Donald J. Trump Event Timeline

Donald Trump (45) Event Timeline
01/20/2017-01/20/2021

2016

07/19/2016

Accepts the Presidential Nomination of the Republican Party at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

11/08/2016

Election Day. Defeats Hillary Clinton with 46.2% of the popular vote and 57.2% of the electoral vote. Trump wins many Democratic votes but loses the popular vote by about 2.8 million votes.

2017

01/20/2017

Inaugural Address. Promises “American carnage stops right here and stops right now.”

01/21/2017

Women’s March. Millions gather across the globe to protest the Trump Presidency. (Click here for related tweets made by Trump on 01/22/2017)

01/21/2017

Gives unscripted Remarks at the CIA Headquarters in front of the "Memorial Wall" honoring CIA agents killed in action. Primarily focused on CIA Director-designate Mike Pompeo. But also complained about media coverage of the size of the crowd at the Inauguration; noted that he had been on the cover of Time "14 or 15 times." Said "Trust me, I'm, like, a smart person." Assured those attending that "we're going to start winning again, and you're going to be leading the charge."

01/23/2017

Issues a Memorandum to reinstate the Mexico City Policy, referred to by critics as the “Global Gag Rule.” This blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who provide abortion counseling or referrals, advocate decriminalizing abortion, or expanding abortion services.

01/23/2017

Issues Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and agreement. Notes his “intention to deal directly with individual countries on a one-on-one (or bilateral) basis in negotiating future trade deals.” (Click here for more information on the TTP and U.S. withdrawal)

01/23/2017

First lawsuit accusing Trump of violation of the “emoluments clause” in the Constitution (download pdf of complaint). This case alleges he unfairly competed with local businesses. Other cases involved a group of 200 congressional Democrats (filed 06/14/2017), and the governments of Maryland and DC. Two surviving cases were dismissed as “moot” by the Supreme Court on 01/24/2021 (after Trump left office). This conclusion left unresolved controversies about the ultimate legal meaning of the emoluments clause.

01/24/2017

By Memorandum, Invites resubmission of the application for the Keystone XL Pipeline, and directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Army to expedite its' approval.

01/25/2017

By Executive Order 13767 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to undertake "Planning, designing, and constructing of a physical wall along the [US] southern border."

01/25/2017

By Executive Order 13768 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to hire 10,000 additional immigration officers to identify and deport illegal aliens accused of crimes; calls on the Attorney General to take steps to deny federal funds to so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions."

01/27/2017

Issues Executive Order 13769 establishing a “Travel Ban” (also alleged to be a “Muslim ban”) and suspending the Refugee Admissions Policy for 120 days. Prohibits people in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States. “The United States must ensure that those admitted into this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles.”

This order was immediately challenged in Federal Court and was the object of widespread protests. On 02/09/2017, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a prior court injunction prohibiting the implementation of this order. (Link to pdf of 9th Circuit Order.)

01/28/2017

Multiple protests at airports across the US in response to the "Travel Ban"

01/29/2017

Issues Statement "to be clear, this is not a Muslim Ban . . . . This is not about religion; this is about terror and keeping our country safe."

01/30/2017

By Executive Order 13771, directs that there be limits on issuing new regulations, and directs executive departments or agencies to identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed for any new regulation issued.

01/30/2017

Press Secretary Sean Spicer releases a Statement informing the public of President Trump’s decision to fire Acting Attorney General Sally Yates. Yates declined to enforce the "Travel Ban" order. Yates expressed doubt that the order was consistent with the "obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right." Names Dana Boente Acting Attorney General until the Senate confirms the appointment of Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General.

01/31/2017

Remarks on the nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. ABC 10News San Diego reported the nomination occurred “after an unusual day in which both top candidates for the nomination— Gorsuch and Judge Thomas Hardiman—were brought to Washington.”

02/03/2017

Executive Order 13772 presents principles for regulating the financial sector.

02/13/2017

Issues Press Release accepting the resignation of Lt. General Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor and naming Lt. General Joseph Keith Kellogg as Acting National Security Advisor. The press release quoted Flynn’s resignation letter stating that he “inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect [Mike Pence] and others with incomplete information regarding [his] phone calls with the Russian Ambassador.”

02/28/2017

Address before a Joint Session of the Congress. Outlines his goals and actions to date. Proposes a $1 trillion infrastructure program and calls for Obamacare to be repealed and replaced. In some instances, repeats the language used at his campaign rallies.

03/06/2017

By Executive Order 13780, the original “Travel Ban” Order (see 01/27/17) is revoked, and replaced by selected immigration suspensions while administrative standards are developed for preventing terrorist entry and standards for refugee entry are reviewed. Subsequent actions extended the effective date.

03/28/2017

Executive Order 13783 reverses environmental protections directed by President Obama. (Click here for President Trump’s Energy Independence Policy press release.)

04/06/2017

The Republican majority in the US Senate revised Senate rules to no longer require a 60 member majority to end debate ("cloture vote") on a nominee to the Supreme Court. This reform had been called "the nuclear option." This change clears the way for swift confirmation of judicial nominees including Neil Gorsuch.

04/06/2017

In Remarks, informs the public of a US airstrike on a Syrian airfield used to launch a chemical weapons attack.

04/10/2017

Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Neil M. Gorsuch as a Supreme Court Justice. “Americans are blessed to have in Neil Gorsuch a man who will...be a devoted servant of the law.”

04/18/2017

In Executive Order 13788, announces that "it shall be the policy of the executive branch to buy American and hire American."

04/26/2017

In Executive Order 13792, directs the Secretary of the Interior to review all instances in which more than 100,000 acres of land have been designated as protected under the Antiquities Act. The order specifically notes the Bears Ears National Monument.

05/09/2017

Sends Letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey informing him of his termination and removal from office long prior to the end of his 10-year term. (The only other case of an FBI director was William Sessions, fired by President Clinton in 1993). The action raises questions about the scope of presidential power and independence of federal agencies such as the FBI. The White House cited memos from Attorney General Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein.

05/17/2017

Issues Statement on the appointment, by Acting Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, of former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III as Special Counsel. Mueller is assigned to oversee the investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and other related matters.

05/20/2017 - 05/27/2017

First travel abroad includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Israel, The Palestinian Authority, Italy (G-7 Summit), Belgium (NATO Summit).

06/01/2017

In Remarks, announces US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. “. . . the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries. . .” Adopted by 196 parties, the Paris Climate Agreement treaty aimed to limit global warming to below 2, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

06/08/2017

Former FBI Director James Comey testifies to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; reports he turned over contemporaneous notes of his conversations with the President to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The President the next day commented in a news conference that he believed the testimony vindicated him ("no obstruction, no collusion), and that he would be happy to testify under oath.

06/26/2017

The Supreme Court agrees to review the legality of the President's revised executive order (Executive Order 13780) regarding the "travel ban." By a 6-3 majority the Court overturned lower court injunctions that blocked the order with respect to foreign nations who lack any genuine relationship with people or organizations in the United States. (Link to pdf of the Court ruling.) In a Statement, the President called this “a clear victory for our national security.”

07/05/2017 - 07/14/2017

Travel abroad to Poland, Germany (G-20 Summit), France. At the G-20, met with Vladimir Putin.

07/21/2017

Accepts the resignation of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Appoints Sarah Sanders as Press Secretary.

07/26/2017

Tweets that transgender individuals will not be accepted in the military. A Memorandum on the matter will follow on 08/25/2017.

07/28/2017

Tweets that he has replaced Chief of Staff Reince Priebus with former General and Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly, calling Kelly “a Great American and a Great Leader.” Makes Remarks about Kelly on 07/31/2017 after Swearing-in as Chief of Staff.

08/08/2017

In Remarks, warns that North Korean threats "will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."

08/12/2017

In Remarks while signing the 2017 VA Choice and Quality Employment Act, comments on the white nationalist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence, on many sides. On many sides.”

08/15/2017

In Remarks on Infrastructure at Trump Tower, the President responds to many questions concerning his views and statements about the events in Charlottesville, Virginia. He ends up repeating his view that "there's blame on both sides."  And later, ". . .you had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides. . . "

08/18/2017

Chief Strategist and campaign aide Stephen Bannon resigns from the White House. (See related tweets made by Trump on 08/19/2017.)

08/21/2017

In an Address to the Nation announces a reevaluation and shift of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia. The plan increases American troops within these areas to effectively combat terrorism.

08/25/2017

By Memorandum, reverses the Obama Administration Memorandum of 10/05/2016 to rescind a ban on military service by transgender individuals. (The Department of Defense had overturned the ban as of 06/30/2016.)

08/25/2017

In a controversial move, pardons (in fact "grants clemency to") Sheriff Joe Arpaio who had been convicted of criminal contempt of court in Maricopa County, Arizona. This was the first pardon granted by President Trump.

09/05/2017

In a Statement, announces that the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] “will begin an orderly transition and wind-down of DACA” [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]. Subsequently, DHS issued a Memorandum rescinding the original 2012 action taken under the Obama Administration. The prior day, Attorney General Sessions had written the DHS Secretary advising that the Obama action be rescinded, calling it “an unconstitutional exercise.”

09/19/2017

In Remarks to the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York City, addresses relations with North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Announces he is “renewing our commitment to the first duty of every government: the duty of our citizens.”

09/24/2017

Proclamation 9645 extends restrictions on immigration from countries deficient in information sharing about potential terrorists. The Order was litigated, as with prior related “travel ban” orders. (See 06/26/2018.)

10/04/2017

NBC News reports Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called President Trump a “moron” following a contentious July 20, 2017 meeting at the Pentagon with Trump’s national security team and Cabinet officials. The New Yorker further reports on Tillerson’s expressions of displeasure with the President.

10/02/2017

Issues Proclamation 9651 mourning and honoring victims of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada on 10/01/2017. This was the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in American history, with 60 dead and 411 wounded. The shooting reignites public debate over gun control.

10/30/2017

Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort pleads not guilty to money laundering charges. George Papadopoulos, former Foreign Policy Adviser to the Trump Campaign, pleads guilty to lying to the FBI and agrees to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. (Click here for related tweets made by Trump on 10/30/2017 and here for related tweets made by Trump on 10/31/2017.)

11/05/2017

Embarks on a five-nation tour of Asian countries: Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. (Click here for related tweets made by Trump on 11/05/2017.)

12/01/2017

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleads guilty to lying to the FBI about contact with the Russian Ambassador during the White House transition. Flynn agrees to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. (Click here for a PDF download of the court documents.)

12/04/2017

Proclamation 9681 reduces the Bears Ears National Monument from about 1.35 M acres to 201,876 acres pursuant to a study he had directed on 04/26/2017 be performed by the Secretary of the Interior. The area was deeply valued by several American Indian tribes who objected to this reduction. (This modifies the monument created on 12/28/2016 by Proclamation 9558.)

12/22/2017

In Remarks on signing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, announces “$3.2 trillion in tax cuts for American families, including the doubling of the standard deduction and the doubling of the child tax credit.” Opponents criticized the changes for adding to the national debt. (Click here for the Congressional Budget Office’s 10-year economic outlook following the law’s enactment.)

2018

01/20/2018 - 01/23/2018

A 3-day federal government shutdown begins when President Trump and Congress do not agree on funding for the 2019 fiscal year or a temporary solution to extend the deadline. The disagreement centered around the insistence of Democrats on funding for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy.

01/23/2018

Issues Proclamation 9693 and Proclamation 9694 to impose tariffs on Chinese solar panels and washing machines, launching a trade war between China and the United States.

02/13/2018

President Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, admits to paying $130,000 of his own money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to remain silent about her alleged affair with the President.

02/16/2018

Special Counsel Robert Mueller announces indictments against 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian organizations. In a Statement, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders reiterates that the Special Counsel has found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election.

03/20/2018

Nominates CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State.

03/24/2018

March For Our Lives. Following a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida on 02/14/2018, students hold a march in Washington D.C. to advocate gun control legislation. Additional marches occur in cities across the nation in support of the movement. The march comes one month after Trump Tweets his support for arming teachers with firearms to deter shootings on 02/24/2018.

05/02/2018

Remarks at swearing-in for Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

05/08/2018

In a Memorandum, announces US withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “Iran has only escalated its destabilizing activities in the surrounding region” since the JCPOA’s inception. The JCPOA restricted Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

05/09/2018

Incoming National Security Adviser John Bolton dissolves the National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense. Later critics would argue that this action weakened US ability to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. (Washington Post, 05/10/2018).

05/14/2018

Announces that the U.S. embassy in Israel is moving from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The decision receives praise for officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city, but criticism for hurting peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

05/17/2018

Tweets to congratulate Gina Haspel as new CIA Director following the Senate’s confirmation of her nomination. Haspel is the first female CIA Director in U.S. history.

06/12/2018

Issues a Joint Statement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un following a summit in Singapore. The event marks the first-ever meeting between heads of State of the U.S. and North Korea.

06/20/2018

Signs Executive Order 13841 to end the administration’s policy of family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border following bipartisan condemnation. Trump expresses displeasure that “Congress's failure to act and court orders have put the Administration in the position of separating alien families to effectively enforce the law.”

06/26/2018

In Trump v. Hawaii, the Supreme Court upholds 5-4 Trump’s Proclamation 9645 of 09/24/2017 as a lawful exercise of presidential authority and not a violation of the Establishment Clause of the constitution

07/05/2018

Tweets to accept Scott Pruitt’s resignation from his position as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and announce Andrew Wheeler as Acting Administrator of the EPA. Pruitt resigns amid allegations of mismanagement and unethical misconduct.

07/09/2018

In Remarks, announces his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court following Justice Anthony Kennedy’s resignation.

07/16/2018

Joint News Conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki, Finland. In widely criticized remarks, Trump declines to acknowledge or condemn alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

08/21/2018

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer, pleads guilty to eight counts in Manhattan Federal Court, including campaign finance violations and criminal tax evasion. Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, is found guilty on five tax fraud charges, one charge of hiding foreign bank accounts, and two charges of bank fraud.

10/06/2018

Press Release and Remarks announce Brett Kavanaugh is officially sworn in as an Associate Supreme Court Justice. A White House Ceremony takes place on 10/08/2018. Kavanaugh’s tumultuous confirmation hearings had involved reports of alcohol abuse and allegations from three women of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh was confirmed on a straight party-line vote.

11/06/2018

Tweets about several congressional races in the 2018 midterm elections. Democrats gain 30 seats in the House, shifting the majority to the Democrats 225-197. Republicans retain control of the Senate, gaining 2 seats.

11/07/2018

Tweets to announce Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, as new Acting Attorney General of the United States. Sessions resigned as Attorney General at Trump’s request. (See pdf of Sessions’ resignation letter.) In a Press Conference, does not mention Sessions but expresses satisfaction at the midterm election outcome.

12/06/2018

Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson gives a lengthy interview about his experiences with President Trump. “We are starkly different in our styles.” The next day, the President Tweets that Tillerson “didn’t have the mental capacity needed,” was “dumb as a rock,” and "lazy as hell.”

12/12/2018

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer, is sentenced to three years after complete cooperation with federal authorities and Special Counsel Robert Muller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Cohen admitted to several political and campaign finance violations, including bribing women to remain silent regarding alleged affairs with Trump during the 2016 campaign.

12/20/2018

Tweets that Secretary of Defense James Mattis will “retire with distinction” at the end of February. Trump and Mattis cite policy differences particularly over Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. (Click here for Mattis’ resignation letter.)

12/21/2018

Remarks on signing the First Step Act. The Act, passed with strong bipartisan support, reforms tough mandatory minimum sentences, and expands early-release programs. This enables the release of people sentenced to very long sentences for nonviolent crimes.

12/22/2018

Tweets his frustration with stalled negotiations to prevent a government shutdown on 12/21/2018. Democrats and Republicans fail to come to an agreement on funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and cannot finalize a federal government budget before the 12/22/2018 deadline. Lasting until 01/25/2019, the shutdown is the longest in U.S. history.

2019

01/25/2019

In Remarks announces a deal has been reached to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government.

02/15/2019

Statement on signing H.J. Res 31, also known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. This ends the shutdown. Congress agrees to provide $1.375 Billion for a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border in the agreement.

02/15/2019

Proclamation 9844 declares a national emergency at the U.S. southern border, citing “a border security and humanitarian crisis that threatens core national security interests.” The emergency declaration secures an additional $8 billion in funding to construct a border wall.

03/22/2019

Declines to comment in Remarks about Special Counsel Robert Mueller releasing his report to the Department of Justice for review.

03/24/2019

Makes Remarks stating that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report “did not find that the Trump campaign, or anyone associated with it, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in these efforts, despite multiple efforts from Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign.” Calls the report a “complete and total exoneration.”

04/18/2019

Tweets his satisfaction with the Department of Justice’s release of a redacted version of Special Counsel Mueller’s report. (Click here for Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Report on the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election.)

04/26/2019

During Remarks at the National Rifle Association (NRA) Legislative Institute for Legal Action Forum, announces that the United States is withdrawing from the United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty. The action is “reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries.”

05/08/2019

Issues Proclamation 9880 to “extend the suspension and limitation. . .on entry into the United States through the southern border established by Proclamation 9822and extended by Proclamation 9842.”

05/29/2019

Tweets in response to Special Counsel Robert Mueller officially closing his investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller summarizes key sections of the report in a Statement to reporters.

06/18/2019

In Remarks at a rally, officially announces candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2020.

06/27/2019

In Department of Commerce v. New York, the Supreme Court upholds the Secretary of Commerce in placing a “citizenship question” on the census, but returned the issue to the district court on the basis that evidence “does not match the Secretary’s explanation for his decision.” That is, the justification offered for the Administration’s action was not adequate.

06/30/2019

Remarks at a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Is the first U.S. president to enter North Korea. Kim Jong-un also walks over the demarcation line with Trump into South Korea.

07/11/2019

Remarks on issuing Executive Order 13880 to create an interagency process to use all relevant existing data to estimate the number of citizens and non-citizens are in the United States. In the Remarks, he suggests that states may want to use the information for the purposes of drawing legislative districts.

07/25/2019

Calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to congratulate him on his electoral victory. During the phone call, Trump asks Zelenskyy to investigate allegations of corruption surrounding Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Trump releases an unredacted transcript of the phone call on 09/25/2019.

08/12/2019

Tweets on 09/26/2019 addressing an official complaint from a U.S. intelligence community member regarding Trump’s phone call with President Zelenskyy. The complaint accuses Trump of seeking foreign interference to help win the 2020 election.

08/29/2019

Remarks on the establishment of the U.S. Space Command, responsible for military operations in space. The U.S. Space Force is the sixth branch of United States Armed Forces.

09/24/2019

Tweets in response to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that the House of Representatives will begin formal impeachment inquiries, including “PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT.” The inquiries come after a whistleblower’s complaint regarding Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy becomes public (see 07/25/2019). Click here for the Press Secretary’s Statement on the House impeachment inquiries.

10/08/2019

Statement by Press Secretary includes a link to a (pdf image of a) Letter from White House Counsel Pat Cipollone to Speaker Pelosi and Chairmen Engel, Schiff, and Cummings. The letter rejects the formal impeachment inquiry and asserts Trump’s refusal to cooperate. The Letter declares that “President Trump and his Administration cannot participate in [their] partisan and unconstitutional inquiry” under circumstances of which Trump objects.

10/27/2019

Remarks on the Death of Islamic State Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The ISIS leader had declared a caliphate in Syria and Iraq. He died by suicide during a raid by US troops.

11/13/2019

Campaign Statement condemns the House Intelligence Committee’s public broadcast of the impeachment hearing. Referring to government officials, the statement notes “the President of the United States sets foreign policy, not them. And disagreement on policy is not an impeachable offense.”

12/13/2019

Campaign Statement in response to the official submission of Articles of Impeachment H. Res. 755 on grounds of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” Trump becomes the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. The House adopts two Articles of impeachment: abuse of power (230-197) and obstruction of Congress(229-198).

12/17/2019

Releases Letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on the House of Representative’s impeachment inquiries. Writes “for the purpose of history and to put my thoughts on a permanent and indelible record.”

12/31/2019

The World Health Organization office in China notes and publicizes reports of “viral pneumonia” contracted in Wuhan, later known as COVID-19. Health experts believe the virus emerged in China from  early October to mid-November and had spread globally by January.

2020

01/03/2020

Remarks on Iranian General Qasem Soleimani’s death by drone strike in Iraq. “Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but [the U.S.] caught him in the act and terminated him.”

01/07/2020

Remarks on Iran’s missile attack on U.S. military bases in retaliation for the death of General Soleimani. The U.S. suffers no casualties and sustains minimal damage to the military bases.

01/20/2020

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports the first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. from a sample in Washington state.

01/29/2020

Remarks on signing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade agreement to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Calls the USMCA “the largest, fairest, most balanced, and modern trade agreement ever achieved.”

01/29/2020

Press Secretary Statement announces establishment of White House Coronavirus Task Force. The Task Force is charged with “leading the United States Government response to the novel 2019 coronavirus and with keeping him apprised of developments.”

01/31/2020

By Proclamation 9984 limits entry of foreign nationals from China in response to the emerging COVID-19 threat. Suspends entry into the U.S. for “all aliens who were physically present in the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Special Administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, during the 14-day period preceding their entry of attempted entry into the United States.”

02/05/2020

Campaign Statement and Tweets respond to the Senate’s vote to acquit Trump of both impeachment charges. The Senate votes fall short of the two-thirds majority required for conviction. The votes, mostly party-line, are 52-48 on Article I, abuse of power, and 53-47 on Article II, obstruction of Congress. on 02/06/2020.

02/06-2020

Address to the Nation (from the East Room) on the conclusion of the Senate impeachment. “We've been going through this now for over 3 years. It was evil. It was corrupt. It was dirty cops. It was leakers and liars. And this should never, ever happen to another President—ever.”

02/26/2020

At a News Conference, names Vice President Mike Pence to head Coronavirus Task Force as COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States.

02/29/2020

CDC Media Statement announces first reported death of an American citizen from COVID-19 in Seattle, Washington.

03/11/2020

Address to the Nation from the Oval Office in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Trump suspends all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. “We are responding with great speed and professionalism.”

03/13/2020

By Proclamation 9994, declares that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States is a national emergency. The declaration enables Trump to allocate additional funds for combatting the spread of COVID-19, modify healthcare program requirements, and establish public health mandates.

03/18/2020

Statement on Signing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, making emergency supplemental appropriations. Immediately designates funds for emergency use. Also see Administration Fact Sheet.

03/27/2020

Statement on signing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill to help struggling individuals, businesses, and governments.

04/03/2020

Government statistics (pdf) showed that in reaction to the coronavirus, the unemployment rate had risen from 3.5% to 4.4% while nonfarm employment dropped by over 700,000 people.

04/16/2020

Campaign Statement responding to the unemployment report criticizes Democrats for “playing politics.” “More than a million small businesses have been aided through the [Paycheck Protection Program], saving many millions of American jobs.”

05/25/2020

George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, is killed by Minneapolis police officers after his arrest on suspicion of attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill. Video of the event captures him saying “I can’t breathe.”

05/27/2020

As protests of the George Floyd killing spread across the nation, Tweets that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have been directed to expedite investigation into Floyd’s death.

05/29/2020

Remarks announce U.S. actions against China and withdrawal of United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). “China has total control over the World Health Organization, despite only paying $40 million per year compared to what the United States is paying, which is approximately $450 million per year.”

05/30/2020

Remarks while attending the SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft’s launch at the Kennedy Space Center—first private company to put humans into orbit. Comments at length on the death of George Floyd and resulting protests. “In America, justice is never achieved at the hands of an angry mob. I will not allow angry mobs to dominate.”

06/01/2020

Rose Garden Remarks on the nationwide demonstrations and civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. “These are not acts of peaceful protest. These are acts of domestic terror.” Calls for Governors to activate the National Guard so that “we dominate the streets. . . . [In Washington DC,] I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and wanton destruction of property.” Ends by saying “And now I’m going to pay my respects to a very, very special place.” See Pool Reports describing the subsequent events.

National Public Radio (NPR) reports U.S. Park Police and National Guard Troops used tear gas to clear protestors from Trump’s path permitting him to pose for photos at St. John’s Church in Lafayette Square.

06/13/2020

Tweets that he is changing to June 20 from June 19 a previously scheduled rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma after being informed it would occur on Juneteenth.

06/16/2020

Remarks on signing an Executive Order on Save Policing for Safe Communities. Discusses police violence and violent protest; community development, support of HBCUs, job growth.

06/18/2020

In Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California, the Supreme Court decides by a 5-4 vote that the Department of Homeland Security rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was “arbitrary and capricious.” Trump Tweets that the decision “gives the President of the United States far more power than EVER anticipated.” 

06/20/2020

Remarks at an indoor campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event is the President’s first rally since the public shutdown in March due to the spread of COVID-19.

07/05/2020

Formally notifies the United Nations of US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) effective July 6, 2021. [New York Times 07/07/2020 p.5.]

07/09/2020

In Trump v. Vance, the Supreme Court rules 7-2 that the State of New York could issue a grand jury subpoena for the President’s financial records. Assails the decision in numerous Tweets: “Not fair to this Presidency or Administration!”

07/30/2020

In a Tweet, suggests delaying the 2020 presidential election due to concerns over mail-in voter fraud. Trump expresses his desire to “delay the Election until people can properly, securely, and safely vote.”

08/06/2020

Issues Executive Orders 13942 and 13943 to ban TikTok and WeChat amid concerns the Chinese corporations behind the apps pose a national security threat. Trump intends to ban both apps if the parent companies do not sell them within 45 days.

08/08/2020

Takes four actions to aid Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Executive Order 13945, aimed at providing assistance to homeowners and renters, Memorandum on deferring student loan payments, Memorandum on deferring payroll tax obligations, and Memorandum authorizing additional funding to disaster relief agencies.  

08/10/2020

In a News Conference, calls for public schools to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, because “it’s a very important thing for the economy to get the schools going.”

08/20/2020

Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for Trump in 2016, is charged with fraud along with 3 others. Trump expresses surprise at the charges in Remarks prior to meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi of Iraq, asserting “I don’t know that he was in charge. I didn’t know any of the other people either.” Bannon is accused of defrauding donors by using money donated to construct a wall along the southern border for his personal benefit.

09/18/2020

Releases Statement on the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the age of 87. Trump commends her for having “inspired all Americans, and generations of great legal minds.” On the same night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that “President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.”

09/20/2020

Campaign Statement on the President’s intent to nominate a Supreme Court Justice to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. Great controversy ensued in light of Senate refusal to consider Obama’s 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland following the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

09/26/2020

Remarks in a well-attended Rose Garden event announcing his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Barrett is a Federal Appeals Court Judge and previously clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia. The announcement is followed by a reception in the White House.

09/27/2020

In a News Conference, responds to a story by the New York Times claiming Trump has not paid federal income taxes in 10 out of 15 years since 2000. Trump calls the story fake news and explains his tax returns have not been released because “they’ve been under audit for a long time.”

09/29/2020

First Presidential Debate. Trump family and guests did not wear protective masks.

10/02/2020

Tweets to announce he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19. Enter Walter Reed Hospital. Within days, numerous members of the press, Cabinet members, White House staffers, Members of Congress who had been involved in Debate preparation or attended the Coney-Barrett nomination announcement report positive COVID tests.

10/04/2020

Leaves Walter Reed Hospital briefly for a ride in his car to wave at supporters.

10/05/2020

Tweets that he will be leaving Walter Reed Hospital at 6:30 pm. “Feeling really good!” On returning to the White House, climbs stairs to the balcony and offers a prolonged salute.

10/08/2020

Campaign Statement criticizes the decisions by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to cancel the second presidential debate. The debate is canceled amid fears opponent Joe Biden would contract COVID-19 from Trump.

10/26/2020

Issues a Campaign Statement on the Senate’s confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. The 52-45 vote was largely divided along party lines and occurred eight days before the 2020 presidential election.

10/28/2020

In brief orders, the Supreme Court declines to act to prevent state election officials to continue to count absentee ballots received after election day. (link to pdfs of orders for North Carolina and Pennsylvania)

11/02/2020

Holds several campaign rallies in major swing states during the presidential campaign’s final days. Stops include: Fayetteville, NC, Avoca, PA, Traverse City, MI, Kenosha, WI, and Grand Rapids, MI. Grand Rapids is where Trump ended his successful 2016 presidential campaign. In Milwaukee, calls the Supreme Court actions of 10/28/2020 “very dangerous. . . it allows cheating.”

11/03/2020

Election Day. Trump earns 213 electoral votes and 47% of the popular vote. The election features an unusually high amount of mail-in votes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a longer counting process. A winner is not determined by late in the evening.

11/04/2020

Declares he has won the 2020 presidential election in a Campaign Press Release. Asserts uncounted ballots remaining in key swing states are fraudulent and takes legal action in Georgia and Michigan action to have the votes recounted. Trump's vote totals in Wisconsin are within the limits specified in law to receive a recount.

11/07/2020

Releases a Campaign Statement accusing the media of helping Joe Biden steal the election after major news networks declaring Biden has won the election. Trump files a lawsuit in Arizona alleging Maricopa County incorrectly rejected votes cast by in-person voters on election day. Joe Biden delivers an Acceptance Speech in Wilmington, Delaware.

11/23/2020

Trump's legal team releases a Statement contesting the certification of the election results. Trump Tweets some swing states had more votes than people who voted, suggesting mail-in ballots securing Biden the election are fraudulent.

12/02/2020

Makes Remarks contesting the claim that the 2020 presidential election results are legitimate. Trump makes the case that there was of widespread voter fraud and irregularities on election day.

12/11/2020

In an unsigned order (view pdf of order) the Court denies the application of the State of Texas to order the state of Pennsylvania (and others) not to certify their Presidential election results. “Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections. All other pending motions are dismissed as moot.”

12/11/2020

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. The EUA “allows the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the U.S.”

12/12/2020

In a series of Tweets, assails the Supreme Court’s order of 12/11/2020. “This is a great and disgraceful miscarriage of justice. The people of the United States were cheated, and our Country disgraced. Never even given our day in Court!”

12/13/2020

Continues to dispute the Supreme Court’s rejection of voter fraud claims in a series of Tweets. Trump blames “Republicans in Name Only” (RINOs) for allowing Democrats to steal the 2020 presidential election.

12/14/2020

Announces via Tweet Attorney General Bill Barr will not return to his post after going on holiday for Christmas. The departure is heavily motivated by Barr’s conclusion that no widespread voter fraud occurred in the 2020 presidential election. Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen becomes Acting Attorney General.

12/16/2020

Legal battle for the presidency ends as the Electoral College formally votes Joe Biden and Kamala Harris into office. Trump continues to contest the election’s legitimacy in a series of Tweets.

12/19/2020

Tweets that a recently released report shows “Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild.”

01/02/2021

Calls Georgia Governor’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, among other officials, expressing his desire to “find 11,780 votes” in Georgia. Officials in Raffensperger’s office later leaked a tape of the call to the press.

01/06/2021

Delivers a Speech in Washington, D.C. urging supporters the election is being stolen, warning, “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” 2,000-2,500 individuals storm the Capitol Building immediately following the speech, intending to stop a joint session of Congress from ratifying the votes of the Electoral College. Groups including the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and the Three Percenters are significantly involved in the riot, causing a lockdown and evacuation of the Capitol. During the events, one person dies of a drug overdose, two die of a heart attack, one dies of a stroke, and one dies after being shot by Capitol Police.

01/08/2021

In a corporate Statement, social media platform Twitter announces its decision to “permanently suspend [Trump’s] account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.” On 06/04/2021, Meta, parent company of Instagram and Facebook, announce their decision to suspend Trump accounts for two years “following his praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6.” Trump’s suspension from Instagram and Facebook is retroactive to the initial suspension date of January 7th.

Trump issues a Statement saying that Twitter "are all about promoting a Radical left platform where some of the most vicious people in the world are allowed to speak freely."

01/13/2021

The House of Representatives introduces one Article of Impeachment against the President for “incitement of insurrection.” The House votes to impeach Trump 232-197, with 10 Republicans voting in favor. The vote marks the first time in U.S. history a federal official has been impeached and acquitted twice. The Senate will not consider the matter in a trial until after Trump has left office, instead focusing on an orderly transfer of power.

01/20/2021

Delivers a Remarks at Joint Base Andrews (MD) prior to his departure, and officially leaves office. Trump is the first president since 1869 to skip his successor’s inauguration. He grants clemency to over 70 people in a Statement by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, including Elliot Brody, former Deputy National Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee, and former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon.