Month: February 2026

Source: United States White House

“President Trump’s commonsense immigration enforcement policies are delivering the public safety results the American people demanded, with more than 4,000 dangerous criminal illegal aliens already arrested in Minnesota since Operation Metro began. Democrats opened our borders and allowed vicious criminals, including murderers, rapists, gang members, and terrorists, to invade our communities. President Trump is reversing that horrific damage and removing these threats from our country. At President Trump’s direction, Tom Homan’s commitment to draw down forces in Minneapolis today follows these achievements and the new, unprecedented cooperation from state and local officials in Minnesota. Commitments like these from elected officials to work with the President and federal law enforcement produce tremendous outcomes that help keep Americans safe.”
— White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

More than 4,000 criminal illegal aliens — including violent killers, rapists, gang members, and other public safety threats — have been arrested in Minnesota since President Donald J. Trump launched Operation Metro Surge. This landmark achievement marks another decisive step forward in the Trump Administration’s relentless drive to dismantle the devastating effects of the Radical Left’s open border policies and deliver his promise to restore law and order to our communities.

Today in Minneapolis, Border Czar Tom Homan underscored the unprecedented level of cooperation now emerging from local officials — compelled by the Trump Administration’s sustained, resolute enforcement:

• “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens BEFORE they hit the streets.” (Watch)
• “For those who are not a national security threat or public safety risk, you are NOT exempt from immigration enforcement actions. If you’re in the country illegally, you are NOT off the table… Let me be clear: President Trump fully intends to achieve mass deportations during this Administration.” (Watch)
• “We are NOT surrendering the President’s mission on a mass deportation operation. If you are in the country illegally, if we find you, we’ll deport you.” (Watch)
• “We’ve got special agents on detail here doing the fraud investigation. They’re not going anywhere. They’re going to finish their job.” (Watch)
• “We moved immediately to prioritize full body cam deployment in this city… The plan is to deploy them nationwide.” (Watch)
• “[The goal] is to achieve a complete drawdown and end this surge as soon as we can, but that is largely contingent upon the end of the illegal and threatening activities against ICE and its federal partners that we’re seeing in the community. We will not draw down on personnel providing security for our officers.”  (Watch)
• “President Trump and I would like to thank the men and women of ICE, Border Patrol, and other federal agencies on the ground here for your dedication to the oath you swore to enforce the federal laws and promote public safety through the work you do.” (Watch)
• “I’d like to thank President Trump for his steadfast leadership and commitment to law enforcement, public safety, and prosperity… I’ve worked for six Presidents in ten Administrations. When it comes to public safety, border security, immigration enforcement — no one’s done it better than President Trump. His success is unprecedented.” (Watch)

Source: United States White House

First Lady Melania Trump engaged in a private meeting with freed American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel in the White House today. The First Lady’s sit-down with Aviva Siegel in January 2025 sparked a series of events that ultimately led to Keith Siegel’s liberation from Hamas.  

“That first meeting with Aviva Siegel served as a catalyst to the events leading up to Keith’s freedom. It was clear that day in New York City that Aviva Siegel’s human spirit would move mountains to rescue her husband, Keith,” exclaimed First Lady Melania Trump.

“I was deeply moved to hear from the First Lady about the meetings she held with my wife, Aviva, while I was in captivity, and about the strength and support she gave to the families of the hostages throughout that difficult journey,” Keith Siegel asserted.  

Aviva Siegel also participated in today’s White House meeting, saying: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to First Lady Melania Trump. Meeting again today feels profoundly full circle… I am endlessly grateful for Mrs. Trump’s steadfast support over these painful two years.”

During their initial encounter, Aviva Siegel gifted Mrs. Trump a handmade book about her husband Keith Siegel and the brutal events surrounding October 7, 2023. First Lady Melania Trump shared the handmade book and Keith Siegel’s story with President Trump later that evening in January 2025.

Keith Siegel further shared, “I am grateful to the First Lady and to the President for their tremendous efforts to secure the return of the hostages, and my own return.”

Source: United States White House

From youth leagues and high school varsity to the Olympic Games and the heights of professional sports, for decades, women and girls have exemplified the very best of American athletics.  This National Women and Girls in Sports Day, we celebrate every female athlete for their devotion to excellence and for their incredible contributions to America’s character, culture, and unwavering competitive spirit.

Emboldened by the promise of the American Dream, through hard work, dedication, and resilience, every citizen can fulfill their God-given potential on any field, court, or track.  More than half a century ago, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act enshrined this promise into federal law, marking a pivotal moment for equal opportunity for women and girls.  Since then, the number of female athletes has grown remarkably—and my Administration remains committed to expanding opportunities for women and girls to compete, grow, and succeed at every level.

Since I took office as the 47th President of the United States, America has once again proudly championed youth athletics, which instills in our Nation’s girls the skills they need to grow stronger, develop healthy habits, and overcome challenges—not only as athletes but as young citizens.  Last year, I proudly signed multiple Executive Orders to uphold Title IX, end the unfair participation of men in women’s sports, and preserve and expand scholarships for collegiate women’s sports.  My Administration’s policy is simple:  Any program that rejects biological reality and deprives women of fair and safe athletic opportunities will not receive federal funds.  Under my leadership, every woman’s safety, dignity, and work ethic will always be protected.

Female athletes go beyond breaking records or winning championships—they redefine what is possible, elevate their sports, and inspire the next generation of girls to achieve greatness.  Today and every day, we recommit to preserving the timeless values that sports provide and to building a future where every young girl, collegiate athlete, and professional competitor pushes further, reaches higher, and dreams bigger.

Source: United States White House

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the President signed into law:

H.R. 7148, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026,” which further makes consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

Source: United States White House

The Trump Administration is aggressively removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota’s communities — predators that Radical Left Democrats insist on providing safe harbor.

A stark example: Last week, ICE apprehended Esdras Aaron Rodriguez-Hernandez, a Guatemalan national and accused domestic abuser, in a case that exposes the dangerous stupidity of Minnesota’s “sanctuary” policies — and the self-inflicted necessity of Operation Metro Surge.

In 2024, Rodriguez-Hernandez was arrested and charged with domestic assault (intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm on a family member) and released without bail. A warrant was issued after he didn’t show up for court, and he evaded justice for nearly a year.

In November, he was arrested on the warrant and booked into the Hennepin County Jail, only to be released the next day on a $100 bail. After a radical prosecutor downgraded the charge, he was granted a stay of adjudication and set free once again.

At every step, local officials in the “sanctuary” jurisdiction failed to notify ICE of his custody — forcing federal agents to expend significant resources tracking him down and putting Minnesotans at unnecessary risk.

Rodriguez-Hernandez now awaits deportation, joining a long list of criminal illegal alien thugs the Trump Administration has removed from Minnesota’s streets — often with zero help from leaders who prioritize criminals over citizens.

Minnesota’s “sanctuary” policies are a deliberate choice to put criminal illegals ahead of Americans’ safety. But the Trump Administration will not relent in targeting the worst of the worst and putting American citizens — not violent criminals — first.

Source: United States White House

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This year, we celebrate the most significant milestone in our Nation’s history:  250 glorious years of American independence.  From the very beginning, our country has been blessed with countless black American heroes.  For more than two and a half centuries, these legends have made timeless contributions to our government, laws, military, economy, workforce, and culture.  With their tremendous legacy in mind, as President, I proclaim that “black history” is not distinct from American history — rather, the history of black Americans is an indispensable chapter in our grand American story.

America’s founding was rooted in the belief that every man, woman, and child is created equal, “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” and free to live lives in “pursuit of Happiness.”  For 250 years, these principles have inspired and informed the independent, bold, and pioneering American spirit.  It is our bedrock belief in equality that drove black American icons to help fulfill the promise of these principles.  And it is our unwavering commitment to liberty that continues to sustain our Nation’s greatness.

This month, we are also reminded that the source of our strength is rooted not in our differences, but in our shared commitment to freedom under one beautiful American flag.  For decades, the progressive movement and far-left politicians have sought to needlessly divide our citizens on the basis of race, painting a toxic and distorted and disfigured vision of our history, heritage, and heroes.  This month, however, we do not celebrate our differences.  Instead, we celebrate the contributions of black Americans to our national greatness and their enduring commitment to the American principles of liberty, justice, and equality — the principles that wrested the Western Hemisphere from monarchies and empires, ended slavery, saved Europe, put a man on the moon, and built the freest, most just, and most prosperous society ever known to mankind.

Since the great Prince Estabrook became the first black man to shed his blood for our emerging Nation at the Battle of Lexington more than 250 years ago, heroic black Americans have valiantly fought for our liberty on the fields of battle, in the pews of our churches, and in our shops, restaurants, and businesses.  Across every generation, legendary black Americans have fiercely defended the values set forth in our Declaration of Independence and helped to make our Republic the greatest country in the history of the world.  From the unflinching faith of Lemuel Haynes, the soaring prose of Phillis Wheatley, and the unmatched resolve of Harriet Tubman to the towering intellect of Frederick Douglass, the fearlessness of Jesse Owens, and the brilliance of Katherine Johnson and Thomas Sowell, countless black patriots have stood as the vanguards of our freedom — and are among some of the most heroic Americans to have ever lived. 

As President, I am fighting to restore the Nation that these titans helped build, and to make America greater than ever before.  In their honor, and to commemorate 250 years of American liberty, I have authorized the construction of the National Garden of American Heroes, a new statuary park honoring our greatest Americans, including black icons like Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Coretta Scott King, Muhammad Ali, and many others.  Last spring, I also signed an Executive Order to promote excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities so the next generation of leaders in the black community will learn from these great American examples.  And I am fighting every day to make our neighborhoods safer, groceries more affordable, and the American Dream more attainable for all Americans.

My Administration will never stop working to ensure that our country and every future generation of American citizens remain guided by the same truth:  We are one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as National Black History Month.  I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

                              DONALD J. TRUMP

Source: United States White House

Today marks the 178th anniversary of our Nation’s triumph in the Mexican-American War—a legendary victory that secured the American Southwest, reasserted American sovereignty, and expanded the promise of American independence across our majestic continent.

Guided by the steadfast belief that our Nation was destined by divine providence to expand to the golden shores of the Pacific Ocean, following the bloody War of 1812, the United States was confidently advancing westward and boldly emerging as a continental superpower unlike anything the modern world had ever seen.  The people of Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836, and by the spring of 1846, they voted to join the United States—forcing a reckoning over unsettled border disputes.  That April, Mexican forces launched an ambush along the Rio Grande, killing 11 and wounding 6 American troops.

With the promise of Manifest Destiny beating in every American heart, President James K. Polk took swift action to defend our Nation’s security, our dignity, and our sovereign borders.  In May of 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico, with two American titans—Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott—leading the charge.  Despite being vastly outnumbered in battle, American forces consistently reigned victorious through their superior military strategy, modern military capabilities, and steadfast devotion to protecting the national interest.  After a series of victories in the Mexican territories of California and New Mexico, in a triumphant victory for American sovereignty, the United States heroically captured the capital of Mexico City in September of 1847—paving the way to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848, formally ceding 525,000 square miles of new land to the United States, representing 55% of pre-war territory.

Since taking office as the 47th President of the United States, guided by our victory on the fields of Mexico 178 years ago, I have spared no effort in defending our southern border against invasion, upholding the rule of law, and protecting our homeland from forces of evil, violence, and destruction.  My Administration is halting the flow of deadly drugs entering our country through Mexico, ending the invasion of illegal aliens along our southern border, and dismantling narco-terrorist networks all across the Western hemisphere.  I have secured historic trade deals with El Salvador, Argentina, Ecuador, and Guatemala, allowing greater and more streamlined market access.  We stopped a hostile foreign power from controlling the Panama Canal.  We are reestablishing American maritime dominance.  And we are aggressively pursuing an America First policy of peace through strength and will continue to reassert the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine to ensure the Hemisphere remains safe, prosperous, and free.  We will never waver in putting our people, our interests, and our country first.

On this anniversary of one of our Nation’s earliest displays of military might—and particularly as we celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence—we honor the memory of the brave men who gave their lives in service to our Nation.  One hundred and seventy-eight years later, their legacy lives on in our enduring strength, our commitment to sovereignty, and the unmatched power of the American spirit.

Source: United States White House

As Radical Left Democrats continue their reckless obstruction, two new polls resoundingly confirm President Donald J. Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration is massively popular with the American people. From mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens to empowering ICE as they enforce our nation’s laws, Americans are rallying behind President Trump’s agenda — and Democrats’ extremism couldn’t be more out of touch.

A new poll underscores Americans’ broad agreement on the fundamentals of President Trump’s border enforcement:

• 73% agree that entering the U.S. without permission is breaking the law.
• 61% support deporting illegal aliens to their home countries.
• 58% reject Democrats’ extremist calls to defund ICE — now a core position of their party.
• 54% support ICE enforcing our nation’s federal immigration laws.

A second new poll reveals even fiercer alignment with President Trump’s decisive action to protect our communities from criminal illegal aliens:

• A solid majority approves of President Trump’s strong response to the anti-ICE riots in Minneapolis.
• 73% say criminal illegal aliens should be deported — with over half extending that to all illegal aliens with no lawful right to be here.
• 67% want state and local officials to cooperate with federal authorities to deport criminal illegal aliens (including 64% of independents).
• 67% say local jails should hand over criminal illegal aliens to federal authorities for swift deportation (backed by 62% of independents and even 50% of Democrats).
• 60% see Democrats as actively encouraging resistance to ICE officers simply trying to do their jobs and keep Americans safe.
• 57% oppose elected officials stoking chaos by urging defiance against ICE.

These results expose the extremism of the Radical Left: While Democrats fuel lawlessness and chaos, everyday Americans stand squarely with President Trump to deport criminals, reclaim sovereignty, and restore safety.

The Trump Administration will not relent in its pursuit of secure borders, safe streets, and an agenda that puts America First.

Source: United States White House

On January 27 and 28, 2026, the Government of Canada hosted the Governments of Mexico and the United States in Ottawa for the Ninth Meeting of the North American Drug Dialogue (NADD). The annual NADD meeting brings together the three countries’ counternarcotics policy makers, law enforcement leaders, and public health experts to collaborate on strategies to counter the grave threat posed by the manufacturing, trading, and misuse of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.

Amid a rapidly evolving illegal drug and counternarcotics landscape—including President Trump’s designations of cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction—participants discussed emerging threats, current drug trafficking and substance use trends, and coordinated approaches to counter illegal drug trafficking in North America. Participants reviewed progress on the previous year’s five priority areas: drug trafficking modes and methods; current and emerging synthetic drugs; drug demand and public health efforts to counter this demand; illicit financial flows related to illegal drug trafficking; and firearms trafficking as an enabler of drug trafficking. The significant progress on these fronts is contributing to a safer, healthier North America.

Building on last year’s progress, the three countries reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to reduce the harm to public safety caused by the use and trafficking of illegal drugs in North America. To advance this goal, the countries agreed to coordinate efforts over the next three years under three strategic priorities: (1) securing the global supply chain and related institutions against drug trafficking; (2) strengthening effective drug policy implementation and law enforcement; and (3) reducing overdose deaths, mitigating harm and increasing long-term recovery. Participants will advance these priorities by enhancing border and postal security; stopping firearms trafficking networks that support the drug trade; closing financial systems to criminal networks; and deploying wastewater testing and early drug warning capabilities.

Canada, Mexico, and the United States discussed the historic commitment President Trump secured from China in relation to the control of precursor chemical exports to North America.  The three countries agreed to utilize the NADD to track improvements in closing gaps in the global supply chain.

The NADD was established in July 2016. By fostering transparency and the sharing of concrete implementation strategies, best practices, and data, Canada, Mexico, and the United States aim to improve understandings of the challenges to North America posed by the illicit drug trade and substance use and promote coordinated, enduring solutions.