The Trump Administration: A Review of Key Actions (2025–2022026)

A series of actions and events involving the Trump administration in 2025 and early 2026 have generated multiple reports covering energy policy, allegations of campaign finance influence, national security matters, and a controversy surrounding files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Energy and Environmental Policy

President Donald J. Trump participated in a White House ceremony where he was presented with a "champion of beautiful, clean coal" trophy by coal industry leaders, lawmakers, and miners. He subsequently signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to purchase billions of dollars of power generated by coal. The Department of Energy also allocated $175 million to modernize, retrofit, and extend the operational life of coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky.

The administration has stated its position that climate change is a "hoax" and has withdrawn the U.S. from a major global climate treaty. Reports indicate U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 1.9% since January 2025, attributed in part to renewed coal use, after declining since 2007.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked a 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. Administration officials stated that scientists are incorrect about the dangers of climate change and that regulations harm industry and slow the economy. They claimed this action would save Americans $1.3 trillion, primarily through cheaper cars and trucks, but did not account for the costs of extreme weather or pollution-related health issues. Separately, the administration granted a two-year pause on Clean Air Act compliance to over 180 facilities, citing national security concerns, marking a first-time use of this exemption.

Allegations of Influence and Campaign Finance

Reports from April 2024 state that then-candidate Trump asked oil executives to raise $1 billion for his campaign, promising to eliminate existing Biden-era regulations, prevent future regulations, and lower taxes in return.

President Trump's stated threats to halt the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, followed a call from billionaire Matthew Moroun to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Moroun's family operates a competing bridge and has opposed the new bridge's construction. Canada fully funded the $4.7 billion construction cost of the bridge, which is jointly owned and operated by Canada and Michigan. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated this action exemplified "President Trump putting America's interest first."

National Security and Whistleblower Complaint

A May 2025 whistleblower complaint reportedly involved the interception by another country of a conversation between two foreign nationals discussing Jared Kushner (President Trump's son-in-law), Iran, and other matters. Jared Kushner runs Affinity Partners, an investment fund that has received billions of dollars from Arab monarchies, and reportedly acts in foreign affairs without an official U.S. government role.

The Wall Street Journal reported on February 2, 2026, that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had reportedly provided the complaint to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles instead of Congress. On February 3, Gabbard released a highly redacted version of the complaint to the Gang of Eight.

In early April 2025, National Security Agency director General Timothy Haugh and his deputy were fired, occurring hours after several staffers at the National Security Council were dismissed. Laura Loomer, identified as being close to President Trump, posted on social media that Haugh and his deputy were dismissed for "disloyalty to President Trump."

Justice Department and Epstein Files

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not released all files related to Jeffrey Epstein to the public, as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. Reports indicate she did not answer questions about why the files had not been released or acknowledge Epstein's survivors present at the hearing.

Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) urged Bondi to apologize to survivors for a release that reportedly exposed their names, identifying information, and sexually explicit photos while covering perpetrators' names. Bondi reportedly accused Jayapal of "theatrics" and "dragging the hearing into the gutter." Republican Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) posted that Bondi used flash cards with individualized insults for Democrats. A photograph taken by Reuters photographer Kent Nishimura showed a page from Bondi's notes titled "Jayapal Pramila Search History," which appeared to list files Representative Jayapal accessed. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) stated he would request an investigation into this "outrageous abuse of power."

Republicans on the committee reportedly did not use all their allotted time to question Bondi, instead yielding it back to the committee. Bondi's performance, which included praising President Trump and diverting discussion to the stock market, reportedly pleased President Trump, who had previously expressed dissatisfaction with her effectiveness.

President Trump posted on social media that Attorney General Pam Bondi was "fantastic" and that he was "100% exonerated" regarding Epstein, attributing accusations to political motivations.

An Economist/YouGov poll released Tuesday indicated that 85% of U.S. adults agree "powerful elites who helped Epstein target and abuse young girls... need to be investigated." Fifty percent of American adults believe President Trump "was involved in crimes allegedly committed by Jeffrey Epstein," while 29% do not.

Other Government Actions and Rulings

UFO File Release: President Donald Trump announced the release of government files related to aliens and UAPs, calling it a distraction from other stories. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called the UFO release a distraction from the Iran war.

Virginia Supreme Court Ruling: The Virginia Supreme Court struck down a voter-approved temporary congressional district map that would have added four Democratic seats, siding with Republican arguments that the process violated the state constitution. The court split along partisan lines (4-3). Virginia voters approved the new map to counter gerrymandering.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Contract: Trump awarded a no-bid $6.9 million contract for repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, more than triple his initial promise, after bypassing the review process.

Iran War Costs: A New York Times analysis noted the Defense Department's $25 billion estimate for the Iran war excludes broader economic impacts; estimates suggest the total cost could reach trillions.

FEMA Aid Disparities: The Washington Post reported that FEMA has been denying disaster aid to Democratic-led states while expediting aid to Republican-led states.

Tariffs Ruled Illegal: The Court of International Trade found Trump's 10% global tariffs illegal. Trump is expected to appeal and threatened higher tariffs on the EU.

Gold Statue: A 22-foot gold statue of Trump was installed at his Miami golf course, funded by crypto investors promoting a memecoin.