Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• 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."

Supporting reports

• 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

• Trump offered $230 million settlement in DOJ malicious prosecution lawsuit with conflict of interest — Trump proposed settling his lawsuit against the DOJ for $230 million, claiming malicious prosecution. The DOJ supervisors tasked with approving the settlement are Trump's former lawyers, creating a direct conflict of interest. Trump stated he would need to decide how much to pay himself in damages, acknowledging the unusual nature of the arrangement.
• Trump demanded Justice Department pay him $230 million for federal investigations — The New York Times reported that Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him roughly $230 million in compensation for its federal investigations into him. The settlement could ultimately be approved by senior department officials who defended him. The demand represents an unprecedented attempt to use the Justice Department to extract personal financial benefit from the presidency.
• Trump demands DOJ pay $230 million for "pain and suffering" from investigations — Trump demanded that the Department of Justice pay him $230 million in taxpayer money as compensation for his "pain and suffering" from federal investigations. Trump claimed he would donate the money to charity.
• Trump demands DOJ pay him $230 million for investigations and Mar-a-Lago search — President Trump is demanding that the Department of Justice hand over approximately $230 million to compensate him for the investigation into ties between his 2016 campaign and Russian operatives and for the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago for classified documents. Trump filed the claims in 2023 and 2024. Trump's own appointees will now decide whether American taxpayers should pay the compensation Trump is demanding. When asked about the demand, Trump stated that media outlets had paid him settlements and claimed that any money he received would be given to charity, while acknowledging the unusual nature of deciding how much to pay himself in damages.
• Trump accused of using DOJ funds for personal settlement — Trump is accused of using Department of Justice funds to pay himself a $230 million settlement, raising concerns about the misuse of government resources for personal gain.

Supporting reports

• Trump's interim U.S. attorney for Eastern District of Virginia leaked grand jury testimony to reporter — Lawfare reported that Trump's hand-picked interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, engaged in a Signal exchange with reporter Anna Bower in which she divulged details about grand jury testimony in her criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Halligan later told Bower that their entire correspondence was off the record, despite the fact that such requests must be made in advance and agreed to by the reporter. The incident raised serious concerns about prosecutorial ethics and the politicization of the Justice Department.
• US Attorney Halligan's use of auto-delete Signal messages potentially violates federal records-retention laws — Lindsey Halligan, interim US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, used Signal with auto-delete settings (eight-hour message expiration) to communicate with a journalist about her prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James. Watchdog groups American Oversight and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington warned that this practice potentially violates the Federal Records Act and DOJ records-retention rules. American Oversight filed a public records request for the messages; both groups called for investigation by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ Office of Inspector General.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration officials view interim U.S. attorney Halligan as unprepared and destined for defeat — Zeteo reported that numerous Trump administration officials view Lindsey Halligan, Trump's handpicked prosecutor going after his political enemies, as being in over her head, ill-prepared for her high-stakes role, and destined for a number of crushing defeats in court. One Trump-aligned federal law enforcement official called Halligan a "trainwreck" who is "going to be the most subpoenaed person" when Democrats regain control of Congress or the Justice Department.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration fired two federal prosecutors who opposed charges against Letitia James — CBS News reported that the Trump administration fired two federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia last week who opposed bringing criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. The firings appeared to be retaliation for the prosecutors' professional judgment that the case lacked sufficient evidence.

Supporting reports

• Federal prosecutors accused James Comey's lead defense attorney of leaking classified information — Federal prosecutors leading the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey accused his lead defense attorney of being involved in leaking material to the media shortly after Trump fired Comey in 2017. Prosecutors argued this constituted a conflict of interest that could result in the attorney's disqualification from the case. Comey's legal team responded that the filing was an attempt to "defame" the attorney with "demonstrably false allegations" and denied any leaking of classified information.

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• Lawsuit filed challenging Trump DEI bans as violation of anti-trafficking law — A coalition of 50+ anti-trafficking organizations filed suit in federal district court in Chicago alleging that Trump's January 2025 anti-DEI executive orders violate the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and constitute unlawful censorship. The lawsuit claims the Department of Justice has barred the coalition from using dozens of terms including "gender," "race," "ethnicity," and "fairness" in federally funded work, undermining efforts to combat human trafficking and serve survivors disproportionately drawn from Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ populations.

Supporting reports

• Queer and trans immigrants allege forced labor, sexual assault, and retaliation at South Louisiana ICE detention facility — Queer and trans immigrants detained at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center (SLIPC) in Basile, Louisiana, filed administrative complaints alleging that an assistant warden named Manuel Reyes coerced them into an unsanctioned work program paying as little as $1 per day, sexually harassed and assaulted them, and retaliated against those who reported abuse. Four detainees—three trans men and one cisgender queer woman—alleged sexual assault, medical neglect, and punitive solitary confinement after filing complaints. Complaints were filed in September 2025 under the Federal Tort Claims Act by RFK Human Rights, the ACLU of Louisiana, and the National Immigration Project. ICE and DHS did not respond to inquiries about the allegations.

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• Trump administration closes DHS civil rights division and immigration detention ombudsman office — The Trump administration closed the civil rights division of the Department of Homeland Security and the ombudsman office overseeing immigration detention, characterizing staff in these congressionally mandated divisions as "internal adversaries that slow down operations." These divisions previously employed staff tasked with regularly visiting detention centers, investigating complaints, and preparing reports for Congress. The closure eliminates institutional oversight mechanisms available to detainees facing discrimination, neglect, and abuse.

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• Federal grand jury indicted John Bolton for classified information disclosure — A federal grand jury in Maryland indicted former national security advisor John Bolton on eighteen counts: eight counts of communicating secret information to unauthorized recipients and ten counts of unauthorized possession of classified documents. The charges relate to Bolton sharing classified diary material with relatives that later informed his memoir "The Room Where It Happened." The indictment references Bolton's criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Signal messaging to plan military operations.
• Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted for retaining classified information — John Bolton, Trump's former National Security Advisor, was indicted for keeping more than 1,000 pages of diaries containing highly classified information and sharing them with two relatives. The indictment also notes that Bolton's email account was hacked by Iran, exposing some of the classified secrets.
• John Bolton indicted for mishandling classified information — John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser and prominent critic of the president, was indicted for allegedly mishandling classified information. Bolton faces 18 criminal charges, including eight counts of transmitting national defense information and 10 counts of unlawfully retaining national defense information. In a statement, Bolton said he "look[s] forward to the fight to defend my lawful conduct and to expose [Trump's] abuse of power."
• John Bolton indicted on 18 counts of mishandling classified information — The Department of Justice filed an 18-count indictment against John Bolton, former Trump national security adviser, charging him under the Espionage Act with transmitting and retaining highly classified information. Bolton allegedly sent diary entries containing classified details to two unnamed individuals via personal email and messaging accounts. The grand jury indictment was handed down in federal district court in Maryland on October 17, 2025. Bolton's defense argues the diaries were personal records shared only with family and known to the FBI since 2021.
• John Bolton pleads not guilty to 18-count indictment for mishandling classified information — Former national security adviser John Bolton surrendered to authorities and pleaded not guilty in Maryland federal court to an 18-count indictment alleging he shared classified diary notes with relatives lacking security clearances, stored classified documents at his home, and sent top-secret information via personal email. Bolton's lawyer characterized the prosecution as political retaliation for his 2020 memoir critical of Trump. Career prosecutors in the Maryland US attorney's office filed the charges, which were initially dropped by the Biden DOJ in 2021 but reopened after the CIA director and FBI director reviewed Bolton's hacked emails.

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• ICE detains exonerated Pennsylvania man based on vacated 1988 deportation order — Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam, 64, was exonerated in early October 2025 after spending over 40 years imprisoned for a 1983 murder conviction later proven false. Shortly after his exoneration by Centre County District Attorney, ICE detained him based on a 1988 deportation order tied to his now-vacated convictions. Vedam, who arrived in the US at nine months old as a lawful permanent resident with a pending citizenship application, is held at Moshannon Valley processing center facing possible deportation to India.

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• Trump called for DOJ investigations into political opponents — In the Oval Office, Trump stood before three top DOJ officials and called for investigations into former deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco, former FBI official Andrew Weissman, former special counsel Jack Smith, and Representative Adam Schiff. The DOJ officials "smiled, nodded and shuffled in place" as Trump spoke. This represents a direct presidential directive to weaponize the Justice Department against perceived political enemies.
• Trump called for prosecution of Andrew Weissmann, Lisa Monaco, and Adam Schiff — Trump publicly called for the prosecution of former DOJ official Andrew Weissmann, former Deputy National Security Advisor Lisa Monaco, and Rep. Adam Schiff, asserting that as "chief law enforcement officer" he is "allowed" to direct such investigations. The statement represents a direct assertion of presidential authority to weaponize law enforcement against political opponents.
• Trump called for investigation of political enemies — Speaking to reporters, Trump called for several of his perceived political enemies to be investigated for what he claimed was "political crime," including former Special Counsel Jack Smith, chief prosecutor in the Mueller investigation Andrew Weissmann, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Senator Adam Schiff.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department announcement to cease FACE Act enforcement — The Trump administration's Justice Department announced it will no longer enforce the FACE Act, which protects clinic access and prevents violence and harassment against abortion providers and patients.
• Justice Department threat to prosecute election officials — The Trump administration's Justice Department threatened prosecution of election officials who helped people vote in 2020. The article characterizes this as voter suppression tactic and compares it to Jim Crow-era oppression.

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.

Supporting reports

• Bill Pulte, as FHFA director, referred NY AG Letitia James to DOJ, leading to her indictment on bank fraud charges. — Bill Pulte, serving as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred New York Attorney General Letitia James to the Department of Justice following her legal pursuits of Trump. James was subsequently indicted on bank fraud charges. Pulte, a millennial millionaire with a history of targeting family members and Trump's perceived enemies, has transformed his position into a platform to denigrate Trump's political opponents. In addition to the James referral, Pulte has also probed Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, both of whom are now under federal criminal investigation. Pulte's official role is to ensure the soundness of the mortgage market, not to investigate political figures.

Supporting reports

• Vance baselessly claimed Illinois Governor violated oath of office — Vice President Vance was asked about Trump's calls for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to be jailed, to which he baselessly claimed that Pritzker "has violated his fundamental oath of office," something that "seems pretty criminal to me."

Supporting reports

• Trump called for investigation of former FBI Director Chris Wray. — Trump posted on social media claiming that "THE BIDEN FBI PLACED 274 AGENTS INTO THE CROWD ON JANUARY 6" and called for action, stating "a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies" and "DO SOMETHING!!!" The post appeared to call for investigation or prosecution of former FBI Director Chris Wray. However, Trump's own FBI Director Kash Patel subsequently issued a statement that the story was false and that agents were sent to the Capitol after the violent insurrection was already well underway. Additionally, it was the Trump administration's FBI, not Biden's, since Biden was not yet president on January 6, 2021.

Supporting reports

• Trump called for prosecution of Senator Adam Schiff. — Trump posted on social media calling for Senator Adam Schiff to be prosecuted, characterizing the Ukraine impeachment as "a far bigger Illegal Hoax than Watergate" and stating he hoped "the necessary authorities, including CONGRESS, are looking into this." Trump accused Schiff of being "sooo dishonest and corrupt" and claimed "so many laws, and protocols, were violated." The statement represents a direct call for law enforcement action against a political opponent.

Supporting reports

• Chicago TV journalist arrested and released during ICE raid — Debbie Brockman, a video editor and US citizen employed by WGN television in Chicago, was forcibly arrested by masked federal agents during an ICE enforcement operation in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on Friday morning. Videos show agents pushing her to the ground and handcuffing her; she was accused of throwing objects at a federal vehicle. She was released by 3 p.m. with no charges filed. The incident occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement in Chicago and sparked public outcry.

Supporting reports

• DOJ cites FACE Act in first-ever lawsuit against pro-Palestinian demonstrators at synagogue — The Trump administration filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit citing the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act against pro-Palestinian demonstrators who protested at a New Jersey synagogue. Although the FACE Act's language protects "places of religious worship," the federal government had never previously invoked the act for this purpose, according to a DOJ official. This represents a novel application of the statute in a manner inconsistent with its original legislative intent and enforcement history.
• Trump administration curtails FACE Act enforcement; anti-abortion activists charged in Pennsylvania clinic trespass case — Six anti-abortion activists, including two previously pardoned by Trump, were charged with trespass and criminal conspiracy after entering a Delaware County abortion clinic in Upland, Pennsylvania in July 2025, attempting to disrupt services. Days after Trump took office, the DOJ announced it would severely limit enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, restricting prosecutions to "extraordinary circumstances" involving death, serious bodily harm, or significant property damage. The DOJ also dismissed ongoing FACE Act cases and Trump pardoned nearly two dozen people convicted under the act. The defendants waived their right to appear in court; no trial date has been set.
• Trump pardons nearly two dozen FACE Act convicts; dismisses ongoing prosecutions — Following his inauguration, Trump pardoned approximately two dozen individuals convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and the DOJ dismissed several ongoing FACE Act cases. This action directly undermined federal protections for abortion clinic access established in 1994. The pardons and dismissals occurred as part of a broader policy shift signaling reduced federal enforcement against anti-abortion clinic disruptions and harassment.

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• Trump administration files brief opposing Section 2 of Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v Callais — The Trump administration filed a brief in Louisiana v Callais siding with white voters challenging Louisiana's majority-Black congressional district and urging the Supreme Court to make it harder to win Section 2 cases. The brief argues that Section 2 is "deployed as a form of electoral race-based affirmative action." Since Trump's inauguration, the Justice Department has withdrawn from all pending Section 2 cases and has not filed any new ones, marking a reversal of prior federal enforcement of voting rights protections.

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• Kristi Noem announced prosecution of alleged Antifa founder's girlfriend — Kristi Noem stated on Fox News that her office had arrested the girlfriend of one of the founders of Antifa and that they were hoping to prosecute her in order to obtain information about "the network and how we can root them out and eliminate them from the existence of American society."

Supporting reports

• Federal ICE agents shot and killed Chicago resident Silverio Villegas González — Federal ICE agents shot and killed Chicago resident Silverio Villegas González during enforcement operations in the city. The administration initially claimed the agents were under attack, but subsequent information indicated the federal agents were the aggressors in the incident.
• Federal ICE agents shot unarmed woman Marimar Martinez in Chicago — Federal ICE agents shot an unarmed woman, Marimar Martinez, during enforcement operations in Chicago. The administration initially claimed agents were under attack, but subsequent information showed the federal agents were the aggressors.

Supporting reports

• Federal ICE agents aimed weapon at resident recording their actions in Chicago — Federal ICE agents aimed a weapon at a Chicago resident who was simply recording the agents' actions during enforcement operations. The administration initially mischaracterized the agents' conduct, but subsequent information indicated the agents were the aggressors.
• Federal ICE agents raided and ransacked an apartment building in Chicago, binding residents outside for hours — Federal ICE agents raided and ransacked an apartment building in Chicago, leaving residents—including U.S. citizens and children—bound outside for hours. The administration characterized the operation as targeting dangerous individuals, but subsequent reporting indicated the agents' conduct was excessive.