Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis — Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. According to witness accounts, Pretti was shot after rushing to protect a woman who was being pepper-sprayed by Border Patrol agents. Video evidence shows a federal officer retrieving Pretti's firearm while another officer drew his weapon before the fatal shooting occurred.
• Federal agents shoot and kill Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement operation — Federal immigration agents under the Trump administration shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis on January 24 during an enforcement operation. The killing was the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis within weeks and intensified public anger over the administration's immigration enforcement tactics and the use of lethal force.
• Federal agents shoot and kill VA nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, in Minneapolis. Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, subsequently labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist." VA Secretary Collins blamed the death on state and local officials' "refusal to cooperate with the federal government." The killing followed another shooting of a U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, by an ICE official in Minneapolis earlier that month.
• Border Patrol agents fatally shoot ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Border Patrol agents fired at least 10 shots at 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, killing him. Pretti had been recording the agents with his phone after they pepper-sprayed and tackled him to the ground. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller falsely labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist" and claimed he was holding a gun and attempting to assassinate law enforcement. A Trump-appointed federal judge issued a late-night order directing the administration not to destroy or alter evidence in the case.
• Federal agents killed Alex Pretti, 37-year-old ICU nurse, during immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA, on a Minneapolis street during an immigration enforcement operation. Video evidence from ABC News shows Pretti recording federal agents with his phone before being pepper-sprayed, pushed into the street, and shot approximately 10 times in under five seconds. A doctor's affidavit cited by ABC describes multiple gunshot wounds including at least three in Pretti's back. An officer was heard saying "I got the gun" after the shooting. The incident occurred the morning after Minnesota's Friday economic blackout protest. Pretti's family disputes official accounts, describing them as "sickening lies."
• Federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis — Federal agents, identified as ICE/Border Patrol officers, tackled, pepper-sprayed, and shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, on a Minneapolis street. Video evidence shows Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, and attempting to help another person who had been pushed down by agents. After agents removed a gun from Pretti's waistband, they shot him multiple times, killing him. Federal agents then blocked state investigators, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, from accessing the scene despite a search warrant.
• Fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse by federal ICE agents during immigration operation — Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse and U.S. citizen, was killed by federal agents on Saturday, January 25, 2026, while apparently filming an immigration enforcement operation. Videos verified by The Guardian contradict portions of the Department of Homeland Security's account of the incident. This marks the third shooting involving federal agents in January 2026 and prompted state and city lawyers to urge the court to halt Operation Metro Surge before additional deaths occur.
• Federal agent fatally shoots civilian Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — A 37-year-old nurse, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by a federal Customs and Border Protection agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Democratic lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris, condemned the shooting as an execution and called for accountability. Republicans, led by President Trump and Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, blamed Democratic officials for creating a lawless environment that prevented local police cooperation with federal agents.
• Federal agents fatally shoot 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and Virginia nurse, at approximately 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2026, in the Eat Street area of Minneapolis. The killing occurred in front of witnesses who videotaped the incident. It is the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the January 7 death of Renee Good. Federal agents subsequently deployed chemical irritants to disperse crowds and made arrests at the scene. Governor Tim Walz stated the killing contradicted calls for peace.
• Federal agents fatally shoot 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement operation — Federal law enforcement officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, a Minneapolis nurse and US citizen with no criminal record and a valid firearm permit, during a protest against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. Video evidence shows Pretti holding a phone and attempting to shield a woman being pepper-sprayed; federal officials falsely claimed he was armed with a 9mm handgun and posed a threat to officers. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino contradicted video evidence in their public statements. A Minnesota judge ordered preservation of evidence after state officials alleged DHS was blocking local investigation access.
• Federal agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis; nationwide protests erupt — Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse and US citizen employed at Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot dead by federal agents during an encounter in Minneapolis. Video evidence shows Pretti being wrestled to the ground and sprayed with chemical agents before being shot multiple times. The DHS and Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti "approached" officers with a 9mm handgun, contradicting available video footage. Large protests spread across US cities including Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Providence, Los Angeles, and Washington DC on the following day, with demonstrators calling for ICE abolishment and justice.
• Federal agents kill Minneapolis VA nurse Alex Pretti during ICE enforcement action — Alex Pretti, 37, a registered nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation. Video evidence shows Pretti holding a phone, with an empty raised hand, appearing to defend a legal observer being pushed down by officers. Multiple agents surrounded him on the ground before firing multiple shots at close range. His family disputes the administration's account that he threatened officers with a gun. Police confirmed his only prior law enforcement contact was for traffic tickets and that he was a lawful gun owner.
• Federal agents shoot and kill Alex Pretti, a nurse, during ICE enforcement operation in Minneapolis — Alex Pretti, a healthcare worker, was fatally shot by federal agents during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis on or around January 25, 2026. The shooting occurred amid weeks of intensified federal immigration enforcement in the area. Following the killing, federal agents deployed teargas and projectiles against demonstrators and bystanders who gathered at the scene, injuring multiple people including children and community members seeking to help the injured.
• Federal immigration agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — On January 25, 2026, federal immigration officers shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation. Video evidence shows agents removed Pretti's legally carried handgun before shooting him. The incident sparked immediate calls for investigation from former presidents Obama and Clinton, Democratic lawmakers, and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. A federal judge issued an order blocking destruction of evidence. The Trump administration disputed the narrative, with officials claiming Pretti interfered with a lawful arrest, while video evidence contradicted claims he brandished a weapon.
• ICE agents shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis; White House falsely brands him "domestic terrorist" — Federal border patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. White House officials immediately claimed Pretti was a "would-be assassin" and "domestic terrorist" brandishing a gun. Multiple witness videos emerged showing Pretti held only a phone when agents pushed him to the ground, and that his gun was removed seconds before he was shot in the back while restrained. Facing public and bipartisan backlash, Trump distanced himself from the narrative and shuffled immigration leadership.
• Federal agents shot and killed VA nurse Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis — Federal Border Patrol and ICE agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a nurse without a criminal record, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. Multiple videos contradicted official DHS claims that Pretti intended to conduct a "massacre" or cause "maximum damage." Internal DHS sources told Fox reporter Bill Melugin that the shooting was likely a "bad shoot" involving an accidental discharge after agents heard "gun," and that DHS messaging about the incident was catastrophic for morale and credibility. The incident triggered congressional scrutiny, a government funding crisis, and a political backlash against the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.
• Federal agents killed Alex Pretti, an ICE nurse, during Minneapolis street encounter — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, an ICE nurse at Minneapolis VA, on a Minneapolis street during a period of civil unrest. Video evidence shows Pretti standing with phone raised, recording, when officers pepper-sprayed and pulled him into the street. A doctor's affidavit describes at least three gunshot wounds in his back, with multiple shots fired in under five seconds. His family disputes the official account. The incident occurred one day after a statewide economic blackout and clergy-led protest involving an estimated 50,000 people.
• Border Patrol shoots and kills Alex Pretti, ICU nurse, during Minnesota immigration enforcement operation — US Border Patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota on January 25, 2026. Video evidence showed Pretti was unarmed at the moment of the shooting, contradicting federal claims that he posed a direct threat. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino claimed Pretti had threatened a "massacre" before being disarmed, but state investigators were blocked from the scene. The incident sparked public outcry and calls for investigation into federal enforcement tactics.
• Federal agents shoot and kill Alex Pretti during Minneapolis protest — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, a registered nurse at Minneapolis VA Health Care System, during a protest in south Minneapolis on Saturday. Video evidence shows Pretti being tackled by multiple agents after appearing to defend a shoved observer; an agent sprayed him with chemical agent before officers fired multiple shots at close range. DHS characterized the shooting as "defensive" and described protesters as "rioters." Pretti had no prior law enforcement contact except traffic tickets and was a lawful gun permit holder.
• Federal agents killed Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA hospital ICU nurse, in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Pretti had stopped his car to observe agents chasing a family on foot, shouted, and blew a whistle. About a week prior, five agents had tackled him, breaking a rib, after he intervened in a similar incident. The killing triggered widespread public outcry and shifted the political calculus around federal funding bills in Congress.
• Federal agents killed VA ICE nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Federal immigration enforcement agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA hospital ICE nurse, in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. Pretti was carrying a legally permitted firearm while participating in community-led first-responder activities. Administration officials, including Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and FBI director Kash Patel, claimed the killing was justified and that Pretti posed a threat. However, the Minnesota Department of Corrections launched a website to counter DHS claims, stating that Bovino had misrepresented the target of the operation and that the individual identified had no significant criminal history in Minnesota.
• Minneapolis Police Chief criticized federal enforcement operations — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, in Minneapolis while he was directing traffic and attempting to assist another individual. Video evidence shows agents using pepper spray on Pretti before tackling him to the ground and shooting him multiple times. Following the incident, federal agents blocked state investigators from accessing the scene, prompting Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to file a lawsuit for a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction of evidence. A judge granted the order, barring the alteration or destruction of evidence related to the shooting.
• Minnesota National Guard distributed supplies to anti-ICE protesters — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told CBS's Face the Nation that the city had experienced three federal shootings in less than three weeks, contrasting this with the Minneapolis Police Department's recovery of 900 guns and arrest of hundreds of violent offenders in the previous year without shooting anyone. O'Hara stated that the federal operations are unsustainable and are straining the city's police department, which has only 600 officers.
• Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation. — The Minnesota National Guard, wearing neon vests to distinguish themselves from federal agents, distributed doughnuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters, signaling their alignment with community opposition to federal immigration enforcement operations.
• ICE and Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — On January 25, 2026, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse at a VA hospital in Minneapolis. Video evidence shows Pretti was filming police with his phone when agents initiated contact. He was not holding or brandishing his firearm; agents disarmed him while he was on the ground. After disarmament, agents fired 10 shots total—4 initially (3 to the back) and 6 additional shots while Pretti lay motionless. Pretti was a U.S. citizen born in Illinois with no criminal record, a valid concealed carry permit, and had participated in protests against ICE operations. A nearby physician found agents counting bullet wounds rather than performing CPR. The incident occurred during a broader ICE surge in Minneapolis that has generated widespread controversy and calls for investigation.
• Federal officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, during ICE Minneapolis operation — Federal ICE and Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis over the weekend. Initial regime narratives claimed Pretti was a domestic terrorist who approached agents with a firearm and reacted violently. Video evidence contradicted this account, showing Pretti was legally carrying a permitted firearm, not brandishing it, and was attempting to render aid to a woman pepper-sprayed by federal agents. After agents removed his gun and beat him, he was shot at point-blank range with at least 10 shots while helpless on the ground.
• ICE agent fatally shoots Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — On Saturday morning in Minneapolis, federal ICE officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, during a large-scale immigration enforcement crackdown. Video evidence showed Pretti was holding a phone, not a weapon, while attempting to assist another person who had been pepper-sprayed. Officers pushed him to the ground, beat him, and shot him multiple times at close range. Pretti was licensed to carry a firearm but there is no indication he was holding or threatening officers with one. The incident represents one of several violent and fatal incidents during the ICE Minneapolis operation.
• DHS report on Alex Pretti shooting released; two CBP agents discharged firearms — On January 26, 2026, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was killed by federal officers during the "Operation Metro Surge" enforcement action in Minneapolis. The shooting prompted a response from major Minnesota corporations, who released a joint letter on January 25 calling for "deescalation" but offering no specific policy demands or explicit condemnation of the killings.
• Federal immigration agents fatally shoot Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti during enforcement operation — The Department of Homeland Security released an initial investigation report to Congress indicating that two Customs and Border Protection officers discharged their firearms at Alex Pretti during a fatal shooting in Minneapolis on January 27. The report states that during an attempted custody operation, Pretti resisted and a struggle ensued, after which a border patrol agent and a CBP officer each fired their service weapons. The report confirms video evidence of Pretti assisting a woman confronted by agents and notes that a firearm was recovered from Pretti's possession.
• ICE agents attack US citizen Maria during immigration enforcement operation in Salem, Oregon — On an unspecified date in January 2026, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at Minneapolis VA Medical Center, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Pretti was filming the agents when he was tackled, disarmed, and fatally shot. Trump administration officials falsely claimed Pretti "brandished" a gun and labeled him a "would-be assassin," but bystander video evidence shows Pretti holding only a phone and having been disarmed before shots were fired. The shooting represents the second fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis that month.
• — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pulled a US citizen named Maria from her vehicle in Salem, Oregon, after boxing in her car and smashing the window. Agents threw her to the ground and left her without medical care until discovering her US passport. Maria, a homecare worker and SEIU Local 503 member, sustained a concussion and bruised ribs. The incident prompted unions to raise nearly $20,000 for her support and sparked broader labor movement response to ICE enforcement surge.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Jason Crow detailed Trump's threats to use military unlawfully — Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) appeared on CBS and detailed Trump's threats to use the military in unlawful ways, including sending troops into Chicago, into polling stations, killing terrorists' families, and shooting peaceful protesters. Crow stated that Trump cannot tolerate members of Congress reminding service members of their constitutional duty to obey the law and resorts to threats of violence and arrest.
• Pentagon announces investigation of Senator Mark Kelly for video calling troops to refuse illegal orders — The Pentagon announced an investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, after he participated in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on US troops to refuse unlawful orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the video was "despicable" and that Kelly's conduct undermines military discipline. The Pentagon cited federal law allowing recall of retired service members to active duty for possible court-martial. Kelly responded that the investigation was meant to intimidate Congress and vowed not to be silenced.
• Defense Department announced investigation of Senator Kelly for alleged misconduct and threatened recall to active duty — The Defense Department posted on social media that it was investigating Senator Mark Kelly following "serious allegations of misconduct" and suggested that Kelly could be recalled to active duty "for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures." This announcement came after Kelly participated in a November 18 video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel of their legal right and duty to refuse unlawful orders.
• Department of War initiated review of Senator Mark Kelly for potential court-martial — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War has initiated a review of retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for potential recall to active duty and court-martial proceedings. The review stems from a video Kelly made with five other Democratic lawmakers informing service members of their constitutional duty to refuse unlawful orders. The DOD statement cited 10 U.S.C. § 688 and 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits actions intended to interfere with military loyalty, morale, and discipline. Hegseth characterized the video as "despicable" and "seditious."
• Trump posted threats against Senator Mark Kelly — President Trump posted on social media that Senator Mark Kelly should be "arrested, hanged, and put to death" in response to Kelly's video encouraging service members to follow the Constitution and refuse unlawful orders. Kelly responded by reaffirming his oath to the Constitution and stating that Trump's threats would not intimidate him or other members of Congress from holding the administration accountable.
• Pete Hegseth orders Navy investigation into Mark Kelly's video comments — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum to Navy Secretary John Phelan on Tuesday ordering an investigation into "potentially unlawful comments" made by Senator Mark Kelly and fellow Democrats in a social media video encouraging military personnel to refuse unlawful orders. The Pentagon had already announced an investigation on Monday. Hegseth requested a brief by December 10. The group faces FBI counter-terrorism inquiry and potential court-martial proceedings.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Navy review of Senator Kelly — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a memo directing the Navy secretary to review Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for "potentially unlawful conduct" related to the viral video where Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to resist illegal orders. The memo requested the Navy review be completed and briefed to Hegseth by December 10.
• Defense Secretary threatens Senator with court martial over military dissent video — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Senator Mark Kelly with court martial after Kelly recorded a video with five Democratic lawmakers warning military members to question unlawful orders, apparently in reference to the Caribbean boat strikes. The threat represents potential retaliation against a senator for encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth threatens court martial of Senator Mark Kelly — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court martial Senator Mark Kelly in response to Kelly's video urging military personnel to follow the law and refuse illegal orders. Hegseth called the video "sedition" and made deranged social media posts attacking Kelly's uniform and medals, later claiming Kelly's image was reversed by his phone. Kelly responded that the threat was about intimidation and the media cycle, not law, and refused to be silenced.
• Trump threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly over military discipline video — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly released a video with five other Democratic lawmakers urging military members not to follow illegal orders. The video was released in response to the alleged illegal directives issued by Hegseth regarding lethal operations.

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 announced military strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat — On Truth Social, Trump announced that on his orders, the US military conducted a strike on an alleged drug boat from Venezuela, killing three people whom he called "terrorists." The operation was not authorized by Congress and Trump said it took place in international waters. Trump warned that "IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU!"
• Trump announced lethal strike on Venezuelan vessel without public evidence — Trump announced on social media that he ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a designated terrorist organization conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area. Trump claimed three men, whom he called "narcoterrorists," were killed and said the military showed him proof the men were smuggling drugs, but he has not shared that evidence with lawmakers or the public.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon plans National Guard deployment to Chicago — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has spent weeks planning to send thousands of National Guard troops to Chicago as soon as next month, with active-duty troop deployment also discussed but considered less likely. The move represents a significant escalation of federal military presence in domestic law enforcement operations.
• Trump administration plans federal takeover of Chicago for immigration enforcement — The Trump administration is preparing a federally led immigration crackdown targeting Chicago, a Democratic "sanctuary city," including a request for a military base on the city's outskirts to assist operations. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called on citizens to "stand up" against the plan, stating that deploying troops without coordination with local officials would constitute an invasion. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order directing city police to refuse cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and to protect residents' constitutional rights during the anticipated crackdown.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens federal crackdown expansion to Chicago and New York — President Trump announced plans to expand federal crime-control operations to Chicago and New York, targeting Democratic-led cities with Black mayors. Simultaneously, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered that approximately 2,000 National Guard troops already deployed and patrolling Washington DC streets under federal control be armed with service weapons, reversing earlier Pentagon assurances that troops would remain unarmed. The armed deployment represents an escalation of federal intervention into DC policing.
• Trump threatens federal intervention in Chicago — Trump threatened to take over Chicago, claiming that he would send federal forces to address crime in the city. This statement was met with criticism from local officials, who labeled it an illegal abuse of power.
• Pentagon confirms planning for national guard deployment to Chicago; Jeffries accuses Trump of manufacturing crisis — Pentagon officials confirmed to ABC News that planning is underway to send national guard troops to Chicago. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of "manufacturing a crisis" to justify the deployment, stating the president was "playing games with the lives of Americans." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called any such deployment "the most flagrant violation of our constitution in the 21st century." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated the state had received no federal requests for assistance and that Trump was "abusing his power." The deployment would override state authority, as national guard is normally under state control and only federalized in national emergencies at a governor's request.
• Trump floats military deployment to Baltimore — Trump suggested sending military troops to Baltimore and threatened to "rethink" federal funding for bridge repair in the city, escalating rhetoric about using military force in domestic cities.
• Trump threatens to send troops to Baltimore — President Trump threatened to send troops to Baltimore after Maryland Governor Wes Moore invited him to walk through the city, which Trump interpreted as a provocation.
• Trump threatens to deploy national guard to Chicago; Illinois Democrats condemn as unconstitutional — Pentagon sources confirmed planning for national guard deployment to Chicago, though no final decision has been announced. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and state Attorney General Kwame Raoul held a news conference condemning the threat as unconstitutional and an abuse of presidential power. Trump, at an Oval Office event, referred to Chicago as a "killing field" and signed executive orders on cashless bail and flag burning. Pritzker stated neither he nor the mayor had been contacted by the White House but said they were prepared to pursue legal action to prevent deployment.
• Trump announced plan to deploy military to Chicago — Trump announced plans to deploy armed military personnel to Chicago, framing the action as a response to crime. The deployment was not coordinated with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker or Chicago's mayor, who learned of the plan through media reports rather than official communication from the White House.
• Trump threatens unilateral national guard deployment to Chicago against state objections — President Trump publicly considered deploying the national guard to Chicago without the governor's consent, citing crime concerns. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago leaders opposed the move as unnecessary overreach. Trump stated he might act unilaterally using emergency powers, framing it as a response to what he called a "killing field." Pritzker characterized the threatened action as a "dangerous power-grab" and military occupation to punish dissidents. Trump has already deployed the national guard to Los Angeles and Washington DC.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration sends National Guard to Los Angeles despite state opposition — Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid protests despite California opposing the move. The deployment prompted a lawsuit from California. Governor Gavin Newsom sued Trump for using the military for domestic law enforcement in defiance of the Posse Comitatus Act. A judge heard the case this week.

Supporting reports

• Republican governors announced National Guard deployments to Washington, D.C. — On August 17, the Republican governors of West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio announced they would send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. to support Trump's takeover of the city. The deployments will be funded by the federal government using taxpayer dollars. Analysis showed that 43 cities in the states sending troops to Washington, D.C. have higher rates of violent crime than the capital, undermining the stated rationale for the deployment.
• Republican Governors Support Troop Deployment to D.C. — On August 16, 2025, Republican governors from West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio announced plans to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to support President Trump's federal control of the city. This action is funded by federal tax dollars and reflects a broader trend of militarization in response to perceived threats.
• Mississippi Governor announced deployment of National Guard to DC — Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced that he was sending Mississippi National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. to join troops already deployed there from South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. This followed Trump's earlier invocation of the DC Home Rule Act to federalize the city's police department.
• Republican governors of Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia deployed state National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., in support of Trump's law enforcement operation. — Over the past few days, the governors of Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia committed state National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to support Trump's law enforcement operation. This occurred despite the fact that 43 cities in those three states have higher violent crime rates than Washington, D.C. Today, the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee also committed National Guard personnel to the operation.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration considering Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration is considering establishing a "Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force" consisting of 600 National Guard troops who would be rapidly deployed into cities experiencing protests or civil unrest. The ACLU's National Security Project director called the move "breathtakingly dangerous power grab."

Supporting reports

• Trump authorizes military control of federal land at US-Mexico border — President Trump issued a memorandum on Friday authorizing the US military to take direct control of federal lands at the US-Mexico border, including the Roosevelt Reservation (a 60-foot strip spanning California, Arizona, and New Mexico). The order grants the Department of Defense jurisdiction to conduct border-barrier construction, deploy detection equipment, and detain immigrants accused of trespassing on federal land pending transfer to immigration agents. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will assess the initial phase after 45 days and may extend the scope at any time.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs memorandum for military mission at the southern border — President Trump signed a memorandum directing the secretaries of defense, interior, agriculture, and homeland security to create a military buffer zone along the southern border. This would allow active-duty soldiers to detain migrants until ICE agents arrive.
• Trump signed memorandum creating military buffer zone along southern border — President Trump signed a memorandum to the secretaries of defense, interior, agriculture, and homeland security calling for a "Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions." The memorandum creates a military buffer zone along the border so that any migrant crossing would be trespassing on a U.S. military base, allowing active-duty soldiers to hold migrants until ICE agents take them. By April 20, the secretaries of defense and homeland security are supposed to report whether the president should invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to enable use of the military in mass deportations.
• White House issues National Security Presidential Memorandum directing military deployment to southern border — The White House issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-4 (NSPM-4) on April 11, 2025, directing the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to enable military operations along the southern border. The memorandum authorizes the Department of Defense to assume jurisdiction over federal lands (excluding Indian reservations), construct border barriers, and deploy detection equipment. It invokes emergency authorities under 43 U.S.C. 155 to withdraw public lands without standard limitations. The Secretary of Defense is empowered to determine necessary military activities and establish rules of engagement; implementation begins on a limited sector with a 45-day assessment period.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Border Security — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14165 on January 20, 2025, directing the deployment of physical barriers and personnel to secure the U.S. southern border. The order mandates the resumption of the Migrant Protection Protocols, adjustments to parole policies, and prioritization of prosecuting border-related offenses. It aims to deter illegal immigration and enhance border security through various measures, including international cooperation and DNA identification requirements.
• National emergency declared at southern border — President Donald J. Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border of the United States, citing threats from cartels, criminal gangs, and illicit narcotics. The proclamation authorizes the use of the Armed Forces to support the Department of Homeland Security in securing the border, including constructing additional physical barriers and deploying personnel. The proclamation revokes a previous termination of the emergency and requires reports on actions taken and conditions at the border.
• President Trump declares a national energy emergency — President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14156, declaring a national energy emergency. The order directs federal agencies to use emergency authorities to enhance domestic energy production, transportation, and infrastructure. It aims to address high energy prices and vulnerabilities in energy supply, particularly in the Northeast and West Coast regions. The order invokes the National Emergencies Act and the Defense Production Act to expedite energy-related projects and infrastructure improvements.
• Presidential Proclamation on Border Security — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation declaring an ongoing invasion at the southern border of the United States. The proclamation suspends the entry of aliens involved in this invasion and imposes restrictions on their access to immigration provisions. The President directed the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to take actions necessary to repel and remove aliens engaged in the invasion.
• Trump declares national border emergency — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border. This order allows for the deployment of US troops to the southern border to assist the Department of Homeland Security in controlling immigration. The declaration is part of a series of executive orders aimed at cracking down on immigration and unauthorized border crossings, despite a recent decrease in such crossings. The move has sparked controversy and is expected to face legal challenges.
• Trump declares national emergency at southern border — President Trump signed a national emergency declaration concerning the southern border, framing foreigners as national security threats. This declaration is part of a series of executive orders aimed at restricting immigration and increasing border security. The emergency declaration allows for the use of military resources to enforce border control and aims to achieve "complete operational control" of the border, defined as zero unlawful entries.
• Trump declares national energy emergency — On his first day back in office, Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency, allowing his administration to expedite permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure. This declaration is part of a broader agenda to increase oil and gas production, including lifting restrictions on drilling in Alaska and resuming liquefied natural gas exports. The move is expected to face legal challenges due to questions about the legitimacy of the emergency. The declaration aims to boost national security and job creation by increasing natural resource production.
• Trump declares national energy emergency to bypass environmental permitting rules — On his first day back in office (January 2025), Trump declared a national "energy emergency" to accelerate permitting for oil and gas projects and override environmental regulations. The declaration claimed to address a purported energy crisis, though the U.S. produces more oil and gas than any other nation. Fifteen Democratic state attorneys general sued to halt the declaration, arguing it unlawfully bypassed normal permitting procedures and endangered natural resources and drinking water standards.
• Trump declared emergency at southern border and requested Insurrection Act advice — When Trump declared an emergency at the southern border on January 20, he ordered the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to advise him whether they thought it necessary to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act. That act allows a president during times of civil unrest to use the military against U.S. citizens. The article notes that this action, combined with the administration's apparent willingness to deport people without due process, has raised alarm among Americans about the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act.
• Executive Order Clarifying Military's Role in Border Protection — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order clarifying the military's role in protecting the territorial integrity of the United States. The order directs the Secretary of Defense to revise the Unified Command Plan, assigning the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) the mission to secure the borders against unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, and other criminal activities. The order emphasizes the military's role in maintaining national sovereignty and security along the borders, citing a national emergency at the southern border.
• Trump Declares National Energy Emergency — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring a national energy emergency. The order directs federal agencies to utilize emergency authorities to enhance the identification, leasing, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources. It emphasizes the need for a reliable and diversified energy supply to support national security and economic stability. The order also calls for expedited infrastructure projects and emergency regulations to address energy supply issues, particularly in the Northeast and West Coast regions of the United States.
• Trump issues executive order to secure U.S. borders — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Securing Our Borders." The order mandates the construction of physical barriers and deployment of personnel along the southern border to achieve complete operational control. It also calls for the resumption of the Migrant Protection Protocols, adjustments to parole policies, and increased cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The order aims to deter illegal immigration, prioritize the prosecution of border-related offenses, and enhance international cooperation to secure the border.
• President Trump declared a national energy emergency under the National Emergencies Act — President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, declaring a national energy emergency. The order directs federal agencies to use all available lawful authorities—including emergency powers under the Defense Production Act and eminent domain—to accelerate energy identification, leasing, production, transportation, refining, and generation on federal lands. It instructs agencies to expedite infrastructure projects, invoke emergency permitting under the Clean Water Act, and apply emergency consultation procedures under the Endangered Species Act to facilitate energy development. The order establishes quarterly convening of the Endangered Species Act Committee to review exemption applications and identify regulatory obstacles to energy infrastructure.
• Trump declares national emergency at southern border and invokes military deployment authority — President Trump issued a proclamation declaring a national emergency at the southern border, invoking the National Emergencies Act and directing the Secretary of Defense to deploy Armed Forces units, including the Ready Reserve and National Guard, to support Department of Homeland Security operations. The proclamation authorizes construction of additional physical barriers, directs waiver of FAA and FCC regulations for unmanned systems within 5 miles of the border, and requires revision of use-of-force policies. It revokes the prior emergency termination proclamation and directs reports within 30 and 90 days, the latter to include recommendations on invoking the Insurrection Act.
• Trump issued proclamation declaring southern border "invasion" and suspending entry of migrants — President Trump signed a proclamation on January 20, 2025, declaring the southern border situation an "invasion" under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution. The proclamation suspends physical entry of aliens "engaged in the invasion" across the southern border, restricts their access to asylum provisions (Section 208 of the INA), and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to "repel, repatriate, or remove" such aliens. The order applies to aliens who fail to provide medical, criminal history, or background information before entry. Trump asserts inherent constitutional authority to take these actions independent of statutory immigration law.
• Trump declared national emergency at southern border — On January 20, 2025, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, allowing federal funds to be used to build a border wall without Congressional approval. This declaration is part of Trump's ongoing efforts to enhance border security and control immigration. The move bypasses legislative oversight and has sparked legal and political challenges.
• Executive Order on Military's Role in Border Protection — On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order declaring an emergency at the southern US border along with several immigration-related policies. Trump stated in his inauguration speech "All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came." The declaration paves the way to send US troops to the border and fulfills campaign promises for hardline immigration policies. Immigrant communities have braced for Trump's promised "largest deportation program in American history."
• White House signed executive order assigning military border enforcement mission to USNORTHCOM — President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14167, clarifying the military's role in protecting U.S. territorial integrity. The order directs the Secretary of Defense to revise the Unified Command Plan, assigning USNORTHCOM the mission to secure borders against unlawful migration and criminal activities. The order emphasizes the military's role in maintaining national sovereignty and security along the southern border.
• Trump declares national emergency at US-Mexico border — The White House signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing the Secretary of Defense to revise the Unified Command Plan within 10 days to assign U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) a mission to "seal the borders" and repel what the order characterizes as "forms of invasion" including unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, and human smuggling. The order also directs USNORTHCOM to develop contingency and campaign plans for steady-state southern border security operations.
• Trump plans to declare border emergency — President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern US border. This action is part of a series of hardline immigration policies, including plans to deploy US troops to the border and initiate mass deportations.
• President Trump signs executive order declaring national emergency at southern border — President Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, citing the need to halt illegal entry and return undocumented migrants. This declaration is part of a broader immigration crackdown and includes designating criminal cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations." The move is expected to lead to increased military presence at the border.
• Trump to deploy troops to US-Mexico border — President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency, allowing his administration to fast-track permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure. This declaration is part of a broader effort to roll back climate policies and promote fossil fuel production. The order is likely to face legal challenges due to its environmental implications.
• Trump sends troops to southern border — Donald Trump plans to declare a national emergency at the US border, using Title 42 to trigger public health emergency powers similar to those used during the Covid pandemic. This declaration aims to prevent migrants from entering or staying in the country. However, this approach faces a significant hurdle as only the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can declare such emergencies.
• Department of Defense orders military personnel to the border — President Trump signed an executive order on January 22, 2025, invoking the National Emergencies Act regarding the southern border. The order directs the Secretary of Defense to deploy additional Armed Forces and National Guard personnel to the border, and instructs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to complete the border wall and expand air mission flexibility. The fact sheet characterizes the action as a response to what it claims are record illegal immigration encounters and associated harms.
• Trump declares national emergency at the southern border — The Pentagon is preparing to deploy up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border as part of President Donald Trump's new immigration enforcement strategy. This move is part of a series of executive actions targeting immigration, including the suspension of the refugee resettlement program. The deployment, authorized by acting defense secretary Robert Salesses, will add to the 2,500 army reserve and national guard soldiers already supporting federal law enforcement at the border. The exact role of the troops remains unclear, but the deployment marks a significant militarization of the border.
• Trump deploys military to southern border — The Trump administration deployed 1,000 soldiers and 500 Marines to the southern U.S. border. The Marines were redirected from California, where they were on standby for wildfire threats. This deployment is being treated as a military operation, with troops armed and prepared for engagement. The move comes despite border crossings being at their lowest in over four years.
• — The Department of Defense announced the deployment of 1,500 active-duty military personnel to the southern border, joining an existing contingent of 2,500 troops. This deployment is part of Trump's directive to make homeland security a core mission of the agency, which includes providing support for deportations.
• — President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, despite lower border crossings compared to previous years. He directed the Defense Department and Homeland Security to consider invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow military deployment to suppress domestic unrest. This declaration follows his push to eliminate a bipartisan immigration measure aimed at expediting asylum hearings.
• — Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses announced the deployment of 1,500 active-duty military personnel to the southern border of the United States, joining 2,500 already present. This action follows Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the border and raises concerns about the militarization of domestic issues.