Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Remand ordered — CREW v. DOGE (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00511 — The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to stay the lower courts' action, and also to treat the petition as a writ for certiorari. The Court ruled that the district court could not order the Government, in discovery, “to disclose the content of intra-Executive Branch USDS recommendations and whether those recommendations were followed.” On remand, the Court of Appeals is instructed to narrow the discovery order with deference to internal Executive Branch communications.
• Supreme Court grants stay in U.S. Doge Service v. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington — The Supreme Court granted a stay in the case of U.S. Doge Service, et al., Applicants v. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. This decision allows the Department of Government Efficiency to proceed with its actions that were previously challenged by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The stay was granted despite dissent from Justices Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson, indicating a division within the Court on this matter. The stay effectively pauses the lower court's ruling against the Department of Government Efficiency, pending further litigation.
• U.S. Doge Service v. CREW: Certiorari Granted and Stay Issued — The Supreme Court granted a stay and treated the application as a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of U.S. Doge Service, et al. v. CREW. The Court vacated the D.C. Circuit's order denying a writ of mandamus and remanded the case for further consideration. The Court found that the District Court's discovery order requiring disclosure of intra-Executive Branch recommendations was not appropriately tailored, citing separation of powers concerns. The stay on the District Court's orders will remain pending further proceedings.

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• Supreme Court Strikes Down Mexico’s Lawsuit Against US Gunmakers — The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Mexican government against American gun companies Smith & Wesson and Interstate Arms. The lawsuit accused these companies of aiding illegal firearms trafficking to Mexican drug cartels, which allegedly fueled gun violence in Mexico. The Supreme Court's decision overturned a previous ruling by the Boston-based first circuit court of appeals, which had allowed the lawsuit to proceed. The companies argued for dismissal under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields gun manufacturers from liability for crimes committed with their products.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos (23-1141) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Docket number(s): 23-1141.

Supporting reports

• ICE entered Rep. Jerry Nadler's office — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entered the office of Rep. Jerry Nadler and handcuffed a staff member while falsely accusing them of harboring a migrant. This incident raised concerns about intimidation tactics against Democratic representatives.
• ICE Incident in Rep. Jerry Nadler's Office — ICE agents entered Rep. Jerry Nadler's office and handcuffed a staffer, falsely accusing him of harboring a migrant. The incident is seen as an intimidation tactic by the administration against Democrats. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries criticized the action, suggesting it reflects broader efforts to intimidate political opponents.
• Federal agents detain aide in Nadler's office — On May 31, 2025, officers from the Federal Protective Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, handcuffed an aide in the Manhattan office of Representative Jerry Nadler during a confrontation captured on video. The agents claimed they were conducting a safety check, which Nadler characterized as an intimidation tactic against a member of Congress. This incident occurred amid increased arrests of individuals outside immigration courtrooms as part of the administration's enforcement efforts.

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• Supreme Court Allows Revocation of Temporary Protected Status for Migrants — On May 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke the temporary protected status (TPS) of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan migrants. This decision reverses a previous order by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, which had halted the administration's move to end humanitarian parole protections. The ruling potentially exposes many migrants to expedited removal from the U.S. while the case continues in lower courts. The decision was met with dissent from Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, who highlighted the severe consequences for affected migrants.
• Motion granted — Svitlana Doe v. Noem (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10495 — The Supreme Court allowed the administration to temporarily end the humanitarian parole program that granted provisional legal status to over 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), enabling them to live and work in the U.S. while their immigration cases were pending. This decision overrules the Massachusetts district court's order that had previously blocked the administration's effort.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Noem v. Doe — On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Noem v. Doe. This decision allows the Trump administration to proceed with terminating several special parole programs that permitted approximately 500,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to remain legally in the United States. The stay was granted in a 7-2 decision, with Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting. The case originated from a challenge to the Department of Homeland Security's policy changes filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
• Supreme Court Grants Trump Administration Request on Immigration Program — The Supreme Court granted a Trump administration request for emergency relief, allowing the termination of a program that permitted over 500,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Venezuelans to temporarily live and work in the U.S. while a legal challenge continues.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court Allows Revocation of Temporary Protected Status for Migrants — On May 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke the temporary protected status (TPS) of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan migrants. This decision reverses a previous order by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, which had halted the administration's move to end humanitarian parole protections. The ruling potentially exposes many migrants to expedited removal from the U.S. while the case continues in lower courts. The decision was met with dissent from Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, who highlighted the severe consequences for affected migrants.
• Motion granted — Svitlana Doe v. Noem (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10495 — The Supreme Court allowed the administration to temporarily end the humanitarian parole program that granted provisional legal status to over 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), enabling them to live and work in the U.S. while their immigration cases were pending. This decision overrules the Massachusetts district court's order that had previously blocked the administration's effort.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Noem v. Doe — On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Noem v. Doe. This decision allows the Trump administration to proceed with terminating several special parole programs that permitted approximately 500,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to remain legally in the United States. The stay was granted in a 7-2 decision, with Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting. The case originated from a challenge to the Department of Homeland Security's policy changes filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
• Supreme Court Grants Trump Administration Request on Immigration Program — The Supreme Court granted a Trump administration request for emergency relief, allowing the termination of a program that permitted over 500,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Venezuelans to temporarily live and work in the U.S. while a legal challenge continues.

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• Trump attacks judges and judicial decisions in social media post — On Memorial Day, President Trump posted a message on social media that included derogatory remarks about judges, claiming they protect criminals and are ideologically opposed to the United States. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court and other judges would save the country from what he described as dangerous judicial decisions.

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• Supreme Court allows Trump to control independent agencies — The Supreme Court issued an unsigned order pausing lower court rulings that allowed board members at two independent agencies to remain in their positions despite attempts by Trump to fire them. This decision marks a significant shift towards the "unitary executive" theory, which could undermine the independence of federal agencies.
• Motion granted — Cathy A. Harris v. Bessent et al (D.C. Cir.) 25-5037 — The Supreme Court granted the government's request for a stay while the case is on appeal.
• Motion granted — Gwynne A. Wilcox v. Donald J. Trump et al (D.C. Cir.) 1:25-cv-00334 — The Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Trump v. Wilcox, allowing the removal of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board and Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board to stand. The decision was made in a 6-3 vote, with Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting. The case involved challenges to the legality of their removals based on statutes governing the creation of these boards and previous Supreme Court precedent on presidential removal powers.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Trump v. Wilcox — The Supreme Court upheld Trump's firing of two independent labor agency heads, allowing the cases to proceed through appeals. This decision affects the independence of federal agencies.
• Supreme Court Upholds Trump’s Firing of Independent Agency Heads

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court allows Trump to revoke protected status for Venezuelans — The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration's request to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans. This decision allows the administration to proceed with plans to end legal protections that shield these individuals from deportation, despite an ongoing appeal in a lower court. The ruling follows a previous decision by a federal judge in California to temporarily block the administration's efforts, citing concerns of racism. The Supreme Court's order was unsigned, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.
• Motion granted — National TPS Alliance et al. v. Noem (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-01766 — The Supreme Court granted the stay for the government.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Noem v. National TPS Alliance — The Supreme Court granted an emergency application from the federal government to stay a lower court's order in the case of Noem v. National TPS Alliance. This decision temporarily halts the enforcement of a ruling by Judge Edward Chen, which had paused the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals from Venezuela and Haiti. The stay allows the Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, to proceed with ending the TPS designation while the case is under appeal. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the decision.
• Supreme Court Approves Termination of TPS for Venezuelans — The Supreme Court approved an emergency appeal from the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, paving the way for their potential deportation. This decision affects the legal status and future of many immigrants.
• Supreme Court grants stay in Noem v. Nat. TPS Alliance — The Supreme Court granted a stay on the March 31, 2025 order from the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in the case Noem, Sec., DHS, et al. v. Nat. TPS Alliance, et al. This stay is pending the outcome of an appeal in the Ninth Circuit and any potential petition for a writ of certiorari. If certiorari is denied, the stay will automatically terminate. If granted, the stay will end upon the Supreme Court's judgment. The order does not affect challenges to Secretary Noem's February 3, 2025 vacatur notice regarding certain immigration documents.
• Venezuelan immigrants express betrayal over TPS revocation — Venezuelan immigrants who previously supported Trump expressed feelings of betrayal after the revocation of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which now subjects them to potential deportation.

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• Durbin requests investigation into pizza deliveries to judges — On May 17, 2025, Senator Richard Durbin wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, requesting an investigation into anonymous pizza deliveries to judges. These deliveries are seen as intimidation tactics against judges handling cases involving the Trump administration. The letter seeks a full accounting of the incidents and steps taken to protect judges and their families.

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• Republicans attempt to pass significant budget bill — Republicans in Congress attempted to advance a budget measure dubbed “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” which aimed to extend Trump’s tax cuts at a projected cost of $4.6 trillion over ten years while raising the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The bill faced opposition and ultimately failed to advance out of the House Budget Committee.
• House Budget Committee passes bill in late-night session — The House Budget Committee passed a budget bill after a late-night session, with some members who previously voted 'No' changing their votes to 'Present.' The bill is set to face further scrutiny in the Rules Committee.
• Republicans criticized for scheduling votes at odd hours — Several Democratic representatives criticized Republicans for scheduling votes on significant legislation during late-night hours, suggesting a lack of transparency and public engagement in the legislative process.
• House Committee Advances Trump’s Tax Cut Bill — On May 18, 2025, a key House committee passed a tax cut and border security package, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, after reaching an agreement with far-right Republicans who had previously stalled its progress. The bill, which aims to extend tax breaks from Trump's first term and increase spending on border security, faces challenges in the full House due to potential opposition from moderates concerned about cuts to climate incentives and healthcare programs. The bill's passage is crucial for Republicans, who need to unite their party to pass it before the Memorial Day deadline.
• House Budget Committee Passes Controversial Bill — The House Budget Committee passed a bill referred to as the “Big, Beautiful Bill” on a party-line vote, with 17 Republicans in favor and 16 Democrats against. The bill includes cuts to Medicaid and extends tax cuts for the wealthy, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will significantly increase the federal deficit. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated minor modifications would be made, while critics argue the bill is being rushed through Congress without adequate scrutiny.
• House Republicans schedule procedural vote on Trump's bill — House Republicans have scheduled a procedural vote for 1am on Wednesday to advance President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which aims to enact his taxation and immigration priorities. The bill includes making permanent or extending tax cuts, ending taxation of tips and overtime, funding a border wall, and mass deportations. It proposes slashing federal safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP to offset costs, which has caused division among Republicans. The bill's passage is crucial for Trump, but it faces opposition from some lawmakers concerned about its impact on Medicaid and the SALT deduction.
• House Rules Committee to Consider Omnibus Bill — The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on May 21, 2025, to discuss a 1,116-page omnibus bill proposed by Republicans that aims to implement significant parts of former President Trump's agenda, including cuts to Medicaid and increased logging on public lands. The bill is being advanced through a budget reconciliation process, which allows it to pass with only Republican votes in the Senate. However, there is notable division among Republicans regarding the proposed Medicaid cuts, which are unpopular among constituents.
• House passes Budget Reconciliation Bill — The House of Representatives passed the Budget Reconciliation Bill by a narrow margin of 215-214, with two Republicans voting against it and one voting present. The bill's passage is significant as it will now move to the Senate, where Republican opposition is anticipated.
• Congressional Republicans pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Congressional Republicans narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with a 215-214 vote. The bill aims to permanently extend tax cuts from Trump's first term and introduce new deductions for working-class families, but these benefits will expire in 2028. The bill also includes cuts to social safety net programs, potentially affecting millions of poor and disabled Americans. The legislation is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the deficit by 2034. It now moves to the US Senate for further consideration under the budget reconciliation procedure, which limits Democratic influence.
• House Passes Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act — The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" act, which enacts President Donald Trump's taxation and spending priorities. The bill includes making permanent the tax cuts from Trump's first term, increasing the standard deduction, and introducing new tax write-offs. It also allocates significant funds for mass deportations and border wall construction, imposes new fees on immigrants seeking asylum, and restricts federal courts from enforcing certain contempt citations. Additionally, it cuts funding for Medicaid and SNAP, phases out green energy incentives, and raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.
• House Passes Trump's Tax Bill — On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax bill championed by Donald Trump, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation aims to make permanent the tax cuts established in 2017, which primarily benefit wealthy Americans and corporations. The bill also includes cuts to government assistance programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and ends clean energy tax credits. The bill is expected to cost the federal government $4.6 trillion in lost revenue over the next decade, while saving $1 trillion through reduced spending on assistance programs.
• House passes Trump's tax-and-spend bill — On May 22, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax-and-spend bill, which extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and makes significant spending reductions, particularly in Medicaid and food assistance programs. The bill passed without any Democratic support and has been criticized for potentially increasing the national debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis indicates that the bill would leave 10.9 million more Americans uninsured by 2034. The bill now moves to the Senate, where modifications are expected.
• House passes Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill — The House of Representatives passed a major tax-cut bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aligns with Donald Trump's tax and spending priorities. The bill, passed by a narrow margin of 215-214, includes provisions for tax cuts for individuals and corporations, funding for a border wall, and new work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP. It is expected to add $2.3 trillion to the deficit. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans aim to pass it by July 4th.
• House Committee Advances Bill with Steeper Medicaid Cuts — After extensive debate, the House Rules Committee agreed to advance The One Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes steeper cuts to Medicaid to gain support from far-right Republicans. These cuts are expected to leave at least 9 million people without healthcare coverage, reflecting a significant shift in healthcare policy.
• House of Representatives passes Republicans' megabill — The House of Representatives passed a significant bill by a vote of 215 to 214, with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. The bill includes substantial cuts to healthcare and nutrition assistance, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that it will result in over 2.7 million households losing benefits. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
• House Rules Committee Begins Hearing on The One Big, Beautiful Bill — The House Rules Committee commenced a hearing on a budget bill dubbed The One Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes significant restrictions on federal courts' authority to hold government officials in contempt for violating court orders. This bill also proposes a $3.8 trillion extension of tax cuts from 2017, primarily benefiting the wealthy and corporations, while cutting federal healthcare and food assistance programs, potentially leaving millions without coverage. The committee moved the bill forward after 22 hours of debate, aiming for a swift vote in the House.
• House Republicans Pass Bill Cutting Medicaid and Medicare — In a late-night session, House Republicans passed a bill that could remove 8 million people from Medicaid, cut Medicare spending, and add $4 trillion to the national debt. The bill also includes tax cuts for the wealthy and funds for the border wall.
• Congressional Budget Office Reports on Impact of Proposed Bill — The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the proposed budget bill will add $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next ten years and will trigger cuts to Medicare due to the Pay-As-You-Go law. These cuts, limited by law to 4%, are expected to total approximately $490 billion from 2027 through 2034. The CBO's findings highlight the bill's potential negative impact on low-income Americans and the healthcare system.
• Proposed Cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — The proposed budget bill includes cuts of about 30% to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would be the largest cut in the program's history. This reduction is projected to cut approximately $300 billion from the program through 2034, affecting over 40 million people, including children and seniors.
• House passes Trump’s budget bill with significant cuts — The House of Representatives passed a budget bill that extends tax cuts for individuals and corporations while implementing funding cuts and new work requirements for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These changes are expected to bar millions from receiving essential benefits, raising concerns among affected workers and advocates. The bill also includes funding for a border wall and facilities for mass deportations.

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• National Intelligence Council chair and deputy fired — On May 8, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard fired acting National Intelligence Council chair Michael Collins and deputy Maria Langan-Reikhof after the NIC produced a report contradicting President Trump's claims about Venezuela's involvement with the Tren de Aragua gang. This action was part of the administration's broader strategy to consolidate power and control narratives regarding intelligence.

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• South Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Six-Week Abortion Ban — The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the state's six-week abortion ban, rejecting Planned Parenthood's argument that the definition of a "fetal heartbeat" was incorrect. The court's 5-0 decision confirmed that the legislative intent was to prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This ruling is a significant setback for Planned Parenthood, which argued that the ban should not apply until nine weeks, when a fetus's heart is formed. The decision reinforces the restrictive abortion laws prevalent in the southeastern United States.

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• Supreme Court Allows Transgender Military Ban — The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order permitting the enforcement of President Trump's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. This decision allows the ban to take effect while ongoing litigation and appeals are resolved. The ruling has significant implications for transgender rights and military policy, as it reverses previous policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly.
• US Supreme Court Allows Trump Trans Military Ban to Take Effect — The US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can enforce a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military while legal challenges continue. This decision could lead to the discharge of thousands of transgender military members. The court's order was unsigned and did not provide an explanation, with the three liberal justices dissenting. The ban, which was implemented by the Department of Defense, reverses a previous executive order allowing transgender service. Lower courts had previously blocked the ban, but the Supreme Court's decision allows it to proceed.
• Case update — Shilling v. Trump (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00241 — The Supreme Court issued a stay (with Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissenting).
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in United States v. Shilling — On May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of United States v. Shilling. This decision temporarily halts a lower court's preliminary injunction that had blocked the enforcement of a Department of Defense policy banning individuals with a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria from military service. The policy, issued under an executive order by President Donald Trump, was challenged by transgender military members and advocacy groups as discriminatory. The stay allows the policy to be enforced while further litigation proceeds.
• Supreme Court grants stay in United States v. Shilling — The Supreme Court granted a stay of the preliminary injunction entered by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in the case United States, et al. v. Shilling, Commander, et al. This stay will remain in effect pending the outcome of the appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and any subsequent petition for a writ of certiorari. If certiorari is denied, the stay will automatically terminate. If certiorari is granted, the stay will terminate upon the issuance of the Supreme Court's judgment. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented from the decision to grant the stay.

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• Supreme Court intervenes in federal worker reinstatements — Following the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration, the Supreme Court intervened, affecting the reinstatement of probationary employees. Some workers were rehired, placed on administrative leave, and then dismissed again. This intervention has contributed to ongoing uncertainty and instability within the federal workforce, as employees face fluctuating employment status and legal battles over their dismissals.
• DOGE's firing blitz was largely stymied in the courts — A court ruling prevented DOGE, the agency led by Elon Musk, from executing a mass firing of government workers, as many are under contract and cannot be dismissed at will. This legal setback hindered DOGE's ability to implement its staffing changes.

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• Judge rules Trump order targeting Perkins Coie unconstitutional — A federal judge, Beryl Howell, permanently struck down an executive order by Donald Trump that targeted the law firm Perkins Coie. The order was deemed unconstitutional, violating the first, fifth, and sixth amendments. The executive order had terminated government contracts with Perkins Coie and barred its attorneys from federal buildings, citing national security risks due to the firm's past work with Hillary Clinton's campaign. Judge Howell criticized the order as retaliatory and discriminatory, and the Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision.
• Judge blocks Trump's executive order against Perkins Coie — Judge Beryl Howell permanently barred the enforcement of Trump's executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, which restricted federal hiring and access for its lawyers. Howell ruled that the order violated the Constitution and was null and void, citing First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment protections.
• Fed Judge strikes down Trump's executive order — Federal Judge Beryl Howell struck down Trump's executive order targeting the Perkins Coie law firm, stating that no American president has previously issued such orders against a law firm. The ruling emphasized the importance of constitutional freedoms, including free speech and due process.

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• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson addresses attacks on judges — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke out against the ongoing attacks on judges during an event for legal professionals, highlighting the dangers of undermining judicial independence. She emphasized that such attacks threaten the rule of law and urged her colleagues to continue their work for justice.
• Ketanji Brown Jackson's Remarks on Judicial Attacks — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson addressed the ongoing attacks on judges during an event for legal professionals, emphasizing that such attacks undermine the legal system and calling for judicial independence.

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• Trump Criticizes Judges for Blocking His Policies — During a rally in Michigan, President Trump criticized "communist radical-left judges" for obstructing his administration's policies, particularly those related to immigration and national security. He expressed frustration over judicial decisions that have blocked his executive actions, suggesting that these judges are overstepping their roles and threatening national safety. Trump called on the Supreme Court to intervene and uphold his policies.

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• FBI arrests Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan on obstruction charges related to immigration enforcement — The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday morning at her courthouse on charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Federal authorities alleged that Dugan intentionally misdirected immigration agents seeking to apprehend Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant scheduled to appear in her courtroom. Dugan ordered the agents to leave, citing lack of a judicial warrant, and escorted Flores Ruiz to a non-public area. She was released after a brief court appearance; her next hearing is scheduled for May 15. The arrest marks the first publicly known instance of the Trump administration criminally charging a local official for allegedly obstructing immigration enforcement.
• Judge Hannah Dugan arrested by FBI for allowing defendant to exit courtroom — Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by FBI agents on April 25, 2025, in her Milwaukee courtroom and charged with obstruction. She had allegedly allowed a man to leave through back doors of her courtroom in response to immigration officers waiting to arrest him outside. FBI Director Kash Patel posted comments and a photograph of her arrest on X, and digitally altered photographs of Dugan in tears proliferated on social media. Trump reposted an image from Libs of TikTok.
• FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan — FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan at the courthouse on charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. The arrest followed an April 18 incident in which Judge Dugan, during a pre-trial conference for an undocumented immigrant charged with misdemeanor battery, questioned ICE agents' administrative warrant and allowed the defendant to exit via an alternate route, enabling him to flee before agents apprehended him. FBI Director Kash Patel initially posted about the arrest on social media before deleting the post.
• Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan arrested by FBI for obstruction of justice — Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on charges of obstruction of justice for allegedly helping a migrant evade arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Judge Dugan misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores Ruiz during an ICE operation in her courthouse, allowing Ruiz to exit through a jury room back door. Ruiz was apprehended after a short foot chase outside the building.

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• Attorney General Bondi publicly attacked Judge Dugan on Fox News — Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared on Fox News Channel to comment on Judge Dugan's arrest, calling judges "deranged" and stating they are "not beyond and above the law." Bondi warned that the administration would prosecute anyone "harboring a fugitive," framing judicial discretion in immigration cases as criminal conduct.

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• Judge Boasberg orders government not to deport men to CECOT; administration defies order — Judge James Boasberg issued an order prohibiting the government from deporting men to CECOT and instructing that if planes were already airborne, they be turned around. The administration proceeded with deportations despite the judicial order. On April 16, Boasberg issued an opinion concluding that probable cause exists to find the government in criminal contempt of court for defying his order.
• US District Judge James Boasberg finds probable cause of contempt against Trump administration for defying deportation halt orders — US District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court for defying his orders to halt deportations. Boasberg outlined a series of escalating punitive actions he could take against Trump officials, though an appellate court has paused the contempt process while the administration appeals.

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• Trump administration announces funding freezes to Brown, Northwestern, Princeton, and Cornell universities — The White House announced funding freezes to multiple universities including Brown, Northwestern, Princeton, and Cornell, as part of a broader campaign to pressure higher education institutions to comply with Trump administration demands regarding curriculum, admissions, hiring, and DEI programs. The specific demands and freeze amounts are not detailed in the article.
• Trump administration circulates draft executive order for radical State Department restructuring — A draft executive order reportedly circulating within the Trump administration proposes a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. State Department, including elimination of the Bureau of African Affairs, Bureau of International Organizations, Office of Global Women's Issues, and special envoy for climate. The order would close unspecified "non-essential" embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan Africa, reduce diplomatic operations in Canada, and reorganize the department into four regional bureaus. State Department officials disputed the authenticity of the leaked document, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it "fake news," though the New York Times and Bloomberg reported on the draft.
• Trump administration cuts federal funding to Harvard University and demands policy changes — The Trump administration cut approximately $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard University after the institution refused to concede to administration demands. Trump also called for Harvard's tax-exempt status to be revoked. The administration deployed an "antisemitism taskforce" to demand policy changes at universities nationwide. Columbia University capitulated to similar demands, agreeing to restore $400 million in federal funding in exchange for measures including banning face masks, empowering security to arrest people, and placing control of its Middle Eastern department under new oversight.
• Trump administration freezes $2.2bn in Harvard grants and demands government control over admissions, hiring, and curriculum — The Trump administration announced a freeze of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard University after President Alan Garber refused demands that would grant the government authority to audit the student body, faculty, and leadership for "viewpoint diversity" and to shut down all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Garber stated the demands violated the university's independence and constitutional rights. The administration framed the action as addressing antisemitism and civil rights violations, though critics view it as authoritarian overreach targeting higher education as an independent sector.

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• FBI arrests Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan on obstruction allegations related to immigration enforcement — The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, April 18, 2025, alleging she obstructed federal immigration officers attempting to arrest a defendant in her courtroom. According to the criminal complaint, Dugan directed the defendant and his attorney to a private exit to evade the arrest team. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photograph of Dugan in handcuffs on social media. Republicans called for her removal; Democrats condemned the arrest as an attack on judicial independence and weaponization of federal law enforcement by the Trump administration.
• FBI Director Kash Patel posts photograph of arrested judge on social media — FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photograph of Judge Hannah Dugan in handcuffs on Twitter/X on Friday night with the caption "No one is above the law." The post served as a public signal that the Trump administration welcomed a political confrontation over the judge's arrest and framed the arrest as enforcement of equal accountability.

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• FBI Director Kash Patel posts photograph of arrested judge on social media — FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photograph of Judge Hannah Dugan in handcuffs on Twitter/X on Friday night with the caption "No one is above the law." The post served as a public signal that the Trump administration welcomed a political confrontation over the judge's arrest and framed the arrest as enforcement of equal accountability.

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• Trump studies firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to force interest rate cuts — President Trump instructed his economic advisors to study whether he has the legal authority to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, citing frustration that Powell has not cut interest rates fast enough. Trump publicly stated "If I ask him to, he'll be out of there," rejecting the notion of Federal Reserve independence. Powell had indicated the Fed would wait for clarity on inflation before adjusting policy, disappointing Trump's hopes for rate cuts to counter stock market losses from tariff announcements.

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• Federal appeals court denies Trump administration appeal; warns of constitutional crisis — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Thursday denied the Trump administration's effort to appeal a federal judge's order requiring the government to facilitate Ábrego García's return from El Salvador. Judge James Wilkinson issued a stark warning about constitutional democracy, stating the government's claim that it cannot free the resident from a foreign prison "should be shocking" to the public. The court emphasized that Ábrego García is entitled to due process and warned that the executive's "public perception of lawlessness" threatens the constitutional order.
• Federal appeals court rejected Trump administration's attempt to block order requiring return of U.S. resident from El Salvador prison — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit rejected the Trump administration's appeal of Judge Paula Xinis's order requiring the government to "take all available steps" to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, from CECOT prison in El Salvador. Conservative Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, appointed by Ronald Reagan, wrote that the government cannot "stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process" and warned that unchecked executive power to deport without due process threatens all Americans, including citizens.
• Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denies Trump administration appeal in Kilmar Abrego Garcia case — The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration's appeal to block Judge Xinis's order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The court stated: "We shall not micromanage the efforts of a fine district judge attempting to implement the Supreme Court's recent decision. It is difficult in some cases to get to the very heart of the matter. But in this case, it is not hard at all. The govt is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process."
• Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejects administration appeal — A three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously rejected the Trump administration's appeal against Judge Xinis's decision to open an inquiry into compliance with the Supreme Court order. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, a Reagan appointee, wrote that the government was "asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process."