Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DHS reassigned hundreds of national security specialists — Bloomberg reported that the DHS reassigned hundreds of national security specialists, including cyber personnel, to work on efforts related to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Employees who refuse their mandatory reassignment could lose their jobs.
• Nearly one-quarter of FBI agents reassigned to immigration enforcement — The Washington Post reported that nearly one out of every four FBI agents has been reassigned from their duties to work on immigration enforcement, which includes upward of 40% of the country's largest field offices staff, according to FBI data obtained by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.).
• Trump administration redirects 45% of FBI agents in major field offices to immigration enforcement — The Trump administration has reassigned approximately 45% of FBI agents in the country's 25 largest field offices to support Department of Homeland Security immigration enforcement operations, according to personnel data obtained by Senator Mark Warner. Across all FBI offices, 23% of roughly 13,000 total agents are now working on immigration matters, diverted from counterterrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, espionage, violent crime, and counterintelligence work. The redirection has raised concerns among former agents and experts about national security gaps and potential for abuse during immigration raids.

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• Comey's legal team signals motion to dismiss on selective prosecution grounds — Patrick Fitzgerald, representing James Comey, told the federal judge that Comey's legal team planned to file a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the former FBI director was the subject of malicious and selective prosecution. Fitzgerald also challenged the legality of Lindsey Halligan's appointment as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, citing questions about whether her appointment complied with federal law governing interim prosecutor appointments.
• James Comey pleads not guilty to lying to Congress charge — Former FBI director James Comey entered a not guilty plea in federal court on October 8, 2025, in response to charges that he lied to Congress in 2020. The indictment, handed down September 25, 2025, relates to his testimony regarding whether he authorized FBI personnel to serve as anonymous sources in news stories. A trial was tentatively scheduled for January 5, 2026. Comey's legal team signaled plans to file a motion to dismiss, arguing selective and malicious prosecution.
• Judge Nachmanoff expresses skepticism about prosecution complexity — U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, appointed by President Biden in 2021, expressed skepticism about prosecutors' argument that the Comey case was complex and required additional time to sort through classified materials. Nachmanoff stated "This does not appear to me to be an overly complicated case" and indicated he would not force the case to trial in December if both sides were not ready, but his remarks suggested doubt about the prosecution's justification for delay.
• James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges — Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to criminal charges of false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. During his arraignment, Comey's lawyer said that the defense team intended to file two motions to dismiss the case. One motion centers on a claim that the charges against Comey amounted to "vindictive prosecution" and "selective, retaliatory prosecution" at Trump's direction to "silence" the former FBI director. The other motion will argue that US Attorney Lindsey Halligan's appointment was unlawful.
• Former FBI Director James Comey arraigned on charges of lying to Congress — Former FBI Director James Comey appeared at his arraignment in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on charges of allegedly lying to Congress. Comey pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. His legal team indicated they will challenge the charges as vindictive and selective prosecution and will also challenge U.S. Attorney Halligan's appointment as unlawful. The indictment followed Trump's public demand on social media for Comey's prosecution.
• Indictment of James Comey by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan — U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan also delivered an indictment against former FBI director James Comey, who appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty, requesting a jury trial. Comey's legal team plans to challenge the charges as vindictive and the legality of Halligan's appointment.

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• Chicago Police Chief Thomas Mills testified that federal agents used chemical agents arbitrarily and indiscriminately — Chicago Police Chief Thomas Mills testified that the use of chemical agents by federal agents at the ICE facility in Broadview has often been arbitrary and indiscriminate, deployed even when crowds numbered as few as ten people.

Supporting reports

• DOJ fired career prosecutors investigating Trump — The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, fired dozens of career prosecutors who worked on cases investigating the former president. Bondi refused to answer questions about whether she was firing career professionals specifically because they worked on January 6 investigations or other Trump-related cases.
• Democratic senators denied access to ICE detention facility in Illinois — U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth visited an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois on Friday, requesting a tour and attempting to deliver supplies to protesters, but were barred from entering. Both senators invoked their congressional oversight authority and expressed concern about undisclosed conditions inside the facility. Durbin stated he had never experienced such "stonewalling" from a presidential administration in his tenure.

Supporting reports

• Pam Bondi Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on DOJ independence and Trump deployments — US Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 7, 2025, amid Democratic demands for answers on her involvement in prosecuting Trump's political opponents, national guard deployments to Democratic-led cities, and handling of Epstein files. Bondi declined to discuss controversial decisions, personally attacked senators, and invoked the government shutdown. Democrats expressed alarm that the DOJ had been politicized; Bondi defended the Comey indictment as approved by a "liberal grand jury" and dismissed questions about dropped investigations and Epstein documents.
• Pam Bondi Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on DOJ weaponization and enforcement actions — Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday amid Democratic accusations that the Trump administration weaponized the DOJ to investigate political adversaries. Democrats criticized her tenure, citing enforcement in Democratic-led cities, mishandling of the Epstein investigation, and inquiries into Trump's political enemies. Bondi defended the administration, refused to discuss conversations with Trump regarding James Comey's indictment, and sparred with senators over Epstein documents and Operation Arctic Frost.
• Pam Bondi Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing — Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a contentious hearing. She refused to answer numerous questions about her handling of investigations into Trump, the Epstein case, border czar Tom Homan's alleged $50,000 cash receipt, and her prior work as a foreign agent for Qatar. Bondi made personal attacks against Democratic senators and became defensive when questioned about Epstein. She also declined to answer questions about firing career prosecutors, approving gifts to Trump from foreign governments, and her role in flagging Trump's name in Epstein documents.
• Former DOJ officials warn against politicization of the Department of Justice — On October 6, 2025, 282 former Department of Justice officials issued a letter expressing concern that the Trump administration is undermining the integrity of the DOJ by violating court orders and using law enforcement to target political enemies. They warned that these actions threaten national security and the rule of law.
• 282 former Department of Justice career officials issued letter warning Trump administration is destroying the DOJ — 282 former Department of Justice career officials—including prosecutors, FBI agents, intelligence analysts, civil rights attorneys, and immigration judges—wrote a letter warning that Trump and his appointees are destroying the Department of Justice. The letter called out the administration's violation of court orders, destruction of anti-corruption units, endangering national security, and using law enforcement to persecute those Trump sees as enemies. The officials stated, "We believe it's our duty to sound the alarm."
• Pam Bondi questioned on Epstein documents and Trump references during Senate confirmation hearing — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was grilled during Senate hearings on whether she agreed to "flag records related to President Trump" in government-held Epstein files. Bondi refused to discuss the matter, responding combatively to Senator Dick Durbin's questions. A July Wall Street Journal report had claimed that "multiple" references to Trump were found in Epstein-related documents. Durbin warned that Bondi would "eventually have to answer for your conduct."
• Trump administration fails to fulfill promise to release all Epstein documentation — The Trump administration has spent much of his second presidency attempting to contain a scandal surrounding its failure to fulfill a promise to release all federal government documentation related to Jeffrey Epstein. The administration's handling of Epstein files, including the selective flagging of records mentioning Trump and delays in release, has drawn criticism from Congress and raised questions about whether the Justice Department is being used to shield the president.
• Epstein client list withheld from Congress — Attorney General Pam Bondi has not produced Epstein client list files despite stating in February that the list was "sitting on my desk right now for review." Eight months later, the files remain unreleased. A credible whistleblower informed Senator Durbin's office that FBI agents were directed to flag any records in which President Trump was mentioned, suggesting selective handling of sensitive documents.
• Attorney General Bondi refused to answer Epstein-related questions — While testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to say who ordered that records in the Epstein files containing Trump's name be flagged, or whether the FBI has incriminating photographs of Trump with half-naked young women. She claimed an Epstein client list doesn't exist despite saying publicly back in February that it was "sitting on my desk right now." Bondi also said she didn't know whether a recording of border czar Tom Homan taking a $50,000 bribe from undercover federal agents exists and refused to say whether Homan kept the cash. She also wouldn't answer a question about whether she was directed by the White House to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey.
• Attorney General Bondi refuses to answer Senate Judiciary Committee questions — Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee and declined to answer substantive questions about ethics approvals, alleged gifts to Trump, bribery allegations involving border officials, prosecutorial decisions, and military actions. When asked by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse whether the FBI found photographs of Trump with young women in Jeffrey Epstein's files, Bondi refused to answer and instead accused the senator of attempting to slander Trump.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court declines to hear Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal of sex-trafficking conviction — The US Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's associate, challenging her 2021 sex-trafficking conviction. The decision leaves Maxwell's 20-year prison sentence from 2022 intact and eliminates her appellate remedies, leaving presidential clemency as her only path to early release. Maxwell's legal team expressed disappointment but indicated they would pursue other avenues. The ruling also leaves Maxwell as the sole person convicted in connection with Epstein's two-decade trafficking operation.
• Supreme Court rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal — The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker. When asked about a potential pardon, Trump stated he would "take a look at it" and speak to the DOJ, despite acknowledging her conviction for sex trafficking. The rejection of her appeal represents the final appellate stage in her case.
• Supreme Court rejected Ghislaine Maxwell appeal — The Supreme Court rejected an appeal of Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal conviction, meaning the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein's only chance of an early release from a 20-year prison sentence would likely be receiving clemency from Trump. Later, Trump did not rule out a pardon for Maxwell, telling reporters, "I'd have to take a look at it" and adding that he would "speak to the DOJ."
• Trump leaves door open to pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell; Laura Loomer opposes — Donald Trump gave a noncommittal response when asked whether he would pardon convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, saying he would "have to take a look at it" and consult the Justice Department. The U.S. Supreme Court on the same day refused to hear Maxwell's appeal of her sex-trafficking conviction. Far-right influencer Laura Loomer publicly warned Trump against granting the pardon, posting on X that there would be "no coming back from that." The Trump administration had previously transferred Maxwell from a Florida federal prison to a less restrictive Texas facility in August.
• Laura Loomer warns against Maxwell pardon — Laura Loomer, a Trump ally and media figure, publicly warned against lobbying the Trump administration and DOJ to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, stating "There will be no coming back from that" and repeating the warning multiple times. The statement suggests awareness of pressure or discussion within Trump circles regarding a potential pardon for Maxwell.
• U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal — The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell challenging her conviction on sex-trafficking charges. Maxwell remains imprisoned on a 20-year sentence. The refusal to hear the appeal came on the same day Trump indicated he might consider pardoning her, and as the Trump administration faced scrutiny over its handling of Epstein-related documents and its August transfer of Maxwell to a less restrictive facility.

Supporting reports

• 282 former DOJ officials signed letter criticizing administration — MSNBC reported that a coalition of 282 former Justice Department officials, including former prosecutors, FBI agents, immigration judges, and civil rights attorneys, signed an open letter to "sound the alarm about this administration's degradation of DoJ's vital work, and its assault on the public servants who do it."
• 282 former Department of Justice career officials issued letter warning Trump administration is destroying the DOJ — 282 former Department of Justice career officials—including prosecutors, FBI agents, intelligence analysts, civil rights attorneys, and immigration judges—wrote a letter warning that Trump and his appointees are destroying the Department of Justice. The letter called out the administration's violation of court orders, destruction of anti-corruption units, endangering national security, and using law enforcement to persecute those Trump sees as enemies. The officials stated, "We believe it's our duty to sound the alarm."

Supporting reports

• FBI Director Kash Patel fired agents for kneeling during 2020 protest — FBI Director Kash Patel fired several FBI agents who were photographed kneeling during a 2020 protest. According to text messages reviewed by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, White House official Anthony Salisbury celebrated the firings, suggesting Trump would approve and insulting Patel as "a giant douche canoe" while noting "This is how Kash survives. He will do this stuff for the man."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration directs DOJ to investigate George Soros and Open Society Foundations — The Trump administration, through Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump, ordered a Department of Justice investigation into billionaire philanthropist George Soros and the Open Society Foundations (OSF), alleging without evidence that they finance "leftwing terrorism" and "professional anarchists and agitators." The New York Times reported the DOJ had directed prosecutors to consider possible charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Trump named Soros and Reid Hoffman as targets in the Oval Office, stating "Soros, he's at the top of everything." Soros's office denied all allegations as "100% false."

Supporting reports

• Border patrol chief praised federal agent who shot US citizen — Gregory Bovino, border patrol chief leading Trump administration deportation efforts, sent text messages and emails praising federal agent Charles Exum after Exum shot US citizen Marimar Martinez five times in Chicago in October 2025. Martinez, a Montessori school assistant with no criminal record, was initially charged with felony charges that were dismissed after video evidence showed an agent had steered his vehicle into her car. Newly released evidence, including body-camera footage and communications, was made public this week after a federal judge lifted a protective order.
• Federal agents shoot Chicago woman during immigration enforcement operation — On Saturday, October 4, 2025, federal Customs and Border Protection agents shot 30-year-old Marimar Martinez in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood during an immigration enforcement operation under the Trump administration. Martinez was allegedly involved in a vehicle chase that ended with her ramming a CBP vehicle. Her attorney claims body-camera footage shows an officer saying "Do something, bitch" before firing approximately five shots at her. Martinez was hospitalized with gunshot wounds. A judge ordered her release pending trial on Monday after her attorney disputed the government's account.
• Border Patrol agents wound woman in Chicago — On Saturday morning, October 4, Border Patrol agents wounded a woman on Chicago's Southwest Side. The Department of Homeland Security immediately claimed agents had fired "defensive shots" after being "rammed by 10 cars," but no reporter has been able to confirm that account of events.
• Border patrol shoots woman in Chicago — US border patrol agents shot and injured a woman on Chicago's southwest side during an operation where agents reported being rammed by vehicles and boxed in by ten cars. The woman, a US citizen armed with a semi-automatic weapon, was treated and released the same afternoon. DHS stated agents fired "defensively" after a suspect attempted to run them over. The shooting follows an earlier fatal shooting of a Mexican immigrant in a Chicago suburb last month.

Supporting reports

• Federal drug prosecutions dropped to lowest in decades — Reuters reported on September 29 that the number of federal drug prosecutions dropped to its lowest number in decades after the Trump administration shifted the focus of enforcement agencies to its crackdown on immigration. The number of people charged with money laundering also decreased by 24% this year, indicating a wholesale reallocation of law enforcement resources away from traditional federal crimes.

Supporting reports

• Border patrol chief praised federal agent who shot US citizen — Gregory Bovino, border patrol chief leading Trump administration deportation efforts, sent text messages and emails praising federal agent Charles Exum after Exum shot US citizen Marimar Martinez five times in Chicago in October 2025. Martinez, a Montessori school assistant with no criminal record, was initially charged with felony charges that were dismissed after video evidence showed an agent had steered his vehicle into her car. Newly released evidence, including body-camera footage and communications, was made public this week after a federal judge lifted a protective order.

Supporting reports

• Trump called for removal of New York Attorney General Letitia James on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump called for the removal of New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom he called "SCUM" and a "Complete and Total Disaster." He also baselessly accused James of "costing New York State Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in lost business." This follows months of pressure from Trump against James, who brought a business fraud case against him in 2023.
• Trump called for jailing of Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor — On Truth Social, Trump called for the jailing of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing them of "failing to protect" ICE officers. In response, Pritzker called Trump "unhinged," "insecure," and a "wannabe dictator," adding, "If you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me."
• Trump calls for arrest of Chicago mayor and Illinois governor — On October 8, President Trump called for the arrest of Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, both Democrats, accusing them of failing to safeguard immigration officers. The statement escalated Trump's rhetoric regarding the National Guard deployment dispute and represented a direct attack on state and local Democratic officials who had opposed the federal military deployment to their jurisdiction.
• Trump calls for jailing Chicago mayor and Illinois governor; National Guard deploys to Chicago area — President Trump called for the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Truth Social, accusing them of failing to protect ICE officers. Simultaneously, National Guard troops from Texas began arriving at an army reserve center near Chicago at Trump administration order, despite objections from Illinois officials. Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deployment, with a court hearing scheduled. Mayor Johnson signed an executive order barring federal immigration agents from using city property for enforcement operations.
• Trump calls for Spanberger withdrawal on Truth Social — President Trump posted on Truth Social calling Spanberger "weak and ineffective" and echoing Republican demands that she withdraw from the Virginia gubernatorial race over her continued support for Jay Jones despite the violent texts controversy.
• Trump calls for jailing Chicago mayor and Illinois governor over National Guard deployment objections — On October 8, 2025, as hundreds of National Guard troops were poised to enter Chicago against the objections of the city's Democratic mayor and Illinois governor, President Trump called for jailing both officials despite neither having been charged with crimes. The deployment was part of Trump's militarized immigration crackdown, which the Democratic leaders had criticized.
• Trump attacks Chicago and Illinois officials, calls for their imprisonment — President Trump sent social media posts attacking Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, saying they "should be in jail" for failing to protect federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. The attacks came as the administration escalated its presence in Chicago and announced plans to purchase additional buildings for ICE operations.
• President Trump posted that Chicago Mayor and Governor Pritzker should be in jail — President Trump posted on his social media account that the Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers and that Governor Pritzker should also be in jail. The posts appeared to be retaliation for the officials' resistance to the National Guard deployment.

Supporting reports

• Trump designates "antifa" as major terrorist organization — President Trump designated "antifa" as a "major terrorist organization" in late September 2025. The designation is based on an inaccurate narrative that antifa is a centralized organization, when in fact antifa—short for anti-fascist—is an ideology with a loose network of activists rather than a formal organization with membership or hierarchy.

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• DOJ Civil Rights Division investigation into Portland Police Department initiated — Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent a letter to Portland's police chief on October 3, 2025, warning that the city's response to ongoing protests at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility "may be based on viewpoint discrimination," in violation of a federal consent decree placed on the department in 2015. Dhillon simultaneously tweeted the letter and has made numerous public statements about the investigation on social media and news outlets, discussing the department's handling of anti-ICE protests.

Supporting reports

• Judge denies Kilmar Ábrego García’s bid for asylum in the US — An immigration judge in Baltimore denied Kilmar Ábrego García's asylum request, giving him 30 days to appeal the decision. Ábrego, a Salvadoran national, was deported to El Salvador in March by the Trump administration but returned to the US in June. He faces criminal charges related to human smuggling, which he denies. The Trump administration has been actively campaigning against him, labeling him as a gang member despite no convictions. Ábrego's lawyers have filed motions for a gag order due to prejudicial statements made against him.
• Immigration judge denies asylum bid for Kilmar Ábrego García — An immigration judge in Baltimore denied Kilmar Ábrego García's asylum application on October 3, 2025. Ábrego, a Salvadoran national with an American wife and children who has lived in Maryland for years, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March 2025 and returned to the US in June following public pressure. He faces criminal charges related to human smuggling (which his lawyers dispute) and has 30 days to appeal the asylum denial. The Trump administration has publicly campaigned against him, labeling him MS-13 despite no convictions, and announced plans to deport him to Uganda and Eswatini.

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• Howard Lutnick made claims about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and alleged blackmail — Howard Lutnick, a former acquaintance of Jeffrey Epstein and current Commerce Secretary, appeared on a podcast and made detailed claims about Epstein's "massage room" and alleged blackmail operation. Lutnick stated that Epstein showed him the room in 2005 and speculated that videos made in the room were used as blackmail. He further speculated that Epstein received an 18-month sentence in exchange for trading videos to authorities, allowing him to leave jail during the day and receive visitors.

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• FBI fires employee for displaying Pride flag at desk; wrongful termination lawsuit filed — David Maltinsky, a 16-year FBI intelligence specialist, was terminated on 1 October 2025 after displaying a Pride flag at his workstation during FBI special agent training at Quantico. Though his supervisors and the Chief Division Counsel had previously approved the display, FBI Director Kash Patel cited "poor judgment" and "inappropriate display of political signage" in a termination letter. Maltinsky filed a federal lawsuit on 20 November alleging First Amendment retaliation and unconstitutional, politically motivated termination, naming Patel, the Justice Department, and Attorney General Pam Bondi as defendants.
• FBI Director Kash Patel dismissed employee for displaying Pride flag — FBI Director Kash Patel fired a longtime FBI employee who was undergoing new agent training at the FBI academy. The employee had previously displayed a Pride flag at his workstation during a non-agent role and had served as a field office diversity program coordinator, earning multiple awards for service. Patel's dismissal letter cited "poor judgment" and "inappropriate display of political signage" as grounds for immediate termination.

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• Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sexual abuse; released after six-month jail term — Robert Morris, 64, founder and former senior pastor of Gateway church in Texas, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child—sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. Under a plea agreement, he served six months in Osage County jail (of a suspended 10-year sentence), registered as a sex offender, paid $270,000 in restitution, and was released early on Tuesday with nine and a half years of probation remaining. Morris had resigned from Gateway in 2024 after the victim, Cindy Clemishire, went public.
• Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sexual abuse; sentenced to six months jail — Robert Morris, 64, founder of Gateway Church megachurch in Texas and former Trump spiritual adviser, pleaded guilty in Osage County District Court, Oklahoma, on October 2 to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. He sexually abused a 12-year-old girl (Cindy Clemishire) beginning in 1982 over four years. Sentenced to 10 years in custody but will serve only six months in county jail under a plea deal. He must register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution.
• Robert Morris pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse — Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church in Texas and former spiritual advisor and donor to Trump, pleaded guilty in Osage County District Court to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child dating to the 1980s. Under a negotiated plea agreement, he received a 10-year sentence but will serve only six months in county jail, must register as a sex offender, and pay $250,000 in restitution. Morris built Gateway into a megachurch with tens of thousands of weekly attendees whose sermons were broadcast globally.

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• Judge Waverly Crenshaw found realistic likelihood of vindictive prosecution of Ábrego García — In October 2025, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw found there was a "realistic likelihood" that the Department of Justice had sought immigrant-trafficking charges against Kilmar Ábrego García as punishment for challenging his removal to El Salvador.
• U.S. District Judge Crenshaw rebukes Justice Department for vindictive prosecution of undocumented immigrant — U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville rebuked the Justice Department and its top officials for prosecuting Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant, on federal charges in what appears to be a vindictive prosecution. Crenshaw indicated that officials from the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security may have prosecuted Abrego for filing a successful lawsuit challenging his unlawful deportation to El Salvador. The New York Times notes that vindictive prosecution motions are very difficult to win, and the court's consideration of this motion represents "a hugely embarrassing blow to the Trump administration."

Supporting reports

• Federal agents conducted raid on Chicago apartment complex claiming gang membership — On September 30, federal agents conducted a raid on an apartment complex in Chicago using a helicopter and military-style vehicles, breaking into apartments and removing individuals while claiming they were Tren de Aragua gang members. The agents filmed the individuals for a video the administration circulated portraying them as criminals. Of 37 people arrested, only two were claimed to be gang members; one of those had no criminal record. Federal prosecutors did not file criminal charges against anyone arrested. In immigration court, government lawyers never mentioned criminal charges or gang membership, and judges simply ordered deportations or voluntary departures.
• Federal agents conducted massive late-night raid in Chicago — Federal agents conducted a massive late-night raid on September 30 at a Chicago apartment building that resulted in the arrests of 37 people. The Chicago Sun Times reported that armed federal agents in military fatigues busted down doors, pulling residents, including women and children, some of them naked, from their apartments. After the raid, toys, shoes, and food remained in piles in the building's hallways, and property managers were seen throwing mattresses and broken doors into dumpsters.
• Federal agents raided Chicago apartment building using military tactics and equipment — At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, federal agents from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF conducted a raid on a five-story apartment building on Chicago's South Shore Drive. Agents used helicopters, large vehicles, flash-bang grenades, and military fatigues to break down doors and detain residents in zip ties, some naked. Approximately 37 people were arrested while others were released after hours of detention. The Department of Homeland Security claimed detainees were involved in drug trafficking, weapons crimes, immigration violations, or were associated with Tren de Aragua, but provided no evidence. Some detainees were U.S. citizens. Residents' apartments were left damaged.
• Federal agents conduct raid in Chicago — On October 1, 2025, federal agents from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF raided an apartment building in Chicago, using military tactics and equipment. Residents were forcibly removed from their homes, some in zip ties, and left outside for hours. The Department of Homeland Security claimed that some detainees were involved in drug trafficking and immigration violations, but did not provide evidence. Eyewitnesses reported distress among the residents, including children.

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• Veterans arrested and charged during ICE raid protests under Trump administration — Multiple U.S. military veterans face federal charges and injuries after protesting Trump's deportation campaign and National Guard deployments. The Guardian identified eight instances of veterans prosecuted or seeking damages after detention by federal agents. Notable cases include 70-year-old Air Force veteran Dana Briggs charged with felony assault on a federal officer on 29 September after video showed an ICE agent knock him over; Marine Corps veteran John Cerrone arrested 28 September at a Broadview ICE facility and cited for disorderly conduct; and Afghanistan veteran Bajun Mavalwalla II facing federal conspiracy charges for a 11 June protest blocking migrant transport. Other veterans arrested include Iraq veteran George Retes (wrongful arrest claim), 20-year combat veteran Jay Carey (flag burning charges), and 87-year-old disabled veteran John Spitzberg (military parade protest). A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on riot control weapons in Chicago.

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• DOJ sues pro-Palestinian activists under FACE Act — The Trump administration's Justice Department filed a civil rights lawsuit on September 29, 2025, against pro-Palestinian advocacy groups and six activists, alleging they violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act during a November 2024 protest at a New Jersey synagogue. The lawsuit marks the first federal use of the FACE Act—traditionally used to protect abortion clinics—to protect a place of worship. The DOJ seeks fines exceeding $30,000 for the first violation and $50,000 for each subsequent violation.
• Justice Department files civil complaint under FACE Act against alleged violent protestors at New Jersey synagogue — The Department of Justice, through its Civil Rights Division, filed a civil complaint in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against entities and individuals alleged to have engaged in threats of force, intimidation, and violent conduct directed at congregants of Congregation Ohr Torah synagogue in West Orange during a November 2024 protest. The complaint alleges the defendants' actions were intended to interfere with the synagogue community's right to freely exercise their religion. The department seeks injunctive relief to prevent future violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act at synagogues throughout New Jersey.

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• ICE agents arrest immigrants outside court hearings — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are routinely arresting immigrants outside their court hearings, according to retired immigration judge Dana Leigh Marks. She characterized the conduct as agents "acting like the Gestapo" and described courthouses as being turned into "traps where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents scoop up immigrants to meet deportation quotas."

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• Trump administration pressures immigration judges to dismiss asylum cases for emergency deportations — The Trump administration is pressuring immigration judges to toss out asylum cases so they can be reassigned as emergency deportations, according to retired judge Dana Leigh Marks. This practice circumvents normal judicial review and due process protections for asylum seekers.