• Here’s a 10-point factual summary of what Donald J. Trump has done in the past 21 days:

  1. The federal government shutdown became the longest in U.S. history, surpassing previous records, with significant disruption to services. The Washington Post+1

  2. The Supreme Court of the United States issued an emergency order temporarily blocking full funding of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments following an appeals-court ruling requiring full funding. The Guardian

  3. Trump publicly suggested redirecting federal money currently used to subsidize insurance under the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) toward direct payments to individuals. The Guardian

  4. He pressed Republicans in the Senate to consider eliminating the filibuster to push through funding in the context of the shutdown. The Washington Post+1

  5. Executive orders were issued modifying U.S. tariff policies — including duties related to imports and trade arrangements — as part of his economic‐trade agenda. The White House+1

  6. The White House called on universities to align with the administration’s ideological priorities, and protests by students and faculty erupted on more than 100 campuses in response. The Guardian

  7. Trump faced increasing legal and institutional pushback: courts and other federal institutions signalled limits to his unilateral actions, especially concerning budget/aid decisions and emergency powers. The Guardian+1

  8. He made public statements emphasizing the importance of converting federal welfare funding into “self-reliance” mechanisms—though details and transition plans remain vague. (based on his remarks and policy direction)

  9. Funding reallocations and budget maneuvers under his administration triggered concern about executive overreach in spending decisions while Congress remains in deadlock. The Washington Post+1

  10. Trump’s messaging emphasized a return to manufacturing and domestic supply-chain priorities, positioning trade and tariff policy as central to his economic platform in this 21-day span. The White House+1

🕊️ Foreign Policy & Military Actions

• Covert Operations in Venezuela
  President Trump confirmed the authorization of CIA operations in Venezuela, citing concerns over drug trafficking and the release of prisoners into the U.S. He also hinted at the possibility of U.S. land operations in the region. AP News+1

• Naval Strikes in the Caribbean
  The U.S. Navy conducted strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels originating from Venezuela, resulting in multiple casualties. The administration labeled drug cartels as “unlawful combatants,” a move that has drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress. Wikipedia+1

• India Ceases Russian Oil Imports
  President Trump announced that India will stop purchasing oil from Russia, marking a significant diplomatic shift and easing tensions between the U.S. and India. Politico

🏛️ Domestic Affairs

• Wealthy Donor Dinner at the White House
  President Trump hosted a lavish dinner for approximately 130 top donors and political allies at the White House, celebrating the progress on a $250 million renovation project to build a new, bulletproof-glass-clad White House ballroom. AP News

• Federal Judge Halts Mass Layoffs
  A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to lay off over 4,100 federal workers during the government shutdown, ruling in favor of unions that argued the layoffs were illegal. The Washington Post

🏗️ Infrastructure & Monuments

• Plans for the ‘Arc de Trump’
  President Trump revealed plans for a monumental arch in Washington, D.C., dubbed the “Arc de Trump,” to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. The proposed structure would be situated near the Lincoln Memorial. TIME+1

Here are the key actions taken by President Donald Trump in the past two weeks

Trump News (Last 14 Days)

• Trump called for U.S. public companies to move from quarterly to semi-annual financial reporting. Financial Times

• The administration is expected to again extend the September 17 deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets or face a shutdown. Reuters

• Trump and Treasury Secretary Bessent said the U.S. and China have reached a tentative agreement over ownership of TikTok to avoid a nationwide ban. The Washington Post

• The White House has requested an additional $58 million from Congress for enhanced security for the executive and judicial branches following the killing of Charlie Kirk. The Guardian

• Trump announced he will send the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, citing concerns about crime. AP News

• During state visit negotiations with the UK, U.S. and Britain are set to announce over $10 billion in economic deals, including in science & tech, civil nuclear cooperation, and defense technology. Reuters

• He called for the death penalty for the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing. The Guardian

• Trump has threatened to retake control of Washington D.C. police over disagreements regarding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) enforcement. The Washington Post

• Barron Trump transferred from NYU’s Manhattan campus to NYU’s Washington, D.C. campus.

Here are the key actions taken by President Donald Trump in the past two weeks (August 1–15, 2025)

Here’s what President Trump has been up to over the past two weeks:

Key Highlights: What Trump Has Done Recently

1. Tariffs Face Legal Blow

A federal appeals court ruled in a 7–4 decision that Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose broad “reciprocal” tariffs exceeded his authority—but, for now, the tariffs remain in effect as the administration appeals to the Supreme Court. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain unaffected for the moment.

2. Crime Crackdown & Militarized Policing

Trump has authorized aggressive federal intervention in crime-fighting efforts, including deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and planning deployments to Chicago. He’s empowered them with strong authority, including using force as a last resort, drawing comparisons to authoritarian tactics.

3. Lisa Cook Fires Back

Fed Governor Lisa Cook has vowed to sue, arguing that Trump’s attempt to fire her on unfounded mortgage fraud allegations is illegal and undermines the Federal Reserve’s independence.

4. White House Contractor Banned Over Rose Garden Damage

After discovering a “deep and nasty” 25-yard crack in the newly renovated Rose Garden patio, Trump publicly named and banned the contractor responsible. He confirmed the damage occurred due to a steel cart scraping the limestone and vowed to replace the stone and charge the subcontractor.

5. Critics Decry Lack of Cabinet Diversity

The Guardian spotlighted mounting criticism of Trump’s cabinet composition—revealing that only one Black individual serves among 24 senior officials. The firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and others is being seen by critics as a deliberate rollback of racial representation and equity in government.

6. Diplomatic Snub from India’s PM

Reports reveal that Prime Minister Modi declined Trump’s recent invitations to travel to Washington, signaling a diplomatic distancing and frustration over Trump’s media-driven approach and “photo-op” focus.

At a Glance

Here are the key actions taken by President Donald Trump in the past two weeks (August 1–15, 2025)

🇺🇸 Domestic Policy

1. Federal Control of Washington, D.C. Police

On August 11, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum titled “Restoring Law and Order in the District of Columbia,” directing the mobilization of the District of Columbia National Guard to active service. This move was justified as a response to what the administration described as an “epidemic of crime” in the nation’s capital. The deployment includes 800 National Guard troops and represents a significant assertion of federal authority over local law enforcement. The White House+1Reuters+2The Times of India+2

2. Executive Orders on Competition and Trade

On August 13, President Trump signed several executive orders aimed at enhancing U.S. competitiveness and addressing trade relations:The White House

• Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry: This executive order seeks to foster competition and substantially increase commercial space launch activities by 2030 through streamlined licensing and permitting processes. New York Post+9Holland & Knight+9Office of Space Commerce+9

• Ensuring American Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience: This order directs federal agencies to fill the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve, aiming to strengthen the nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain. The White House+2The White House+2

• Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates with China: In response to ongoing trade discussions with China, this executive order adjusts tariff rates to reflect the current state of negotiations. The White House

3. Executive Order on Fair Banking

On August 7, President Trump signed the “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans” executive order. This directive mandates federal agencies to address the issue of “debanking,” which involves the denial or termination of financial services based on political views, religious beliefs, or industry affiliation. The order aims to ensure that all Americans have access to fair banking services. Sidley Austin+1

🌐 Foreign Policy

4. Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin

On August 15, President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit focused on negotiating an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. President Trump expressed urgency for an immediate ceasefire and signaled severe economic sanctions if Russia fails to engage seriously. He also hinted at possible U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine in coordination with European allies, though not within the framework of NATO. The Guardian