The following is atimeline of thefirst presidency of Donald Trump during the first quarter of 2017, beginning from hisinauguration as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017, to March 31, 2017.
Trump'sfirst presidential transition began on November 9, 2016, when the media called the2016 presidential election. The period saw the creation of Trump's transition team, composed of political outsiders, businesspeople, and high-ranking military figures,[1] and saw the removal ofChris Christie, thegovernor of New Jersey, as transition chairman,[2] as well as the appointment of Trump's son-in-law,Jared Kushner, as asenior advisor.[3] Approximately 4,000 positions in the federal government were filed across the executive branch.[4] Trump also announced theTrump Organization would transfer management to his older children, though that he would retain ownership.[5]
During the first quarter of 2017,Executive Order 13769 was signed on January 27, which suspended refugee admissions and barred citizens of seven countries from entering the US, prompting legal challenges and partial stays leading to a nationwide block upheld February 9.Executive Order 13780, a revised order removingIraq from the ban and which clarified lawful permanent residents were exempt from it, was issued on March 6; it was similarly enjoined between March 15–16, with the injunction extended on March 29. A fight to secure funding for the construction of theMexico–United States border wall began with executive orders issued on January 25, which also expanded immigration enforcement, altered deportation priorities, and sought to penalize sanctuary jurisdictions. On February 21, theTrump administration issued memoranda announcing 15,000 additional immigration enforcement roles and broader removal policies.
US realgross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 0.7% this quarter, the slowest pace since early 2014. Growth was driven by increased business investment and services, but held back by declines in motor vehicles, inventories, and government spending.[6] As of March 31, 2017, the national debt was $19.8 trillion,[7] down 0.65% from the previous quarter.[8]According toFiveThirtyEight, Trump'sapproval rate at the end of March was 40.5%, down 5% from the start of his presidency.[9] This placed him well below the approval levels typically seen this early in a president's first term,[10] continuing a steady decline that began shortly after his inauguration.[11] It reflected growing dissatisfaction over policies such as the attempted repeal of theAffordable Care Act;[12][13] the sharpest declines were seem amongindependents and younger voters.[14]
According to contested reports in December 2017, while seated at Trump's inauguration speech, forthcomingNational Security AdvisorMichael Flynn texts a former business partner thatRussian sanctions blocking a private Russian-backed plan to build nuclear plants in the Middle East will now be "ripped up".[17][18]
State officials inFlorida,Delaware, andNew York confirm they have not received paperwork that Trump has relinquished control over his companies, despite earlier promises to do so.[19]
White House Press SecretarySean Spicer accuses the media of inaccurately representing the presidential inauguration attendance.[30] Spicer does not take questions from the press and is criticized for making inaccurate statements.[31][32][33]
Trump appoints Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor.[34]
Two US drone strikes inYemen'sAl Bayda Governorate are the first reported drone actions under the Trump administration.[35]
Possible secure video call to discuss sanctions against theFSB andGRU between Trump andRussian presidentVladimir Putin, suggested by Russian ambassadorSergey Kislyak to National Security Advisor Flynn during a December 29, 2016 phone call.[36]
Women's March demonstrators in Washington, D.C.Trump delivers remarks at CIA headquarters
Trump claims 3–5 million illegal votes cost him thepopular vote in a private meeting with congressional leaders.[46]
Trump speaks withEgyptian presidentAbdel Fattah el-Sisi, saying the US remains committed to their relationship and to continue military assistance toEgypt, discussing ways the US could support Egypt's economic reform program.[40]
Trump signsExecutive Order 13766, which expedites environmental reviews and approvals for future infrastructure projects.[51]
Trump signs four memoranda. Two of them reverse the Obama administration's halt on theKeystone XL[52] andDakota Access[53] oil pipelines, the latter of which had been the subject ofprotests by theStanding Rock tribe. Trump says these projects will recover 28,000 jobs. Another memorandum requires the pipelines use domestic steel[54] (a directive shortly overturned by the White House in respect of Keystone),[55] and the last calls for "expedited reviews of and approvals for" manufacturing facilities and "reductions in regulatory burdens" affecting domestic manufacturing.[56]
National Security Advisor Flynn is interviewed by theFBI about prior conversations with Russian ambassador Kislyak.[58] Flynn pleads guilty on December 1, 2017, to lying during the interview.[59][60]
Trump issuesExecutive Order 13768, cutting federal funding forsanctuary cities who refuse to comply withimmigration enforcement measures. The order also increases border patrol and immigration officers and changes deportation standards.[64]
ActingAttorney GeneralSally Yates informs White House CounselDon McGahn that National Security Advisor Flynn's public account of his interactions with Russian officials during the transition were untruthful, making him vulnerable to blackmail.[72][73]
Trump aboardAir Force One during a trip to Philadelphia
Friday,January 27
Trump speaks with Mexican president Nieto on the phone to discussUS–Mexico relations in lieu of their canceled meeting.[74]
Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with British prime minister May at the White House, where they discuss sanctions on Russia,NATO, US torture policy. May is the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his inauguration.[75][76]
Trump has a one-on-one dinner withFBI DirectorJames Comey. Later news reports state Trump asked Comey to pledge loyalty to him, and that Comey demurred. The White House denies this version of events.[80]
Foreign Advisor Papadopoulos is interviewed by the FBI concerning Russian meetings in 2016. He pleads guilty in October 2017 to making omissions and false statements during the interview.[81][82]
Trump signsExecutive Order 13770, which enacts a five-year ban on lobbying for presidential appointees after leaving the White House.[84] He also enacts a lifetime ban for officials lobbying on behalf of a foreign government and directs his generals to put together a plan within 30 days for defeating ISIS.[85]
Executive Order 13769 goes into effect. Iran says it will take reciprocal action against the US.[86] District JudgeAnn Donnelly in New York grants astay of the executive order, allowing people with valid visas who landed in the US to temporarily remain in the country.[87]
Trump signs a memorandum to create a plan within 30 days to defeat ISIS, and another to restructure theNational andHomeland Security Councils by downgrading theChiefs of Staff and appointing Assistant to the President and Chief StrategistSteve Bannon.[88][89]
Apetition, launched on Sunday to cancel Trump's state visit to theUnited Kingdom in October, tops 1 million signatures, passing the threshold forBritish Parliament debate.[100] The petition eventually reaches 1.8 million signatures. A British government spokesman says the state visit will still go ahead as planned.[101]
TheIraqi Parliament votes in favor of a reciprocal travel ban on American citizens if Trump's executive order barring citizens of Iraq and six other Muslim-majority countries is not reversed. The Iraqi travel ban is not implemented as tens of thousands of US soldiers and contractors are involved in the fight against ISIS.[102]
Trump visitsDover Air Force Base for the arrival of the remains ofNavy SEAL Chief Special Warfare OperatorWilliam Owens who had been killed in action in Yemen three days prior, the first known combat death under the Trump administration.[107]
The Senate confirmsRex Tillerson as the 69th US Secretary of State in a vote of 56–43.[108]
Trump discussesa refugee agreement in a truncated phone call with Australian prime minister Turnbull, describing it to Turnbull as a "disgusting deal".[109][110]
Ambassador to the UN Haley declares to theUN Security Council that sanctions against Russia for itsCrimean conflict will not be lifted until Russia returns control of the region toUkraine.[121]
Then-Uber CEOTravis Kalanick resigns from the president's business advisory council, citing a concern that his participation would be seen as an endorsement of Trump.[122]
A Palestinian boy and an Israeli soldier in front of theWest Bank barrier
Trump signs a memorandum directing theDepartment of Labor to review a fiduciary rule signed during the Obama administration, before its implementation in April.[124]
Trump institutes economic sanctions on 13 Iranian individuals and 12 companies from the nation[125] after a recent ballistic missile test.[126]
The Department of the Treasury launches sanctions against supporters of Iran's ballistic missile program.[131]
Trump's weekly address
Saturday,February 4
Trump's officialFacebook page makes a false claim aboutKuwait instating a travel ban similar to Executive Order 13769, while the Department of Justice appeals a court decision to overturn the executive order.[132][133] Trump criticizes Federal Judge Robart for making the decision, referring to him as a "so-called judge".[134]
Trump participates in the swearing-in of Sessions as Attorney General
Friday,February 10
Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with Japanese prime minister Abe at the White House.[158] The two leaders travel toMar-a-Lago inPalm Beach, Florida.[159]
Aboard Air Force One, Trump tells reporters he is considering issuing a revised policy banning citizens of certain countries from traveling to the US.[162]
Michael Flynn resigns as National Security Advisor following alleged discussions with Russian ambassador Kislyak regardingUS sanctions on Russia.Keith Kellogg becomes acting National Security Advisor.[169][170]
A joint press conference between Trump and Trudeau
Tuesday,February 14
FBI Director Comey and other officials give Trump a briefing oncounterterrorism in theOval Office.[176][177] According to a statement Comey later makes to the Senate Intelligence Committee, after the briefing Trump speaks to Comey one-on-one about the FBI's investigation of Michael Flynn, saying "I hope you can let this go".[178]
Trump signsH.J.Res.41 into law, which nullifies a federal law requiring resource-extraction issuers to disclose payments made for "commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals" with foreign and domestic governments. He is the first president in sixteen years to sign aCongressional Review Act disapproval resolution.[182][183][184]
Trump and Secretary of Education DeVos at a parent-teacher conference
Wednesday,February 15
Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Netanyahu at the White House. He calls on Netanyahu to "hold back" the construction of settlements in the West Bank.[185]
Chief of Staff Priebus asksDeputy Director of the FBIAndrew McCabe to publicly dispute reports that associates of Trump had been in regular communication with Russian agents, and is rebuffed.[188]
Under Secretary of State Shannon meets with Indonesian ambassador to the USBudi Bowoleksono.[189]
Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin appoints Eli Miller as Treasury Chief of Staff.[190]
A joint press conference between Trump and Netanyahu
The Trump administration instructs theUS Department of Agriculture to replace the terms "climate change" with "weather extremes" and "reduce greenhouse gases" with "build soil organic matter, increase nutrient use efficiency". They note to staff thatclimate change should no longer be a priority.[197]
Secretary of State Tillerson meets with foreign ministers ofG20 countries inBonn, Germany.[198]
Secretary of Defense Mattis says the US is not currently prepared to collaborate with Russia on military matters, including future US anti-ISIS operations.[199]
Foreign Advisor Papadopoulos is interviewed for a second time by the FBI. In the following days he deletes his Facebook account which he had run since 2005 (containing correspondence concerning Russia), opens a new Facebook account, and changes his telephone number.[200][201]
Day Without Immigrants protests are held throughout the US to demonstrate the importance of immigration.[202]
Secretary of State Tillerson attends a meeting on theSyrian civil war and meets with foreign ministers from three more countries during his trip to Bonn, Germany.[206]
Trump's weekly address
Saturday,February 18
Trump holds a campaign-style rally inMelbourne, Florida, attended by an estimated 9,000 supporters, where he defends his actions and criticizes the media.[207]
The Trump administration asks the Council of Economic Advisers to predict 3.5% annual GDP growth, while theFederal Reserve had predicted 1.8%, just over half that.[209]
Lieutenant generalH. R. McMaster is appointed the 26th National Security Advisor. Keith Kellogg, who had been the acting National Security Advisor, remains as the National Security Council's Chief of Staff.[210]
The Trump administration announces the creation of 15,000 new positions in immigration enforcement, with the intention of deporting illegal immigrants.[214] They release a memo that sets the policy for thedeportation ofundocumented migrants accused of any crime.[215]
Secretary of State Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly arrive in Mexico for bilateral talks with the government of Mexican president Nieto.[219]
Trump discusses the federal budget
Thursday,February 23
Trump meets with 24 manufacturing CEOs at the White House.[220]
It is confirmed that six White House staff members, including Chief Digital Officer Gerrit Lansing, were removed from their positions earlier in the month after failing FBI background checks.[221]
Press Secretary Spicer tells reporters the Trump administration plans on increasing enforcement of theControlled Substances Act against recreational cannabis use.[222]
Attorney General Sessions rescinds a memorandum signed by former President Obama meant to phase outprivate federal US prisons.[223]
Trump delivers a speech inOxon Hill, Maryland to the 2017Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). In the speech he addresses numerous themes including immigration, ISIS, coal mining, and media reliability, suggesting limits on the use of anonymous sources by news agencies.[227]
Trump proposes a 10% increase in military spending of $54 billion, diverted from numerous other budgets including that of theState Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.[235][236] Congress receives a letter criticizing this plan, signed by more than 120 retired US admirals and generals including formerArmy Chief of StaffGeorge W. Casey Jr.[237]
The Department of Justice drops a six-year lawsuit alleging the TexasVoter ID law is racist.[238]
Wilbur Ross is sworn in as the 39th US Secretary of Commerce.[241]
Ahead of hisCongress speech, Trump meets privately with national news anchors, signaling his willingness to enact animmigration reform bill that could grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants.[242]
Trump signs Executive Orders13778 and13779. The first initiates a review of theClean Water Rule and the second is meant to "Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities".[245][246]
Trump signs a bill removing restrictions on the purchase of guns by persons with mental illnesses.[247]
Trump tells reporters he has "total" confidence in Attorney General Sessions,[259] then delivers a speech aboard the aircraft carrierUSSGerald R. Ford (CVN-78) reiterating his commitment to increase military spending.[260]
Attorney General Sessions recuses himself from any inquiries involving allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.[261]
The White House verifies White House advisor Kushner met with Russian ambassador Kislyak alongside Michael Flynn at New York City'sTrump Tower in December 2016.[264]
On his first day, Secretary of the Interior Zinke signs two secretarial orders reducing regulations on hunting and angling on public lands.[266]
The Environmental Protection Agency withdraws its request for information on equipment and emissions at existing operations for the oil and gas industry in response toH.J.Res.41.[267]
Trump's weekly address, from aboard aircraft carrier USSGerald R.Ford (CVN-78)
Friday,March 3
The White House hires three former lobbyists in agencies they had lobbied against, in violation of Trump's own ethics rules.[268]
An ethics course for new White House staff is eliminated.[269]
Trump and DeVos with students of Saint Andrew Catholic School
Saturday,March 4
In a series of tweets, Trump publicly accuses former President Obama ofintercepting communications at his offices in New York City's Trump Tower in October 2016. Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis denies the claim.[274]
Trump squabbles withArnold Schwarzenegger on Twitter over the ratings ofThe Apprentice, which the latter had hosted after Trump had been fired from the series.[276]
March 4 Trump rallies are held throughout the US in support of Trump.[277]
Mexico opens legal-aid centers in its50 US consulates to defend its citizens' rights amid the US crackdown on illegal immigration.[278]Public Safety MinisterRalph Goodale says Canada will not tighten its border because a greater number of migrants, reacting to the US immigration crackdown, are illegally crossing into Canada from the US.[279]
James R. Clapper, a former Director of National Intelligence, denies the wiretapping claims of Trump's election campaign and states the agencies he supervised found "no evidence of collusion" between the campaign and Russian officials.[280]
CongressmanDevin Nunes (R-CA), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, agrees to a demand from the White House for an investigation into abuses of executive power by former President Obama.[281]
Trump signsExecutive Order 13780, effective March 16 and seen as a revised version of Executive Order 13769, removing Iraq from the affected countries and clarifying thatlawful permanent residents are excluded from the travel ban.[282] He also signs a memorandum to increase immigration law enforcement.[283]
Trump proclaims March 5 as the start of National Consumer Protection Week.[284]
Trump signs Executive Order 13780
Tuesday,March 7
Trump speaks on the telephone with Japanese prime minister Abe to voice his support for Japan in reaction to new reports of North Korean missile tests.[285]
Trump supports a bill that would repeal the Affordable Care Act and leave 21 million people without health insurance, according to theCongressional Budget Office.[286][287]
The White House verifies Trump has not conferred with the FBI over allegations of wiretapping by the previous administration.[288]
Trump-appointed Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Pruitt says he does not believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming.[299]
The states of Washington, New York,Oregon, and Massachusetts join Minnesota and Hawaii's legal challenge of Trump's forthcoming travel ban.[300][301]
TheOffice of Government Ethics demands reprimands for White House counselor Conway for advertising Ivanka Trump's products on television, which the White House refuses.[302]
In an interview withFox News, Pence states he learned from the day's news reports that former National Security Advisor Flynn was acting as an unregistered foreign agent of theTurkish government during the campaign.[303]
A brainstorming session with members of Congress on replacing the Affordable Care Act
Saturday,March 11
Trump meets with Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly, Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin at theTrump National Golf Club, where they discuss healthcare and the economy.[311]
Sunday,March 12
The House Intelligence Committee formally asks the White House to provide evidence for Trump's wiretapping claim.[312]
Trump expands the power of theCIA to make drone strikes.[316]
Press Secretary Spicer states Trump's wiretapping tweet was misinterpreted by the media, saying Trump meant the Obama administration was responsible, not Obama personally.[317]
Rachel Maddow discloses a portion of Trump's 2005 tax returns (both sides of hisForm 1040), mailed toDavid Cay Johnston by an unnamed source.[320] The form shows a payment of $38.4 million on a $49.5-millionadjusted gross income, accounting for $103.2 million in losses that year, with an effective tax rate of 25%.[321][322] The White House verifies the cited figures and condemns the public release as "totally illegal".[323]
Congressman Nunes reports the House Intelligence Committee has not discovered any evidence supporting Trump's wiretapping claim.[328]
Federal Judge Watson issues a temporary nationwide restraining order on Trump's revised travel ban.[329]
The Senate confirmsDan Coats as Director of National Intelligence in a vote of 85–12.[330]
During a televised town-hall event, Secretary of Health and Human Services Price says it should be up to individual states to determine whethervaccinations should be required.[331]
Ambassador to the UN Haley describes the idea of a Muslim ban as "un-American".[332]
The Trump administration releases a preliminary draft of its 2018budget request. The budget's largest relative increases in spending include the Departments ofDefense, Homeland Security, andVeterans Affairs, while the largest cuts apply to the Environmental Protection Agency, Foreign Aid, and the Departments of Labor and Agriculture, as well as a 20-percent cut to theNational Institutes of Health.[334][335] Trump also signs a memorandum directed atHouse SpeakerPaul Ryan requesting additional funds for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.[336]
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Carson responds to Trump's proposed budget cuts to his department, saying it "recognizes a greater role for State and local governments, and the private sector to address community and economic development needs".[337]
Press Secretary Spicer repeats claims made byAndrew Napolitano that Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) conducted espionage against Trump.[339][340]
Executive Order 13780 is scheduled to be put into effect. A second US federal judge,Theodore D. Chuang ofMaryland, grants that state's motion for a temporary restraining order against Trump's revised travel ban.[341]
Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with German chancellor Merkel at the White House.[343]
GCHQ denies all involvement in the alleged wiretapping of Trump Tower,[344][345] prompting the Trump administration to issue a formal apology to the United Kingdom with assurances the allegation will not be repeated.[346][347]
Secretary of State Tillerson visitsSouth Korea to discuss international threats and indicates the possibility of military action against North Korea.[348]
The White House announces it will appeal the Hawaii ruling against Trump's revised travel ban.[349]
Pence meets with Costa Rican president Solís.[350]
Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Chinese Foreign MinisterWang Yi inBeijing to discuss the North Korean missile program.[353]
Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin meets with G20 country finance ministers, where he defends the Trump administration's trade policy of economic protectionism.[354]
Trump issues a tweet rejecting allegations of collusion with Russia as "fake news".[357]
In a House Intelligence Committee hearing, FBI Director Comey states their investigation of Russian influence on the presidential election also covers possible links between Russia and Trump campaign figures[358] and that the FBI has no evidence of wiretapping against Trump.[359]
Trump signs a memorandum to "delegate to the Secretary of State the functions and authorities vested in the President by" the "Updated Plan for Verification and Monitoring of Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Fissile Material" section of theNational Defense Authorization Act.[365][366]
Trump and al-Abadi
Tuesday,March 21
Trump signs a bill which defines the budget and objectives ofNASA, including a crewed mission toMars as early as 2033.[367][368] The draft 2018 budget expands support of public–private partnerships for deep-space habitation, revives a supersonic flight research program, strengthens NASA's cybersecurity, increases focus on planetary science and robotic exploration, cancels theEuropa lander andAsteroid Redirect Mission, terminates four Earth science missions, and eliminates the NASA Office of Education, resulting in an overall 0.8% budget decrease.[334]: 43–44
Congressman Nunes secretly visits the White House grounds to observe classified information concerning Trump's allegations of wiretapping.[369]
Trump proclaims March 21 as National Agriculture Day.[370]
The Department of Labor pushes back the effective date of the Occupational Exposure to Beryllium rule by one month.[371]
Trump receives a NASA flight jacket
Wednesday,March 22
Trump is briefed by Congressman Nunes, who also holds a news conference at the White House on the evidence concerning Trump's wiretapping allegations which he was shown on the White House grounds the previous day.[372]
Secretary of State Tillerson orders US diplomatic missions to identify "populations warranting increased scrutiny".[381]
Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly with Honduran president Hernández
Friday,March 24
With Trump's consent, House Speaker Ryan indefinitely postpones the first major Congressional vote on the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, due to lack of support from both sides of Congress.[382][383]
Trump and Secretary of Defense Mattis host a group of prior medal recipients at the White House on the eve of NationalMedal of Honor Day.[384]
Under Secretary of State Shannon issues a presidential permit to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline byTransCanada Corporation.[385]
During a visit to theOsceola County, Florida campus ofValencia College, Secretary of Education DeVos says she is considering the extension of federal financial aid for students that were year-round and interested in placing more focus on community colleges.[389]
The Department of Labor pushes back the Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines rule by two months.[390]
Trump signs a memorandum creating the White HouseOffice of American Innovation, consisting of two senior advisors and eight assistants to the president, to be headed by White House advisor Kushner.[393][394]
At the daily White House press briefing, Attorney General Sessions outlines plans to withhold funds and grants from sanctuary cities which refuse to fully enforce federal immigration laws.[396]
Trump signs four Congressional Review Act disapproval resolutions into law, eliminating regulations from the Obama administration. The first repeals theElementary and Secondary Education Act, the second removes regulations on teacher preparedness, the third deregulates resource management planning, and the fourth nullifies the Federal Acquisition and Fair Pay and Safe Workspaces regulations.[397][398][399][400]
Trump signs a bill ending the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces regulation.[404]
Press Secretary Spicer denies allegations the White House attempted to prevent former acting Attorney General Yates from testifying to the House Intelligence Committee.[405]
Secretary of the Interior Zinke hosts a media call about lifting the coal moratorium and American energy independence.[408]
The Trump administration announces it will remove "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as proposed subjects for possible inclusion on theDecennial Census and/orAmerican Community Survey in the future.[409]
Trump and Pence speak about Executive Order 13783
Wednesday,March 29
Trump signsExecutive Order 13784 to combat drug addiction and the opioid epidemic.[410] He also hosts a meeting in the Cabinet Room concerning opioids and drug abuse.[411]
Trump issues a presidential notice continuingExecutive Order 13694, which "[blocks] the property of certain persons engaging in significant malicious cyber-enabled activities".[412]
Secretary of the Interior Zinke signs a secretarial order scaling back regulations on natural resources from the Obama administration.[413]
Federal Judge Watson converts the temporary restraining order on Trump's travel ban into an indefinite preliminary injunction, citing evidence of a religious objective in violation of theEstablishment Clause.[414][415]
The White House verifies Ivanka Trump is to become an unpaid employee in theWest Wing.[416]
Secretary of Education DeVos delivers her first extended policy address at theBrookings Institution, stating an interest in implementing choice policies and criticizing policies from the Obama administration.[417]
Trump hosts a meeting concerning opioids and drug abuse
Thursday,March 30
Trump calls FBI Director Comey, asserting he wasn't involved with Russian hookers and asking Comey to "lift the cloud" of the Russia investigation.[178]
The Department of Justice issues a statement that it disagrees with Federal Judge Watson's March 29 ruling against the revised travel ban and that it will continue its legal contest to reactivate the ban.[420]
Former National Security Advisor Flynn seeks immunity from the FBI in exchange for testimony on White House links to Russia.[421]
Pence casts his second tie-breaking vote, voting to advance a bill to defundPlanned Parenthood.[422]
Ambassador to the UN Haley states the priority of US policy concerningSyrian presidentBashar al-Assad is no longer to force him out of power.[423]
Secretary of Health and Human Services Price purchases $90,000 worth of pharmaceutical stocks a month before the signing of a bill which benefits them.[426]
Trump issues a tweet describing allegations of links between Russia and his associates as a "witch hunt", recommending former National Security Advisor Flynn request immunity in return for testimony to the intelligence authorities.[427]
Trump signs two executive orders aimed at preventing foreign trade abuses. The signing occurs in private after he leaves the public ceremony without signing the orders.[428]
Trump and Pence meet with former Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice at the White House.[429]
The Department of the Treasury announces new sanctions against North Korea in response toKim Jong Un's continuing nuclear missile program.[430]
District JudgeDavid J. Hale rules against afreedom of speech defense by Trump's lawyers, permitting to proceed a lawsuit in which three plaintiffs allege Trump incited violence at a presidential campaign rally in 2016.[431][432]