The major decisions, laws, court rulings and world events of Donald Trump’s second presidency, month by month, with a source for every entry.
Last updated:
Trump’s second term began on January 20, 2025 and runs to January 20, 2029. As of October 22, 2026, day 641 of the term, this timeline lists 96 major events, from the day-one executive orders to the most recent entry, dated September 24, 2026.
Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for talks and a state dinner during a three-day state visit.
Source: NPR
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (P.L. 119-111), which passed the Senate 86–11 and the House 262–159.
Source: Congress.gov
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point to a range of 3.75% to 4.00% in a 12–0 vote, its first increase since 2023.
Source: Federal Reserve
Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, funding the government through Dec. 11, 2026, and avoiding an Oct. 1 shutdown.
Source: White House
Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods after trade talks broke down.
Source: CNBC
Todd Blanche was sworn in as attorney general after a 50–49 Senate confirmation vote.
Source: PBS NewsHour
Trump imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, citing Canada’s treatment of American autos, alcohol and dairy products.
Source: NPR
Trump announced the reinstatement of the blockade of Iranian ports and proposed a 20% fee on cargo through the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: CNBC
In Trump v. Barbara, the Supreme Court held that children born in the U.S. to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are citizens at birth, invalidating the January 2025 executive order.
Source: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the president may remove FTC commissioners at will and overruled what remained of Humphrey’s Executor (1935).
Source: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court voted 5–4 to deny the administration’s request, allowing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to remain while her challenge to her removal continues.
Source: Supreme Court
Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed an interim agreement to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions.
Source: NBC News
Trump signed a second budget reconciliation law providing roughly $70 billion for immigration enforcement through the end of his term.
Source: NPR
Ken Paxton, endorsed by Trump the week before, won the Republican Senate runoff over Sen. John Cornyn.
Source: NPR
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard resigned, citing her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
Source: The Guardian
Trump arrived in Beijing for a state visit and talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the first visit to China by a U.S. president since 2017.
Source: The Guardian
The Senate voted 54–45 to confirm Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve.
Source: NPR
Trump signed a bill funding most of the Department of Homeland Security, ending a lapse that began Feb. 14, the longest for a single department on record.
Source: PBS NewsHour
The Supreme Court held that Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander because the Voting Rights Act did not require it.
Source: Supreme Court
A gunman fired at a security screening area at the Washington Hilton; Trump was evacuated unharmed, and the suspect was charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
Source: NPR
Talks led by Vice President Vance ended without agreement, and the U.S. announced a blockade of Iranian ports.
Source: NPR
Trump announced a Pakistan-mediated two-week ceasefire with Iran conditioned on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: NPR
Trump announced Attorney General Pam Bondi’s departure, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche became acting attorney general.
Source: NPR
The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin to succeed Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security.
Source: NPR
James Talarico won the Democratic Senate nomination, while Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton advanced to a Republican runoff.
Source: NPR
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Iran retaliated across the region.
Source: NPR
Trump addressed a joint session of Congress; Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger gave the Democratic response.
Source: NPR
In Learning Resources v. Trump, the Supreme Court held 6–3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.
Source: Supreme Court
Trump proclaimed a 10% surcharge on imports for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, starting Feb. 24.
Source: White House
The Department of Homeland Security lost routine funding after Congress and the White House did not agree on immigration-enforcement terms.
Source: PBS NewsHour
After a 217–214 House vote, Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, funding most agencies through Sept. 30 and Homeland Security through Feb. 13.
Source: PBS NewsHour
Trump announced former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as his choice to succeed Jerome Powell, whose term as chair ended in May.
Source: NPR
The Justice Department released about 3 million pages plus videos and images under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Source: NPR
Federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, prompting disputes over the federal account of the shooting.
Source: NPR
The Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department announced the United States had completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
Source: ABC News
After meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump ruled out using force, announced a framework for a future Arctic deal and dropped the planned tariffs.
Source: NPR
Trump said goods from eight European countries that opposed U.S. control of Greenland would face a 10% tariff from February, rising to 25% in June.
Source: NPR
The House voted 248–177 and 236–188 to override Trump’s two December vetoes, short of the two-thirds required.
Source: CBS News
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, during an immigration operation, prompting protests.
Source: NPR
U.S. forces struck targets in and around Caracas and took Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to New York to face narco-terrorism charges.
Source: PBS NewsHour
Trump vetoed H.R. 131, a Colorado water pipeline bill, and H.R. 504, a Miccosukee Tribe land bill, both of which had passed Congress by voice vote.
Source: White House
At the law’s deadline, the Justice Department released an initial batch of Epstein files, many of them redacted.
Source: NPR
Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, days after U.S. forces seized a tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
Source: NPR
The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%.
Source: Federal Reserve
Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot near the White House; Spc. Sarah Beckstrom died, and an Afghan national was charged.
Source: NPR
A federal judge dismissed the indictments of James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding the interim U.S. attorney who brought them was not lawfully appointed.
Source: Wikipedia
After the House passed it 427–1 and the Senate by unanimous consent, Trump signed a law requiring the Justice Department to release its Epstein files within 30 days.
Source: NPR
The Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, 13–0 with China and Russia abstaining, endorsing the U.S. plan for Gaza and a transitional Board of Peace.
Source: U.N. News via GlobalSecurity.org
Trump signed a funding bill ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, and funding most of the government through Jan. 30.
Source: PBS NewsHour
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Learning Resources v. Trump on whether IEEPA authorizes the president to impose tariffs.
Source: Supreme Court
Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger won the New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races, Zohran Mamdani was elected New York City mayor, and California voters approved Proposition 50.
Source: Wikipedia
Trump held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan.
Source: Wikipedia
The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%.
Source: Federal Reserve
Demolition began on the White House East Wing to make way for a planned ballroom.
Source: NPR
A federal grand jury in Maryland indicted former national security adviser John Bolton on 18 counts related to national defense information.
Source: Axios
Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as Trump addressed Israel’s parliament.
Source: NPR
A ceasefire under the U.S.-brokered plan took effect in Gaza after Israel’s Cabinet approved the deal.
Source: PBS NewsHour
The federal government shut down after Congress did not pass funding legislation amid a dispute over Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Source: NPR
A federal grand jury in Virginia indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of making a false statement and obstruction tied to 2020 Senate testimony.
Source: NPR
The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate by a quarter point to a range of 4.00% to 4.25%.
Source: Federal Reserve
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Source: NPR
Executive Order 14347 authorized “Department of War” and “Secretary of War” as secondary titles for the Defense Department and its secretary.
Source: Federal Register
The U.S. military struck a vessel that Trump said was operated by Tren de Aragua after leaving Venezuela, killing 11 people, the first of a series of such strikes.
Source: Axios
The Federal Circuit ruled 7–4 that the IEEPA tariffs exceeded the president’s authority, leaving them in place pending Supreme Court review.
Source: Jenner & Block
Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over mortgage-fraud allegations; Cook refused to resign and sued.
Source: NPR
Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage without reaching an agreement on Ukraine.
Source: NPR
Trump invoked the D.C. Home Rule Act to direct the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed the D.C. National Guard.
Source: NPR
Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after a jobs report showed weak July hiring and large downward revisions.
Source: NPR
Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a framework setting a 15% U.S. tariff on most EU goods.
Source: NPR
Trump signed a law canceling about $7.9 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Source: Wikipedia
Trump signed the GENIUS Act (P.L. 119-27), creating a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.
Source: White House
The Senate confirmed Whitney Hermandorfer to the 6th Circuit, 46–42, the first appeals court judge of Trump’s second term.
Source: U.S. Senate
A Justice Department and FBI memo said there was no evidence of a Jeffrey Epstein “client list” and that no further disclosure was warranted.
Source: NPR
Trump signed the budget reconciliation law extending the 2017 tax cuts, changing Medicaid and raising immigration enforcement and defense spending; it passed the House 218–214.
Source: NPR
The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that federal courts likely lack authority to issue universal injunctions, without deciding whether the birthright citizenship order was lawful.
Source: Wikipedia
Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran after Iran fired missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar.
Source: NPR
U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, and Trump addressed the nation that night.
Source: NPR
A military parade in Washington marked the Army’s 250th anniversary on Trump’s birthday, as “No Kings” protests took place nationwide.
Source: NPR
Trump federalized at least 2,000 National Guard members to protect federal immigration functions during Los Angeles protests, without California’s consent.
Source: White House
Trump signed a proclamation fully restricting entry from 12 countries and partially restricting entry from seven others.
Source: Wikipedia
Trump held an Oval Office send-off for Elon Musk, who ended his role as a special government employee leading DOGE.
Source: NPR
The Defense Department accepted a Boeing 747-8 from Qatar’s royal family for use as Air Force One.
Source: Wikipedia
Moody’s lowered the U.S. sovereign rating from Aaa to Aa1, citing rising federal debt and deficits.
Source: PBS NewsHour
The U.S. lowered tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% and China lowered its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10% for 90 days.
Source: PBS NewsHour
Trump said Mike Waltz would be nominated as U.N. ambassador, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio serving as acting national security adviser.
Source: NPR
The Supreme Court said the government must “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had been deported to El Salvador.
Source: Wikipedia
Trump paused reciprocal tariffs above 10% for 90 days for most countries while raising tariffs on Chinese goods.
Source: NPR
Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on most imports and higher country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs under IEEPA.
Source: NPR
The Atlantic’s editor reported he had been added to a Signal group chat in which senior officials discussed planned U.S. strikes in Yemen.
Source: Wikipedia
Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act against alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and U.S. District Judge James Boasberg temporarily blocked deportations under it.
Source: Wikipedia
The 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico took effect and the additional tariff on Chinese imports rose to 20%; some were paused two days later.
Source: PBS NewsHour
An Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended early, and a planned minerals agreement signing was canceled.
Source: NPR
Trump signed orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico (10% on Canadian energy) and 10% on China, citing fentanyl and migration.
Source: White House
Trump signed the Laken Riley Act (P.L. 119-1), which requires detention of certain noncitizens charged with theft and violent crimes.
Source: Congress.gov
Trump was sworn in as the 47th president and signed orders that included ending birthright citizenship for children of parents without legal status, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, and creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Source: NPR
Trump pardoned about 1,500 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and commuted the sentences of 14 others.
Source: PBS NewsHour
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president at noon on January 20, 2025. Under the 20th Amendment his term ends at noon on January 20, 2029, and the 22nd Amendment bars him from being elected to a third term.
On January 20, 2025, Trump signed executive orders that included ending birthright citizenship for children of parents without legal status, withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization, and creating the Department of Government Efficiency. He also pardoned about 1,500 people charged over the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The full-government shutdown from October 1 to November 12, 2025, lasted 43 days, the longest in U.S. history. A separate lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding ran from February 14 to April 30, 2026.
On February 20, 2026, in Learning Resources v. Trump, the Court held 6–3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. The same day, Trump proclaimed a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Courts blocked it soon after it was signed. In Trump v. CASA (June 27, 2025) the Supreme Court limited universal injunctions without ruling on the order itself. On June 30, 2026, in Trump v. Barbara, the Court held that children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are citizens at birth, invalidating the order.
It lists 96 events with national or international impact, each tied to an official record or a major news report. It is not exhaustive: routine executive orders, minor laws and daily statements are tracked on our executive orders and bills pages.
Each entry links to its own source. Primary records used throughout:
Editorial note: entries describe what happened and when, without assessing it. Dates are U.S. Eastern Time. Events are added as they happen; spotted an error or a missing event? Contact us.
TrumpInsight Editorial Team
News & Research Desk
We track Donald Trump's presidency using official records, court filings and reporting from major outlets.
Every executive order of the second term
Every law and veto of the second term
Federal judges confirmed in the second term
Who serves in the Cabinet and who has left
Major court cases over administration policies
Countdown and race ratings for Congress