Tracking presidential actions and other news.
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The Justice Department charged New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver with assaulting federal agents during a May 9th fracas outside a New Jersey immigrant detention center. Newark mayor Ras Baraka's trespassing charge from the same clash was dropped. The charges were announced by interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, one of president's Trump defense attorneys.
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Trump II administration may cancel temporary protection from deportation status for as many as 350,000 Venezuelans in the country. The Biden administration had created the status for the immigrants, and extended it near the end of Biden's term, because officials determined that conditions in Venezuela were unsafe and too risky to deport the migrants back home.
This week a federal judge ordered that criminal trespassing charges be dropped on dozens of migrants caught along the border in New Mexico. The Trump II administration had declared a 60 foot strip of land along the border a military zone and that anyone caight there would be charged with trespassing on military property. The judge dismissed the charges because the migrants would have to know they were entering a restricted area beforehand, which prosecutors were unable to demonstrate.
The proclamation designates May 15, 2025, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 11-17, 2025, as Police Week. It calls for the honoring of law enforcement officers and remembers those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The proclamation also requests Congress to codify an Executive Order mandating the death penalty for the murder of a police officer and to pass a crime bill with enhanced protections for police officers. Furthermore, it urges officials to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The order directs federal agencies to reduce the regulatory burden on American citizens by discouraging criminal enforcement of regulatory offenses. It emphasizes that prosecution should be reserved for those who knowingly violate regulations, causing or risking public harm. Agencies are encouraged to consider civil or administrative enforcement for strict liability regulatory offenses. Furthermore, agencies are required to provide a report detailing all criminal regulatory offenses enforceable by the agency or the Department of Justice, including potential penalties and applicable mental state standards for these offenses, within 365 days.
The president announced that Fox News host Jeanine Pirro had been named interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. and that she would be the nominee for the position. Ed Martin had been in that role until his nomination ran into opposition from Republicans in the Senate.
The proclamation designates May 1, 2025, as Loyalty Day and Law Day, U.S.A. It calls on all Americans to reflect on the importance of the rule of law and display the American flag in support of this national observance. Government officials are urged to display the flag on all government buildings and grounds on this day.
The order directs federal agencies to establish the Religious Liberty Commission. This Commission, composed of up to 14 appointed members and ex officio members including the Attorney General, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, is tasked with producing a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, its impact on society, current threats to it, strategies to preserve and enhance protections for future generations, and programs to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism. The Commission will also examine specific areas such as First Amendment rights, attacks on houses of worship, and parents’ authority over their children's education.
The order directs federal agencies to adjust the application of certain tariffs on imported goods. It aims to avoid the cumulative effect of overlapping tariffs that apply to the same article, which can exceed what is necessary to achieve intended policy goals. The order outlines the procedure for determining which of multiple tariffs shall apply when an article is subject to more than one tariff. The agencies involved will ensure that tariffs from certain proclamations and executive orders do not "stack" on top of each other.
The order directs federal agencies to identify and take action against jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws, often referred to as "sanctuary" jurisdictions. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security are instructed to publish a list of these jurisdictions, notify them of their noncompliance, and pursue legal remedies to bring them into compliance. Additionally, the order mandates the suspension or termination of federal funds to these jurisdictions, as well as the development of mechanisms to verify eligibility for federal public benefits in these areas. It also requires action against local laws favoring aliens over American citizens.
The order directs federal agencies to provide resources and support to state and local law enforcement. The Attorney General is instructed to establish a mechanism to provide legal resources to law enforcement officers who face expenses and liabilities for actions taken in their official duties. The Attorney General and other relevant agency heads are also directed to maximize the use of federal resources to provide best practices, expand training, increase pay and benefits, and strengthen legal protections for law enforcement officers. Additionally, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense are instructed to increase the provision of military and national security assets to assist local law enforcement. The Attorney General is also tasked with pursuing legal remedies against state and local officials who obstruct law enforcement or engage in discrimination under the guise of diversity initiatives.
The proclamation recognizes April 26, 2025 as World Intellectual Property Day. It emphasizes the importance of safeguarding American intellectual property and innovation, and encourages citizens to celebrate the achievements of creators and inventors. The proclamation also mentions past actions to protect intellectual property, including the establishment of the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the use of tariffs to secure stronger intellectual property protections in trade deals, and an executive order aimed at removing barriers to American leadership in artificial intelligence.
The five law firms are said to have signed the deals in order to remove the possibility they might be sanctioned by the administration. In addition to the provision of pro bono legal work, the firms agreed to eliminate DEI in hiring and other practices.
The order directs Federal agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Susman Godfrey LLP, pending a review of whether such clearances align with national interest. The Office of Management and Budget is instructed to identify all government goods and services provided for the benefit of Susman Godfrey LLP, and agency heads are to cease such provision where legally permissible. Government contracting agencies are directed to require contractors to disclose any business they do with Susman Godfrey LLP, and agency heads are to review and potentially terminate contracts with Susman Godfrey LLP or entities doing business with them, in accordance with the law. [Editor: Susman Godfrey represented election systems maker Dominion Voting Systems in its succesful defamation lawsuit against Fox News. Fox News and Trump allies had spread falsehoods about Domion's machines following the president's election loss in 2020.]
The order directs Federal agencies to identify unlawful and potentially unlawful regulations within 60 days and initiate plans to repeal them. The review and repeal effort should prioritize evaluating the lawfulness of each regulation under specific United States Supreme Court decisions. Following the review period, agencies are instructed to immediately repeal any regulation that clearly exceeds the agency’s statutory authority or is otherwise unlawful, and within 30 days, submit a summary of each regulation not targeted for repeal to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, explaining the decision.
The order directs Federal agencies to address unfair practices in the live entertainment industry. Specifically, the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are ordered to enforce competition laws in the concert and entertainment industry, rigorously enforce the Better Online Tickets Sales Act, ensure price transparency in the ticket-purchase process, and prevent unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive conduct in the secondary ticketing market. Additionally, the Secretary of the Treasury and Attorney General are directed to ensure that ticket scalpers comply with the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws.
President Trump commuted the prison sentence of Carlos Watson, former CEO of Ozy Media, who had been convicted of fraud for misleading investors about the company’s finances. He also granted clemency to Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola Motors convicted of securities and wire fraud, and to the co-founders and a former employee of the crypto exchange BitMEX, who had pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws.
The order directs Federal agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at WilmerHale, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with national interest. The Office of Management and Budget is instructed to identify all government goods and services provided for WilmerHale's benefit, and agency heads are to cease provision of such materials or services where legally permissible. The order also requires government contracting agencies to demand disclosure of any business contractors do with WilmerHale, and agency heads are to review all contracts with WilmerHale or entities that disclose doing business with them, with steps to be taken to terminate any such contracts where legally allowed.
The order directs the Attorney General to immediately sign a grant of clemency for Devon Archer, who was involved in the case United States v. Archer, l:16-cr-371. The Attorney General is also directed to declare that this action is being performed on behalf of the President.
The order directs Federal agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Jenner & Block LLP (Jenner), pending a review of whether such clearances align with national interest. The Office of Management and Budget is directed to identify all Government goods, property, material, and services provided for Jenner's benefit, with relevant agency heads ordered to cease such provision where legally permitted. Agencies are also instructed to require Government contractors to disclose any business they do with Jenner and to review all contracts with Jenner or entities doing business with Jenner. If permitted by law, agencies are to take steps to terminate any contracts for which Jenner has been hired to perform any service.
Directs federal agencies to suspend security clearances of law firm Jenner & Block employees, cease providing government resources to the firm, and review federal contracts involving Jenner & Block or entities associated with it.
A 2022 law requires the disclosure of executive department apportionment decisions. The shutdown database is where those disclosures were posted for public review.
Trump II Admin Invokes State Secrets Privilege in Standoff With Judge Over Flight Details Related to Venezuelan Deportation.
Revokes Executive Order 14237 after Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acknowledged prior misconduct and committed to reforms, including political neutrality in client selection and merit-based hiring. The firm also pledged $40 million in pro bono services during the President’s term to support causes such as assisting veterans and combating anti-Semitism.
Find a list of executive actions recorded prior to March 24, 2025 at The List
Trump II Deports 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador Under Alien Enemies Act. And apparently in defiance of a court order from Saturday.
Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of the United States by Tren de Aragua. A proclamation directs the apprehension, detention, and removal of Venezuelan nationals aged 14 or older who are Tren de Aragua members and lack lawful U.S. residency.
Trump Signs Bill That Funds Government, Split Democrats.
Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss. Restricts the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from accessing federal buildings, government contracts, and security clearances. Mandates a review of the firm’s employment practices under civil rights laws. Part of a broader effort to scrutinize major law firms’ influence in government and legal matters.