Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump claimed government lacks funds to refund tariff revenue if Supreme Court rules against tariff authority — Trump stated in public remarks that the federal government cannot afford to repay tariff revenue collected if the Supreme Court rules against his tariff authority, claiming repayment would exceed $3 trillion and constitute a "National Security Event." Trump also accused justices opposed to his position of "giving low Numbers" to make the case appear easy to resolve. The administration lost twice in lower courts on the tariff issue and made no fiscal preparations for a potential loss.
• Trump claimed tariff ruling would cost $2–3 trillion and constitute national security catastrophe — President Trump stated on Monday that if the Supreme Court ruled his tariffs unconstitutional, the U.S. would owe "in excess of $2 Trillion Dollars," later increasing the figure to $3 trillion, and characterized this as a "National Security catastrophe." He blamed "Anarchists and Thugs" for challenging his tariffs. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated the actual figure at approximately $195 billion. The Supreme Court had heard arguments on tariff constitutionality on November 5.

Supporting reports

• Trump issued broad pardon for 2020 election-related conduct — Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin posted a document on social media revealing that Trump issued a sweeping pardon covering "all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of Presidential Electors" in connection with the 2020 election, as well as conduct related to efforts to expose alleged voting fraud and vulnerabilities.

Supporting reports

• Trump pardoned dozens of election-denying loyalists and fake electors — Trump pardoned dozens of election-denying loyalists and fake electors involved in plans to overturn the 2020 presidential election on November 9, including lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis, ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows, and conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell. The pardons cover only federal charges and do not protect against state charges.
• Trump issues federal pardons for 77 people involved in 2020 election interference scheme — President Trump pardoned 77 people, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and John Eastman, for their roles in efforts to overturn the 2020 election through fake elector schemes and legal challenges. The pardons, announced via X by pardon attorney Ed Martin on November 10, are "full, complete and unconditional" but apply only to federal charges, leaving state-level prosecutions intact. Trump's proclamation characterized the prosecutions as "a grave national injustice" and framed the pardons as part of "national reconciliation."
• Trump issued broad pardon for 2020 election-related conduct — Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin posted a document on social media revealing that Trump issued a sweeping pardon covering "all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of Presidential Electors" in connection with the 2020 election, as well as conduct related to efforts to expose alleged voting fraud and vulnerabilities.
• Trump pardons eight individuals involved in 2020 election overturn efforts — Trump pardoned eight people who attempted to help him overturn the 2020 election results: Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, Ken Chesebro, Christina Bobb, Kelli Ward, and Jenna Ellis. The pardons come days before a November 14 deadline for Georgia prosecutors to appoint a replacement for disqualified prosecutor Fani Willis.
• Trump grants preemptive pardons to 70+ MAGA allies including Giuliani and Meadows — Trump granted preemptive pardons to more than 70 MAGA allies, including ex-lawyer Rudy Giuliani and ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows, who worked on efforts to create fake electors to subvert Trump's 2020 election loss. The pardons were announced by pardon attorney Ed Martin via social media. None of the recipients face federal charges, though some have been charged or scrutinized by state authorities for election subversion efforts. Legal experts characterized the action as corrupt, pay-to-play, and authoritarian.
• Trump signed pardons for 77 election subversion conspirators — Trump signed pardons for 77 individuals involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, and fake electors who had already pleaded guilty. The pardons were signed Friday and announced Sunday night during government shutdown media coverage. The timing and announcement strategy obscured the action from public attention during competing news cycles.

Supporting reports

• Trump demanded Republican senators eliminate the Senate filibuster to pass legislation without Democratic support — During a White House meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President Trump reiterated his demand that Republican senators end the filibuster to enable passage of a continuing resolution without Democratic votes. Trump argued that eliminating the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass legislation guaranteeing they would "never lose the midterms and we will never lose a general election" again, attempting to address Republican concerns about future Democratic use of a simple majority.
• Trump demanded Senate abolish the filibuster — During a press conference, Trump called on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster, stating that doing so would ensure Republicans "will never lose the midterms" and "will never lose the general election." He cited voter ID requirements and elimination of mail-in voting as legislative priorities that would be enabled by filibuster abolition.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed pardons for 77 people involved in 2020 election subversion — On November 7, 2025, President Trump signed full pardons for 77 people connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, Jeffrey Clark, Boris Epshteyn, Christina Bobb, and fake electors from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The pardon proclamation was announced late Sunday, November 9, at 7:54 PM via social media by Ed Martin, Trump's clemency czar, timing that coincided with Senate shutdown negotiations to minimize media coverage. The pardons are federal only and do not affect pending state prosecutions in Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
• Trump issues proclamation granting pardons for offenses related to 2020 election activities — President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 10989 on November 7, 2025, granting full, complete, and unconditional pardons to all U.S. citizens for conduct relating to advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for any slate or proposed slate of Presidential electors in connection with the 2020 Presidential Election, as well as efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in that election. The proclamation names 76 individuals by name, including Sidney Powell, Rudolph Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, and Mark Meadows. The pardon does not apply to Trump himself.
• Trump administration replaces clemency documents with variable signatures after identical-signature controversy — The Justice Department replaced online pardons bearing strikingly similar copies of Trump's signature with new versions showing variable signatures after public scrutiny. Seven clemency orders issued on November 7, 2025, including pardons for Darryl Strawberry, Glen Casada, and Michael McMahon, initially displayed nearly identical signatures. DOJ blamed a "technical error" and staffing issues; White House officials insisted Trump signed each pardon by hand. Handwriting experts noted that identical signatures contradict basic forensic principles.
• Trump issues broad pardon for 2020 election-related conduct, potentially covering voter fraud cases — On November 7, 2025, President Trump issued a pardon for Rudy Giuliani and others involved in the fake elector scheme. The pardon's language is sweeping, covering "any US citizen" for conduct relating to "advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of presidential electors" in connection with the 2020 election. Legal experts argue the pardon's broad wording may unintentionally cover citizens who committed voter fraud in 2020, such as Matthew Alan Laiss, accused of voting in both Pennsylvania and Florida. Courts must now determine the pardon's actual scope.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration began planning military operations inside Mexico — NBC reported that the Trump administration has begun detailed planning for a new mission to send US troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to target drug cartels. Early-stage training for the potential mission, which would include ground operations inside Mexico, has already begun. Discussions about the scope of the mission are ongoing, and a final decision has not been made.
• Trump administration plans troop deployment to Mexico — NBC News reported that the Trump administration is planning a new mission to send US troops and intelligence officers to Mexico in an effort to target drug cartels.

Supporting reports

• Trump stated he could invoke the Insurrection Act without judicial review — During the 60 Minutes interview, Trump stated that if he needed to send the Army or Marines into cities, he would do so "in a heartbeat" using the Insurrection Act, claiming "no judge can even challenge you on that. If I wanted to I could."
• Trump claims he can invoke Insurrection Act without judicial review — During a 60 Minutes interview, Trump said he would send the Army or Marines into US cities "in a heartbeat" and claimed no judge could challenge his invocation of the Insurrection Act if he did so.

Supporting reports

• DOJ claimed War Powers Act does not apply to boat bombings — The Department of Justice informed Congress that the Trump administration does not have to comply with the War Powers Act regarding boat bombings in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific because the targeted vessels have been unable to shoot back. The DOJ argued that the operation does not rise to the level of "hostilities" covered by the 60-day limit in the 1973 War Powers Resolution. According to the New York Times, at least 65 people have been killed in 14 airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific so far. The DOJ characterized the operation as "precise strikes conducted largely by unmanned aerial vehicles launched from naval vessels in international waters at distances too far away for the crews of the targeted vessels to endanger American personnel."

Supporting reports

• Administration claims exemption from War Powers Act consultation requirement — The Trump administration is claiming it does not have to consult Congress regarding continued military strikes against Venezuela, contrary to the 1973 War Powers Resolution. The administration notified Congress on September 4, 2025, of a strike against a vessel in the Caribbean allegedly affiliated with a terrorist organization and engaged in drug trafficking. As of November 1, the 60-day deadline requiring Congressional approval approaches on Monday, but the administration has not sought approval and has been reluctant to share information about the strikes with Congress, excluding senior Senate Democrats from briefings and providing incomplete briefings to House members.
• Trump administration ignored War Powers Act deadline for Venezuela strikes — The Trump administration did not seek congressional approval by the November 4 deadline required under the 1973 War Powers Act for ongoing military strikes against Venezuela. The administration took the position that no approval was necessary because U.S. military personnel were not at risk in the strikes, which have killed 65 people so far. The administration's interpretation effectively exempts the strikes from War Powers Act requirements.

Supporting reports

• War Powers Resolution 60-day deadline for boat strikes passed without congressional approval — The Trump administration informed Congress of the boat strikes on September 4 to ensure Congress was "fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution." However, the administration has since ignored the War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional approval for hostile actions to continue longer than 60 days. The 60-day deadline passed in early November 2025 without congressional approval for the continuation of strikes.
• Trump notifies Congress of military strike — On September 4, 2025, President Trump notified Congress of a military strike against a vessel in the Caribbean, claiming it was linked to a terrorist organization and involved in drug trafficking. This notification was part of his obligation under the War Powers Resolution, which requires the president to inform Congress of military actions.

Supporting reports

• Trump directs Defense Department to prepare for military action in Nigeria — On Truth Social, Trump directed the Defense Department to "prepare for possible action" in Nigeria to "completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists" allegedly killing Christians, an accusation Nigeria denies. He also threatened to cut off all aid and assistance to Nigeria. The directive came less than an hour after Trump watched a Fox segment about Christian targeting by Islamic groups in the country.
• Trump threatened military invasion of Nigeria — Trump posted on Truth Social that if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the United States will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and "may very well go into that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing,' to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists." Trump stated he is "hereby instructing our Dept of War to prepare for possible action" and warned that if the U.S. attacks, "it will be fast, vicious, and sweet." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded with an X post stating that "The Dept of War is preparing for action" and that either the Nigerian government will protect Christians or "we will kill the Islamic Terrorists."

Supporting reports

• Pentagon ordered National Guard to establish "quick reaction" forces in every state and territory by January. — The Pentagon issued orders to the National Guard to create specialized "quick reaction" forces in every state and territory by January, trained and equipped to respond to riots and civil unrest within the United States. Trump had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in August to establish these units. Memos were sent to state Guard organizations.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces federalization of National Guard and deployment to Democratic-led cities — During a speech in Japan on October 29, President Trump announced he is federalizing National Guard troops and deploying them into Democratic-led cities, stating the purpose is to "have safe cities." Trump also repeated false claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. When pressed by reporters, Trump referenced the Insurrection Act, claiming that if invoked, it would allow him to deploy military forces without court involvement, though the Act legally applies only during actual insurrection or rebellion.
• Trump said he would deploy Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to US cities — Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he would be willing to deploy other branches of the military into US cities, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Without naming the Insurrection Act, Trump said, "If I want to enact a certain act, I'm allowed to do it," adding that "I'd be allowed to do whatever I want" and claiming that "the courts wouldn't get involved."
• Trump stated he could deploy any military branch into American cities without court involvement. — When asked about his prior statement regarding sending "more than the National Guard" into American cities, Trump stated he was "allowed to do that" and could deploy the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines as he wished. Trump asserted that "the courts wouldn't get involved. Nobody would get involved" and that "I could send anybody I wanted."

Supporting reports

• Trump discusses constitutional third-term workaround but rules out VP gambit — Donald Trump stated aboard Air Force One that while he would be "allowed" to run as vice-president to circumvent the 22nd Amendment's two-term limit, he would rule out such an approach, calling it "too cute" and saying "the people wouldn't like that." He also said he "would love" to serve a third term and has previously distributed "Trump 2028" hats, leaving ambiguity about whether he is definitively foreclosing a third-term bid.
• Trump expressed interest in running for a third term — When asked about the possibility of running for a third term, Trump stated "I would love to do it" and claimed "I've solved eight wars and the ninth is coming." The statement expressed willingness to pursue a constitutionally prohibited third presidential term.
• Trump stated he would not pursue a third term by running as vice president with a puppet candidate. — On Air Force One en route to South Korea, Trump was asked whether he would follow Steve Bannon's suggestion to run for a third term as vice president with a puppet presidential candidate. Trump responded that while he would be legally allowed to do so, he would not pursue such a strategy, calling it "too cute." The statement came amid ongoing speculation about constitutional limits on presidential terms.
• Trump discusses third-term presidency and Twenty-Second Amendment — President Trump has repeatedly discussed the possibility of serving a third term as president, most recently speaking about it to reporters on Air Force One earlier in the week. The Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution prohibits a third term. Trump ally Stephen Bannon told the Economist that "Trump is going to be president in '28 and people just ought to get accommodated with that," claiming there are "many different alternatives" to circumvent the Twenty-Second Amendment. Trump campaign merchandise displaying "Trump 2028" is displayed on bookshelves outside the Oval Office.

Supporting reports

• Trump stated intention to kill drug traffickers without congressional declaration of war — When asked by a reporter why he had not sought a congressional declaration of war against South American drug cartels, Trump responded: "Well, I don't think we're gonna necessarily ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. OK? We're going to kill them. You know? They're going to be, like dead. OK?" The statement articulates an intention to exercise lethal force against foreign nationals without seeking constitutional authorization from Congress.

Supporting reports

• Trump authorizes Defense Department to redirect research and development funds to pay military personnel — President Trump authorized the Department of Defense to pay US military personnel using funds originally allocated for research and development, circumventing the appropriations process during the government shutdown. Budget experts consulted by the Guardian characterized the move as likely illegal, as it reallocates congressionally approved funds without legislative authorization. This action occurred as hundreds of thousands of federal employees and military personnel faced unpaid status during the shutdown.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens use of Insurrection Act against American cities — On the morning of October 19, 2025, President Trump told Fox News Channel host Maria Bartiromo that he could invoke the Insurrection Act, stating "Don't forget I can use the Insurrection Act. Fifty percent of the presidents almost have used that. And that's unquestioned power. I choose not to, I'd rather do this, but I'm met constantly by fake politicians." He framed the threat in terms of ensuring "safety" in cities, implying military or federal force could be deployed against American civilians and local governments.
• Trump falsely claimed presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act 28 times and threatened to use it to deploy troops to cities — Trump stated he can "always use the Insurrection Act" to send more troops to U.S. cities and falsely claimed that one president invoked it 28 times. In reality, the Insurrection Act has been invoked only 30 times in over 230 years, with President Ulysses S. Grant invoking it six times. Trump specifically threatened to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco and other Democratic-run cities, claiming they are "unsafe" and "disasters."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration withheld over $27 billion in funds from Democratic districts during government shutdown — During the government shutdown, Trump told reporters his administration was using the shutdown to withhold funds Congress appropriated from Democratic districts. The New York Times estimated the administration cancelled more than $27.24 billion in funds for Democratic districts and states while cutting only $738.7 million from Republican districts and states. Speaker Johnson said such withholding was lawful and constitutional but did not explain his reasoning. Republican representatives, including Senator Susan Collins (chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee), reported they were not consulted about the cuts.
• Trump claims administration is selectively closing Democratic programs — President Trump told reporters that the administration is deliberately closing government programs it disagrees with, framing the cuts as targeting Democratic priorities. Trump stated: "We're not closing up Republican programs because we think they work. So the Democrats are getting killed, but they're not telling the people about that…. So we are closing up Democrat programs that we think that we disagree with, and they're never going to open again."

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to sidestep court orders blocking Guard deployments — In response to recent court orders blocking military deployments, Trump and senior White House officials raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the president's most powerful emergency authorities. The rarely used law allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or lawless behavior. The act is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday that he may invoke the act to sidestep court rulings blocking the dispatch of Guard troops, saying "It's been invoked before. We have an Insurrection Act for a reason."

Supporting reports

• Steve Bannon suggests plans for Trump to run for unconstitutional third term — On NewsNation, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon suggested there are plans for Trump to run for an unconstitutional third term in 2028, saying "I think there are many different alternatives that, at the appropriate term, after the midterms in '26, we will roll out…to make sure that President Trump is on the ballot…and if he's on the ballot, he'll win."

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance said Trump considering Insurrection Act invocation for National Guard deployment — On NBC's "Meet the Press," Vice President JD Vance said Trump is "looking at all of his options" to deploy National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities, including invoking the Insurrection Act. He noted that while Trump "has not felt like he needed to" invoke the Insurrection Act "right now," he also hasn't ruled out doing so.
• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to sidestep court orders blocking Guard deployments — In response to recent court orders blocking military deployments, Trump and senior White House officials raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the president's most powerful emergency authorities. The rarely used law allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or lawless behavior. The act is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday that he may invoke the act to sidestep court rulings blocking the dispatch of Guard troops, saying "It's been invoked before. We have an Insurrection Act for a reason."

Supporting reports

• The Pentagon diverted $8 billion in research and development funds to cover military payroll during the shutdown. — The Trump administration ordered the Pentagon to repurpose approximately $8 billion in unobligated research and development funds from the prior fiscal year to cover military payroll, preventing service members from missing their first paychecks during the government shutdown. However, civilian federal employees were not afforded the same treatment. The Trump administration's budget office also argued in a draft opinion that furloughed workers are not entitled to back pay when the shutdown ends, creating a disparity in how different federal workers are treated.
• Trump administration redirects Pentagon funds to pay military personnel during shutdown — The Trump administration, via Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reallocated unspent Pentagon research and development funds to ensure military personnel receive scheduled paychecks on October 15 during the government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the move as lawful, while Democratic lawmakers questioned its legality under appropriations law. The action bypassed the need for a separate military pay bill and was framed by Trump as preventing Democrats from holding the military "hostage."
• Trump announces plan to pay furloughed troops using unappropriated funds — Trump announced he has the power to pay furloughed troops by redirecting unused fiscal year 2026 appropriations to cover military payroll after funding expired on September 30. Trump claims authority as commander in chief. Budget experts note this violates the Antideficiency Act and constitutional requirements that only Congress can appropriate and direct spending. The move is unnecessary, as Congress would easily pass a measure to pay troops if House Speaker Mike Johnson called the chamber into session.
• Trump directs use of FY2026 Department of War funds to pay active-duty military during appropriations lapse — President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-8 directing the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, to use funds appropriated for Fiscal Year 2026 to disburse military pay and allowances to active-duty and Reserve component personnel during a 15-day appropriations lapse. The memorandum asserts that the lapse presents a threat to military readiness and invokes Article II authority as Commander in Chief to authorize the reallocation of funds with a "reasonable, logical relationship" to military compensation.
• Trump signed presidential memo to pay military during shutdown — Trump signed a presidential memo to use unspent federal funds to pay military members during the government shutdown. It's unclear whether he has the legal authority to issue the directive.
• Trump administration announced use of military research funds to pay furloughed troops — The Trump administration announced it would pay furloughed troops by redirecting funds Congress appropriated for research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTE) for fiscal year 2026. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the action as a "creative solution," dismissing Democratic legal objections. The Antideficiency Act, dating to 1870, prohibits spending money Congress has not appropriated for a specific purpose. This action violates that law and undermines congressional control of federal finances.

Supporting reports

• Trump ordered a military strike on a Colombian boat — President Donald Trump ordered a military strike on a boat identified as Colombian, which has sparked an international incident. Colombia's president stated that Colombian citizens were on board the vessel. The White House dismissed the accusation as "baseless," but U.S. officials privately believe the boat was likely Colombian.
• Trump announces 100% tariffs on Chinese products effective November 1 — After the stock market closed, President Trump posted on social media announcing 100% tariffs on products from China beginning November 1, 2025. This levy is in addition to existing tariffs. The announcement sent stocks falling further in after-market trading. The tariff authority constitutionally belongs to Congress, not the President.
• Trump announced 100% tariff on Chinese goods — Trump announced a new 100% tariff on all goods from China in addition to previously imposed tariffs, following his earlier Truth Social posts claiming China was becoming "very hostile" and attempting to impose export controls on rare earths and other materials. Trump stated he had not spoken to President Xi and canceled plans to meet him at APEC in South Korea in two weeks. The announcement caused significant stock market decline, with the Dow falling nearly 900 points and the NASDAQ dropping 3.56%.
• Trump threatens massive new tariffs on China — Trump announced threats of massive new tariffs on China, causing the stock market to decline rapidly in response.
• Trump posts social media threats against China regarding rare earth minerals — President Trump posted on social media claiming "[s]ome very strange things are happening in China!" in response to Chinese restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. Rare earth minerals are essential for manufacturing robotics, electric vehicles, and electronics. Trump threatened retaliation against China and suggested canceling an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The post sent stock prices tumbling.

Supporting reports

• DOJ Office of Legal Counsel justified lethal strikes on drug boats — CNN reported that the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel's classified memo justifying the Trump administration's lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats argues that the president has the power to designate drug traffickers as enemy combatants and have them summarily killed without legal review. One former associate general counsel at the Defense Department noted that if the opinion is as broad as it seems, "it would mean the DOJ has interpreted the president to have such extraordinary powers that he alone can decide to prosecute a war far broader than what Congress authorized after the attacks on 9/11."

Supporting reports

• Stephen Miller announced alternative federal deployment options — Stephen Miller stated that the administration would abide by the court ruling insofar as it affects the covered parties, but asserted that the president has "many options" to deploy federal resources and U.S. military to Portland. This statement suggested the administration would seek alternative legal pathways to deploy military or federal forces despite the court order.
• Trump officials discussed invoking Insurrection Act — NBC News reported that Trump administration officials have engaged in increasingly serious discussions about the president invoking the Insurrection Act, though a decision to do so wasn't expected to happen imminently.
• Stephen Miller claims president has plenary authority to use military against citizens — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller stated in a CNN interview that the president possesses "plenary authority"—complete, unchecked power—to use the military to suppress what he characterized as an "insurrection." Miller abruptly stopped speaking mid-sentence after making this claim. The statement echoes arguments that exceptions to the rule of law reveal where true power rests in a society, a concept central to Carl Schmitt's political philosophy.
• Trump declared at least eight national emergencies since January 2025 — Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has declared at least eight national emergencies, which it has used to justify the invocation of emergency powers for various policy objectives.
• White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller asserted "plenary" presidential authority under Title 10 — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller claimed that the president's power under Title 10 to federalize National Guard troops is "plenary," or absolute. This assertion of unlimited executive authority was made in the context of the National Guard deployment to Illinois for ICE enforcement operations.
• White House officials discussed invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops — White House officials, led by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have been having increasingly serious discussions about having Trump invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops to suppress domestic unrest. The Insurrection Act permits the president to deploy troops to suppress insurrection, domestic violence, or unlawful combinations that obstruct the execution of federal law.
• Senate authorized executive deadly-force authority against drug cartels without congressional approval — The U.S. Senate voted 48–51 to permit the president to order deadly force against drug cartels without requiring congressional authorization. Two Republicans (Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski) opposed; one Democrat (John Fetterman) voted in favor. The article notes the authority has already been used in Caribbean boat strikes resulting in at least 21 deaths, and Congress has not been provided evidence that the targeted boats carried narcotics. The vote grants this power to all future presidents regardless of party.