional investigations of Bill Clinton, stating "It bothers that they're going after Bill Clinton. I like Bill Clinton. Reporter: What do you like about him? Trump: He got me. He understood me." The statement followed House Judiciary Committee Chair James Comer's establishment of precedent for hauling former presidents before congressional committees to testify.

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• GOP Whip Barrasso claimed Democratic DHS demands numbered 23 items — GOP Whip Tom Barrasso stated he had identified 23 demands in the Democratic list (accounting for subsections), characterizing them as "radical Democrat demands" that continued to grow. Barrasso's statement escalated Republican framing of the Democratic proposals as excessive and unreasonable.
• Senate Majority Leader Thune rejected Democratic DHS demands as unrealistic — Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly dismissed the Democratic 10-point list as unrealistic, stating the demands had expanded from 3 to 10 items and contained non-starters designed to satisfy left-wing special interest groups like MoveOn. Thune's statement framed the Democratic proposals as evidence of bad-faith negotiation and suggested Republicans would not seriously consider the safeguards.

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• Senate Democrats considered second DHS continuing resolution — Multiple Senate Democrats, including some who voted to end the previous government shutdown, did not rule out another short-term continuing resolution for DHS funding to extend negotiations. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) stated the need to "keep as many options on the table as possible," while Senate Majority Leader Thune suggested a yearlong continuing resolution might be necessary. The approach contrasted with other Democrats who immediately rejected further extensions.

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• Trump posted racist video depicting Obamas as apes — Trump posted a video clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes on social media. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed criticism as "fake outrage," claiming it was a Lion King meme, without apologizing or confirming removal. Republican senators Tim Scott, Susan Collins, Roger Wicker, and Pete Ricketts publicly called for the video's removal and an apology. Following their pressure, Trump removed the video. The White House then blamed the post on "a staffer" with access to Trump's account, still offering no apology.
• Trump removed racist video following Republican pressure — Following public statements from Republican senators calling for removal, Trump took down the racist video. The White House then issued a second statement blaming the post on "a staffer" who had access to Trump's personal account, still offering no apology.
• White House Press Secretary issued statement on racist video — Karoline Leavitt issued a statement characterizing the racist video as a Lion King meme depicting Trump as "King of the Jungle" and Democrats as characters, dismissing public outrage as "fake outrage." She did not deny Trump posted it, did not confirm its removal, and did not apologize.
• Trump delivered racist tirade against immigrants at National Prayer Breakfast — On Thursday morning, Trump delivered a racist tirade against immigrants while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast. The remarks represent part of a broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric from the president targeting immigrant communities.
• Trump posted AI-generated racist video of Obamas on Truth Social — On Thursday evening, Trump posted an AI-generated video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes on Truth Social. The White House initially blamed a "staffer" for the post, though reporting indicates Trump's posts typically undergo approval processes including from the president himself. The incident represents an escalation in racist rhetoric from the White House.
• Trump posts racist video depicting Obamas as apes, refuses apology — Donald Trump posted a video to his Truth Social account on Thursday evening showing Barack and Michelle Obama's faces superimposed on ape bodies in a jungle setting, set to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The video was part of a longer clip promoting false 2020 election claims. Trump initially claimed he had not seen the offensive portion, then contradicted himself by saying he approved posting it. When asked to apologize, Trump refused, stating "No, I didn't make a mistake." The post was later deleted after White House claims it was posted by a staffer without authorization.
• Trump posted racist video depicting Obamas as apes on social media account — Late on February 6, President Trump's social media account posted a video containing debunked claims about the 2020 election and an image depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama with their heads attached to ape bodies. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed criticism as "fake outrage." After Republican senators Tim Scott, Pete Ricketts, and Roger Wicker called out the racism, the White House claimed a staffer had made the post erroneously. Trump later stated on Air Force One that he had posted it himself and refused to apologize, saying "No, I didn't make a mistake."
• Republican senators publicly called for removal of racist video — Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued public statements condemning the racist video and calling on Trump to remove it and apologize. Scott called it "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House." Wicker called it "totally unacceptable." Ricketts noted the "racist context" and urged the White House to "remove this and apologize."

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• Trump administration arrests journalist Don Lemon and searches reporter Hannah Natanson's home — The Trump administration arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon in January 2026 and conducted an FBI search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home, seizing electronic devices. Nancy Pelosi characterized these actions as "an affront to press freedom meant to scare, chill and silence." The arrests and searches occurred amid broader concerns about press freedom and were cited by Pelosi as evidence that the First Amendment is "under siege."

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• Trump claims he won 2020 election and needed victory for his ego at National Prayer Breakfast — At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump made a rambling speech claiming "they rigged the second election" and stating he had to win it "for my own ego," adding "I needed it for my own ego. I would've had a bad ego for the rest of my life." He also falsely claimed to have won the popular vote in 2016, contradicting the documented fact that Hillary Clinton won by approximately 2.9 million votes. Trump attributed his false claims about undocumented immigrant voting to this popular vote loss.
• Trump repeats election lies at National Prayer Breakfast — On February 5, President Trump repeated his election lies and grievances about losing to former President Joe Biden at the National Prayer Breakfast, a traditionally nonpartisan event. Trump stated "They rigged the second election" and claimed he needed to win "for my own ego," conflating personal grievance with claims of electoral fraud.
• Trump spoke at National Prayer Breakfast and made false election claims — At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump claimed the 2020 election was rigged, framed his obsession with "winning" as a matter of ego, portrayed himself as a victim despite economic hardship facing working families, and questioned how "a person of faith" could vote for a Democrat. He also boasted about his appearance at Davos. The event was intended to be bipartisan and reflective but was converted into a political attack.

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• Trump calls for federal takeover of election polls before 2026 midterms — President Trump called for his administration to take control of polling places before the 2026 midterm elections, following a special election in Texas where Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican-held state Senate seat by a 32-point margin in a district Trump won by 17 points in 2024. The demand reflects Republican alarm at electoral losses and signals an escalation in rhetoric around election administration and voter legitimacy.

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• White House announced 700-agent drawdown from Minnesota — White House border czar Tom Homan announced on February 4 that 700 immigration agents would leave Minnesota immediately. However, as of the article date, fewer than 1,000 agents remain in the state, not zero. Court filings confirm thousands of federal agents were assigned to Operation Metro Surge at various points, described by DHS as its largest enforcement operation ever. Legal observers continue reporting enforcement activity in suburbs despite the announced drawdown.
• White House border czar announces partial withdrawal of federal agents from Minnesota — Tom Homan, White House border czar, announced that approximately 700 federal immigration agents would be withdrawn from Minnesota, reducing the surge but leaving roughly 2,000 agents in the state—far above historical levels. The reduction is contingent on county jails agreeing to hold immigrants for up to 48 hours after their release dates to facilitate federal pickup. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated the drawdown is insufficient and called for complete withdrawal of Operation Metro Surge, citing two killings of U.S. citizens by federal agents in January and widespread community fear.
• Tom Homan replaces Gregory Bovino as federal immigration enforcement lead in Minnesota — Trump's "border czar" Tom Homan announced a drawdown of 700 federal immigration officers in Minnesota while maintaining roughly 2,000 officers in the state—far above the typical 150. Homan, replacing Gregory Bovino following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and mounting local backlash, stated the operation remains focused on deporting all undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal history. He emphasized "unprecedented collaboration" with county sheriffs to access local jails for ICE notifications, though major Minnesota counties have not confirmed participation.