Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• ICE arrests reach 43,000 in July 2026; 238,000 detained in first seven months of year — ICE arrested and sent over 43,000 people into detention in July 2026, the highest monthly total of Trump's second term, according to agency detention data provided to Congress and reviewed by the Washington Post. ICE averaged approximately 1,432 arrests per day through July 12 and 1,450 per day from July 13 through month's end. The pace did not slow after the Houston shooting on July 7 or the Maine shooting on July 13. More than 238,000 people were sent into detention in the first seven months of 2026. CBS News reported more than 46,000 July book-ins using a broader measure that includes people first arrested by other agencies.

Supporting reports

• At least 52 military family members detained since Trump took office — An Associated Press investigation identified 52 parents and spouses of active-duty service members detained since Trump returned to office in 2025. At least 6 were deported, 1 self-deported, and 8 remained in federal custody at publication. A policy implemented in April 2025 eliminated the longstanding bipartisan exemption shielding military families from deportation. DHS does not track these cases; AP compiled the count from federal court records, existing coverage, and direct family verification, noting the actual number is likely much higher. The average wait for military parole-in-place has more than than doubled under Trump.
• More than 50 military family members detained by immigration agents; at least 6 deported — The Associated Press reported that more than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty military members have been detained by immigration agents since Trump returned to office in 2025. At least six of these family members were deported, while another eight remain in federal custody.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration demands TANF recipient data from 24 states for immigration enforcement — Twenty-four states sued to block the Trump administration from obtaining personal records of families enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a $16 billion annual program providing food, rent, and child care assistance. The administration seeks citizenship and immigration status verification data; California Attorney General Rob Bonta characterized the effort as exploiting a child-welfare program to fuel government surveillance. The administration argues the data collection is necessary to verify program eligibility.

Supporting reports

• FBI declines to conduct civil rights probe into ICE officer's fatal shooting — CBS News reported that the FBI is not conducting a civil rights investigation into the death of Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, who was killed by an ICE officer in Maine in July 2026. Such fatal shootings by law enforcement are typically investigated by the FBI's civil rights division.

Supporting reports

• Senators delay hemp product ban at administration request benefiting Wiles family — Trump signed a ban on intoxicating hemp products into law last year. Senators are now working at the administration's request to delay the ban's implementation. The son-in-law of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who is the CEO of companies selling such hemp products, stands to benefit from the delay, according to the New York Times.

Supporting reports

• ICE purchased private immigration detention centers for $1.5 billion — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is spending billions of dollars acquiring private immigration detention centers. In July, CoreCivic announced the government purchased two of its facilities for $1.5 billion. According to sources cited by TIME, the plan is for ICE to take over private detention facilities while building new ones alongside them.

Supporting reports

• Freedom 250 sponsors failed to disclose donations to state fair — Sponsors of Freedom 250's Great American State Fair failed to properly disclose their donations, according to a NOTUS analysis of federal lobbyist contribution reports. Major corporations including Lockheed Martin, ExxonMobil, and UnitedHealth Group did not make required disclosures. The violations could breach federal lobbying law.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders 15% tariff on polysilicon products for semiconductors and solar panels — President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday evening imposing a new 15% tariff on imported products made with polysilicon, a key material for microchip and solar panel manufacturing primarily sourced from China. The tariff takes effect December 4, 2026. The order also sets minimum import prices for polysilicon, ingots, wafers, solar cells, and modules, and authorizes the Commerce Department to create incentive programs for domestic production. The administration framed the measure as protecting U.S. supply chains and national security in AI and energy sectors.

Supporting reports

• DOJ and Tennessee AG announce settlement requiring divestitures in western Tennessee asphalt market — The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, partnering with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, announced a proposed settlement requiring CRH and its subsidiary APAC-Tennessee to divest two hot-mix asphalt plants as a condition of APAC's acquisition of Standard Construction. The settlement, filed alongside a civil antitrust complaint in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, addresses concerns that the transaction would reduce competition, raise prices, and harm the Tennessee Department of Transportation and other customers. The divested plants are to be sold to Dunn Construction of Birmingham, Alabama.

Supporting reports

• Judges rule against Trump administration in 75 First Amendment cases — Reuters analysis found that federal judges ruled against the Trump administration on First Amendment grounds in 75 of 93 cases where such arguments were raised, compared to 13 rulings against the Biden administration in 27 cases. The rulings covered retaliation against law firms, journalist restrictions, university funding cuts, actions against pro-Palestinian students and faculty, and excessive force at protests. Ten decisions came from Republican-appointed judges. The administration appealed approximately two-thirds of the rulings and persuaded appeals courts to pause or overturn 15 decisions.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge approves Trump administration termination of South Sudan TPS protections — U.S. District Judge Patti Saris of Massachusetts ruled on August 7, 2026, that the Trump administration may proceed with stripping Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from South Sudanese nationals in the United States. The decision rejected arguments by immigrant rights organizations including African Communities Together. Saris concluded that the Department of Homeland Security possessed authority to terminate TPS designations, following a June 2026 Supreme Court ruling (6-3) that had already allowed termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians. Approximately 232 South Sudanese TPS holders and 73 with pending applications face loss of legal work and residency protections.
• Motion denied — African Communities Together v. Noem (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-13939 — Judge Saris denied Plaintiffs' motion to amend their complaint to add two additional claims and their renewed motion to postpone the termination of South Sudan's TPS designation, concluding that Plaintiffs' two proposed claims - that only the Attorney General, not the Secretary of Homeland Security, may terminate a TPS designation, and that the termination violated procedural due process - “would be futile” and are unlikely to succeed on the merits.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge temporarily halts financial records disclosure order in Trump v. BBC libel case — US District Judge Roy Altman issued a temporary stay of a discovery order requiring Donald Trump to produce detailed financial records to the BBC in an ongoing libel lawsuit. Trump's legal team sought the suspension, arguing the BBC's demand for information about his business empire was "shockingly broad" and politically motivated. The judge indicated that if Trump successfully narrows his claims to reputational harm alone, the BBC's need for financial records might diminish. The BBC countered that Trump's business value remains relevant and that his $10 billion damages claim would be difficult to justify without financial evidence.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Rosenzweig v. Blanche (S.D. Fla.) — Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rosenzweig filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida challenging his removal by the Department of Justice on September 23, 2025. Rosenzweig alleges the removal was retaliation for First Amendment-protected speech critical of President Trump, a violation of the Civil Service Reform Act's restrictions on removing career employees, a Privacy Act violation for compiling records of his protected activity, and a due process violation. He seeks reinstatement, backpay, declaratory relief, and damages.

Supporting reports

• National Trust for Historic Preservation lawsuit against White House ballroom construction upheld by lower courts — The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to halt construction of the White House ballroom, and lower courts ruled in favor of the organization, determining that the ballroom requires congressional approval. An appeals court on August 7, 2026, stated it was aware of no precedent in American history in which a president unilaterally demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized and taxpayers funded. Despite the court rulings, construction has continued with a 250-person crew working 20 hours daily, seven days a week.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility gutted; 1,666 misconduct complaints filed in 2025 — The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility received 1,666 misconduct complaints in 2025, the highest number since 2005. Simultaneously, OPR staffing fell from 29 to 16 employees, and its director was fired with no replacement named. The inspector general's office lost 99 employees since the end of the Biden administration. Judge Kathleen Williams recently accused senior officials including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of reaching a settlement in Trump's suit against the IRS, and a pattern of errors has recurred in the first Comey prosecution.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• DOJ official encouraged prosecutors to "go big" and "go loud" in prosecuting protesters — A top Justice Department official encouraged prosecutors to "go big" and "go loud" when pursuing criminal charges against people who protested against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, according to reporting. The Minneapolis case is one of several the DOJ has brought across the U.S. leveling charges against wide swaths of protesters, including cases in Texas where prosecutors secured decades-long sentences for nine people protesting outside an ICE facility.

Supporting reports

• ICE and TSA expand airport immigration enforcement targeting visa overstayers and asylum seekers — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have dramatically expanded collaboration at US airports, conducting as many as three dozen daily arrests in July with a stated goal of 2,000 daily immigration arrests. Targets include people with pending visa, asylum, and green card applications, former au pairs, and asylum seekers with serious medical conditions. Airline workers have reportedly declined to assist federal agents, and Southwest Airlines gate agents refused to allow an ICE officer to board a plane without a judicial warrant. The airline industry has expressed workplace safety and legal concerns.

Supporting reports

• Democratic senators demand DOJ investigation into deaths of US citizens in West Bank — Nineteen Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding that the Department of Justice independently investigate the deaths of nine US citizens killed in the West Bank since 2022 by Israeli settlers or security forces. The letter states that the DOJ "has reportedly not opened investigations into any of the killings since 2025" and that Israel has not indicted anyone involved. The Democrats also urge action on the detention of US citizens by Israeli military, including 20-year-old Sama Safi and 15-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim, demanding their release and an end to arbitrary detentions.

Supporting reports

• Trump proclaimed minimum import prices and tariffs on polysilicon and derivatives to protect domestic supply chains. — President Trump issued Proclamation 11052 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, establishing minimum import prices (MIP) for polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives effective December 4, 2026. The proclamation imposes a 15 percent ad valorem tariff on polysilicon derivatives, creates an onshoring incentive program for domestic production facilities, and authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to monitor compliance and adjust prices. The action targets foreign government policies that have eroded U.S. polysilicon production capacity from 50 percent of global output in 2005 to less than 2 percent by 2024, citing national security and semiconductor/solar supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Trump signed proclamation imposing minimum import prices and 15% tariff on polysilicon and derivatives — President Trump signed Proclamation 11XXX on August 6, 2026, establishing a minimum import price (MIP) program for polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives, effective December 4, 2026. The proclamation imposes a 15% ad valorem tariff on polysilicon derivatives and authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish an onshoring incentive program offering tariff exemptions to companies committing to U.S. production facilities. The action invokes Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security threats from foreign polysilicon imports that have eroded U.S. production capacity from 50% of global output in 2005 to less than 2% in 2024.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting polysilicon tariff proclamation — The White House issued a fact sheet on August 6, 2026, promoting a proclamation signed by President Trump that day imposing tariffs on polysilicon and its derivatives. The fact sheet states the proclamation establishes a minimum import price program on polysilicon imports, imposes a 15% ad valorem tariff on downstream derivative products, and authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to create an incentive program for domestic producers. The fact sheet claims the U.S. share of global polysilicon production capacity fell from 50% in 2005 to less than 2% in 2024, and asserts the tariffs will protect national security and defense-adjacent industries.
• Trump orders 15% tariff on polysilicon products for semiconductors and solar panels — President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday evening imposing a new 15% tariff on imported products made with polysilicon, a key material for microchip and solar panel manufacturing primarily sourced from China. The tariff takes effect December 4, 2026. The order also sets minimum import prices for polysilicon, ingots, wafers, solar cells, and modules, and authorizes the Commerce Department to create incentive programs for domestic production. The administration framed the measure as protecting U.S. supply chains and national security in AI and energy sectors.
• White House issues fact sheet announcing mining investments and industry roundtable — The White House issued a fact sheet on August 7, 2026, announcing that President Trump held a roundtable with mining industry leaders and announced over $2 billion in mining and mining-related projects, plus $180 million in mining school investments. The fact sheet states the Department of War invested $85 million in Strategic Bauxite, $150 million in Niron Magnetics, $1.4 billion in Sila Nanotechnologies, and $400 million in Sunrise Energy Metals. Additional investments were made through the Export-Import Bank, Development Finance Corporation, and Department of Energy. The fact sheet claims the administration has signed or approved 160 minerals deals totaling almost $40 billion since January 2025.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet claiming private sector price reductions in response to Trump administration policies — The White House published a fact sheet titled "Private Sector Answers President Trump's Call to Lower Prices for American Families" on August 6, 2026. The document lists price reductions announced by major retailers (Giant Eagle, Walmart, Sam's Club, Kroger, Target, and others), pharmaceutical manufacturers (Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Amgen, Eli Lilly, and others), energy providers (Georgia Power, Alliant Energy, DTE Energy, and others), and automakers (Ford, Stellantis, Chevrolet). The fact sheet attributes these reductions to Trump administration policies including energy dominance, deregulation, and "Most Favored Nation" drug pricing. It does not present independent verification of the claimed price reductions or their causation.

Supporting reports

• U.S. Economy Reports Unexpected Job Losses in July — The U.S. economy experienced an unexpected decline in jobs during July, with nonfarm payrolls falling by 23,000, contrary to expectations of an 83,000 gain. The unemployment rate decreased to 4.1% due to a drop in labor force participation, which fell to its lowest level in over five years. The report indicates a stalling labor market, with wage growth slowing to 3.2%, the lowest in five years, amid rising inflation.

Supporting reports

• HCA Healthcare workers hold picket protests demanding higher pay and improved staffing — Union workers representing 22,000 employees at HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital system in the US, launched picket protests across California, Texas, Nevada, and Florida on August 6, 2026, demanding a pathway to $25/hour minimum wage, improved wage scales, paid leave, and staffing guarantees. The action occurs as HCA reported $6.8 billion in 2025 profits (up 17.8% from 2024) while median worker compensation remains $62,955 annually. Workers cite inability to cover basic necessities and patient safety risks from understaffing.

Supporting reports

• U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss dismisses DOJ case seeking access to D.C. voter registration data — U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss dismissed the Department of Justice's case against Washington, D.C., ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1960 does not authorize federal access to unredacted state voter registration lists. Moss held that the DOJ's legal theory contradicts the Help America Vote Act and the National Voter Registration Act, which vest voter-roll maintenance authority in state election officials. This marks the DOJ's 21st consecutive loss in voter-roll access litigation across federal courts.
• DOJ sues 30 states and D.C. for voter registration records — The Trump administration's Department of Justice has sued 30 noncompliant states and Washington, D.C. to force them to provide unredacted voter registration records, claiming it needs them to ensure states comply with federal laws requiring accurate rolls. However, 21 federal judges—including several appointed by Trump in his first term—have rejected all 22 DOJ lawsuits, with none ruling in DOJ's favor. The lawsuits appear aimed at enabling the administration to pressure states to purge specific voters.

Supporting reports

• DOJ and Republican states petition Supreme Court to lift mail ballot block — The Department of Justice and a dozen Republican-led states filed emergency applications with the Supreme Court asking it to lift the federal judge's block on the USPS mail ballot restriction, arguing the lower court acted prematurely because USPS had not finalized the implementing rule. The Supreme Court has not yet responded.