Timeline of the Trump presidency, 2017 Q1

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The following is a timeline of the presidency of Donald Trump during the first quarter of 2017. To navigate between quarters, see Timeline of the presidency of Donald Trump.

Contents

 [hide] 

• 1Overview
  • 1.1Economy and employment
  • 1.2Public opinion
• 2Timeline
  • 2.1January
    • 2.1.1Week 1
    • 2.1.2Week 2
  • 2.2February
    • 2.2.1Week 3
    • 2.2.2Week 4
    • 2.2.3Week 5
    • 2.2.4Week 6
  • 2.3March
    • 2.3.1Week 7
    • 2.3.2Week 8
    • 2.3.3Week 9
    • 2.3.4Week 10
• 3See also
• 4References
• 5External links

Overview[edit]

Economy and employment[edit]

US real GDP growth

In the first quarter of 2017, the real US GDP increased at an annual rate of 0.7 percent, the slowest growth since the first quarter of 2014. The growth was primarily due to an increase in business structures and equipment (such as mining and wells), industrial supplies and materials (such as petroleum), and services. This was offset by decreases in motor vehicles and parts, private inventory investment, and government spending.^[1] On 31 March 2017, the U.S. national debt stood at $19.8 trillion^[2] representing a quarterly decline of 0.65%.^[3]

Public opinion[edit]

According to FiveThirtyEight, President Trump’s approval rate at the end of March was 40.5%, down 5% from the start of his presidency.^[4]

Timeline[edit]

January[edit]

Date	Events	Photos
Friday, January 20	45th President Donald Trump and 48th Vice President Mike Pence take the Oath of Office. President Trump proclaims a National Day of Patriotic Devotion.[5] According to denied reports in December 2017, while seated at Trump’s inauguration speech, forthcoming National Security Advisor Michael Flynntexts a former business partner that Russian sanctions blocking a private Russian-backed plan to build nuclear plants in the Middle East will now be ‘ripped up’.[6][7][8][9] President Trump issues Executive Order 13765 to scale back parts of the Affordable Care Act.[10] The Trump administration suspends an Obama administration cut to Federal Housing Authority mortgage insurance premiums.[11] President Trump signs a bill waiving a rule that requires military personnel to wait seven years after retiring before serving in a civilian post, to allow retired Marine general James Mattis to become Secretary of Defense.[12]The Senate confirms Mattis as 26th Secretary of Defense in a vote of 98–1, and retired Marine general John F. Kelly as 5th Secretary of Homeland Security in a vote of 88–11.[13][14] Protests damage parts of downtown Washington, D.C. and lead to 217 arrests and 9 injuries.[15]	Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45thPresident of the United States
Saturday, January 21	Four million people around the world attend the Women’s Marchprotesting the new administration.[16][17] It was the largest single-day protest in U.S. history.[18][19] President Trump and Vice President Pence speak at the CIA headquarters.[20] White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer criticizes the media for inaccurately representing the presidential inauguration attendance.[21]Spicer does not take questions from the press and is criticized for making inaccurate statements.[22][23][24] Trump appoints Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor.[25] Two US drone strikes in Yemen’s Al Bayda Governorate are the first reported drone actions under the Trump administration.[26]	Women’s march demonstrators in Washington, D.C.
Sunday, January 22	President Trump calls Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Iran, ISIS, and the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. Vice President Pence administers the oath of office for the White House senior staff.[27] President Trump speaks to Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal about the tornado outbreak in the Southeast which killed 20 people and caused $1.3 billion in damage.[28] Following President Trump’s inauguration, Israel approves the construction of 566 new settlement homes in East Jerusalem – an action that had been made illegal by a UN resolution passed during the Obama administration.[29] Foreign advisor George Papadopoulos meets in Washington D.C. with the head of Israel’s Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan.[30]	A mobile home damaged from the tornado outbreak in Berrien County, Georgia.
Week 1[edit]
Monday, January 23	President Trump meets with twelve CEOs of major US companies.[31] President Trump signs three memoranda. The first withdraws the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.[32] Another reinstates the Mexico City Policy, which bars international NGOs from receiving foreign aid that “offer or promote abortions as part of their family planning services”.[33] The third initiates a 90-day hiring freeze on the federal workforce.[34] President Trump says 3–5 million illegal votes cost him the popular vote in a private meeting with congressional leaders.[35] President Trump speaks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, saying that the United States remains committed to their relationship and to continue military assistance to Egypt, discussing ways the United States could support Egypt’s economic reform program.[28] The Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as the Director of the CIA in a vote of 66–32.[36] A federal-court lawsuit is filed accusing President Trump of violating the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause.[37] President Trump elevates Ajit Varadaraj Pai as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.[38] The Trump administration removed from the United States Department of State‘s website the former United States Secretary of State John Kerry’s apology for the Lavender Scare.[39]
Tuesday, January 24	President Trump signs Executive Order 13766, which expedites environmental reviews and approvals for future infrastructure projects.[40] President Trump signs four memoranda. Two of them reverse the Obama administration’s halt on the Keystone XL[41] and Dakota Access[42] oil pipelines, the latter of which has been the subject of protests by the Standing Rock tribe. President Trump says these projects will recover 28,000 jobs. Another memorandum requires that the pipelines use domestic steel[43] (a directive shortly overturned by the White House in respect of Keystone[44]), and the last calls for “expedited reviews of and approvals for” manufacturing facilities and “reductions in regulatory burdens” affecting domestic manufacturing.[45] President Trump speaks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[46] Michael Flynn is interviewed by the FBI about prior conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.[47] Flynn pleads guilty on 1 December 2017 to lying during the interview.[48][49] The Senate confirms Nikki Haley as the Ambassador to the United Nations in a vote of 96-4.[50]	Donald Trump signs orders to green-light the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines.
Wednesday, January 25	President Trump issues Executive Order 13767 directing the Department of Homeland Security to begin construction of a wall on the Mexico–United States border.[51] Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto rejects the idea that Mexico would pay for any border wall between the United States and his country.[52] President Trump issues Executive Order 13768 cutting federal funding for sanctuary cities who refuse to comply with immigration enforcement measures. The order also increases border patrol and immigration officers and changes deportation standards.[53] President Trump announces that he intends to investigate alleged voter fraud from the 2016 presidential election.[54]	President Trump delivering remarks to employees of the Department of Homeland Security.
Thursday, January 26	President Trump visits Philadelphia to address Congressional Republicanleaders, regarding his agenda. He speaks at the Loews Hotel, along with British Prime Minister Theresa May.[55] Press Secretary Sean Spicer announces that the border wall might be funded by a 20% tax on imports from Mexico.[56] Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto cancels a proposed meeting with Trump due to the controversy where Trump suggested Mexico pay fully for the wall.[57] President Trump proclaims the start of National School Choice Week.[58] Patrick F. Kennedy, Joyce Anne Barr, Michele Thoren Bond and Gentry O. Smith resign from the Department of State, after Victoria Nuland and Gregory B. Starr decline to stay on in the Trump administration.[59] Acting Attorney General Sally Yates informs White House Counsel Don McGahn that National Security Advisor Michael Flynn‘s public account of his interactions with Russian officials during the transition were untruthful, making him vulnerable to blackmail.[60][61]	President Trump meeting Theresa May, his first diplomatic visitor as President
Friday, January 27	President Trump speaks with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on the phone to discuss Mexico–United States relations in lieu of their canceled meeting.[62] President Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa 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.[63][64] During a visit to the Pentagon, President Trump signs Executive Order 13769, suspending the Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days and denying entry to citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days.[65] President Trump signs a memorandum calling for budget negotiations about the expansion and strengthening of the U.S. military. Vice President Pence speaks at the March for Life in Washington D.C.[66][67] President Trump has a one-on-one dinner with FBI Directory James Comey. Later news reports state that Trump asks Comey to pledge loyalty to Trump, and Comey demurs. The White House denies this version of events.[68] Trump advisor George 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.[69][70]	Trump signs the Executive Order “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” on January 27
Saturday, January 28	President Trump speaks on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime MinisterShinzō Abe, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and French President François Hollande.[71] President Trump signs Executive Order 13770, which enacts a five-year ban on lobbying for presidential appointees after leaving the White House.[72] 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.[73] Executive Order 13769 goes into effect. Iran says it will take reciprocal action against the United States.[74] U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly in New York grants a stay of the executive order that allows people with valid visas who landed in the U.S. to temporarily remain in the country.[75] President Trump signs a memorandum to create a plan within 30 days to defeat ISIS, and another to restructure the National and HomelandSecurity Councils by downgrading the Chiefs of Staff and appointing the Assistant to the President and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon.[76][77]	President Trump speaking about Executive Order 13769.
Sunday, January 29	President Trump speaks with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn.[78][79] The Yakla raid, the first commando raid authorized by President Trump, leads to the death of Chief petty officer William Owens, 14 members of the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as reported by the United States government, and 14–25 Yemeni or other nationality civilian casualties, including American Nawar “Nora” al-Awlaki.[80][81] Federal judges in the states of Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington sign orders halting implementation of parts of Executive Order 13769.[82]Chief of Staff Priebus states that people from the affected countries who have a green card, will not be prevented from returning to the United States.[83]
Week 2[edit]
Monday, January 30	President Trump signs Executive Order 13771, which seeks to reduce the number of federal regulations by requiring agencies to repeal two existing regulations for every new rule introduced.[84] President Trump fires acting Attorney General Sally Yates after she ordered employees of the Department of Justice not to enforce the President’s ban due to doubts over its legality. Dana Boente takes her place as acting Attorney General.[85] That same night, Trump replaces Daniel H. Ragsdale with Thomas D. Homan as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[86] President Trump announces he will continue to enforce Executive Order 13672, signed by former President Obama in 2014 that established legal protections for LGBT workers.[87] A petition, launched Sunday to cancel President Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom in October, tops 1 million signatures, passing the threshold for British Parliament debate, eventually reaching 1.8 million.[88]A British government spokesman says the state visit would still go ahead as planned.[89] The Iraqi Parliament votes in favor of a reciprocal travel ban on American citizens if President Trump’s executive order barring citizens of Iraq and six other Muslim-majority countries is not reversed. The Iraqi travel ban will not be implemented while tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers and contractors are involved in the fight against ISIL.[90]	Then-senator of Alabama Jeff Sessions questioning then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates regarding the enforcement of unlawful presidential orders in March 2015.
Tuesday, January 31	President Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016.[91] The Senate confirms Elaine Chao as 18th Secretary of Transportation.[92]	Donald Trump with Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch on January 31

February[edit]

Date	Events	Photos
Wednesday, February 1	President Trump visits Dover Air Force Base for the arrival of the remains of Navy SEAL Chief Special Warfare Operator William Owens who had been killed in action in Yemen three days prior, the first known combat death under the Trump administration.[93] The Senate confirms Rex Tillerson as 69th Secretary of State in a vote of 56–43.[94] President Trump discusses a refugee agreement in a truncated phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, describing it to Turnbull as a ‘disgusting deal’.[95][96] President Trump proclaims February as National African American History Month.[97] White House advisor Jared Kushner meets with China’s Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai.[98]	Swearing in of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Thursday, February 2	President Trump speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast and meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan.[99][100] President Trump proclaims February as American Heart Month.[101] President Trump warns Israel that building new settlements in the West Bank “may not be helpful” for a peace deal.[102] The Department of the Treasury eases some sanctions on the Federal Security Service, allowing for limited transactions with the intelligence agency.[103] Secretary of State Tillerson meets German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.[104] Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley declares to the United Nations Security Council that sanctions against Russia for its Crimean conflict would not be lifted until Russia returned control over the region to Ukraine.[105] Uber CEO Travis Kalanick resigns from the president’s business advisory council, citing a concern that his participation would be seen as an endorsement of Trump.[106]	A Palestinian boy and Israeli soldier in front of the Israeli West Bank Barrier.
Friday, February 3	President Trump signs Executive Order 13772, which instates a review of the Dodd–Frank Act.[107] President Trump signs a memorandum directing the Department of Laborto review a fiduciary rule signed during the Obama administration before its implementation in April.[108] President Trump institutes economic sanctions on 13 Iranian individuals and 12 companies from the nation[109] after a recent ballistic missile test.[110] Senior federal judge James Robart of the District Court for the Western District of Washington temporarily blocks President Trump’s order to temporarily block immigration from seven middle-eastern nations.[111] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Al Safadi, as well as United Nations and Arab LeagueEnvoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura.[112] Vincent Viola withdraws his name from consideration as Secretary of the Army.[113] The Department of the Treasury launches sanctions against supporters of Iran’s ballistic missile program.[114]	President Trump’s Weekly Address.
Saturday, February 4	The Department of Justice appeals judge’s temporary block of Executive Order 13769.[115][116] President Trump speaks with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, confirming his attendance to the 2017 G7 summit in Sicily, and with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.[117]
Sunday, February 5	The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denies a request from the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate the temporarily blocked travel ban.[118][119] President Trump speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergand new Prime Minister Bill English of New Zealand.[117]
Week 3[edit]
Monday, February 6	President Trump addresses troops at the MacDill Air Force Base and the Central Command.[120] The Department of Justice asks the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to restore the temporarily blocked immigration ban.[121]	President Trump at MacDill Air Force Base.
Tuesday, February 7	The Senate confirms Betsy DeVos as 11th Secretary of Education by a vote of 51–50. As president of the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence is the first vice president since 1945,[122] to cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm a Cabinet member.[123] President Trump speaks with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Turkish President of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, confirming his support of NATO and discussing joint action against ISIS.[124]	Vice President Pence casts a tie-breaking vote to confirm Secretary of Education DeVos.
Wednesday, February 8	President Trump formally announces his full Cabinet, comprising 24 members.[125] The position of Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers is removed and the Director of National Intelligence and Director of the CIA are elevated to cabinet-level.[126] President Trump writes a brief letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping.[127] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland.[128] The Senate confirms Jeff Sessions as 84th Attorney General by a vote of 52–47.[129]	President Trump speaks at the MCCA Winter Conference.
Thursday, February 9	President Trump signs Executive Order 13775, which changes the line of succession for the Department of Justice.[130] President Trump signs three executive orders regarding law enforcement: Executive Order 13773, 13774 and 13776.[131] The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals denies the Trump administration’s appeal to block the lower-court ruling that halted the travel ban.[132] President Trump agrees to continue the One China Policy after a discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping.[133] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini.[134]	President Trump participates in the swearing-in of Attorney General Sessions.
Friday, February 10	President Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe at the White House.[135] The two leaders travel to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.[136] The Senate confirms Tom Price as 23rd Secretary of Health and Human Services in a vote of 52–47.[137] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida, and Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze.[138] Aboard Air Force One, President Trump tells reporters he is considering issuing a revised policy banning citizens of certain countries traveling to the United States.[139]	A Joint Press Conference with President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Saturday, February 11	President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe play golf together at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida and reportedly discuss the “future of the world, future of the region, and future of Japan and the United States,” as well as a North Korean Pukkuksong-2 missile which was test-launched during the meeting.[140][141]	Joint statement by President Trump and Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
Week 4[edit]
Monday, February 13	President Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House. Michael Flynn resigns as National Security Advisor, following alleged discussions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding the U.S. sanctions on Russia. Keith Kellogg becomes acting National Security Advisor.[142][143] The Senate confirms Steve Mnuchin as 77th Secretary of the Treasury in a vote of 53–47,[144][145] and unanimously confirms David Shulkin as the first non-veteran[146] Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[147] The Department of the Treasury sanctions Tareck El Aissami.[148]	Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau on February 13.
Tuesday, February 14	FBI Director James Comey and other officials give President Trump a briefing on counter-terrorism in the Oval Office.[149][150] According to a statement Comey would later make to the Senate Intelligence Committee, after the briefing, Trump speaks to Comey one-on-one about the FBI investigation of Mike Flynn, saying “I hope you can let this go”.[151] The Senate confirms Linda McMahon as Administrator of the Small Business Administration.[152] President Trump discusses the opioid epidemic with Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie.[153] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Under Secretary of State Shannon meets Russian and Norwegian Ambassadors to the U.S. Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak and Kåre R. Aas.[154] President Trump signs H.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”, or with foreign and domestic governments. Trump is the first president in sixteen years to sign a Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution.[155][156][157]	President Trump and Secretary of Education DeVos at a parent-teacher conference meeting.
Wednesday, February 15	President Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump calls on Netanyahu to “hold back” the construction of settlements in the West Bank.[158] President Trump’s comments on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict prompts Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres to warn against any abandonment of the two-state solution.[159] Andrew Puzder withdraws his nomination to be Secretary of Labor.[160] Chief of Staff Priebus asks Deputy Director of the FBI Andrew G. McCabe to publicly dispute reports that associates of President Trump had been in regular communication with Russian agents, and is rebuffed.[161] Under Secretary of State Shannon meets with Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S. Budi Bowoleksono.[162] Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin appoints Eli Miller as Treasury Chief of Staff.[163]	President Trump Hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Thursday, February 16	Alexander Acosta is nominated to be Secretary of Labor,[164] and Mick Mulvaney is sworn in as the director of the Office of Management and Budget in a vote of 51-49.[165] President Trump holds a press conference, defending his administration, criticizing “dishonest” press coverage thereof, denying Russian connections, and questioning Hillary Clinton’s conduct towards Russia.[166][167] Robert Harward, a former Vice Admiral, declines President Trump’s offer to replace Mike Flynn as National Security Advisor.[168] President Trump signs legislation nullifying the Stream Protection Rule, a midnight regulation by the Obama administration regulating coal mining.[169] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with foreign ministers of G20 countries in Bonn, Germany.[170] Secretary of Defense Mattis says that the United States is not currently prepared to collaborate with Russia on military matters, including future anti-ISIL U.S. operations.[171] George 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.[172][173] Day Without Immigrants 2017 protests are held throughout the United States to demonstrate the importance of immigration.[174]	President Trump holds a press conference.
Friday, February 17	President Trump visits Boeing‘s North Charleston, South Carolinaassembly facility for the unveiling of its new 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft. He emphasizes his administration’s commitment to improve the business climate and help create American jobs.[175] From Mar-a-Lago President Trump describes on Twitter a wide range of mainstream news organizations as “the enemy of the American people”.[176] Scott Pruitt is approved by the U.S. Senate as the 14th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in a vote of 52–46.[177] Secretary of State Tillerson attends a meeting on the Syrian Civil Warand meets with foreign ministers from three more countries during his trip to Bonn, Germany.[178]	President Trump’s weekly address on February 17, 2017.
Saturday, February 18	President Trump holds a rally in Melbourne, Florida, attended by an estimated 9,000 supporters, where he defends his actions and criticizes the media.[179] Vice President Pence speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, touching upon the issues of terrorism and defense spending.[180]	President Trump speaking to supporters at a campaign-style rally in Melbourne, Florida.
Week 5[edit]
Monday, February 20	Lieutenant general H. 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[181] Reduced executive activity due to President’s Day. The national holiday is accompanied by Not My Presidents Day protests.[182]	President Trump announces H.R. McMaster as National Security Advisor.
Tuesday, February 21	President Trump visits the National Museum of African American History and Culture and addresses the increase in vandalism and bomb threats at Jewish community centers around the country.[183] The Trump administration announces the creation of 15,000 new positions in immigration enforcement, with the intention of deporting illegal immigrants.[184] The Trump administration releases a memo that sets the policy for the deportation of undocumented migrants accused of any crime.[185]	President Trump Speaks at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Wednesday, February 22	The Trump administration rescinds a bathroom policy for transgender students that had been instated by the Obama administration.[186] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Australian minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop.[187] Secretary of State Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly arrive in Mexico for bilateral talks with the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto.[188]	President Trump Discusses the Federal Budget.
Thursday, February 23	President Trump meets with 24 manufacturing CEOs at the White House.[189] 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.[190] Press Secretary Spicer tells reporters that the administration plans on increasing enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act against recreational cannabis use.[191] Attorney General Sessions rescinds a memorandum signed by former President Obama meant to phase out private federal US prisons.[192] Secretary of State Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly meet Mexican Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong.[193] The Department of the Treasury sanctions Al-Nusra Front leaders.[194]	President Trump leads a meeting with manufacturing CEOs.
Friday, February 24	President Trump meets with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynskiat the Oval Office.[195] President Trump gives a speech in Oxon Hill, Maryland to the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference. In the speech, he addresses numerous themes including immigration, ISIS and coal mining, and media reliability, suggesting limits on the use of anonymous sources by news agencies.[196] The New York Times is barred from the White House press briefing along with the BBC, CNN, Politico, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed News, prompting criticism from the White House Correspondents’ Association.[197] President Trump signs Executive Order 13777, requiring all federal agencies to create task forces to determine which regulations hurt the U.S. economy.[198] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Iraqi National Intelligence ServiceChief Mustafa Kadhimi.[199]	‘Trump on ‘fake news’ and information leaks’ video from Voice of America
Saturday, February 25	President Trump discusses the Affordable Care Act and the states’ role in healthcare with Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker and Governor of Florida Rick Scott.[200] Trump announces via Twitter that he will not be attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner scheduled for the spring.[201]	President Trump’s weekly address.
Sunday, February 26	Philip M. Bilden withdraws from his nomination for Secretary of the Navy.[202] President Trump attends the National Governors Association dinner.[203]	President Trump at the Governor’s Ball.
Week 6[edit]
Monday, February 27	President Trump proposes a 10% increase in military spending of $54 billion diverted from numerous other budgets, including that of the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.[204][205] Congress receives a letter criticizing this plan, signed by more than 120 retired U.S. admirals and generals, including a former Army Chief of Staff George W. Casey Jr.[206] The Senate confirms Wilbur Ross as the 39th Secretary of Commerce by a Senate vote of 72-27.[207] Former President George W. Bush offers implicit criticism of the Trump administration’s handling the free press and religious freedom on the TODAY show.[208] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.[209]	President Trump at the National Governors Association Meeting.
Tuesday, February 28	Ahead of his Congress speech, President Trump meets privately with national news anchors, signaling his willingness to enact an immigration reform bill that could grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants.[210] President Trump makes his first speech to Congress, addressing a wide range of matters including drug abuse, gang crime, immigration, terrorism, the Mexico–United States barrier, infrastructure, foreign trade and the stock market.[211][212] President Trump signs Executive Orders 13778 and 13779. The first initiates a review of the Clean Water Rule, and the second is meant to “Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities”.[213][214] President Trump signs a bill removing restrictions on the purchase of guns by persons with mental illnesses.[215] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.[216]	President Trump speaks during a joint session of Congress.

March[edit]

Date	Events	Photos
Wednesday, March 1	The Senate confirms Ryan Zinke as 52nd Secretary of the Interior by a vote of 68-31.[217] The House Intelligence Committee opens an inquiry into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.[218] The Department of Justice confirms that Attorney General Sessions met Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak two times in 2016.[219][220] President Trump proclaims March as the month of Women’s History, Irish-American Heritage, and the American Red Cross.[221][222][223] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Borge Brende.[224] President Trump releases his 2017 Trade Policy Agenda.[225]	Secretary of Commerce Ross addresses employees.
Thursday, March 2	President Trump tells reporters that he has “total” confidence in Attorney General Sessions, then delivers a speech aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, reiterating his commitment to increased military spending.[226][227][228] Attorney General Sessions recuses himself from any inquiries involving allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 American election.[229] The Senate confirms Ben Carson as 17th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by a vote of 58-41,[230] and Rick Perry as Secretary of Energy by a vote of 62-37.[231] The White House verifies that Jared Kushner met with Sergey Kislyak alongside Michael T. Flynn at New York City’s Trump Tower in December 2016.[232] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano.[233] On his first day, Secretary of the Interior Zinke signs two secretarial orders reducing regulations on hunting and angling on public lands.[234] The Environmental Protection Agency withdraws its request for information on equipment and emissions at existing operations for the oil and gas industry in response to H.J.Res.41.[235]	President Donald Trump’s weekly address aboard the Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier.
Friday, March 3	President Trump and Secretary of Education DeVos visit Saint Andrew Catholic School in Orlando, Florida.[236] President Trump attends an evening Republican fundraising event at the Four Seasons hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.[237] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Indian Foreign SecretarySubrahmanyam Jaishankar.[238]	President Trump and Secretary of Education DeVos with students of Saint Andrew Catholic School.
Saturday, March 4	In a series of tweets, President Trump publicly accuses former President Obama of intercepting communications at his offices in New York City’s Trump Tower in October 2016; Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis denies the claim.[239] March 4 Trump rallies are held throughout the United States. Mexico opens legal aid centers in its 50 U.S. consulates to defend its citizens’ rights amid the United States “crackdown” on illegal immigration.[240] Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says Canada will not tighten its border because more migrants, reacting to the United States immigration crackdown, are illegally crossing into Canada from the U.S.[241]	A March 4 TrumpDemonstration in Washington, D.C.
Sunday, March 5	James R. Clapper, a former Director of National Intelligence, denies the wiretapping claims of President Trump’s election campaign and states that the agencies he supervised found “no evidence of collusion” between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.[242] Congressman Devin Nunes, 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.[243]
Week 7[edit]
Monday, March 6	President Trump signs Executive Order 13780, seen as a revised version of Executive Order 13769, effective March 16, removing Iraq from affected countries and clarifying that lawful permanent residents are excluded from the travel ban.[244] Trump also signs a memorandum to increase immigration law enforcement.[245] President Trump proclaims March 5 as the start of National Consumer Protection Week.[246]	Trump signing Executive Order 13780.
Tuesday, March 7	President Trump speaks on the telephone with Prime Minister Shinzō Abeto voice his support for Japan in reaction to new reports of North Korean missile tests.[247] The White House verifies that President Trump has not conferred with the FBI over allegations of wiretapping by the previous administration.[248] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.[249]	President Trump speaks about the Republican replacement bill for the Affordable Care Act.
Wednesday, March 8	Formal drafting of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act begins.[250] Federal judge Derrick Watson permits Attorney General of Hawaii Doug Chin to submit a lawsuit against President Trump’s newly revised travel ban, to be heard on March 15.[251] President Trump discusses reducing prescription drug prices with democratic congressmen at the White House.[252] The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform writes to the White House with concern that President Trump’s deletion of social media postings may constitute a violation of the Presidential Records Act.[253] President Trump discusses immigration with Laurene Powell Jobs.[254] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman.[255] Day Without a Woman strikes occur on International Women’s Day in protest of the Trump administration.	White House press briefing on March 8, 2017.
Thursday, March 9	President Trump pledges to remove certain regulations pertaining to the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act at a White House meeting with community bankers.[256][257] The states of Washington, New York, Oregon and Massachusetts join Minnesota and Hawaii’s legal challenge to President Trump’s forthcoming travel ban.[258][259] In an interview with Fox News, Vice President Pence states that he learns from the day’s news reports that Michael Flynn was acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the Turkish government during the campaign.[260]	President Trump leads an NEC meeting with CEOs of small and community banks.
Friday, March 10	President Trump speaks by telephone with Palestinian PresidentMahmoud Abbas, extending a personal invitation to the White House.[261] President Trump and Attorney General Sessions order the resignation of 46 U.S. attorneys remaining from the Obama administration.[262] Former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone acknowledges personal communication he had with Democratic National Committee hacker Guccifer 2.0.[263][264] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with the Ambassadors to the United States of ASEAN Member States, as well as Iraqi Minister of Oil Jabbar Al-Luaibi.[265] Secretary of Health and Human Services Price announces his commitment to greater Medicaid flexibility for states.[266] Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin announces the appointment of four senior staff.[267] Secretary of Defense Mattis responds to the Armed Forces nude photo scandal, calling the actions “unacceptable”.[268]	A brainstorming session with members of congress on replacing the Affordable Care Act. March 10, 2017.
Saturday, March 11	President Trump meets with Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly, Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Ross and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Shulkin at the Trump National Golf Club, where they discuss healthcare and the economy.[269]
Week 8[edit]
Monday, March 13	President Trump signs Executive Order 13781, to reduce operating costs of the federal government.[270][271] Press Secretary Spicer states that Trump’s wiretapping tweet was misinterpreted by the media, saying that Trump meant that the Obama administration was responsible, not Obama personally.[272] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with the Foreign Ministers of Tunisia, Greece, and Saudi Arabia.[273]	President Trump at the first cabinet meeting.
Tuesday, March 14	President Trump hosts Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the White House.[274] Rachel Maddow discloses a portion of Trump’s 2005 tax returns (both sides of his Form 1040), mailed to David Cay Johnston by an unnamed source.[275] The form shows a payment of $38.4 million on a $49.5 million adjusted gross income, accounting for $103.2 million in losses that year.[276] The White House verifies the cited figures and condemns the public release as “totally illegal.”[277] Vice President Pence swears in Seema Verma as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Verma and Secretary of Health and Human Services Price reemphasize their commitment to states’ roles in Medicaid programs.[278] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.[279]	Vice President Pence swearing in Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma.
Wednesday, March 15	President Trump makes remarks at the American Center for Mobility at Willow Run in Ypsilanti, Michigan[280] and later holds a political rally in Nashville, Tennessee, at which he criticizes the court rulings against the travel ban.[281] Rep. Nunes reports that the House Intelligence Committee has not discovered any evidence supporting Trump’s wiretapping claim.[282] Federal Judge Watson issues a temporary nationwide restraining order on the revised travel ban.[283] The senate confirms Dan Coats as Director of National Intelligence in a vote of 85–12.[284] During a televised town hall event, Secretary of Health and Human Services Price says that it should be up to individual states to determine whether vaccinations should be required.[285] Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley describes the idea of a Muslim ban as “un-American”.[286] Secretary of State Tillerson makes his first official visit to Japan, to discuss the threats posed by North Korea’s missile program.[287]	Tokyo Seoul Beijing Secretary of State Tillerson’s tour of East Asia from March 15, 2017 to March 19, 2017.
Thursday, March 16	The Trump Administration releases a preliminary draft of its 2018 budget request. The budget’s largest relative increases in spending include the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs, while the largest cuts apply to the EPA, Foreign Aid, and the Departments of Labor and Agriculture.[288] Trump also signs a memorandum directed at Speaker of the House Paul Ryan requesting additional funds for the departments of Defense and Homeland Security.[289] Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Carson responds to President 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”.[290] President Trump holds talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the White House and announces his intention to visit the Republic of Ireland during his presidency.[291] Press Secretary Spicer repeats claims made by Andrew Napolitano that Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) conducted espionage against Donald Trump.[292][293] Executive Order 13780 is scheduled to be put into effect. A second U.S. federal judge, Theodore D. Chuang of Maryland, grants that state’s motion for a temporary restraining order on President Trump’s revised travel ban.[294] Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly meets with Costa Rican PresidentLuis Guillermo Solís.[295]	President Trump with Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach of Ireland in the West Wing Lobby on Thursday, March 16, 2017.
Friday, March 17	President Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.[296] GCHQ denies all involvement in the alleged wiretapping of Trump Tower,[297][298] prompting the Trump administration to issue a formal apology to the United Kingdom with assurances that the allegation will not be repeated.[299][300] Secretary of State Tillerson visits South Korea to discuss international threats and indicates the possibility of military action against North Korea.[301] The White House announces that it will appeal the Hawaii ruling against the revised travel ban.[302] Vice President Pence meets with Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis.[303] President Trump proclaims March 19 as the start of National Poison Prevention Week.[304]	Joint Press Conference between President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Saturday, March 18	President Trump speaks by telephone with Brazilian President Michel Temer and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.[305] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yiin Beijing, to discuss the North Korean missile program.[306] Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin meets with G-20 country finance ministers, where he defends the Trump administration’s trade policy of economic protectionism.[307][308]	President Trump’s weekly address.
Sunday, March 19	German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen rejects a statement by President Trump on 18 March that Germany owes a financial debt to NATO.[309] Secretary of State Tillerson completes his diplomatic tour of eastern Asia with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.[310]	Secretary of State Tillerson shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping.
Week 9[edit]
Monday, March 20	President Trump issues a tweet rejecting allegations of collusion with Russia as “fake news“.[311][312] In a House Intelligence Committee hearing, FBI Director James Comeystates that their investigation of Russian influence on the presidential election also covers possible links between Russia and Trump campaign figures[313] and that the FBI has no evidence of wiretapping against Trump.[314] President Trump meets with philanthropist Bill Gates in the morning[315]and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the afternoon.[316] President Trump holds an evening political rally in Louisville, Kentucky.[317] President Trump nominates Judge Amul Thapar to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.[318] The Senate Judiciary Committee begins hearings on the nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States.[319] President Trump signs a memorandum which “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 the National Defense Authorization Act.[320][321]	President Trump with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the White House.
Tuesday, March 21	President Trump signs a bill which defines the budget and objectives of NASA, including a crewed mission to Mars as early as 2033.[322][323] 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 the Europa lander and Asteroid Redirect Mission, terminates four Earth science missions, and eliminates the NASA Office of Education, resulting in an overall 0.8% budget decrease.[288]:43–44 Congressman Devin Nunes, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, secretly visits the White House grounds to observe classified information concerning Trump’s allegations of wiretapping.[324] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. President Trump proclaims March 21 as National Agriculture Day.[325] The Department of Labor pushes back the effective date of the Occupational Exposure to Beryllium rule by one month.[326]	President Trump receives a NASA flight jacket.
Wednesday, March 22	President Trump is briefed by Devin 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 on the previous day.[327] President Trump offers British Prime Minister Theresa May the United States’ full support, following a briefing by National Security Advisor McMaster on a fatal terrorist attack carried out near the Palace of Westminster in London.[328][329] Secretary of State Tillerson hosts a summit of 68 nations in Washington to discuss anti-ISIS strategy.[330] Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly meets with President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez.[331]	A briefing from the Metropolitan Police Service, following the Westminster terrorist attack.
Thursday, March 23	The first major Congressional vote on President Trump’s planned repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act is postponed until March 24.[332][333] President Trump signs a memorandum and a presidential notice to “continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13664 with respect to South Sudan“.[334][335] Secretary of State Tillerson orders US diplomatic missions to identify “populations warranting increased scrutiny”.[336]	Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly meets with President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras.
Friday, March 24	With the consent of President Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryanindefinitely 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.[337][338] President Trump and Secretary of Defense Mattis host a group of prior medal recipients at the White House on the eve of National Medal of Honor Day.[339] Under Secretary of State Shannon issues a presidential permit to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by TransCanada Corporation.[340] President Trump proclaims March 25 as Greek Independence Day and hosts a celebration in the East Room.[341][342] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.[343] During a visit to the Osceola County, Florida campus of Valencia 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.[344] The Department of Labor pushes back the Examinations of Working Places in Metal and Nonmetal Mines rule by two months.[345]	President Trump Makes a Statement on Healthcare Law.
Saturday, March 25	A ban on some electronic devices on flights from Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwaitgoes into effect.[346]
Sunday, March 26	Vice President Pence delivers an evening speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) at Washington D.C.’s Verizon Center, reaffirming the United States’ commitments to Israeli defense, and to prevent Iran’s nuclear program from producing a weapon.[347]
Week 10[edit]
Monday, March 27	President Trump signs a memorandum creating the White House Office of American Innovation, consisting of 2 senior advisors and 8 assistants to the president, to be headed by Jared Kushner.[348][349] President Trump signs Executive Order 13782, which revokes Executive Order 13673, section 3 of Executive Order 13683, and Executive Order 13738.[350] 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.[351] President Trump signs four Congressional Review Act disapproval resolutions into law, eliminating regulations from the Obama administration. One repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The second removes regulations on teacher preparedness. The third deregulates resource management planning, and the fourth nullifies the rule Federal Acquisition Regulation and Fair Pay and Safe Workspaces.[352][353][354][355]	President Trump and Vice President Pence meet with Medal of Honor Recipients.
Tuesday, March 28	President Trump signs Executive Order 13783, which removes a directive to consider climate change during deliberations under the National Environmental Policy Act, removes restrictions on fracking, and directs the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend, revise or abolish the Clean Power Plan.[356][357] Press Secretary Spicer denies allegations that the White House attempted to prevent former acting Attorney General Sally Yates from testifying to the House Intelligence Committee.[358] Secretary of State Tillerson meets with the foreign ministers of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.[359] Secretary of the Interior Zinke hosts media call about lifting the coal moratorium and American energy independence.[360] The Trump administration announced it would remove “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as proposed subjects for possible inclusion on the Decennial Census and/or American Community Survey in the future.[361]	President Trump and Vice President Pence speak about Executive Order 13783.
Wednesday, March 29	President Trump signs Executive Order 13784 to combat drug addiction and the opioid epidemic.[362] Trump also hosts a meeting in the Cabinet Room, concerning opioids and drug abuse.[363] President Trump issues a presidential notice continuing Executive Order 13694, which “[blocks] the property of certain persons engaging in significant malicious cyber-enabled activities”.[364] Secretary of the Interior Zinke signs a secretarial order scaling back regulations on natural resources from the Obama administration.[365] Federal Judge Watson converts the temporary restraining order on President Trump’s travel ban into an indefinite preliminary injunction, citing evidence of a religious objective in violation of the Establishment Clause.[366][367] The White House verifies that Ivanka Trump is to become an unpaid employee in the West Wing.[368] Secretary of Education DeVos delivers her first extended policy address at the Brookings Institution, stating an interest in implementing choice policies and criticizing policies from the Obama administration.[369] Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Scott Pruitt denies the administrative petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Pesticide Action Network North America to ban Chlorpyrifos.[370]	President Trump hosts a meeting concerning opioids and drug abuse.
Thursday, March 30	President Trump calls FBI Director James Comey, asserts that he wasn’t involved with Russian hookers and asks Comey to “lift the cloud” of the Russia investigation.[151] President Trump meets with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, at the White House.[371] The US 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.[372] Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn seeks immunity from the FBI in exchange for testimony on White House links to Russia.[373] Vice President Pence casts his second tie-breaking vote, voting to advance a bill to defund Planned Parenthood.[374] Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley states that the priority of the United States policy concerning Syrian President Bashar Assad is no longer to force him out of power.[375] Attorney General Sessions meets with Attorneys General of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.[376]	President Trump meets with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Friday, March 31	President Trump issues a tweet describing as a “witch hunt” allegations of links between Russia and his associates, and recommending that Michael Flynn requests immunity in return for testimony to the intelligence authorities.[377] President Trump signs two executive orders aimed at preventing foreign trade abuses. The signing occurs behind closed doors after Trump leaves the public ceremony without signing the orders.[378] President Trump signs an executive order, as with Executive Order 13775, which provides an order of succession within the Department of Justice.[379] President Trump and Vice President Pence meet with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the White House.[380] The Department of the Treasury announces new sanctions against North Korea in response to Kim Jong Un‘s continuing nuclear missile program.[381] District Judge David J. Hale rules against a freedom of speech defense by President Trump’s lawyers, permitting to proceed a lawsuit in which three plaintiffs allege that Trump incited violence at a presidential campaign rally in 2016.[382][383] President Trump proclaims April as the Month of Cancer Control, Child Abuse Prevention, Sexual Assault Awareness, Financial Capability, and Donate Life. Trump also proclaims April 2 as Autism Awareness Day.[384][385][386][387][388][389] President Trump nullifies a rule that limits drug testing of state unemployment insurance holders.[390] Secretary of Transportation Chao announces $10 million for emergency repairs to Atlanta’s collapsed I-85 overpass.[391]	Secretary of State Tillerson stands with NATO colleagues in Brussels, Belgium.

See also