On December 31, 2025, President Donald Trump exercised his veto power for the first time during his second term, rejecting two bipartisan bills that had garnered support from both parties in Congress. The first bill, aimed at completing the Arkansas Valley Conduit, was designed to provide water to communities in southeastern Colorado. Trump characterized this proposal as economically unviable, asserting that it would negatively impact federal repayments associated with the pipeline intended to supply fresh water to eastern Colorado.

The second bill, known as the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act, sought to mandate assistance from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida to address flooding risks in their community. Trump justified his veto by claiming that the Miccosukee Tribe had engaged in unauthorized development on the affected land and accused them of obstructing immigration policies favored by voters during his election.

Representative Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado who sponsored the Arkansas Valley Conduit bill, expressed disappointment over the veto, suggesting that it may have been politically motivated, particularly in light of her calls for accountability regarding corruption. She indicated that the matter is not resolved and questioned whether her demands for transparency influenced the decision.

Both bills had received unanimous bipartisan support, and Colorado senators argued that the veto would hinder access to safe and reliable water for rural communities that largely supported Trump. The vetoes reflect ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and local governments, particularly concerning infrastructure, environmental issues, and the treatment of Indigenous communities in policy decisions. Congress retains the option to override presidential vetoes, although achieving a two-thirds majority in both chambers is a challenging task.