Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court allowed Trump administration to continue enforcing passport gender-marker elimination while litigation proceeds — As legal challenges to the Trump administration's elimination of the "X" gender marker on passports moved through the courts, the Supreme Court allowed the administration to continue enforcing the new rules while litigation proceeds. This decision permits the policy to remain in effect during the appeals process, leaving transgender Americans unable to obtain identification documents reflecting their identity.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge finds government misconduct in DOJ prosecution of James Comey — Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick ruled that the Department of Justice engaged in a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps" in securing criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress in 2020. The judge found fundamental misstatements of law presented to the grand jury, use of potentially privileged communications, and unexplained irregularities in grand jury transcripts. Fitzpatrick ordered prosecutors to produce all grand jury materials to Comey's defense team, citing concerns that the DOJ's approach was to "indict first and investigate later."
• Federal magistrate judge found prosecutor Lindsey Halligan provided false statements to grand jury in Comey case — A federal magistrate judge in Virginia ruled that Trump-appointed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan made false statements of law to a grand jury in the case against former FBI Director James Comey. The judge found a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps" and stated that Halligan's explanations "simply make no sense." The judge ordered grand jury materials released to Comey's legal team, finding the misstatements severe enough to potentially taint the indictment itself.
• Judge Fitzpatrick issued scathing ruling against interim US Attorney Lindsay Halligan for grand jury misconduct in Comey indictment — Judge William Fitzpatrick ruled that interim US Attorney Lindsay Halligan likely used illegally obtained evidence, privileged information, and made two false statements of law to the grand jury that indicted former FBI Director James Comey. The judge found Halligan presented only a single witness (an FBI agent exposed to privileged communications) and ordered all grand jury materials turned over to the defense. The court found a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps" and established grounds for potential dismissal of the indictment with prejudice.
• Federal judge found "disturbing pattern" of misconduct in Comey case — A federal judge ruled that prosecutors in former FBI Director James Comey's criminal case must turn over grand jury materials from his indictment. In his ruling, which was paused after the Justice Department appealed it, the judge wrote that "the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps" by Lindsey Halligan, Trump's handpicked interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, that could "undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding." The judge also found "genuine issues of misconduct" in the case.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration deports trans woman in violation of court order — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported Britania Uriostegui Rios, a transgender woman, to Mexico on or around November 12, 2025, in direct violation of a March court order that found she faced likely torture if returned there. After her lawyers inquired, the Department of Justice acknowledged the "inadvertent removal" and stated ICE would allow her to voluntarily reenter the United States. The administration has been unable to find an alternative country willing to accept her since March.
• Justice Department acknowledges wrongful deportation and offers voluntary reentry — On November 13, 2025, a Department of Justice attorney filed a court statement acknowledging that Britania Uriostegui Rios was removed to Mexico "inadvertently" and stated that "ICE stands ready to remedy the inadvertent removal by allowing your client to voluntarily reenter the United States if your client wishes to do so." The administration simultaneously continues seeking an alternative country to deport her to, as it has since March.

Supporting reports

• Became Law: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 — Congress enacted Public Law 119-37, a continuing appropriations measure funding agriculture, legislative branch operations, military construction, and veterans affairs through an extension period. The bill allocates resources across multiple federal agencies and departments, maintaining government operations and veteran services during the fiscal transition.
• House begins voting on bill to end 50+ day government shutdown — The U.S. House of Representatives began voting on legislation to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which had lasted over 50 days after Speaker Mike Johnson ordered a recess to pressure Senate Democrats. The Senate-brokered compromise, supported by all Republicans except Rand Paul and eight moderate Democrats, would fund the government through January without extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. House Democrats vowed to oppose the measure, calling it a betrayal of healthcare subsidies, while Republican leaders expressed confidence it would pass despite their narrow majority.
• House passed continuing resolution ending 54-day government shutdown — On November 12, the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through January 30, 2026, ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history at 43 days. The vote was 222–209, with all but two Republicans voting in favor and all but six Democrats voting against it. The measure restores funding, reverses layoffs of federal employees made during the shutdown, guarantees workers' back pay, and appropriates funds for SNAP benefits through September 2026. Democrats opposed the measure because it did not extend premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance, which expire in January and will cause millions of Americans to lose coverage or face skyrocketing premiums.
• Trump signs spending package ending government shutdown — President Donald Trump signed into law a congressionally approved spending package, officially ending a 43-day federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The shutdown had significant impacts on government operations and public services. The resolution of the shutdown marks a return to normal government functioning, although it comes amid other political challenges for Trump, including the potential congressional vote on the Epstein files.
• Trump signs bill ending 42-day federal government shutdown — After 42 days, the longest US government shutdown in history ended when the House passed a compromise funding bill 222–209 on November 12, and President Trump signed it on November 13. The bill, negotiated by Republicans and moderate Democrats, funds government operations through January but excludes extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits that Democrats had demanded. The shutdown had caused furloughs of 700,000 federal workers, halted food assistance payments, and triggered flight cancellations due to unpaid air traffic controllers.
• House Democrats Release Epstein Emails — The House of Representatives resumed business after a 54-day hiatus, during which House Democrats released three emails from Jeffrey Epstein's estate that reference Donald Trump. The emails suggest potential leverage Epstein had over Trump regarding his relationships with underage girls. Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the release as a publicity stunt, while the House swore in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who signed a discharge petition to require the Department of Justice to release Epstein-related files. The House also passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through January 30, 2026.
• House Passes Continuing Resolution Ending Government Shutdown — The House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through January 30, 2026, ending a 43-day government shutdown. The vote was 222–209, with most Republicans in favor and most Democrats opposed due to the lack of extension for healthcare premium tax credits. The resolution also overturned layoffs of federal employees and guaranteed their pay, while appropriating funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through September 2026.
• Government shutdown lasting 43 days ended November 12, 2025 — A 43-day government shutdown, the longest in American history, ended on November 12, 2025, after acute disruptions to federal services and severe strain on federal workers and travelers.
• Agriculture Department said states will receive SNAP funds within 24 hours — A spokesperson for the Agriculture Department said on November 12 in a statement to Politico that most states will receive federal funds to distribute full SNAP benefit payments "within 24 hours" after Trump signed the funding package to reopen the government.
• Trump signed legislation to reopen federal government — Trump signed legislation on November 12 to reopen the federal government after the House passed the funding package earlier in the evening, marking an end to the longest government shutdown in US history.

Supporting reports

• Vought suspends majority of CFPB operations — Russell Vought, White House Office of Management and Budget director, suspended most of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's work while the full DC Circuit Court of Appeals decides whether to take the case. A lower court order previously blocked the firings of approximately 90% of the agency's staff, but Vought proceeded with operational suspension pending appellate review.

Supporting reports

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

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• Federal judge Mark Wolf resigns citing Trump's weaponization of law — U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf, appointed by President Reagan in 1985, resigned on Friday, stating he could no longer remain silent about the Trump administration's use of law for partisan purposes. Wolf cited the targeting of political adversaries while sparing friends and donors from investigation and prosecution as contrary to his 50+ years in the Department of Justice and on the bench. He characterized the White House's assault on the rule of law as deeply disturbing and said silence was intolerable.
• Former federal judge Mark L. Wolf resigned to oppose Trump administration — Former U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf, appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts by President Ronald Reagan, announced his resignation on Friday, November 7, 2025, stating he wanted the freedom to do "everything in my power to combat today's existential threat to democracy and the rule of law." Wolf cited Trump's use of the Department of Justice against political opponents, firing of inspectors general, pay-to-play policies favoring wealthy donors, cryptocurrency corruption, unconstitutional executive orders, and threats against judges as reasons for his resignation. Because Wolf had taken senior status in 2013 with a successor already appointed, his resignation will not create a vacancy for Trump to fill.

Supporting reports

• JD Vance rejected federal court authority over SNAP compliance — Vice President JD Vance stated on the record that the administration will not follow a federal judge's order to distribute SNAP benefits, calling the ruling "absurd." Vance asserted that a court cannot direct the president how to "triage the situation" and that the administration will instead act "according to what we think we have to do to comply with the law."
• Trump refused to disperse SNAP funds despite court order — Trump announced he is refusing to distribute SNAP (food assistance) benefits to 42 million Americans despite a federal court order mandating the disbursement. He justified the refusal by stating the country must "remain very liquid" due to potential "problems, catastrophes, wars." Vice President JD Vance characterized the court order as "absurd" and stated the administration would not comply with judicial direction on the matter.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration appeals SNAP benefits ruling — On November 6, 2025, immediately after Judge John McConnell's order to restore SNAP benefits, the Trump administration filed an appeal of the ruling.
• Trump administration appealed to First Circuit and sought emergency stay from Supreme Court — The Trump administration appealed Judge McConnell's order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and requested that court pause the order while it decided the appeal. When the First Circuit had not ruled by late Friday afternoon, the administration filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to stay McConnell's order, preventing the distribution of SNAP benefits.
• Trump Administration Criticizes Federal Judge Over SNAP Ruling — Trump's legal team criticized the Rhode Island federal judge who ordered the release of SNAP benefits, claiming the ruling "makes a mockery of the separation of powers." This statement reflects the administration's broader strategy of defying judicial authority while prioritizing political interests.

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court orders reconsideration of Trump's hush money conviction — A federal appeals court ordered a lower court to consider moving Trump's criminal hush money conviction to a federal court based on the Supreme Court's ruling related to presidential immunity. Trump was convicted in May 2024, and the Supreme Court's ruling was issued that July.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge ordered SNAP benefits funding from emergency reserve — U.S. District Judge John McConnell of the District of Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to fund SNAP benefit payments using the $4.65 billion emergency reserve Congress had set aside. McConnell suggested the administration could make full November payments by also tapping the Child Nutrition Program and other funds, but left discretion to the administration.
• Federal judge orders administration to restore SNAP benefits — On November 6, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in the District of Rhode Island found that the Trump administration had violated his prior court order by withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The judge accused the administration of withholding benefits "for political reasons" and cited Trump's social media post stating SNAP would be funded only after the shutdown ends as evidence of "intent to defy the court order." McConnell ordered full SNAP payments to states by November 7 for distribution to beneficiaries.
• Judge McConnell found administration ignored court order and mandated full SNAP benefit distribution — After the Trump administration failed to comply with his initial order to distribute at least partial SNAP benefits, Judge John McConnell found the administration in violation and issued a new order requiring the Trump administration to distribute the full amount of SNAP benefits for November to the states for distribution by the end of Friday (November 7, 2025).
• Trump administration appeals SNAP benefits ruling — On November 6, 2025, immediately after Judge John McConnell's order to restore SNAP benefits, the Trump administration filed an appeal of the ruling.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to withhold SNAP benefits unless Democrats capitulate on government funding — On November 4, 2025, President Trump threatened on social media to withhold SNAP (food assistance) benefits to 42 million Americans unless Democrats vote to fund the government. The threat came after the Trump administration had been forced by court rulings to provide emergency funds to keep SNAP operating at 50% capacity during the shutdown. Trump's statement—"Snap benefits will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government"—weaponizes a critical anti-poverty program as leverage in the funding standoff.
• Trump announced withholding SNAP benefits to pressure Democrats on government shutdown — President Trump announced via social media that SNAP benefits for 43 million Americans would be withheld until Democrats agree to reopen the government on Republican terms. This directly contradicted a federal court order from U.S. District Judge John McConnell requiring the administration to fund SNAP using emergency reserves. The White House initially claimed full compliance but Trump's announcement made clear the administration intended to use hunger as political leverage in the shutdown dispute.
• Trump announced refusal to comply with federal court order on SNAP benefits distribution — President Trump posted on Truth Social that he would refuse to follow a federal court order requiring SNAP benefits distribution to nearly 42 million Americans, stating benefits would only be given when "Radical Left Democrats open up govt." The White House later clarified the administration was still sending partial food aid benefits despite the president's threat, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating the administration was "fully complying with the court order."
• Trump defies court order on SNAP benefits — Also on Truth Social, Trump said that SNAP benefits "will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government … and not before!" despite a court order requiring the administration to issue payments.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Motion granted — Chicago Headline Club v. Noem (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12173 — The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted the government's request to temporarily block Judge Ellis' Oct. 28 order requiring CBP Chief Patrol Agent Greg Bovino to appear in court at 5:45PM on weekdays to report on use of force activities for each day.
• Appeals court paused order requiring CBP official to appear in court daily — An appeals court paused a federal judge's order requiring top CBP official Gregory Bovino to appear in court daily to provide updates about immigration enforcement activity in Chicago.
• Federal appeals court blocks judge's order for daily immigration sweep briefings — The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals blocked an order by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis that would have required Gregory Bovino, a senior border patrol official, to appear in federal court daily to report on immigration crackdowns and arrests in Chicago. The judge had previously stated that children in Halloween costumes do not pose an immediate threat justifying use of riot control weapons.
• — The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted the government's request to issue a writ of mandamus blocking the district court's order that had required CBP Chief Patrol Agent Greg Bovino to appear in court to report on use of force activities for each day. The court found that the order “puts the court in the position of an inquisitor rather than that of a neutral adjudicator” and “sets the court up as a supervisor of Chief Bovino's activities, intruding on the personnel management decisions of the Executive Branch,” concluding that the order infringes on the separation of powers.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration filed emergency appeal to uphold Library of Congress copyright chief firing — The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to uphold the firing of the copyright chief of the Library of Congress, Shira Perlmutter, who is challenging her termination in court.

Supporting reports

• Large law firms reduced representation of plaintiffs challenging Trump policies — The Washington Post reported that the largest law firms in the U.S. have been far less likely to challenge Trump's policies than during his first term. Large firms represented plaintiffs in only 15% of cases challenging Trump executive orders in his second term, compared with roughly 75% during a comparable period in his first term. The shift has placed significant burden on small- and medium-sized firms, which have taken on more of the workload in nearly 400 lawsuits filed between January and September. Some of Trump's executive orders this spring targeted major law firms.

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• Judge Young issues 161-page ruling blocking deportations of pro-Palestinian activists — Judge William Young in Boston issued a scathing 161-page ruling last month finding that Trump administration efforts to deport non-citizen pro-Palestinian activists and academics violated their First Amendment rights and were conducted under an "unconstitutionally broad definition of antisemitism." Young, a Reagan appointee, concluded the deportations lacked due process and constituted a "full-throated assault on the first amendment."

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• Stephen Miller calls Immergut ruling "legal insurrection" — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller denounced Judge Immergut's ruling as "legal insurrection," using inflammatory language that analysts worry could incite violence against the judiciary.
• Trump attacks Judge Immergut and misidentifies her sex — After Judge Immergut's ruling blocking national guard deployment, Trump publicly attacked her, telling reporters "I wasn't served well by the people who pick judges" (despite having nominated her himself), and misidentified her sex, saying "That judge ought to be ashamed of himself." Trump falsely claimed Portland was "burning to the ground."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration petitions Supreme Court to override Chicago ruling — Following the Seventh Circuit's affirmation of Judge Perry's block on national guard deployment to Chicago, the Trump administration filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court requesting that the Court pause the lower court rulings and permit national guard deployment to Chicago streets.

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• Just Security documents 35 cases of government lying to federal judges — The nonpartisan law journal Just Security discovered more than 35 cases in which judges have stated that the government is lying to them. One judge warned that "trust that had been earned over generations has been lost in weeks."

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• U.S. District Judge James Boasberg orders halt to migrant deportation flights — After Venezuelan migrants sued, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg held a hearing and ordered that planes carrying migrants not leave and that any planes already in air be returned. The order was issued in response to the DOJ's plan to deport migrants without due process under the Alien Enemies Act.
• Trump administration defies federal court order on migrant deportations — More than five hours after Judge Boasberg's order halting the deportation flights, planes carrying Venezuelan migrants arrived at CECOT, a prison facility in El Salvador. The administration proceeded with the deportation despite the federal court's explicit order to halt the flights and return any planes already in air, constituting direct defiance of judicial authority.

Supporting reports

• Federal district judge Karin Immergut blocks Trump's deployment of Oregon National Guard to Portland and imposes second order prohibiting any National Guard deployment — Federal district judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued an initial injunction blocking Trump's effort to deploy Oregon National Guard troops to Portland, stating his contentions about Portland's atmosphere were "simply untethered to the facts." When Trump attempted to circumvent this order by deploying federalized California National Guard troops to Oregon instead, Immergut imposed a second order prohibiting the deployment of any National Guard troops to Portland. The lower court ruling was later lifted by the three-judge appellate panel on October 21.
• Judge Immergut rejects Trump's Portland emergency claims and blocks national guard deployment — Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued a temporary restraining order blocking Trump's plan to deploy national guard troops to Portland, rejecting the administration's characterization of the city as "war-ravaged" and finding the president's emergency determination "untethered to the facts." Immergut concluded the deployment violated constitutional limits on executive power and misrepresented conditions on the ground. A federal appeals court later reversed her ruling on October 20, permitting deployment.

Supporting reports

• Judge Perry blocks national guard deployment to Chicago; appeals court upholds — Judge April Perry in Chicago issued a temporary restraining order rejecting the Department of Homeland Security's characterization of Chicago as a "war zone" and blocking national guard deployment, finding DHS claims "simply unreliable" and lacking credibility. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Perry's ruling. The Trump administration subsequently petitioned the Supreme Court to pause the ruling and permit deployment.
• Chicago federal judge blocks national guard deployment pending case resolution — Federal District Judge April Perry on Wednesday blocked national guard deployment to the Chicago area until her court decides the case or the US Supreme Court intervenes. Perry had previously blocked the deployment for two weeks through a temporary restraining order. Federal government attorneys said they would agree to extend the order but would continue pressing for an emergency Supreme Court order to allow deployment.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration seeks Supreme Court override of Illinois National Guard deployment block — The Trump administration's Justice Department filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday requesting permission to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, after lower courts halted the deployment. The administration claimed federal agents faced threats and assaults in Chicago and Broadview. A federal appeals court had upheld the lower court's injunction on Thursday. The administration has already deployed Guard units to multiple Democratic-led cities including Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington DC, framing military intervention as necessary for immigration enforcement and public order.
• Trump administration petitions Supreme Court to override Chicago ruling — Following the Seventh Circuit's affirmation of Judge Perry's block on national guard deployment to Chicago, the Trump administration filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court requesting that the Court pause the lower court rulings and permit national guard deployment to Chicago streets.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge issues temporary restraining order on riot control weapons in Chicago — On an unspecified date before 13 October, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order restricting federal agents from using riot control weapons (tear gas, rubber bullets, etc.) against journalists, protesters, and religious practitioners in Chicago unless there is probable cause that individuals have committed a crime. The order responds to documented use of such weapons against veterans and other demonstrators during ICE protests.
• Federal judge ordered ICE to wear body cameras in Chicago — A federal judge ordered immigration officers to wear body cameras while conducting operations in the Chicago area, saying she was a "little startled" by footage of agents using tear gas and other tactics as part of Trump's immigration crackdown in the city and had concerns about her previous order preventing agents from using certain riot control techniques against journalists and protesters.
• Federal court orders ICE agents in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration operations — A federal court issued an order on October 17 requiring federal ICE agents operating in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration enforcement operations. The ruling followed multiple documented incidents in which federal agents deployed pepper balls, smoke grenades, and teargas against protesters and local police outside the Broadview detention center. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker praised the decision, stating that federal agents had "clearly lied" about their conduct and that the body camera requirement was a proper judicial response to unjustified use of chemical agents against protesters.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Chicago Headline Club v. Noem (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12173 — Judge Ellis issued a modification to her previous Temporary Restraining Order, further enjoining federal agents' use of force in immigration enforcement operations in the Northern District of Illinois. The modification adds a requirement that all such federal agents wear active body cameras while engaged in enforcement activity, unless exempt under CBP, ICE, or DHS policy. The modified TRO came a day after Ellis reportedly expressed during a hearing that she was “startled” by “images in the paper” showing federal agents deploying tear gas against protestors without warning and had “serious concerns that my order is being followed.”
• Federal judge orders ICE to wear body cameras in Chicago area after tear gas violations — US District Judge Sara Ellis ordered federal immigration officers in the Chicago area to wear body cameras after they repeatedly deployed pepper balls, smoke grenades, and tear gas against protesters and local police in apparent violation of her prior ruling banning riot-control techniques without warning. The order follows escalating enforcement actions by ICE and other federal agencies as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, with documented incidents including tear gas deployed near schoolchildren, an attorney shoved to the ground, and a 19-year-old citizen pinned without clear cause.