Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Attorney General Bondi accused Judge Boasberg of supporting terrorists — Attorney General Pam Bondi baselessly accused Judge Boasberg of "support[ing] Tren de Aragua terrorists over the safety of Americans," attacking the judge for issuing the restraining order blocking deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants — The Trump administration issued a proclamation on March 15 invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law permitting deportation of foreign nationals during wars or "invasions," to deport Venezuelan migrants accused of membership in Tren de Aragua gang. The administration claimed gang activities constitute an invasion justifying use of the 225-year-old war powers statute. Hundreds of Venezuelan men, including individuals with no apparent gang affiliations, were deported to El Salvador without immigration hearings, with at least one 23-year-old gay makeup artist shipped to a notorious prison based on misinterpreted tattoos.
• Trump administration deported alleged gang members to El Salvador — On March 15, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador without due process. Approximately 200 individuals were flown from Texas to San Salvador, despite a federal judge's order to halt the flights. The deportees were sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Reports indicate that many of those deported may not be gang members, with tattoos being used as the primary evidence of gang affiliation. The legality of the deportation under the Alien Enemies Act is disputed.
• Deportation of 230+ Venezuelan men to El Salvador without hearing using Alien Enemies Act — The US deported more than 230 Venezuelan men to a mega-prison in El Salvador in mid-March without a hearing, despite a federal judge attempting to halt the flights. Donald Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA), a law meant only for wartime, to avoid due process requirements. This prompted court challenges led by the ACLU. Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked the president when he threatened the judge. The Supreme Court majority did not stop Trump from using the AEA but unanimously reaffirmed the right to due process and habeas corpus challenges. Most of the men are reportedly not violent criminals or gang members, according to a New York Times investigation. Many were accused of gang membership based on tattoos.
• Trump administration files emergency appeals on birthright citizenship — The Trump administration filed a series of emergency appeals asking the Supreme Court to allow the president to proceed with plans to end birthright citizenship. This legal maneuver seeks to challenge the constitutional guarantee of citizenship by birth.
• Trump invoked Alien Enemies Act to arrest and deport noncitizens without due process — Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, claiming to target Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua but with implications for countless noncitizens lacking ties to the gang. US District Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting deportations under the act and ordering planes to turn around. The Trump administration defied the order; three planes landed in El Salvador, and more than 135 of 300 migrants were deported using the act.
• Trump administration invokes Alien Enemies Act for deportations — The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify deportations without due process, circumventing immigration courts. This act has historically been used only during wartime. Critics argue this move undermines legal protections for migrants and asylum seekers, raising concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of due process rights.
• Trump administration plans to invoke Alien Enemies Act — The Trump administration is planning to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used wartime authority, to arrest and deport certain noncitizens without due process. This act was historically used to justify Japanese internment during World War II.

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• Bove instructed DOJ to ignore federal court order blocking deportations — During a March 14, 2025 meeting, Emil Bove told DOJ officials that planes carrying individuals subject to deportation under the Alien Enemies Act "needed to take off no matter what" and stated the DOJ would need to consider telling courts "fuck you" and ignore any court order blocking the removals. On March 15, after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order halting the deportations, Bove directed that the flights proceed anyway, instructing DHS that the court order did not apply because the planes had left U.S. airspace before the written order was issued—a legal position contradicted by binding judicial authority.

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• Emil Bove directs DOJ lawyers to disregard potential court orders on migrant deportations — On March 14, 2025, Emil Bove, the third-highest official at the DOJ, met with lawyers in the immigration section and told them that Trump would invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport more than 100 Venezuelan migrants without due process. Bove stated that "those planes need to take off, no matter what" and told attendees that if a court issued an order preventing the deportation, the DOJ "may have to consider telling that court, 'f*** you.'" The statement was made to career attorneys and signaled willingness to defy federal court orders.

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• White House issues memorandum directing agencies to enforce Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) bond requirements in litigation against the federal government — The White House issued a presidential memorandum directing executive departments and agencies to ensure that federal district courts require plaintiffs seeking injunctions against the government to post security bonds under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c). The memorandum characterizes recent injunctions obtained by activist organizations as "sweeping" and "meritless," and directs agencies to request courts impose bond requirements to cover potential costs and damages if injunctions are later found wrongful. The directive applies to all lawsuits seeking injunctions against the federal government where agencies can demonstrate expected monetary damages, absent extraordinary circumstances.

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• Federal judge bars deportation of Mahmoud Khalil — A federal judge in Manhattan issued an order barring the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent US resident, pending a hearing. Khalil was detained by federal immigration authorities on orders to revoke his green card due to alleged pro-Hamas activities. The legal intervention prevents immediate deportation and allows Khalil's legal team, including the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, to prepare for the upcoming hearing.
• Court orders hearing for Mahmoud Khalil's case — U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman ordered on March 10, 2025, that Mahmoud Khalil "shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise," and scheduled a hearing for March 12, 2025. This ruling comes in response to Khalil's arrest by ICE, which has raised significant legal and constitutional questions regarding the treatment of lawful permanent residents.
• Judge blocks Trump administration's teacher training cuts — A federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration's plan to cut millions of dollars from teacher training programs. The judge found that the proposed cuts were already impacting programs aimed at addressing a nationwide teacher shortage, thus halting the administration's efforts to reduce funding.
• Federal judge blocks cuts to teacher training funds — A federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration's plan to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from teacher training programs. The decision came after eight states requested a temporary restraining order, arguing that the cuts were motivated by an agenda to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The judge's ruling prevents the immediate implementation of the cuts, which were already affecting programs addressing a nationwide teacher shortage.

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• White House issues promotional fact sheet claiming 50 achievements in first 50 days — The White House published a fact sheet titled "50 WINS IN 50 DAYS: President Trump Delivers for Americans" on March 10, 2025, listing claimed accomplishments across border enforcement, tariffs, investment announcements, energy policy, military recruitment, government reorganization, and regulatory rollbacks. The document attributes specific outcomes to executive actions, including border crossing reductions, tariff implementations, private-sector investment commitments, energy policy reversals, and personnel changes. No new instruments are announced; the fact sheet restates and promotes previously issued orders and policies.

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• White House issues fact sheet on memorandum directing federal agencies to enforce Rule 65(c) bond requirements in litigation against the government — The White House published a fact sheet on March 6, 2025, describing a presidential memorandum signed by President Trump directing federal agencies to enforce Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c), which requires plaintiffs seeking preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders against the government to post security (financial bonds) to cover potential costs or damages if the injunction is later found unjustified. The fact sheet frames this as deterring "frivolous lawsuits" and "activist judges" while protecting taxpayer funds.
• Trump signs memo on lawsuit fees — President Trump signed a memo urging agencies to enforce a rule requiring those who sue the administration to pay a fee upfront. Legal experts warn this could deter individuals and groups from filing lawsuits against the government, impacting access to justice.

Supporting reports

• Kilmar Ábrego García deported in violation of 2019 immigration court order — Kilmar Ábrego García was deported to El Salvador in March in violation of a 2019 immigration court order that prevented his repatriation on grounds of possible persecution. He remained in custody in El Salvador's Cecot terrorism confinement facility for weeks while administration officials claimed inability to comply with a court order to facilitate his return. He was eventually returned to the US this month after the government secured a federal indictment accusing him of being a co-conspirator in a people-smuggling ring.
• Trump administration defies court order to return mistakenly deported Maryland resident — Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident with a federal deportation protection order, was arrested by immigration agents in March and deported to El Salvador without a court hearing, along with over 200 Venezuelan deportees. The Trump administration has admitted the deportation was in error but refuses to comply with court orders requiring his return. A federal appeals court on Thursday denied the administration's appeal and issued a scathing rebuke, stating the government cannot "stash away residents" in foreign prisons without due process. The White House posted mockingly on X that Ábrego García is "never coming back."
• Federal judge orders administration not to deport Kilmar Ábrego García to El Salvador — A federal judge issued an order prohibiting the deportation of Maryland resident Kilmar Ábrego García to El Salvador due to concerns for his safety. The administration subsequently ignored this judicial order and deported Ábrego García anyway, along with more than 230 other immigrants, mostly Venezuelans and nearly half with legal status in the U.S., to the CECOT terrorist prison in El Salvador in March.

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• Federal judges propose transferring US Marshals Service from DOJ to judicial control — Federal judges discussed a proposal to move armed security personnel (US Marshals Service) away from Department of Justice control under Attorney General Pam Bondi and place them under the direct control of Chief Justice John Roberts. The proposal emerged at a March 2025 judicial conference meeting of approximately 50 federal judges amid concerns that the Trump administration might weaponize the Marshals Service by withdrawing protection from judges who rule against the president. Judge John Coughenour endorsed the transfer as necessary given recent threats and intimidation targeting judges.

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• Articles of impeachment filed against Judge Englemayer — Rep. Eli Crane filed articles of impeachment against Judge Paul Englemayer, the first judge to rule against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This action is part of a broader effort to challenge judicial rulings unfavorable to the Trump administration's policies, raising concerns about judicial independence.

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• Elon Musk calls for impeachment of judges — Elon Musk urged Republicans in Congress to impeach federal judges who rule against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This call for impeachment is part of a broader strategy to influence judicial decisions and reflects tensions between the judiciary and executive policies under the Trump administration.
• Elon Musk and House Republicans Allegedly Intimidating Judges — A report has emerged alleging that Elon Musk and certain House Republicans are involved in efforts to intimidate judges. The details of these actions, including the methods of intimidation and the specific judges targeted, have not been fully disclosed. This development is part of a broader concern about the influence of powerful individuals and political figures on the judiciary, which could have significant implications for the independence of the courts and the rule of law.

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• Trump issued executive order suspending Jenner & Block security clearances — In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Addressing Risks from Jenner & Block" that suspended security clearances for lawyers at the firm and restricted their access to government buildings, officials, and federal contracting work. Trump accused the firm of engaging in activities that "undermine justice and the interests of the United States" and specifically criticized it for employing Andrew Weissmann, who had worked on the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

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• Trump urged impeachment of Judge James Boasberg and attacked him as "radical left lunatic" — Trump in March 2025 urged the impeachment of DC federal judge James Boasberg and falsely branded him a "radical left lunatic" after Boasberg issued a ruling halting the deportation to El Salvador of scores of Venezuelan immigrants with alleged gang ties. The attack prompted Chief Justice John Roberts to issue hours-later criticism of political attacks on the judiciary and warnings against calls to impeach judges for their decisions.

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• Elon Musk uses X platform to urge impeachment of judges — Elon Musk, using his social media platform X where he has over 200 million followers, has repeatedly urged the impeachment of judges whose rulings he dislikes. On February 25, Musk stated: "The only way to restore rule of the people in America is to impeach judges." These posts target judges who have blocked or delayed Trump administration actions and Musk's "department of government efficiency" initiatives.

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• Musk calls for impeachment of federal judge — Elon Musk called for the impeachment of a federal judge who blocked the Trump administration from terminating DEI-related grants. This action reflects ongoing tensions between the administration and the judiciary over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

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• Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director — The US Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the new FBI director with a narrow 51-49 vote. Patel's confirmation was contentious due to concerns about his potential use of the position to pursue political opponents of Donald Trump. The vote reflects the divisive nature of his nomination and the polarized political climate.
• US Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director — The US Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the new FBI director with a narrow 51-49 vote. Patel, a key ally of former President Donald Trump, has been criticized for his perceived alignment with Trump's political agenda and his refusal to commit to keeping the FBI independent from partisan politics. His confirmation raises concerns about the potential politicization of the FBI, as Patel has previously expressed views that align with Trump's vision of a unitary executive. The confirmation reflects the contentious nature of his nomination and the divided opinions in the Senate.
• Republican senators confirm Kash Patel as FBI director — On February 20, 2025, the Senate voted 51-49 to confirm Kash Patel as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The confirmation saw all but two Republican senators supporting Patel, who has previously labeled numerous officials as part of a "deep state." His confirmation raises concerns about potential political targeting within the FBI.
• Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director — The Senate narrowly confirmed Kash Patel, an election denier and Trump ally, as FBI director for a 10-year term. Patel has expressed intentions to target US media organizations, raising concerns about the politicization of the FBI and threats to press freedom.

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• White House issues promotional fact sheet claiming executive accomplishments in first month — The White House published a fact sheet titled "America Is Back — and President Trump Is Just Getting Started" on February 20, 2025, listing claimed accomplishments across border enforcement, economic policy, energy, military matters, and domestic governance. The document asserts that President Trump has "already accomplished more than most presidents do in their entire term" after one month in office. It attributes specific policy actions including border emergency declarations, tariff implementations, military deployments, regulatory rollbacks, and personnel changes across federal agencies.
• White House issues compilation release touting departmental accomplishments after one month — The White House published a compilation release on February 21, 2025, in which it aggregated statements from eight federal departments (Homeland Security, Interior, Education, Housing and Urban Development, State, Transportation, Defense, and Health and Human Services) describing their claimed accomplishments during President Trump's first month in office. The release does not announce new policy but curates existing departmental messaging around themes including border security, energy development, education policy, military readiness, and what the administration characterizes as reversals of prior policies.

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• Trump administration defies federal court orders — The Trump administration has been defying federal court orders that were issued to pause its executive actions, including orders to limit birthright citizenship and freeze federal funding. Despite nearly 50 legal challenges filed in the past three weeks, the administration continues to ignore rulings that have put a hold on some of Trump's executive orders. This defiance has prompted warnings of a potential constitutional crisis, as the administration's actions are seen as a power grab that undermines the rule of law.
• USAID employees turned away despite court order — USAID employees were denied entry to their Washington headquarters, even after a judge temporarily blocked a Trump administration order placing them on paid leave. This defiance of a court order highlights ongoing conflicts between the administration and the judiciary.
• Trump defies court order to restore funding — President Donald Trump defied a court order that mandated the restoration of funding to federal bodies such as the National Institutes of Health. This defiance is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration's aggressive actions to seize or dismantle federal institutions and budgets. Critics have labeled this defiance as contributing to a constitutional crisis, as it challenges the judiciary's role in checking executive power.

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• Case update — Dellinger v. Bessent (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00385 — The D.C. Circuit rejected Defendant's appeal in a 2-1 opinion.
• DC Court of Appeals rejects Trump case — The DC Court of Appeals rejected former President Trump's request to hear a case involving a lower court's temporary injunction preventing him from firing Hampton Dellinger, who monitors compliance with workplace protections for federal employees. The decision upholds the lower court's injunction.
• Trump administration files supreme court appeal over watchdog firing — The Government petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Justices to freeze and vacate the district court order that had temporarily reinstated Dellinger.
• — The Trump administration has filed an appeal with the US Supreme Court to approve the firing of Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal agency. This appeal challenges a federal judge's decision to reinstate Dellinger pending a court hearing. The administration argues that the judge's order is an impermissible check on presidential power. The case is a significant test of executive authority over independent agencies and could impact numerous lawsuits against the administration.
• — The Supreme Court rejected (7-2) the Government's petition on the ground that a TRO was not properly subject to appeal at this stage.

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• DOJ fires immigration judges — The Department of Justice fired over two dozen immigration judges, managers, and new hires, including five midlevel assistant chief immigration judges and 13 candidates for new judge positions. This action comes amid a backlog of approximately 3.5 million pending immigration cases. The firings have raised concerns about the administration's commitment to handling immigration cases effectively.
• — The Department of Justice, under President Trump, has fired multiple immigration judges amid a significant backlog of immigration cases. This action is part of a broader effort to reshape the judiciary and influence immigration policy, potentially impacting the fair adjudication of immigration cases.

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• Senator Cotton criticizes judicial ruling — Senator Tom Cotton publicly criticized the federal judge's ruling that temporarily barred access to Treasury records, labeling it as "outrageous" and misrepresenting the nature of the ruling. This statement reflects a broader trend among Republican officials to challenge judicial authority and undermine the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. government.
• Senator Lee claims judicial coup — Senator Mike Lee characterized the federal judge's ruling as having "the feel of…a judicial coup," suggesting that the judiciary is overstepping its bounds. This rhetoric contributes to a narrative that seeks to delegitimize judicial decisions that counter the administration's agenda.

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• Rep. Eli Crane drafts impeachment articles against Judge Engelmayer — Representative Eli Crane announced he is drafting articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer. Crane accuses the judge of judicial overreach after Engelmayer ruled against the Department of Government Ethics (DOGE), allegedly preventing White House employees from accessing systems they oversee. Crane claims this is a partisan abuse of judicial power and a threat to democracy.

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• Elon Musk shares personal information of judge's daughter — Elon Musk reposted a tweet by Laura Loomer to his large following, which included the name and employment details of a judge's daughter. The judge had ruled against Musk's interests. This act raises concerns about privacy and potential intimidation of judicial figures and their families.

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• Vice President Vance asserts executive power over judicial authority — On February 9, Vice President JD Vance tweeted that "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power," articulating an administration position that the executive branch is not bound by judicial constraints on its authority. This statement reflects the broader administration posture of resistance to adverse court rulings.
• Vice President Vance defends executive power — Vice President J.D. Vance defended the executive branch's authority in response to the federal judge's ruling, asserting that judges should not control the executive's "legitimate power." This statement reflects a growing trend among Republican leaders to challenge judicial oversight and assert executive dominance.