Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DHS sent removal notice to US-born immigration lawyer — Nicole Micheroni, a US-born American citizen and Massachusetts immigration attorney, received an email from Trump administration immigration authorities on April 11 stating "It is time for you to leave the United States" and threatening law enforcement action if she did not depart immediately. DHS later claimed the notice may have been sent in error because her name appeared on client paperwork. The incident occurred amid aggressive Trump administration deportation efforts targeting both non-citizens and, according to public statements, potentially US citizens.
• Government sends erroneous deportation notices to U.S. citizens — The government mistakenly sent deportation notices to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even a Canadian, threatening them with termination of their parole and demanding they leave the U.S. within seven days.
• Government sent erroneous deportation notices to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and foreign nationals — The government sent threatening emails to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even a Canadian resident in Canada, terminating "your parole" and giving them seven days to leave the U.S. The notices were sent in error as part of the automated deportation system. The administration's attempt to automate mass deportation operations has produced widespread errors affecting people with legal status and foreign nationals outside U.S. jurisdiction.

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• Trump announces five major law firms agree to $600m pro bono work to avoid punitive executive orders — Donald Trump announced on Friday that five major law firms—Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft—agreed to provide $600m in combined pro bono legal work to Trump-backed causes and adopt hiring practices that do not consider race, in exchange for avoiding executive orders punishing them. The EEOC agreed to withdraw a March 17 diversity inquiry letter. This brings Trump's total secured pro bono commitments from law firms to $940m.

Supporting reports

• Doge demanded meeting with Vera Institute of Justice to embed staffers in independent criminal justice non-profit — Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) staff member Nate Cavanaugh emailed the Vera Institute of Justice on April 11, demanding a meeting to discuss embedding a Doge team within the organization, threatening that refusal would violate Trump's executive order. Vera, an independent criminal justice reform non-profit, agreed to the call. During a subsequent 20-minute phone call, Doge staffers informed Vera they planned to assign teams to "every institute or agency that has congressional monies appropriated to it." When Vera's legal counsel revealed the organization had already lost $5 million in DOJ contracts, Doge withdrew the request but refused to explain its legal authority to investigate the independent organization.

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• Trump orders DOJ to investigate Chris Krebs for election security statements — President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Krebs coordinated efforts to secure the 2020 presidential election and publicly countered false claims of voter fraud. Trump accused Krebs of weaponizing his position against free speech and stripped him of his security clearance. Trump repeated debunked claims of a "badly rigged election" and suggested Krebs would "have a big price to pay" if the election was found to be unsafe.
• Trump orders DOJ to investigate Miles Taylor for alleged classified leaks and defiance — President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official who served as chief of staff to Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Taylor, who wrote an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed criticizing Trump and later published a book under the pseudonym "Anonymous," was accused of leaking classified information. Trump stripped Taylor of his security clearance and stated he believed Taylor was guilty of treason. Taylor responded that Trump had proven his point by weaponizing the justice department for revenge against dissent.
• Trump stripped security clearances from Christopher Krebs and Miles Taylor — On April 9, Trump revoked security clearances from Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security staffer. Trump claimed Krebs censored Trump loyalists by affirming the 2020 election was not stolen, and that Taylor's anonymous op-ed and book were treasonous and violated the Espionage Act. Trump also ordered government officials to investigate both men and recommend "appropriate remedial or preventative actions." CISA employees reported the attack on Krebs had disheartened staff and compounded staffing cuts that had "already severely degraded our capacity to defend critical infrastructure."
• White House issued fact sheet on presidential memorandum revoking Chris Krebs' security clearance — The White House published a fact sheet on April 9, 2025, describing a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Trump that revokes any active security clearance held by Chris Krebs and associates, including individuals at SentinelOne. The memorandum directs federal agencies to immediately revoke such clearances and calls for a comprehensive review of Krebs' activities as former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), including evaluation of CISA's conduct over six years. The fact sheet characterizes Krebs as having "weaponized" government authority to suppress conservative viewpoints, coerce social media platforms, and censor election information.
• White House issued memorandum directing revocation of Christopher Krebs' security clearance and review of CISA activities — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, directing executive agencies to revoke the security clearance of Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The memorandum alleges that Krebs engaged in censorship of speech related to the 2020 election and COVID-19, and directed coercion of social media platforms. It further directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to review Krebs' conduct as a federal employee and CISA's activities over the preceding six years, with a joint report to follow.
• Immigration judge rules Palestinian organizer Mahmoud Khalil eligible for deportation based on Secretary of State memo regarding his political views — An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian organizer, is eligible for deportation. The ruling accepted a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Khalil's "beliefs, statements or associations" are counter to U.S. foreign policy interests as sufficient evidence for removal of a lawful permanent resident. The judge determined she had no authority to rule on free speech concerns. Khalil, arrested by ICE in March, has been detained in Louisiana for over a month. His legal team plans to appeal and pursue an asylum case.

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• US citizen Jose Hermosillo wrongfully detained by Border Patrol in Arizona for nearly 10 days — On 8 April, Border Patrol agents in Nogales, Arizona detained 19-year-old US citizen Jose Hermosillo, claiming he lacked proper immigration documents and had admitted entering illegally. Despite Hermosillo's repeated assertions of US citizenship, he was held at Florence correctional center for nearly 10 days. On 17 April, a federal magistrate judge dismissed his case after his family provided birth certificate and social security card proving citizenship. He was released that evening.
• Border Patrol officer documented false statements in official detention record — A Border Patrol officer created an official transcript of Hermosillo's encounter that falsely documented statements Hermosillo says he never made, including claims that he was born in Mexico, was a Mexican citizen, and entered the U.S. illegally. The officer signed the document attesting that Hermosillo "read" it or had it read to him, but Hermosillo states no one read him the document and he cannot read. The same officer also created a criminal complaint containing a factual error, placing Hermosillo's detention location 70 miles from where it actually occurred.
• U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by Border Patrol for 10 days based on false statements — Jose Hermosillo, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen from New Mexico, was arrested and held for 10 days at Florence Correctional Center in Arizona after approaching a Border Patrol officer for directions following a medical emergency. Border Patrol falsely documented that Hermosillo claimed to be an undocumented Mexican immigrant, though Hermosillo states he never made such statements and cannot read the transcript he was ordered to sign. DHS publicly defended the detention on X, citing the false transcript. Hermosillo was released on April 17 after his family provided his birth certificate to the court.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration disbands DOJ cryptocurrency enforcement team — The Department of Justice announced on April 7 that it was disbanding the national cryptocurrency enforcement team established in 2022, which had prosecuted high-profile cases against North Korean hackers and crypto criminals. The memo stated DOJ is not a "digital assets regulator" and blamed the Biden administration's "reckless strategy of regulation by prosecution," citing a January Trump executive order on crypto as the impetus for the decision.
• Deputy Attorney General disbanded National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sent a memo to DOJ staff informing them that the agency is disbanding its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team. The DOJ is also ordering prosecutors to narrow their crypto investigations to focus on drug cartels and terrorist groups.
• DOJ disbands National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo on Monday evening directing the immediate dissolution of the Department of Justice's National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). The memo stated the unit "shall be disbanded effective immediately" and instructed that ongoing investigations "inconsistent" with new policy should be closed. The decision aligns with a Trump executive order promoting access to blockchain networks "without persecution" and reflects the administration's shift toward easing crypto regulation while narrowing DOJ enforcement in the sector.

Supporting reports

• Court Orders Return of Deportee Amid Legal Controversy — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal U.S. resident who was deported due to an "administrative error." The administration filed an emergency motion to appeal the order, despite the judge's ruling that the deportation was unlawful and a violation of constitutional rights.
• Trump administration filed emergency motion to block return order for Abrego Garcia — Following U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis's order that the government return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States by 11:59 p.m. on April 7, the Trump administration immediately filed an emergency motion to stop the order while it appeals her decision. The motion sought to prevent compliance with the judge's ruling that the deportation was unlawful.
• U.S. District Judge Xinis ordered government to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7. Abrego Garcia was in the United States legally, is married to a U.S. citizen, and is the father of a U.S. citizen. In 2019, a court barred the government from deporting him to El Salvador. On March 31, an ICE official told the court under oath that Abrego Garcia had been arrested and deported to prison in El Salvador because of an "administrative error." The government claimed it could not retrieve him because he is no longer in U.S. jurisdiction. In her April 7 opinion, Judge Xinis stated that "there were no legal grounds whatsoever for his arrest, detention, or removal" and that his detention "appears wholly lawless" and constitutes "a clear constitutional violation." She criticized administration officials for asserting "they can forcibly remove any person—migrant and U.S. citizen alike—to prisons outside the United States, and then baldly assert they have no way to effectuate return because they are no longer the 'custodian.'"
• Judge Paula Xinis orders daily compliance updates and depositions after Trump administration ignores court orders on wrongful deportation case — US District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to provide daily updates on efforts to comply with her April 10 order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. After the government made clear it was doing nothing to comply, Xinis ordered government officials to respond to written questions and sit for depositions. Lawyers reported on Tuesday that the government was ignoring that order as well. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the administration's request to halt Xinis's rulings.
• Federal judge ordered government to file status update on Abrego Garcia by 9:30 a.m. — U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to file an update by 9:30 a.m. on April 11 explaining where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is, what the government is doing to get him back, and what additional steps it will take. She scheduled an in-person hearing for 1:00 p.m. The government responded that the judge had not given them enough time to answer and suggested it would delay, citing the Supreme Court's instruction that the judge show deference to the president's foreign affairs authority.
• Government attorney stated lack of knowledge about Abrego Garcia's location and no action taken — At the 1:00 p.m. hearing before Judge Paula Xinis, the government's attorney, Drew Ensign, stated that he did not have information about where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is and that the government had done nothing to get him back. Ensign said he might have answers by the following Tuesday. Judge Xinis ordered the government to provide an update by the next day. The government's filing at 12:15 p.m. had claimed Abrego Garcia is "in the custody of a foreign sovereign," but the attorney's testimony contradicted any claim of active efforts to secure his return.
• Government fails to comply with court order regarding Abrego Garcia — Following the Supreme Court's order, the government failed to provide information about Kilmar Abrego Garcia's whereabouts and did not take steps to facilitate his return, raising concerns about compliance with judicial directives.
• Government lawyer claims lack of information and ignores court order — On April 11, 2025, the lawyer representing the government, Drew Ensign, told the court that he did not have information about where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is located and ignored Judge Xinis's order to provide information about what steps the government was taking to bring him back. This non-compliance occurred despite the Supreme Court's April 10 decision requiring the government to facilitate his release and to share information about steps taken.
• Trump administration defies court order on wrongly deported Maryland resident — A federal judge in Maryland admonished Trump administration lawyers for failing to comply with a court order requiring details on the whereabouts and status of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident with a valid US work permit who was wrongly deported to El Salvador on March 15. The US Supreme Court had upheld the judge's order for his return, but the administration claimed it needed more time and that foreign affairs considerations made compliance impracticable. The judge demanded daily updates and expressed frustration at the government's lack of concrete action.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court allows deportations under Alien Enemies Act with venue restrictions — The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on April 7 that President Trump may continue using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members, but imposed limits: judicial challenges must occur in Texas (where detainees are held), not Washington DC; detainees must receive notice and reasonable time to seek habeas relief before removal. The ruling lifted a DC judge's temporary block on deportations, though two planes had already departed US airspace before the order was issued.
• US Supreme Court lifts block on deportations under 1798 Alien Enemies Act, requires due process — On Monday, April 7, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to lift a temporary injunction blocking the Trump administration's deportation of 238 Venezuelan men to El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. While allowing the deportations to proceed, the Court unanimously affirmed that individuals facing removal have a constitutional right to habeas corpus and due process to challenge their deportation. The case was remanded to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas for further proceedings on the legality of invoking the wartime statute.
• Ruling vacated — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — The Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision, vacated the district court's TROs holding that the case should have been brought as a habeas case where the plaintiffs were in custody at the time. The Court also stated, “notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs.”
• Supreme Court Grants Emergency Application in Trump v. J.G.G. — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision granting the federal government's emergency application to vacate a lower court's order in the case of Trump v. J.G.G. The case involved a presidential proclamation under the Alien Enemies Act targeting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The lower court had temporarily blocked the deportation of several Venezuelan men, treating them as a class. The Supreme Court's decision vacated this order, requiring challenges to be filed individually through habeas petitions in Texas, where some plaintiffs were held, rather than as a class action in D.C. The opinion did not address the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations but affirmed non-citizens' due process rights.
• Supreme Court allowed deportation of Venezuelan migrants under Alien Enemies Act — The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deport Venezuelan migrants using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act in a 5-4 decision. The ruling stated that migrants must be told they are being deported under the act and receive "reasonable time" to challenge their removal in the state where they are detained.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Trump v. J. G. G. (24A931) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Trump v. J. G. G. Docket number(s): 24A931.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice attempts to remove Judge Beryl Howell from case; judge rebukes strategy as attack on judicial integrity — After Judge Beryl Howell issued a decision in March temporarily blocking Trump from penalizing the law firm Perkins Coie, the Department of Justice, in a rare move, attempted to have Howell removed from the case, alleging bias. Judge Howell issued a blistering response, writing: "This strategy is designed to impugn the integrity of the federal judicial system and blame any loss on the decision-maker rather than fallacies in the substantive legal arguments presented."

Supporting reports

• 60 Minutes investigation found 75% of deported men had no criminal record — A 60 Minutes investigation found that 75% of 238 men the Trump administration sent to El Salvador last month had no criminal record, and the vast majority of those who did were convicted of non-violent crimes like shoplifting and trespassing.
• CBS News reported 75% of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador lack criminal convictions — CBS News's 60 Minutes reported that 75% of the Venezuelans the Trump administration sent to prison in El Salvador have no apparent criminal convictions or criminal charges. Another 22% have records for nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting or trespassing. Only a dozen or so are accused of serious crimes including murder, rape, assault, or kidnapping. When reporters asked the Department of Homeland Security about these numbers, a spokesperson claimed that those without criminal records "are actually terrorists, human rights abusers, gangsters, and more; they just don't have a rap sheet in the U.S."
• Report on Venezuelan Deportations Raises Due Process Concerns — A report revealed that 75% of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration had no criminal convictions, raising alarms about the treatment of migrants and the lack of due process. The Department of Homeland Security defended the deportations, claiming that those without records are still dangerous.
• Ruling affirmed — Abrego Garcia v. Noem (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00951 — Defendants submitted a Response to the Order stating that the government could not provide information in response to the April 10 order by the designated time of 9:30AM ET on April 11. After a hearing in which the government did not provide answers, the judge issued an Order stating “counsel [for the Defendant] could not confirm, and thus did not advance any evidence, that Defendants had done anything to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return. This remained Defendants' position even after this Court reminded them that the Supreme Court of the United States expressly affirmed this Court's authority to require the Government ‘facilitate' Abrego Garcia's return” (emphasis in original). The order requires the Defendant to provide a daily update of actions taken to facilitate his return.
• Trump administration deported individuals to El Salvador without court hearings based on alleged gang tattoos — Since taking office, the Trump administration has deported hundreds of individuals it alleges are members of Tren de Aragua to a notorious prison in El Salvador without court hearings. Recent legal challenges have raised questions about the accuracy of gang allegations, with lawyers arguing that some deportees were misidentified based solely on tattoos. Cases include a man deported for a crown tattoo inspired by Real Madrid's logo and a makeup artist deported after officials deemed his crown tattoos—referencing Three Kings Epiphany celebrations—proof of gang membership. The pattern suggests systemic reliance on unreliable tattoo-based identification.

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• Trump hosts Saudi officials at Mar-a-Lago while market crashes — While the stock market experienced significant declines, Trump hosted Yasir Al-Rumayyan, head of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and LIV golf league, at his Trump Doral resort in Miami. All 643 rooms at the resort were sold out for the weekend. Trump also hosted a $1 million-per-head dinner at his private club in Palm Beach. Tournament sponsors included Saudi oil company Aramco, Saudi Riyadh Air, and TikTok. The White House issued a statement about Trump winning his second-round match in a senior club championship, but banned all reporters from observing him play.
• DHS used British man's tattoo in gang-identification document without consent or verification — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security included a photograph of a British man's forearm tattoo—depicting his daughter's birth date and time—in an official document used to identify alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Pete Belton, a 44-year-old from Derbyshire, discovered his tattoo image, sourced from a decade-old Instagram post by a UK tattoo artist, was listed among nine tattoo images purportedly linked to gang affiliation. The BBC's reverse-image searches found several tattoos in the DHS document had no obvious gang connections and originated from tattoo websites. The same image also appeared in a Texas Department of Public Safety report.
• Trump endorses Saudi-backed LIV Golf takeover of PGA Tour — President Trump has given explicit backing to the controversial proposed takeover of the PGA Tour by the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, attending an LIV tournament at his Miami resort (Trump National Doral) last week. This is the fourth LIV tournament held at the president's resort. Critics argue the deal would effectively hand control of US golf to Saudi Arabia. The deal has not been finalized but has received Trump's public support.

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• Trump administration ICE arrests Venezuelan TPS holders despite legal protections — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been unlawfully arresting and detaining Venezuelans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) at their homes, workplaces, during check-ins, and on streets across Virginia, New York, Texas, and New Mexico. Despite federal law explicitly prohibiting detention of TPS holders based on immigration status, attorneys report detainees have been held for weeks without legal justification. The Trump administration's Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attempted to revoke TPS for Venezuelans, though a federal judge paused that action on April 7, 2025. Lawyers suggest ICE may be pre-emptively detaining TPS holders in preparation for potential mass deportations.
• Federal judge pauses Kristi Noem's attempt to revoke Venezuelan TPS — A federal judge issued an order pausing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, which was set to take effect on April 7, 2025. The judge found that revoking TPS for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans would "inflict irreparable harm" on hundreds of thousands of people, cost the U.S. billions in economic activity, and injure public health and safety. The Trump administration had moved quickly to revoke the protections after taking office, despite the Biden administration's prior extension of TPS for Venezuelans facing persecution and humanitarian crisis.

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• Trump administration issues executive orders targeting law firms over representation of Trump opponents and prosecutors — The Trump administration issued executive orders against corporate law firms that either represented attorneys involved in prosecution efforts against Trump during the Biden presidency or represented the current administration's political opponents. Obama characterized this as an unprecedented use of executive power to punish legal representation based on political alignment.
• Law firms reach deals with Trump administration to avoid executive orders — Multiple prominent law firms—Willkie, Farr and Gallagher; Milbank LLP; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom—capitulated to Trump's executive orders by reaching deals with the White House. In exchange for avoiding the orders, the firms agreed to perform pro bono work for causes aligned with Trump and to decline race-based hiring practices. This capitulation drew criticism from law firm alumni and Senator Bernie Sanders, who characterized it as "absolute cowardice" and a betrayal of professional independence.
• Trump administration issues executive orders targeting law firms representing political rivals — President Trump issued executive orders targeting law firms that had represented his political rivals. The orders sought to revoke security clearances, ban attorneys from accessing federal buildings, and require firms doing business with the government to disclose existing client relationships. The orders threatened to cripple targeted firms. Some firms capitulated and reached deals with the White House; others, including Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale, challenged the orders in court and secured injunctions or mandates blocking most of the measures.
• Trump executive orders target law firms for retribution; judges block orders on First Amendment and due process grounds — Trump issued executive orders targeting law firms Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale, seeking to revoke security clearances and curtail their government business. The orders targeted firms whose lawyers led a special counsel inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Three Washington DC judges in March blocked these orders. Judge John Bates called Trump's move "disturbing" and "troubling," noting it violated the firms' and lawyers' First Amendment and due process rights. Judge Beryl Howell temporarily blocked sanctions against Perkins Coie.
• Trump signs executive order targeting Susman Godfrey law firm — President Trump signed an executive order on April 9, 2025, targeting Susman Godfrey, the law firm that represented Dominion Voting Systems in its $787.5 million defamation settlement against Fox News over 2020 election falsehoods. The order restricts the firm's attorneys from accessing government buildings, revokes security clearances, and bars the firm from representing clients with federal business. Trump stated "there were some very bad things that happened with these law firms" without clarifying his rationale. Susman Godfrey announced it would challenge the order as unconstitutional.
• Trump issued executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, suspending security clearances and restricting federal contracts — President Trump issued an executive order on April 9, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Susman Godfrey LLP employees, cease provision of government materials and services to the firm, review and terminate federal contracts involving the firm, and restrict official access and hiring of Susman employees. The order alleges the firm engages in activities undermining U.S. interests, including weaponizing the legal system, funding groups that undermine military effectiveness, and administering race-based employment programs.
• White House signed Executive Order 14263 targeting law firm Susman Godfrey with security clearance suspensions, contract terminations, and personnel restrictions. — The White House issued Executive Order 14263 on April 9, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Susman Godfrey LLP employees, terminate government contracts with the firm, require contractors to disclose business relationships with Susman, restrict employee access to federal buildings, and limit hiring of Susman staff. The order characterizes the firm as engaging in "weaponization" of the legal system, undermining military effectiveness, and racial discrimination. Agencies must submit assessments of affected contracts within 30 days.
• Trump executive order targeted law firm representing Dominion — Another executive order targets a law firm that represented Dominion Voting Systems Inc. in a lawsuit against Fox Corp. that resulted in the media company agreeing to pay a $787.5 million settlement. The firm is also involved in a defamation case against Trump supporter and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

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• DOJ lawyer placed on leave for insufficient defense of erroneous deportation — Federal DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni was placed on administrative leave by Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche after failing to "vigorously" defend the Trump administration's position in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legally resident Salvadoran immigrant erroneously deported to El Salvador. US District Judge Paula Xinis had ordered Garcia's return to Maryland, calling his detention "wholly lawless." Reuveni acknowledged an "absence of evidence" justifying the deportation. His supervisor, August Flentje, was also placed on leave. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the action on Fox News Sunday.
• DOJ placed immigration lawyer on indefinite leave for conceding wrongful deportation — The Justice Department placed an immigration lawyer on indefinite leave after he conceded in court that the deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia should not have happened. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that DOJ attorneys are "required to zealously advocate" for the government or they will "face consequences." The administration had previously admitted it deported Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father with protected legal status, to El Salvador due to an "administrative error."
• DOJ suspends lawyer for honest testimony about wrongful deportation — The Washington Post reported that the Department of Justice suspended lawyer Erez Reuveni, who worked at DOJ for 15 years specializing in immigration cases, after he admitted in court that the agency mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego García to a prison in El Salvador and conceded that he did not know the legal basis for the expulsion. Reuveni was placed on indefinite leave for being honest when the judge asked him questions. AG Pam Bondi issued a statement requiring "every DOJ attorney to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States" and warning that "any attorney who fails to abide by this direction will face consequences."

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• ICE deported three US citizen children, including one with cancer, to Honduras without due process — A lawsuit filed in Louisiana federal court alleges that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully deported two families to Honduras in April 2025, including three US citizen children—a four-year-old boy with stage 4 kidney cancer, his seven-year-old sister, and a two-year-old girl. The suit claims ICE violated federal law and its own policies by secretly detaining the families, denying access to counsel, ignoring legal filings, and deporting them without meaningful due process. The mothers allege they were coerced into taking their children and denied the ability to arrange alternative care.
• Removal of US citizen children with deported mothers — Three US citizen children (ages seven, four, and two) were removed from the US in late April when their mothers were deported to Honduras. DHS stated the women chose to take their children with them, but one of their lawyers told the Guardian the mothers were denied any opportunity to coordinate care and custody of their children before being put on deportation flights from Louisiana. A federal judge ruled it was "illegal and unconstitutional" to remove a US citizen "with no meaningful process."

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• Trump administration pauses SEC crypto fraud cases and closes DOJ enforcement team — The Trump administration has paused or ended 12 cryptocurrency fraud cases at the SEC, including three cases against Justin Sun's crypto companies that were charged with fraud in 2023 and paused in February 2025. Additionally, a DOJ memo in April 2025 announced closure of the national cryptocurrency enforcement team established in 2022, which had prosecuted major crypto cases against North Korean hackers and other criminals. The memo cited a pro-crypto Trump executive order from January 2025 as the driver of this policy shift.

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• US Department of Justice drops corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams — US District Judge Dale Ho dismissed the Department of Justice's corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams on April 2, 2025, with prejudice (meaning charges cannot be refiled). The dismissal followed weeks of controversy over the Trump administration pressuring prosecutors to drop charges in apparent exchange for Adams' cooperation on immigration enforcement. Judge Ho noted the arrangement "smacks of a bargain" and violated prosecutorial independence norms. Senior prosecutors had resigned rather than comply with orders to dismiss the case.
• DOJ dismisses corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams — At the request of Trump's Justice Department, a federal judge on April 2 dismissed the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought against him again. The judge wrote that "everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions."
• Federal agents arrest Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan — In April 2025, federal agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, alleging she "intentionally misdirected" federal agents away from a Mexican immigrant appearing in state court. FBI Director Kash Patel personally announced Dugan's arrest before an affidavit had been filed. After the arrest, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the Trump administration was "sending a very strong message" to judges who "think they are beyond and above the law."

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• FHFA Director Pulte refers New York Attorney General Letitia James to DOJ for investigation — In April 2025, Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred New York Attorney General Letitia James to the DOJ for potential criminal investigation, alleging she engaged in mortgage fraud. James is a foremost Trump adversary whose office has challenged several of his policies and won a $450 million judgment against the Trump Organization in 2024. The DOJ opened an investigation in response, and a grand jury has issued subpoenas over James' mortgage applications. James has not been formally indicted or charged.

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• Interim U.S. Attorney Habba opens investigation into New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy — In April 2025, Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba opened an investigation into New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and other top state leaders over a directive to state law enforcement agencies to not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement operations. The investigation targets a state executive for a policy decision regarding state-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement.

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• Federal agents arrest Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan — In April 2025, federal agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, alleging she "intentionally misdirected" federal agents away from a Mexican immigrant appearing in state court. FBI Director Kash Patel personally announced Dugan's arrest before an affidavit had been filed. After the arrest, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the Trump administration was "sending a very strong message" to judges who "think they are beyond and above the law."

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• Government admits administrative error in Abrego Garcia arrest but refuses return — On March 31, 2025, the government admitted that its arrest and rendition of Kilmar Abrego Garcia occurred because of "administrative error" but argued he could not be brought back because he is now outside U.S. jurisdiction. The government simultaneously accused him of being a member of MS-13 gang and claimed that bringing him back would threaten public safety, despite no evidence of gang membership and his prior clean record.
• Trump administration attorneys admitted ICE deported legal U.S. resident by administrative error — Trump administration attorneys filed a court document admitting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials seized and deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia by accident. Abrego Garcia, who fled gang threats in El Salvador at age 16, had no criminal record, worked as a union sheet metal apprentice, was married to an American citizen, and was the father of a disabled U.S. citizen. He had been granted legal protected status from return to El Salvador after a judge found he would likely be targeted by gangs. The government deported him to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) due to "an oversight" but argued in court that because he is no longer in U.S. custody, courts cannot order his return.
• Trump administration attorneys admitted to deporting a legal resident by mistake — Trump administration attorneys acknowledged in a court filing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal resident from El Salvador, due to an administrative error. Abrego Garcia had been granted legal protected status and was not charged with a crime. The government claimed it could not be held accountable for his deportation since he was no longer in U.S. custody.
• Justice Department refused to return deported individual despite admitting deportation error — The Justice Department admitted it made an error in deporting Kilmar Abrego García to El Salvador without legal authorization, but refused to bring him back. The article notes that García's lawyer stated he had "never had a case remotely like this, in which they intentionally deport someone to a country without any legal authorization to do so."

Supporting reports

• ACLU Obtains "Alien Enemies Act Validation Guide" from ICE — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) obtained a guide from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that outlines a point system for determining if an immigrant qualifies for rendition to a detention center in El Salvador. The criteria for tagging individuals as gang members are largely subjective, raising concerns about potential abuses of power and wrongful detentions.
• ICE distributed point system guide for determining "Alien Enemy" status for rendition — The American Civil Liberties Union obtained an "Alien Enemies Act Validation Guide" used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to determine if an immigrant qualifies for rendition to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador. The guide uses a subjective point system in which officers assign points based on perceived gang tattoos, gang signs, or association with individuals ICE identifies as gang members. According to the American Immigration Council, nearly all criteria are subjective, allowing ICE to declare any Venezuelan an "Alien Enemy" without concrete evidence based solely on officer interpretation.
• Trump administration deploys flawed gang-identification system to deport Venezuelans without due process — The Trump administration created an "Alien Enemy Validation Guide" that assigns points to determine Venezuelan gang membership, including four points for Michael Jordan tattoos, crown tattoos, or "high-end street wear." The system lacks evidentiary rigor—federal CBP documents acknowledge that common tattoos are unreliable gang indicators and that TDA does not require member tattoos. Over 200 Venezuelan noncitizens were deported to an El Salvador prison without due process under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which requires a declared war or invasion. A federal court issued a temporary restraining order; the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court.

Supporting reports

• Coalition of 21 state AGs warned law firms against surrendering to Trump threats — Delaware AG Kathy Jennings formed a coalition of 21 state AGs who signed a letter sent to the 100 largest law firms in the US. The letter warned firms not to surrender to Trump's threats and stated that recent Trump administration actions targeting law firms and attorneys, plus calls for impeachment of federal judges, represent a clear threat to the justice system. The letter cited the Paul, Weiss law firm's acquiescence to Trump's demands as an example of the chilling effect.

Supporting reports

• FCC chair Brendan Carr orders investigations into NBC News, NPR, and PBS — Brendan Carr, Trump's appointed FCC chair and Project 2025 author, has ordered a flurry of investigations into NBC News, NPR, and PBS. These investigations are ongoing as of late March 2025 and represent part of a broader pattern of using federal regulatory authority to target news organizations critical of the administration.

Supporting reports

• Willkie Farr & Gallagher reaches settlement with Trump administration — Willkie Farr & Gallagher agreed on Tuesday to commit $100 million in pro bono work to causes championed by Trump and to cease race-based hiring practices. The firm, which employs Doug Emhoff (Kamala Harris's husband) and represented Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss in their successful defamation suit against Rudy Giuliani, settled to avoid a threatened executive order. Emhoff had advised the firm not to settle.
• Milbank LLP reaches settlement with Trump administration — Milbank LLP agreed on Wednesday to commit $100 million in pro bono work to settle with the Trump administration and avoid a threatened executive order. The firm recently hired Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general and prominent Supreme Court litigator who wrote a book arguing for Trump's impeachment, making it a likely target.
• Trump administration coerces law firms into settlements to avoid executive orders targeting political opponents — The Trump administration has pressured multiple major law firms into settlements by threatening executive orders that could harm their business. Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Milbank LLP each agreed to commit $100 million in pro bono work and accept restrictions on hiring practices. Earlier, Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, and others settled similarly. The targeting appears aimed at firms representing Trump's political rivals or their associates, including those who represented election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani and those assisting Jack Smith. Some lawyers have quit in protest; others warn the settlements embolden further retaliation.
• Coalition of 21 state AGs warned law firms against surrendering to Trump threats — Delaware AG Kathy Jennings formed a coalition of 21 state AGs who signed a letter sent to the 100 largest law firms in the US. The letter warned firms not to surrender to Trump's threats and stated that recent Trump administration actions targeting law firms and attorneys, plus calls for impeachment of federal judges, represent a clear threat to the justice system. The letter cited the Paul, Weiss law firm's acquiescence to Trump's demands as an example of the chilling effect.
• Willkie Farr and Gallgher and Milbank LLP reach preemptive settlement deals with Trump administration — Two additional major law firms, Willkie Farr and Gallgher and Milbank LLP, reached preemptive settlement agreements with the Trump administration in early April to avoid being targeted by executive orders. These deals followed Skadden's March 28 settlement and occurred as other firms (Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale) successfully obtained court injunctions blocking most provisions of the administration's orders.
• Trump announces $100 million pro bono legal services deal — Trump on April 1 said he reached an agreement with a law firm to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services to support the president's agenda. Among the partners of the firm is former first gentleman Doug Emhoff. The arrangement raises questions about conflicts of interest and the use of private legal resources for presidential purposes.
• Trump announces second $100 million pro bono legal services deal — Trump on April 2 announced another deal with a law firm to provide $100 million in pro bono legal services. The second arrangement within days raises questions about the scope and purpose of private legal support for presidential activities.