Trump Law-Breaking and Corruption Tracker
Protecting our democracy by tracking assaults on it
During the pandemic, we were dissatisfied with the way our state and local health care departments presented Covid data, so we created our own Excel spreadsheet to better track what was happening and to help inform our personal and policy decisions. We’re not saying the 2nd Trump administration is a disease—though if there were a vaccine for it, they likely wouldn’t take it—but the administration’s action are already stressing American democracy.
So, we have started a Trump Law-Breaking and Corruption Tracker. This tracker documents instances of the administration breaking the law as well as acts of political corruption. It does not address policy issues, so you will not find items like the DEI executive order or the policy to halt NIH grants on the list. Regardless of one’s views on these policies, they are neither illegal nor do they directly undermine our democracy.
We list instances of law-breaking and corruption separately and in chronological order, from most recent to oldest. Undoubtedly, we may miss some items, so feel free to let us know if you spot anything we’ve overlooked. We plan to update this list weekly.
Breaking the Law
· Firing Inspector Generals at various agencies. January 24, 2025
The law requires the president to notify Congress 30 days before firing an inspector general.
Trump fires at least 14 independent inspectors general in late-night purge - The Washington Post
· Blocking entry to migrants who have passed through countries with communicable diseases. January 20th 2025
Title 42 requires citing a specific communicable disease threat. The Trump administration did not do this.
Diseased Illegal Immigrants Aren't "Invading" the United States | Cato at Liberty Blog
· Issues unconstitutional executive order on birth right citizenship. January 20, 2025
To end such citizenship requires a constitutional amendment, not an executive order. The president does not have such power.
Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship – The White House
· Tik Tok 75-day extension. January 20, 2025
There is no provision in the law for doing this (Biden also broke the law in his last day in office). The TikTok law provides for a 90-day extension, if Congress certifies there is tangible divestment of the company occurring. No such certification was made, no divestment was occurring.
TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Halts Ban For 75 Days—After CEO Attends Inauguration
Corruption
· Pardoned and commuted sentences of January 6 insurrectionists. January 20th, 2025
Excuses past anti-democratic behavior and sanctions future such efforts
Trump pardons some 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters, commutes 14 sentences : NPR
· Executive Order “Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government. January 20, 2025
Orders the federal government to investigate those who investigated the insurrection of January 6, 2020. It makes a baseless claim of persecution of insurrectionists: “And while the Department of Justice has ruthlessly prosecuted more than 1,500 individuals associated with January 6, and simultaneously dropped nearly all cases against BLM rioters. “
Ending The Weaponization Of The Federal Government – The White House
· Creation of meme coin, $Trump. January 18, 2025
Enriches Trump and his family by allowing individuals to buy his meme coin. This can easily become influence peddling.
Trump launches his own $TRUMP meme coin, price soars overnight - CBS News