Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court overturns detention challenge ruling in Mahmoud Khalil case — A federal appeals court overturned the ruling in the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate arrested in March 2025 for pro-Palestinian activism. The reversal opens the door to his eventual re-detention. Khalil, whose initial arrest was cited as the first target of Trump's effort to deport noncitizen students with pro-Palestinian views, plans to appeal the appellate decision.
• US appeals court reverses lower court decision freeing Palestinian activist from ICE detention — A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed a lower court's order releasing Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student, from immigration detention. The court found that the district court lacked jurisdiction to hear Khalil's habeas petition, ruling that immigration courts—not federal courts—have authority over such claims. Khalil had been detained in March 2025 after the Trump administration argued his pro-Palestinian activism constituted a threat to US foreign policy. He was released in June 2025 but now faces potential re-detention.

Supporting reports

• ACLU and attorneys file class-action lawsuit against Trump administration for alleged racial profiling by ICE in Minneapolis — On 15 January 2026, the ACLU and other attorneys filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging that ICE agents engaged in racial profiling and unlawful arrest of three Minnesotans and others in the Minneapolis area. The lawsuit was filed amid a broader pattern of reported targeting of Latino and Somali communities by federal agents deployed to the region. One plaintiff, a US citizen, reported being stopped by masked ICE agents while walking to lunch; in another incident, ICE officers asked people of color for documentation of legal status while they charged electric vehicles.
• Minnesota, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul sue to halt Operation Metro Surge — The states of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul filed lawsuits seeking to halt Operation Metro Surge, the federal ICE deployment of approximately 2,000 agents to the Twin Cities area. The legal action challenged the scope and conduct of the federal enforcement operation. The ACLU filed a separate federal case alleging unconstitutional stops, detentions, and racial profiling by ICE agents conducting the operation.
• ACLU files lawsuit against Trump administration alleging racial profiling and unlawful arrests by ICE in Minnesota — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a 72-page lawsuit on January 16, 2026, against the Trump administration, naming the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem as defendants. The suit alleges that federal immigration agents in Minnesota have engaged in systematic racial profiling and unlawful arrests targeting Somali and Latino communities, including U.S. citizens. The lawsuit documents cases of detained citizens who were not asked about their citizenship status, were denied basic rights, and were subjected to violence, including pepper-spraying of a plaintiff recording from a public sidewalk.

Supporting reports

• Representative Robin Kelly announces impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — Democratic Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced she will file articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, charging her with obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. The announcement follows Noem's defense of the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent and her announcement that hundreds more federal agents would be deployed to Minneapolis. Kelly's action represents formal congressional impeachment proceedings against a cabinet officer.
• Rep. Kelly introduced three articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem — Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which were backed by nearly 70 other House Democrats. The first article accuses Noem of obstruction of Congress by implementing policies limiting lawmakers from conducting oversight visits at ICE detention facilities. The second accuses her of violating public trust by directing DHS agents to arrest people without warrants, use tear gas against citizens, and ignore due process. The third accuses her of self-dealing by steering a federal contract to a firm run by her friend.
• Democratic lawmakers file articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem — Representative Robin Kelly and 70 House Democrats formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on January 15, 2026, citing obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. The action follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Kelly alleges Noem withheld appropriated funds, blocked congressional access to DHS facilities, authorized warrantless arrests and violence against citizens, and misused taxpayer dollars for ICE recruitment advertising and contracts. The Republican-controlled House is unlikely to advance the charges.

Supporting reports

• Congressional Progressive Caucus vows to block DHS funding without ICE reforms — On Tuesday, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led by Ilhan Omar, declared it will oppose all funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless significant reforms to immigration enforcement are enacted. The declaration follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week during a Trump administration surge of federal officers. The caucus demands provisions including bans on masked ICE agents, warrant requirements for arrests, and closure of private detention facilities. The opposition could complicate passage of the homeland security appropriations bill, one of 12 funding bills Congress must pass by month's end.

Supporting reports

• Minnesota Attorney General sues Trump administration over ICE surge and excessive force — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday alleging that the Department of Homeland Security's deployment of thousands of ICE agents violates the Administrative Procedures Act through excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, racist targeting, and surveillance of courts, churches, and schools. The lawsuit follows the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, which sparked nationwide protests.
• Minnesota Attorney General files federal lawsuit to halt ICE operation in Minneapolis — Minnesota's attorney general filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop an ICE operation that fanned out across the Minneapolis area, initially directed at the Somali community. The lawsuit was filed following the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during the operation. The legal action represents state-level challenge to federal immigration enforcement activities.
• Minnesota Attorney General files lawsuit against Trump administration over DHS enforcement actions — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced he is filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security's use of excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, and targeting of courts, churches, and schools violates the Administrative Procedure Act. Ellison called for courts to end the surge of DHS agents in Minnesota.
• Minnesota attorney general sues Trump administration over ICE surge and use of force — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security on January 13, 2026, alleging excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, and targeting of courts, churches, and schools. The suit follows an ICE agent's fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good. Ellison seeks a temporary restraining order and an end to the deployment of thousands of DHS agents in Minnesota, characterizing the surge as unconstitutional and harmful to public safety and civil liberties.
• Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul file lawsuit challenging DHS immigration enforcement surge as constitutional violation — Minnesota's attorney general, Minneapolis's mayor, and St. Paul officials filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the Trump administration's massive immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. The suit alleges that the Department of Homeland Security is violating First Amendment and other constitutional protections by targeting a progressive, Democratic-leaning state that welcomes immigrants. The lawsuit characterizes the operation as a "federal invasion." The city of Chicago and Illinois separately filed a similar suit over the DHS's "organized bombardment."
• Illinois sued Department of Homeland Security for unlawful ICE and CBP tactics — The state of Illinois filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security alleging unlawful and dangerous tactics used by Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during "Operation Midway Blitz." Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul documented that agents acted as occupiers rather than law enforcement officers, randomly and violently questioning residents, brutally detaining citizens and non-citizens without warrants or probable cause, and using tear gas and chemical weapons against bystanders, injuring dozens including children, elderly persons, and local police officers. Governor J.B. Pritzker stated the actions undermined constitutional rights and threatened public safety.
• Minnesota and Minneapolis and St. Paul sued Trump administration over ICE operations — Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul filed lawsuits against the Trump administration challenging federal immigration enforcement operations that began on January 6. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison characterized the operation as "a federal invasion" and documented that poorly trained, aggressive, and armed federal agents conducted widespread unlawful conduct including terrorizing residents. The lawsuit challenged the legality and constitutionality of the enforcement tactics.

Supporting reports

• Minnesota Attorney General sues Trump administration over ICE surge and excessive force — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday alleging that the Department of Homeland Security's deployment of thousands of ICE agents violates the Administrative Procedures Act through excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, racist targeting, and surveillance of courts, churches, and schools. The lawsuit follows the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, which sparked nationwide protests.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: State of Illinois v. Department of Homeland Security — The State of Illinois and City of Chicago filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Department of Homeland Security, challenging a Border Patrol deployment to Chicago beginning in September 2025 as part of "Operation Midway Blitz." The complaint alleges unlawful immigration enforcement involving warrantless arrests, chemical weapons deployment, and roving patrols, and contends the deployment violates the Tenth Amendment by interfering with state sovereign functions and the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding statutory authority. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief vacating the policies and enjoining further enforcement.
• Minnesota and Illinois sued Trump administration over immigration enforcement — Minnesota and Illinois filed separate lawsuits against the Trump administration arguing that the president's immigrant crackdown operations in the Minneapolis and Chicago areas violated state sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. Illinois's lawsuit urged a judge to block U.S. Customs and Border Protection from "conducting civil immigration enforcement" in the state without "express congressional authorization."
• Illinois files federal lawsuit against Trump administration over DHS enforcement tactics — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's administration filed a federal lawsuit on January 13, 2026, against the Trump administration challenging the Department of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement operations. The suit seeks to block U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting civil immigration enforcement in Illinois and to curb tactics including use of teargas, trespassing on private property, and concealing license plates during operations.

Supporting reports

• DOJ fired federal prosecutor who declined to prosecute Comey — MS NOW reported that the Justice Department fired a federal prosecutor who served as first assistant to the now-disqualified U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan after he declined to lead the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.
• Six DOJ Civil Rights Division leaders resigned in protest — At least six leaders of the criminal section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the DOJ decided not to investigate the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, a process that usually takes place after any fatal shooting by a law enforcement officer.
• Federal leadership responded to ICE killings with defensive messaging and threats toward critics — After Renee Good was killed by ICE, federal leadership responded with defensive messaging, threats toward critics, and rhetoric framing accountability as an attack on law enforcement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared publicly behind messaging stating "One of ours, all of yours," signaling protection from consequences rather than transparency or restraint.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division officials resigned after being ordered not to investigate ICE agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good — Four high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the Trump DOJ instructed them to investigate the victim, Renee Nicole Good, rather than the ICE agent who shot and killed her. The resignations follow a February wave of departures from the DOJ's Public Integrity Section, where prosecutors refused orders to dismiss a bribery case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The departures reflect broader institutional collapse within the DOJ, with thousands of career officials resigning or fired.
• Four leaders of DOJ Civil Rights Division criminal section resigned over ICE shooting decision — At least four leaders of the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ resigned to protest the decision by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon not to investigate the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good. The departures included the chief of the section, principal deputy chief, deputy chief, and acting deputy chief. This represents the most significant mass resignation at DOJ since February 2025, when five leaders of the Public Integrity Section resigned rather than comply with orders to dismiss the bribery case against former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
• Department of Justice declined to investigate shooting as civil rights violation — The Department of Justice declined to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross as a civil rights attack. Instead, the DOJ classified the incident as an assault on a federal officer and initiated an investigation into Good's ties to local activists rather than examining the shooting itself. This prosecutorial decision prompted the resignation of at least six career prosecutors from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
• DOJ declines civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Trump administration's Department of Justice leadership declined to open a civil-rights investigation into a Minneapolis ICE shooting incident, stating there was "no basis" for review while the FBI continues its investigation. In response, four senior supervisors in DOJ's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest, citing their exclusion from the case and objecting to the refusal to initiate civil-rights oversight. The resignations signal internal resistance to narrowing accountability mechanisms.
• Federal prosecutors resign from DOJ civil rights division over blocked investigation into ICE shooting — Six lawyers from the US attorney's office in Minnesota and four leaders of the DOJ civil rights division resigned in protest after the department, under assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon, declined to investigate the January 7 fatal shooting of unarmed civilian Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated there was "no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation" without elaboration. The resignations reflect broader purging of the civil rights division, which has lost roughly 70% of its staff since Trump's second term began.
• Federal prosecutors resign in protest over DOJ decision not to investigate killing of Renee Nicole Good — Several federal prosecutors resigned in protest after the Department of Justice declined to conduct a civil rights investigation into the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. The killing sparked widespread protests and prompted state and local legal challenges to the federal immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration has defended the agent's actions as self-defense, a characterization disputed by local officials and video evidence.
• Four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors resign over case exclusion — Four senior supervisors in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned after being told they would be sidelined from the Minnesota ICE shooting investigation. The resignations were framed as protest against both their exclusion from the case and the broader refusal to open civil-rights oversight into the use-of-force incident. The departures represent internal institutional resistance to the narrowing of accountability mechanisms.
• Six career prosecutors resigned from DOJ Civil Rights Division — At least six career prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest over the DOJ's decision not to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good as a civil rights violation and instead to investigate Good's ties to local activists.
• DOJ declines to open civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Department of Justice announced it found "no basis" to open a civil-rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The decision was made by DOJ leadership and signaled that civil-rights review would be granted only at the administration's discretion. The refusal to investigate followed the fatal incident and preceded the resignation of four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon declines to open investigation into ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good — Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, instructed federal prosecutors in the division's criminal section that she would not open an investigation into whether the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis violated federal law. The Civil Rights Division's criminal section normally handles investigations into law enforcement misconduct, but no probe was announced publicly or pursued internally.
• DOJ senior officials pressure federal prosecutors to investigate Renee Nicole Good's widow for criminality; six prosecutors resign — Senior DOJ officials pressed federal prosecutors to investigate Becca Good, widow of Renee Nicole Good, for possible criminality before the shooting. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.—including some who worked on fraud-related investigations—resigned in response to the pressure to pursue Good's family rather than investigate the ICE agent's conduct. The prosecutors' resignations were prompted by the DOJ's attempt to weaponize the fatal shooting and redirect the FBI's probe toward Good's family and their connections to local activist groups.
• DOJ civil rights division and federal prosecutors resign over handling of ICE shooting — At least four senior leaders of the DOJ Civil Rights Division and six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in response to how the Trump administration handled the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The resignations signal institutional breakdown and loss of confidence in federal accountability mechanisms.