Every terrible thing the Trump administration did in July 2026
President Trump ramped up his efforts to undermine faith in the U.S. election system last month, signaling his intent to cause turmoil in the upcoming midterm elections.
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July 2: “FBI directing hundreds of analysts to dig into Georgia election probe subjects, sources say,” MS Now
July 7: “DOJ threatens criminal charges for state election officials over noncitizen voting,” NBC
The Justice Department sent letters warning election officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that they could face criminal prosecution over noncitizen voting…The letters, signed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads up the department’s Civil Rights Division, give states five days to explain how they will comply with federal voter eligibility laws and how they will maintain “clean voter lists.”
July 7: “Judge rejects Justice Department attempt to get names of 2020 election workers in Fulton County,” WBAL
July 8: “DOJ intends to send election monitors to 3 Michigan cities for August primary,” CBS
July 9: “Trump ousts remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission ahead of midterms,” NBC
July 15: “FBI Has Looked at Using Questionable AI Tech to Review Signatures on Seized Mail-In Ballots,” Propublica
July 17: “Trump doubles down on US election attacks in his primetime speech,” AP
- “Trump’s speech claiming US election vulnerabilities, annotated,” CNN
- “Trump setting stage to declare emergency around midterms, former White House attorney says,” PBS
- “Election denial activists briefed at White House ahead of Trump’s primetime speech,” MS Now
July 17: “DHS threatens states with fines, charges over election measures,” Reuters
- “Fact-checking Mullin's claim that foreign adversaries can access voting machines in U.S. elections,” PBS
July 17: “Most ‘noncitizen voters’ DHS found in Georgia were never voters at all: A federal report cites about 2,500 people in the state, but most were in a ‘pending’ status.” AJC
July 23” “CMS Replaces Nursing Home Voting Guidance with New Warnings About Fraud, Coercion,” Leading Age
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 20, 2026, rescinded earlier guidance that affirmed nursing home residents’ voting rights and replaced it with a new memorandum that places significantly greater emphasis on preventing voter fraud, coercion, and undue influence in long-term care settings
July 28: “Trump asks SCOTUS to clear the way for executive order that restricts voting by mail,” NPR; “GOP states join DOJ in asking Supreme Court to let Trump block some mail ballots,” Democracy Docket
July 30: “Tina Peters and other election deniers claim they've pitched the Trump administration on a midterm “election-security plan,” Media Matters
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
July 1: “Kash Patel’s Late Stock Disclosure Raises STOCK Act Questions: The FBI director invested up to $250,000 in a bitcoin-fueled business intelligence company,” NOTUS
July 1: “Trump Has Already Launched More Death Penalty Prosecutions Than in His Entire First Term,” Intercept
July 3: “Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials,” MS Now
July 7: “Justice Department reaches another settlement with Trump adviser Michael Flynn,” CNN
July 9: “New Mexico Accuses D.O.J. of Obstructing Epstein Ranch Inquiry,” NYT
July 9: “Trump appointees are overruling DOJ lawyers scrutinizing corporate mergers,” MS Now
July 11: “Judge tosses remnants of Proud Boys seditious conspiracy case after Trump's broad clemency,” PBS
July 15: “Trump immediately fires the new court-appointed top prosecutor in Seattle,” NBC; “'This is about the rule of law': U.S. attorney fired by Trump sues to overturn dismissal,” PBS
July 17: “ICE to Pay Thomson Reuters $125 Million to Find ‘Voter Fraud’,” 404 Media
July 22: “Trump Targets State Officials Via New DOJ Public Corruption Team,” Bloomberg
July 23: “US government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system,” Guardian
July 28: “Anti-abortion activist agrees to 7-figure settlement with Trump Justice Department,” MS Now
July 29: “Trump Demanded Details of Agents’ Interview of Comey, New Filing Says,” NYT; “Secret Service felt pressure from administration to surveil James Comey, new documents reveal,” MS Now
July 31: “Justice Department drops criminal case against Olympian over damaged Reflecting Pool,” PBS
IMMIGRATION
July 1: “Immigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down,” NYT
July 1: “ICE Flouting Federal Judge’s Order to Stop Arresting Immigrants at New York Courts,” Intercept
July 1: “Trump attorney general plots crackdown on ‘birth tourism’ after supreme court ruling,” Guardian; “Right-wing media target pregnant and female travelers following SCOTUS birthright citizenship ruling,” Media Matters
July 1: “He sent a harsh email to ICE's top official. 5 months later, federal agents tracked him down,” NPR; “Man sues DHS after agents tracked him down for sending a scathing email to ICE,” NPR
July 2: “An ICE detainee sought treatment for mental illness. He died in a struggle with guards,” WaPo; ““He Didn’t Need to Die.” How an Immigration Detention Center Repeatedly Failed to Address a Mental Health Crisis,” Propublica
July 2: “A Venezuelan man was accused of attempting to choke an ICE officer to death in Bellevue. Bystander video tells a different story,” NPM
July 6: “ICE’s Internal Watchdog Is Now Investigating Online Critics,” Wired
July 6: “Private prison company sells two of California’s immigrant detention centers to the feds,” Cal Matters
July 6: “A new ICE facility could speed up deportations for families and kids,” PBS
July 7: “Afghan national who fought with U.S. forces died of allergic reaction in ICE custody,” NBC
July 7: “U.S. gave Tehran details on Iranian asylum seekers, lawsuit alleges,” WaPo
July 8: “85-Year-Old German National Becomes 21st to Die in ICE Custody This Year,” Democracy Now
July 9: “Mexican man fatally shot by ICE was not the target of Houston immigration operation, source says,” CNN; “What to know about the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE,” PBS; “Migrants who saw man killed by ICE in Houston say he did not ram officers,” WaPo; “Substance found in work van of Mexican man killed by ICE tested negative for drugs, prosecutor says,” CBS; “ICE Officer Who Shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo ‘Switched Guns’ Afterward: Witness,” HuffPost
July 9: “Mexico to file complaints in US over ICE-related deaths of 17 Mexicans,” CNN
July 9: “Eswatini receives 11 people deported from the U.S. as part of migration crackdown,” NBC
July 10: “Lawsuit Accuses ICE and Private Prison Contractors of Abusing a Disabled Detainee,” Mother Jones
July 10: “Hundreds of children ordered to appear at new ‘mega’ immigration hearings in Seattle,” OPB
July 14: “Man killed in Maine ICE shooting leaves behind wife, young daughter,” NBC; “ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say,” AP
July 15: “Venezuelan man becomes 22nd person to die in ICE custody this year,” Guardian
July 15: “Man fleeing immigration officers in Florida struck and killed by tractor trailer, police say,” PBS; “Mexican man killed after ICE encounter in Florida was on vacation, officials say,” NBC
July 15: “ICE should continue traffic stops despite recent shootings, Trump says on social media,” PBS
July 17: “Off-duty employee at Colorado ICE facility arrested for shooting protester,” Guardian
July 18: “ICE shared Medicaid data it wasn't supposed to have with Palantir,” NPR
July 19: “Justice Department activates untested court for 'alien terrorist' deportations,” PBS; “DOJ tapped never-used ‘alien terrorist’ court to deport mother of convicted ISIS supporter,” Politico
July 19: “Federal Agents Were Told F.B.I. Will No Longer Investigate ICE Confrontations,” NYT
July 20: “Senior Living Facility in Distress as Immigrant Caregivers Are Forced Out,” NYT
July 20: “Judge Tosses Justice Department Challenge to Minnesota Immigration Laws,” NYT
July 22: “You Opened a Credit Card. ICE Now Knows Where You Live,” 404 Media
July 22: “ICE officials warned of dangerous crowding. See how they kept packing people in,” WaPo
July 23: “Leaked Document Shows the Surveillance Tech at ICE’s Fingertips,” 404 Media
July 26: “ICE plans to target Haitians as Temporary Protected Status is set to end, sources say,” CBS
July 27: “DHS strips interview requirement for asylum seekers, expediting deportations,” Courthouse News
July 28: “Thousands of children, sponsors arrested by ICE after tips from US child migrant agency,” Reuters
July 28: “Trump administration forced treatment on hunger striker in ICE detention,” Guardian
July 29: “More Migrant Kids Are Getting Removal Orders. Some Could Lose Their Attorneys Too,” NOTUS; “Inside the New York court where children face deportation without access to attorneys,” Guardian
July 29: “As Trump Squeezes Cuba, He Plans to Send Cuban Deportees to Uruguay,” NYT
July 30: “Mexican Man From Durham Dies From Leukemia While In ICE Custody: He reported that he had not received medical attention after experiencing severe symptoms,” Indy Week
July 30: “ICE is expanding its arrests at airports to new targets, lawyers say,” WaPo
CULTURAL CONTROL
July 3: “Court clears way for Trump admin to 'immediately' replace slavery exhibit in Philadelphia ahead of July 4,” ABC
July 5: “White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical activists who can't be trusted,” PBS
July 7: “Yale Law School Fights to Stop Trump Deal,” NYT
July 11: “Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over new Air Force One reporting,” Guardian; “U.S. Sought Phone Records of Times Journalists and Their Relatives,” NYT
July 14: “Trump Administration Subpoenas Law Firms, Escalating Pressure Campaign,” NYT
July 15: “Trump administration replaces slavery exhibition at Washington’s home in Philadelphia,” NBC
July 15: “FCC Officials Took Pricey Gifts From Paramount as the Company Needed Approval for Billion-Dollar Deals,” Propublica
July 20: “US Justice Department says UC San Diego's medical school favors Black, Hispanic applicants,” Reuters
July 20: “Trump Attacks Nation’s Top Scientific Body Over Climate Chapter in Manual,” NYT
July 21: “Department of Justice Probes Harvard’s Financial Aid Programs Over Alleged China Ties,” Crimson
July 22: “White House admits it used keywords to kill billions worth of [University of] California research grants,” AP
July 22: “Trump’s Plan for Science: More Money for A.I., Less for Universities,” NYT
July 24: “Trump Orders Warnings Placed at ‘Inaccurate’ Smithsonian History Museum,” NYT . July 27: “Trump ramps up attacks against Smithsonian in executive action ordering new signage outside exhibits,” ABC; “Justice Dept. drops 'New York Times' subpoenas under pressure from judge,” NPR
July 30: “Disney and ABC argue Trump administration is reviewing licenses as punishment,” WaPo
CORRUPTION, PARDONS, AND “LEGACY PROJECTS”
Jul 2: “Plan to ease rules on mailing guns could help company Trump Jr. has stake in,” WaPo
July 3: “A Belgian diamond group is gifting Trump a lavish ring after that industry won tariff relief,” PBS
July 4: “Nearly a Million Investors Lost a Total of $3.8 Billion on Trump Crypto Coin,” NYT
July 6: “Trump building granite helipad on White House South Lawn,” ABC; “Trump Is Building a White House Helipad. He Sought No Approvals,” NYT
July 6: “Trump issues Clean Air Act pardons for diesel mechanics,” E&E News
July 9: “Former Olympian pleads not guilty in Reflecting Pool damage case after Trump alleged vandalism,” AP; “Prosecutors move to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism case, saying 'botched installation' to blame,” NPR
July 9: “Security concerns prompted Trump to depart Turkey on older plane while sending Qatari-donated jet ahead, officials say,” CNN; “Trump acknowledges that jet from Qatar lacks defensive systems of Air Force One,” Guardian; “Inside the Rushed Effort to Get Trump His New Air Force One,” NYT
The government spent hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase equipment needed to train pilots to fly the 747-8 plane so quickly, on top of the approximately $400 million cost of the upgrades that the administration has publicly acknowledged. The Pentagon has tried to mask the total price tag — including from Congress — by taking the funds from a classified budget for nuclear modernization.
July 10: “The White House is upgrading its front door to fortify the entrance,” CNN
July 10: “Trump officials propose fencing off public spaces outside White House,” WaPo
July 14: “Trump Paid $2 Million by South Korean Company Facing Trade Investigation,” NYT
July 14: “Trump ballroom donor to lead state department’s $200m Armenia fund,” Guardian
July 15: “US Mint to begin producing $1 coins featuring Trump,” Politico
July 16: “Truth Social will sell Wall Street quicker access to posts,” CNN; “Trump promoted companies on Truth Social days after buying their stocks,” CNN
July 16: “White House teleprompter operator made more than $100K betting on Trump's speeches,” ABC
July 18: “Trump forging ahead with DC golf course makeover without input from oversight agencies,” CNN
July 20: “Trump continues overhaul of White House grounds with new Rose Garden statues,” WaPo
July 24: “Docs shed light on DOJ spending for Trump banners: The project’s total price rang in at $892,192.07,” Politico
July 29: “Megadonor Received Trump Pardon Three Days After Donation to Pennsylvania Congressman,” NOTUS
July 30: “Kennedy Center Halts Free Public Tours After Five Decades of Service,” NYT
July 30: “A jury found 2 police officers covered up a murder. Trump pardoned them.” PBS
July 31: “Trump appeals judge's ruling that accused him of manipulating courts in IRS lawsuit,” Politico
July 31: “Newly Regilded Golden Horse Statues Spark Debate After Trump’s $5M Project,” People
ENVIRONMENT
July 7: “The First Major Overhaul of Public Lands Grazing Regulations in a Generation Looks to Cut Out Public Involvement,” Propublica
July 9: “EPA proposes weakening heavy-duty truck pollution rules,” NPR
July 10: “F.C.C. Approves Test of Space Mirror to Light Night Sky Despite Outcry,” NYT
July 13: “President Trump drastically shrinks 2 Utah national monuments — again,” SLT
July 14: “Trump administration opens endangered species’ habitats to development, reversing 50 years of environmental law,” CNN; “It’s no longer illegal to destroy the one thing endangered species need most to survive,” Vox
July 16: “BLM fast-tracks proposal to open Chaco Canyon to oil and gas drilling,” AZ Central
July 22: “Judge Strips Protections for Imperiled Lizard at Trump Administration’s Behest,” NYT
July 26: “As Trump boosts nuclear power, regulators seek to eliminate a longstanding radiation safety practice,” AP
July 27: “EPA says power for data centers can sidestep pollution laws,” Reuters
July 31: “Federal proposal would deeply cut Colorado River water for Arizona, California and Nevada,” NBC
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, WAR, AND FOREIGN POLICY
July 2: “Air Force officer arrested at Capitol after calling for Trump’s impeachment,” NBC
July 6: “Islandwide blackout hits Cuba as its fuel reserve dwindles and aging grid crumbles,” AP
July 7: “US commanders bypassed warnings about outdated intelligence ahead of strike that hit school in Iran, sources say,” CNN
July 8: “Navy will remove sailors with medical shaving conditions after 1 year of failed treatment,” Stars & Stripes
July 10: “He’s Suspected of Hiring a Venezuelan Gang for a Political Killing. Trump Officials Still Work With Him.” Propublica
July 11: “How Marco Rubio Is Running Venezuela From Afar,” NYT
July 13: “The Army is cutting back legal help for soldiers fighting medical discharge,” Task and Purpose
July 14: “Trump Administration Vows to Dismantle the International Criminal Court,” Time
July 15: “U.S. military will test service members’ testosterone levels, Pete Hegseth says,” NBC
July 17: “Hegseth ordered a new study of women in combat. Critics say it’s built to reach one conclusion.” Military Times
July 17: “Trump Officials Want to Use Human Rights Aid to Advocate for White South Africans and Right-Wing Causes in Europe,” Propublica
July 22: “4 US soldiers killed in Iran war return to American soil,” Military Times
July 22: “Trump administration signs commercial nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia,” NPR
July 25: “Brazil denies visas to U.S. delegation aiming to impugn election system, officials say,” WaPo
July 26: “Pentagon reports more than 600 Iran war casualties in quiet database update,” Guardian; “Pentagon Withheld Dozens of U.S. Military Injuries in Iran War,” NYT
July 27: “Deadly U.S. boat strikes have failed to curb cocaine supply, Pentagon and DEA officials say,” WaPo
July 31: “Visuals Suggest U.S. Dropped 2,000-Pound Bomb on Home in Iran, Killing 3,” NYT
MISCELLANEOUS
- “Trump's National Guard deployment in D.C. has been extended until 2029,” NPR; Aug. update: “National Guard deployment to Washington through 2029 will cost roughly $1.4 billion,” PBS
- “At Trump’s Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases,” NYT
- “US civil rights agency moves to end demographic data collection after 60 years,” AP
- “Federal Investigators Say Certain DOGE Records Were Deleted,” Wired
- “Secret Service erased texts from two-day period spanning Jan. 6 attack, watchdog says,” NPR
- “CDC Stopped Monitoring Parasite Now Causing Explosive Diarrhea Across The Country,” HuffPost
- “Trump administration says it’s deferring $1B in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota,” AP
- “1,700 H.I.V. Treatment Sites Closed After Trump Aid Cuts, a Study Finds,” NYT
- “Trump administration to end Medicare Part D subsidy program in 2027,” ABC
- “Trump DOJ backs private insurance company that court found discriminated against trans patients,” Advocate
- “Trump administration demands hospitals share emergency room records,” CNN
- “Government Overhauls Teen Pregnancy Program to Focus on Marriage and Starting Families,” NYT
- “NSF plans cuts to core science programmes to fund White House initiative,” Science
- “Trump overrode his own agencies to deny 4 Democratic disaster requests,” Politico