Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• James Comey charged with lying to Congress and obstruction — Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of lying to Congress about an FBI leak and obstruction of Congress. Comey pleaded not guilty. Over 100 ex-DOJ officials filed an amicus brief characterizing the prosecution as vindictive and in violation of departmental policies barring such prosecutions. Legal experts noted the paltry evidence supporting the charges and the transparent political motivation stemming from Trump's animus over the FBI's 2016 Russia investigation.
• Letitia James charged with bank fraud and false statements — New York Attorney General Letitia James was charged by the DOJ with bank fraud and false statements to a financial unit. James pleaded not guilty. The prosecution followed Trump's public demands for her indictment and came shortly after her office secured a civil fraud judgment against Trump's real estate empire. Legal experts and ex-DOJ officials challenged the charges as retaliatory and lacking sufficient evidence.
• Trump directs DOJ to prosecute political enemies including Comey, James, and Schiff — President Trump exerted intense pressure on the Department of Justice to charge political opponents—former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff—with crimes based on weak evidence. Trump publicly demanded prosecutions via Truth Social, installed loyalist prosecutors including Lindsey Halligan and Ed Martin in key positions, and removed career prosecutors who deemed cases insufficient. Over 100 ex-DOJ officials filed an amicus brief challenging Comey's prosecution as vindictive and unconstitutional. Legal experts and former prosecutors condemned the weaponization of federal law enforcement for partisan revenge.

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• John Bolton charged with mishandling classified information — John Bolton, former national security adviser and vocal Trump critic, was charged by Maryland's US attorney with mishandling classified information. Bolton pleaded not guilty. Legal experts noted that the investigation began during the Biden administration and may be stronger than cases against other Trump enemies, though the timing and context of the prosecution—coming after Trump's public attacks on Bolton—raised concerns about political motivation.

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• Ed Martin appointed to multiple DOJ roles including weaponization working group — Ed Martin, a combative lawyer with strong MAGA credentials and a history of promoting false election fraud claims and representing January 6 rioters, was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead a "weaponization working group" targeting alleged DOJ abuses under Democratic administrations. Martin was also given titles including special attorney for mortgage fraud, associate deputy attorney general, and pardon attorney. He has publicly stated that if Trump's enemies "can't be charged, we will name them … and in a culture that respects shame, they should be people that are ashamed." Former prosecutors expressed alarm at his role in spurring indictments of Trump's political opponents.

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• Kash Patel used FBI jet for personal travel to girlfriend's event — FBI Director Kash Patel flew on a government jet to State College, Pennsylvania, to watch his girlfriend, country music artist Alexis Wilkins, sing the national anthem at a wrestling match. After news stories and social media posts highlighted the personal use of taxpayer-funded aircraft, Patel became angered. He subsequently forced out Steven Palmer, a 27-year FBI veteran and head of the critical incident response group overseeing FBI pilots, demanding Palmer's immediate resignation or face termination. Palmer became the third head of that unit to be fired or removed under Patel's leadership.

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• DC U.S. Attorney's Office in crisis under Jeanne Pirro leadership — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is experiencing severe institutional disruption under U.S. Attorney Jeanne Pirro. The office has lost approximately one-third of its staff through dismissals, demotions, and resignations. The fraud, public corruption, and civil rights unit has been particularly hard hit, losing nearly half its prosecutors, its former chief Jon Hooks, and three former supervisors. Hooks, a senior prosecutor with nearly 20 years of service, was fired by Pirro's top aide Jonathan Hornok during a farewell party for departing colleagues. The departures have significantly damaged the office's capacity to pursue major white-collar cases.

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• Illinois advocates sue ICE over conditions at Broadview detention facility — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois and the MacArthur Justice Center filed a federal lawsuit on Friday against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security, alleging "inhumane and torturous" conditions at the Broadview immigration processing facility near Chicago. The lawsuit claims ICE agents denied detainees private calls with attorneys, blocked members of Congress, faith leaders, and journalists from entering, coerced detainees to sign documents they did not understand, and denied food, medical care, and basic necessities. Attorneys argue these actions violate Fifth Amendment due process rights and First Amendment rights to legal counsel, and seek court orders to improve facility conditions.

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• Trump DOJ requests 2020 election records from Fulton County, Georgia — On October 30, the Trump administration's Department of Justice, through its Civil Rights Division led by Harmeet Dhillon, sent a letter to Fulton County, Georgia election officials demanding they turn over records related to the 2020 election within 15 days. The request targets documents previously subpoenaed by the state election board, including voter lists, ballot images, and chain-of-custody forms. The DOJ justified the request under the Civil Rights Act and federal voting statutes, though legal experts note the letter lacks a required statutory basis for the demand.

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• ICE officer shoots at vehicle during enforcement stop in Phoenix — An ICE officer in Phoenix on Wednesday shot at a vehicle that federal agents had attempted to stop. The driver began to drive away, and officials stated the officer was in the vehicle's path. This incident is part of a pattern of shootings during expanded deportation operations.
• ICE agents shoot at vehicle during enforcement stop in Ontario, California — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted a vehicle stop in Ontario, California on Thursday when an uninvolved driver approached. Officers ordered the driver to leave; as the driver pulled away and reversed toward officers, an ICE officer fired defensive shots at the vehicle. The driver fled and abandoned the car. This was the second shooting involving ICE agents in the Los Angeles area within a week, amid expanded Trump administration deportation operations.
• ICE agents shoot TikTok creator documenting immigration enforcement in Los Angeles — Federal agents shot Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikTok creator with a large following who livestreams US immigration enforcement operations, after he allegedly attempted to ram federal agents' vehicles. Officers had surrounded and boxed in his car. Parias was shot in the elbow; a ricochet bullet struck a deputy US marshal in the hand. This incident occurred within the same week as the Ontario shooting.

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• Democratic congressional candidate indicted for ICE facility protest — Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian American progressive running for Illinois's ninth congressional district, was indicted on federal charges related to September protests outside a Chicago-area ICE processing facility. The indictment alleges she and five others conspired to forcibly impede a federal agent, banging on the agent's vehicle, damaging it, and blocking its movement. Abughazaleh characterized the charges as political prosecution and a "gross attempt at silencing dissent," asserting the indictment criminalizes First Amendment protest rights.

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• Trump called for investigation and imprisonment of Jack Smith — On Truth Social, Trump called for former special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated the president's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, to be "investigated and put in prison," and referred to Smith as a "criminal!!!"
• Trump called for investigation of multiple political opponents — In another post on Truth Social, Trump rattled off a list of political targets he believes should also be investigated, including former FBI Special Agent Walter Giardina and former Assistant US Attorney Andrew Weissmann, who both worked on the Mueller investigation into ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia. He also named former Attorney General Merrick Garland; former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, attorney Norm Eisen and his watchdog organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington; former DOJ national security prosecutor Jay Bratt; prosecutor Thomas Windom; and former FBI Director Christopher Wray.

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• Attorney General Bondi announced review of Biden autopen pardons — On Twitter, Attorney General Pam Bondi said her team "has already initiated a review of the Biden administration's reported use of autopen for pardons" after the Republican-led House Oversight Committee published a report arguing that the former president's executive actions signed by autopen were "illegitimate." Committee Chair James Comer urged Bondi to investigate all of the former president's executive actions "to ascertain whether they were duly authorized" by Biden.

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• Federal judge ruled Trump's US Attorney pick illegally serving in role — A federal judge ruled that Trump's pick to temporarily lead the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California is illegally serving in the role and should have stepped down by July 31, and disqualified him from the position.

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• Over 100 ex-DOJ officials file amicus brief challenging Comey prosecution — More than 100 former Department of Justice officials filed an amicus curiae brief on October 27 supporting James Comey's legal defense and arguing that his prosecution violates longstanding DOJ policies barring vindictive prosecutions and violates constitutional due process requirements. The brief was organized by James Pearce, an ex-DOJ lawyer and senior counsel at the Washington Litigation Group. Additional amicus briefs supporting Comey were filed by the Protect Democracy Project and Democracy Defenders Fund.
• Over 100 former DOJ officials signed amicus brief in Comey case — More than 100 former Justice Department officials signed on to an amicus brief urging the federal judge overseeing James Comey's criminal case to dismiss charges against the former FBI director. They argue Comey's indictment "was not an exercise of the evenhanded judgment of a disinterested prosecutor" but "represented an act of personal retribution by the President."

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• Federal judge blocked subpoena to trans healthcare provider — A federal judge ruled that a wide-ranging subpoena issued by the Justice Department to an online trans healthcare provider cannot be enforced because it was not part of a legitimate investigation but was about pursuing Trump's agenda targeting gender-affirming care. In his ruling, the judge noted, "No clearer evidence of improper purpose could exist than the Government's own repeated declarations that it seeks to end the very practice it claims to be merely investigating."

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• Federal judge ordered DOJ and DHS to stop prejudicial statements about Abrego Garcia — In a court hearing, a federal judge ordered officials from the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to stop making "prejudicial" statements about Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his case, warning that those who fail to comply could "be subject to sanctions." The judge noted that officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, made "extrajudicial statements that are troubling, especially where many of them are exaggerated if not simply inaccurate," including alleging that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13.

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• ICE detains British journalist Sami Hamdi for pro-Palestinian speech during US tour — British journalist Sami Hamdi was detained by ICE at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning while on a speaking tour in the US. The Council on American-Islamic Relations characterized the detention as retaliation for Hamdi's criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. DHS Press Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated Hamdi's visa was revoked and he faces removal. Trump ally Laura Loomer publicly claimed credit for pressuring federal agencies to take action against Hamdi's visa status. A federal judge had ruled days earlier that the administration's policy of detaining and deporting foreign scholars over pro-Palestinian views violates the Constitution.
• ICE detention and deportation of British commentator Sami Hamdi for pro-Palestinian speech — Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at San Francisco International Airport on 26 October 2025 while on a US speaking tour. The Trump administration justified his detention by labeling him a "terrorist sympathizer" based on an edited video montage released by pro-Israel group Memri, without providing evidence or alleging specific crimes. Hamdi's visa was abruptly cancelled without notification. After three weeks in detention, he agreed to voluntary departure and returned to the UK on 14 November, though he retains the right to apply for a new visa.
• UK commentator Sami Hamdi's visa revoked and detained by ICE; agreed to voluntary departure — British political commentator Sami Hamdi was detained by ICE on 26 October at San Francisco International Airport while on a US speaking tour. The Department of Homeland Security revoked his visa without prior notice, citing alleged support for terrorism. CAIR stated the detention appeared retaliatory for Hamdi's criticism of Israel. On 10 November, Hamdi accepted an offer of voluntary departure. The charging document alleged only visa overstay; CAIR noted the government identified no criminal conduct or security grounds, and the agreement implicitly establishes he poses no danger to national security.
• ICE detained British Muslim journalist Sami Hamdi at San Francisco airport — British Muslim journalist Sami Hamdi was detained by ICE agents at San Francisco International Airport, apparently at the urging of pro-Israel, anti-Muslim extremists Laura Loomer and Amy Mekelburg. The detention raised concerns about the use of immigration enforcement for political and religious targeting.
• ICE detention of British commentator Sami Hamdi over pro-Palestinian advocacy — Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator and editor-in-chief of International Interest, was detained by ICE at San Francisco International Airport while on a US speaking tour. He was taken to an immigration detention center in McFarland, California, pending deportation proceedings scheduled for November. The detention followed his public remarks about the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which the Trump administration characterized as support for terrorism. His wife reported minimal contact since his arrest and stated the family was "being kept in the dark" about his status.

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• ICE accelerated hiring bypasses vetting standards, admits 200+ unqualified recruits — NBC News reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rushing to fill 10,000 new deportation officer positions funded by the July 2025 budget reconciliation act, has admitted more than 200 recruits with disqualifying criminal backgrounds, failed drug tests, or unmet academic and physical requirements. ICE shortened its training program from 13 weeks to 6 weeks, removed age limits, and offered $50,000 signing bonuses. Nearly half of those dismissed in the past three months failed an open-book exam; others could not meet basic fitness standards.
• ICE Recruitment Policy Changes — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accelerated its recruitment process, allowing over 200 individuals with disqualifying criminal backgrounds or who fail drug tests to enter its training program. This change is part of a broader budget reconciliation measure that significantly increases ICE's funding and aims to hire 10,000 deportation officers. Critics warn that this could lead to higher corruption rates within the agency.

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• Letitia James pleads not guilty to mortgage fraud charges brought by Trump-appointed prosecutor — New York Attorney General Letitia James appeared in federal district court in Norfolk, Virginia, and pleaded not guilty to charges of bank fraud and false statements. The indictment, filed by Trump-appointed US Attorney Lindsey Halligan, alleges James falsely claimed a Norfolk home purchased in 2020 would be a secondary residence to obtain favorable loan terms when she used it as an investment property. Career prosecutors had objected to the charges, citing insufficient evidence and no material profit to James. James is expected to file a motion to dismiss on grounds that Halligan was improperly appointed.

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• New York Attorney General launches Federal Action Reporting Portal for ICE raid documentation — New York Attorney General Letitia James unveiled a "Federal Action Reporting Portal" form inviting residents to submit photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement actions, following a high-profile ICE raid in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 22. The raid involved over 50 federal agents, an armored vehicle, and resulted in the arrest and detention of four U.S. citizens for nearly 24 hours with no charges filed. James stated the portal aims to document potential violations of law and protect New Yorkers from fear and intimidation.

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• ICE detained primary caregiver, denying him access to dying son and funeral attendance — Maher Tarabishi, a Jordan-born man living in the US under supervised release as primary caregiver for his adult son Wael (who has Pompe disease, a progressive muscle disorder), was detained by ICE agents in late October 2025 during a routine field office visit in Dallas. Without Maher's care, Wael's condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring multiple hospitalizations and surgeries. The family requested ICE allow Maher supervised attendance at his son's funeral after Wael died on 23 January 2026; ICE denied the request despite preliminary internal discussions about granting it. Maher remains in detention, unable to attend his son's funeral.

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• Illinois establishes Accountability Commission to document federal agent misconduct — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker established the Illinois Accountability Commission to compile evidence of harassment, intimidation, brutalization, and detention of American citizens and legal residents by federal agents. Pritzker stated that federal agency supervisors and inspectors general would normally enforce accountability, but Trump has fired 17 inspectors general and installed cronies at the Department of Justice while MAGA Congress members refuse to conduct oversight. The commission will create an official public record of abuses and rights violations for potential future prosecution.

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• Trump pardoned cryptocurrency executive Changpeng Zhao — President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, on October 23. Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to money laundering, resigned from Binance, paid a $50 million fine, and served a four-month prison sentence. The U.S. government had stated Zhao "caused significant harm to U.S. national security" by allowing terrorist groups like Hamas to move millions of dollars. Trump stated he knew little about Zhao and believed the prosecution was a "Biden witch hunt," citing his support for the cryptocurrency industry.
• Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — Trump announced a full and unconditional pardon for Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance cryptocurrency exchange, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to money laundering, paid a $50 million fine, and served nearly four months in prison. Binance paid a $4.3 billion penalty. In May 2025, Binance accepted USD1 stablecoin from the Trump family's World Liberty Financial crypto venture as payment for a $2 billion investment, enabling World Liberty Financial to retain tens of millions in annual profits. The pardon enables Zhao to return to business operations.
• Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, following months of lobbying efforts by Zhao to boost the Trump family's own crypto company. The DOJ had argued Zhao's company undermined U.S. sanctions against Iran. Zhao hired Teresa Guillen, who also represents special envoy Steve Witkoff's son, and co-counsel Ches McDowell, a hunting companion of Donald Trump Jr. When asked why he pardoned Zhao, Trump said he did not know which person that was and that Zhao was "recommended by a lot of people."
• Trump pardons Binance founder convicted of money laundering — Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, who was convicted of laundering money for terrorist organizations. This action raises ethical concerns regarding the influence of personal interests in presidential pardons.
• Trump pardons Binance founder CZ, convicted of anti-money laundering violations — President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, on October 23, 2025. Zhao had pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws; the Department of Justice stated his conduct "allowed money to flow to terrorists, cybercriminals, and child abusers" through Binance. Zhao served four months in prison and agreed to step down as CEO. The pardon was announced publicly on October 23.
• Binance founder receives pardon after $2 billion transaction with Trump-linked cryptocurrency project — Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance founder and CEO, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to willfully failing to maintain anti-money laundering programs, allowing funds to flow to terrorists and cybercriminals. After serving four months in prison, Binance conducted a $2 billion transaction in May 2025 with a UAE investment fund using USD1, a stablecoin created by World Liberty Financial (WLF), in which Trump and family own approximately 38%. Binance provided technical infrastructure and promotion. On October 24, Trump pardoned CZ, who had hired a Trump Jr. associate for $450,000 to lobby for executive relief.

Supporting reports

• New York City officials rejected federal ICE operation and reaffirmed sanctuary policy — Following the October 21 ICE raid on Canal Street, New York City officials issued statements rejecting the operation and reaffirming the city's sanctuary stance. A City Hall spokesperson stated the city "never cooperate[s] with federal law enforcement on civil deportation matters" and had no involvement. Council Member Christopher Marte, representing Chinatown, issued a public critique calling the raid "unnecessary, unacceptable, and antithetical to our city's values as a sanctuary for all people."
• ICE conducted unannounced raid on Canal Street in Manhattan's Chinatown — On October 21, 2025, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in tactical gear conducted a surprise enforcement operation on Canal Street in Manhattan without notifying New York City officials. DHS described it as targeting counterfeit goods sales. Vendors fled; bystanders gathered to document the action. City Hall stated it had no involvement and does not cooperate with federal civil deportation enforcement. The operation broke with New York City's 36-year sanctuary policy established by Executive Order 124 in 1989.
• ICE conducts enforcement raid in Manhattan's Chinatown targeting street vendors — On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid in Manhattan's Chinatown near Canal Street, detaining several individuals and deploying military-style vehicles. DHS characterized it as a "targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation" focused on counterfeit goods sales. The operation drew swift condemnation from New York state and local officials, including Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and Mayor Adams, who criticized the use of force against street vendors and bystanders and characterized the raid as creating fear rather than safety.
• ICE conducts immigration raids targeting street vendors in New York City — Under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICE has made 7,488 arrests in New York in 2025, with street vendors increasingly targeted. In late October, 14 people were detained in Manhattan's Chinatown after a conservative influencer posted about "African illegal immigrants" selling goods. A second large-scale operation in late November was thwarted when 200 protesters blocked law enforcement vehicles from leaving garages. Street vendors—96% of whom are immigrants and 27% undocumented—face heightened vulnerability to these sweeps.
• ICE raid in Manhattan's Chinatown results in detention of four U.S. citizens — Federal ICE agents conducted a large-scale raid in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 22, deploying over 50 masked and armed agents, an armored military vehicle, and riot gear targeting street vendors. Four U.S. citizens were arrested and held for nearly 24 hours without charges before being released on October 23. Congressman Dan Goldman stated the operation was a "militarized effort to incite tension" unrelated to public safety, and widespread protests erupted across New York City.
• ICE raids Chinatown on counterfeit goods charges; protests erupt; at least two arrested for protesting — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, along with FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, and CBP, conducted a raid on Canal Street in Manhattan's Chinatown on October 22, targeting vendors selling counterfeit goods. Between 15 and 40 vendors were arrested; at least two additional people were detained for protesting and blocking ICE operations. Hundreds of demonstrators assembled at 26 Federal Plaza, chanting against ICE. Videos showed armed agents zip-tying detainees, shoving onlookers, and an armored vehicle rolling through streets. DHS claimed rioters became violent and obstructed law enforcement; one person was arrested for assault on a federal officer. Local officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, condemned the raid's tactics and Trump administration's approach.

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• Comey files motion to dismiss charges, citing selective prosecution and unlawful appointment of prosecutor — Former FBI director James Comey filed a motion in federal court requesting dismissal of criminal charges against him on two grounds: selective prosecution by a politically motivated Trump administration and the unlawful appointment of the US attorney who filed the charges. Comey's lawyers presented Trump's public statements disparaging Comey as evidence of presidential animus, noted that career prosecutors declined to bring charges, and argued the interim US attorney exceeded her 120-day authority limit. The charges relate to Comey's September 2020 congressional testimony regarding alleged unauthorized FBI leaks.

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• House Republicans referred former CIA Director John Brennan for criminal prosecution — House Republicans referred former CIA Director John Brennan to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution, accusing him of lying to Congress about the 2016 Steele dossier. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the committee claimed there is "significant evidence" Brennan made "numerous willfully and intentionally false statements" while testifying about the CIA's involvement with the dossier. Brennan called the criminal referral "ludicrous" and accused House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan of "trying to get into the action of Trump's revenge tour."