Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocks Minnesota extradition request for Texas ICE agent accused of shooting — Christian Castro, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, was charged in Minnesota with assault and falsely reporting a crime after allegedly shooting Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg in January. Minnesota sought his extradition from Texas custody, but US District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., a Trump appointee, declined to order Texas to comply. Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused the extradition request, citing unrelated fraud investigations in Minnesota. Castro faces release from Texas jail under state law after 90 days of detention.
• Texas federal judge denies Minnesota extradition request for ICE agent — Christian Castro, an ICE agent charged with shooting and injuring a man in Minneapolis, was released from a jail in Texas after a federal judge denied Minnesota's request to keep him in custody. Minnesota officials had filed a lawsuit asking a judge to order Governor Greg Abbott to sign an extradition request so Castro would return to the state to face four counts of assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. of the Southern District of Texas sided with Texas, allowing Castro's release and permitting Texas to continue weighing whether to comply with the extradition request. Minnesota officials expressed concern that Castro will flee to Mexico to evade the justice system if released. Castro is charged with shooting and injuring Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, and then lying about the circumstances of the shooting.

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• Sen. Bill Cassidy Announces Vote to Confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General — Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announced his decision to vote in favor of confirming Todd Blanche, former personal attorney to Donald Trump, as Attorney General. This decision came despite opposition from some Republicans, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who criticized Blanche's handling of various issues, including the release of Epstein files and immunity protections for Trump and his family. Cassidy's vote is pivotal in the confirmation process, as it ensures Blanche's appointment despite concerns about his loyalty to Trump over constitutional duties.
• Todd Blanche clears Senate confirmation hurdle for attorney general — Senator Bill Cassidy announced Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, removing the final Republican holdout and clearing the path for Blanche's confirmation by a narrow margin. Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer and current acting attorney general, had faced opposition from Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins over concerns about Department of Justice independence. Cassidy's support follows weeks of White House pressure and his own primary loss to a Trump-backed challenger in May.
• Bill Cassidy supports Blanche's confirmation as Attorney General — Senator Bill Cassidy has announced his support for Blanche's confirmation as Attorney General, likely securing the necessary votes for her appointment. This development follows a period of uncertainty regarding Blanche's confirmation prospects, with Cassidy's backing seen as pivotal in the Senate's decision-making process.
• Senate Judiciary Committee approves Todd Blanche as Attorney General — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Todd Blanche's nomination as permanent Attorney General, putting him on track for confirmation by an extremely slim majority in the full Senate. Blanche's confirmation follows his release of documents purporting to rescind the "anti-weaponization fund," which secured support from holdout Republican senators.

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• House Judiciary Chair Jordan Urges Prosecution of Former Special Counsel Jack Smith — House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan sent a letter to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the Trump Justice Department to prosecute former special counsel Jack Smith, alleging he made false statements during closed-door testimony. Smith's lawyers countered that the referral reflects "a chilling eagerness to weaponize the justice system by attacking a career, nonpartisan public servant." The allegation centers on Smith's testimony regarding how his office obtained congressional text messages, with Republicans claiming he knowingly lied by not mentioning a NARA subpoena.
• House Judiciary Committee refers Jack Smith for criminal investigation — House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan referred former special counsel Jack Smith to the acting attorney general for alleged perjury, claiming Smith made false statements to Congress about access to lawmakers' phone records during testimony in December 2025 and January 2026. Jordan asserted that DOJ documents revealed Smith's team had access to text messages of 44 members of Congress, contradicting Smith's prior testimony that they only had "toll records." Smith's attorneys denied the allegations, characterizing the referral as weaponization of the justice system and retaliation for investigating Trump.

Supporting reports

• Todd Blanche confirmed as attorney general despite judicial concerns about fitness — Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense attorney, held his confirmation hearing for attorney general. During the hearing, Blanche slipped when asked if he and Trump were friends, initially answering "I'm his lawyer" before correcting himself. The New York Times editorial board and U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams raised concerns about Blanche's fitness to practice law, noting that he had signed off on a "slush fund/immunity deal" with Trump and associates designed to avoid judicial review. Blanche has openly used the Department of Justice to pursue Trump's political opponents.

Supporting reports

• Todd Blanche confirmation hearing for attorney general — Todd Blanche, Trump's personal attorney and acting attorney general since April 2026, faced Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings on July 15–16. He downplayed his relationship with Trump, defended his handling of Epstein files (which contained redaction errors exposing survivor identities), and addressed a $1.8 billion "slush fund" settlement with the IRS that granted Trump and family immunity from tax audits. A federal judge had excoriated the settlement as collusive. Blanche also faced questions on January 6 clemencies, the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to minimum security, and the arrest of Newark's mayor at an ICE facility.
• Ex-DOJ lawyer testifies that Todd Blanche fired her for refusing to restore gun rights to Trump ally — Liz Oyer, former pardon attorney, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Todd Blanche, Trump's nominee for attorney general, terminated her employment after she refused to recommend restoring firearms rights to actor Mel Gibson, a Trump ally with a domestic violence conviction. Blanche denied the firing was retaliatory, claiming her decisions were inconsistent with Trump's authority. Oyer called his statement "provably false" and urged senators to reject his nomination, alleging he is weaponizing DOJ as Trump's personal law firm.

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• Supreme Court blocks Trump's removal of Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook can remain in her position while her legal challenge to Trump's removal efforts proceeds through the courts, effectively blocking Trump's attempt to fire her.
• US Supreme Court rules Trump's firing of Lisa Cook from Federal Reserve was unconstitutional — The US Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision blocking Donald Trump's attempt to immediately remove Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve governor and Biden appointee, from her position. Trump had fired Cook via social media in August 2025, alleging unproven mortgage fraud. The Court ruled that Trump lacked constitutional authority to fire Cook without cause and that she was entitled to statutory procedural protections before dismissal. Cook, the first Black woman on the Fed's board, retained her seat while contesting the allegations.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Cook v. Trump ( D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-02903 — On a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court denied the government's application for a stay of the preliminary injunction, keeping Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in her position while the litigation continues. The Court decided on the “narrow” statutory ground that the president failed to afford her notice and opportunity to respond prior to her termination required by the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. §242. The Court declined to reach Governor Cook's constitutional due process claim - that her removal without prior notice or hearing violated the Fifth Amendment - finding the statutory violation alone sufficient to deny the stay. The Court further held that the president's determination of “cause” is judicially reviewable, that “cause” demands a substantial threshold turning on the seriousness of the alleged misconduct and its nexus to a Governor's professional duties, and that federal courts may issue interim injunctions keeping a removed officer in place while litigation proceeds. The majority also held that the Federal Reserve's for-cause removal protection is consistent with Article II of the Constitution, declining to unsettle a “special arrangement sanctioned by history” in which monetary policy is not subject to political interference. Chief Justice Roberts wrote for a five-Justice majority joined by Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Kavanaugh, and Jackson. Justice Kavanaugh concurred separately to confirm that the Federal Reserve may continue as an independent agency following Trump v. Slaughter . Justice Jackson concurred separately, arguing that the stay application could be resolved on the equities alone because the government showed no irreparable harm. Justice Thomas dissented , arguing that the alleged mortgage fraud was “cause,” that the statute's text requires no notice or hearing, and that the Act's removal restriction is unconstitutional. Justice Alito, joined by Justice Gorsuch, also dissented , arguing that the Court should have confined itself to the two issues addressed by the lower courts. Justice Barrett dissented separately, faulting the majority for reaching the Article II constitutional question the government had “expressly waived” and arguing the injunction bars removal on the mortgage-fraud grounds even with proper process, warranting a stay.
• Court prevents Trump from firing Fed governor — A court ruling has prevented former President Trump from firing a Federal Reserve governor. This decision is significant as it upholds the independence of the Federal Reserve, which is crucial for maintaining economic stability and preventing undue political influence over monetary policy. The ruling reinforces the separation of powers by ensuring that executive actions do not overreach into independent agencies.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Trump v. Cook (25A312) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Trump v. Cook. Docket number(s): 25A312.

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• D.C. Circuit Court denied Trump's emergency motion to stay Kennedy Center removal — Late on June 12, 2026, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Trump's emergency motion requesting a stay of Judge Cooper's order to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center. Despite the court's denial, the removal of signage took longer than anticipated due to the extensive scaffolding and labor required. The Department of Justice requested twelve additional hours to comply with the court order, stating the letters would come down "in the early hours of the morning of June 13," presumably to avoid the large audience watching the removal in person and on livestream.
• Judge Cooper denied DOJ stay request on Kennedy Center removal order — Judge Cooper rejected the Justice Department's request for a stay on his removal order, ruling that the government had not demonstrated it would prevail on the merits of its appeal. Cooper stated that staying the order "would not be in the public interest, which is rarely served by the 'perpetuation' of 'unlawful' governmental action."
• Justice Department filed notice of appeal of Kennedy Center removal order — Hours after the Kennedy Center board voted to launch a last-minute appeal to Judge Cooper's removal order, lawyers from the Justice Department filed a notice of appeal. They requested a stay on the judge's order, arguing that the board would be "forced to squander time and money" if the appeals court ruled in its favor and that it "would be incredibly confusing for the public" if Trump's name went back up after removal.
• Federal judge ordered Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center — A federal judge gave Trump 14 days to remove his name from the Kennedy Center. The deadline hit at midnight on June 12, 2026. Trump's legal team filed a last-minute stay request, arguing the removal would be "wasteful" and "confusing to the public," and escalated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking an emergency reprieve. Plaintiffs, including board member Joyce Beatty, responded that there is no real injury if the name is later restored, and documented real harm from the renaming: artists canceled performances, ticket sales dropped precipitously, and viewership of the Kennedy Center Honors broadcast fell. A judge upheld the ruling, and the Trump name was expected to come off the Kennedy Center around 6 p.m. ET on June 12.
• Judge denied Trump's emergency motion to reverse Kennedy Center name removal ruling — A federal judge in Washington, D.C. denied Trump's last-minute emergency petition seeking to reverse an earlier court order requiring removal of his name from the Kennedy Center. A work crew was deployed at the court-mandated deadline to remove the name, but work was halted due to rain. Trump subsequently filed an emergency stay petition with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, claiming the Kennedy Center board would face bankruptcy if forced to return donations received during his tenure.
• Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center facade — Workers removed the lettering referencing President Donald Trump from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 12, 2026, following the federal judge's order. The removal occurred around 6 p.m. ET after the midnight deadline passed.
• Department of Justice requested extension to comply with Kennedy Center removal order — The Department of Justice requested twelve additional hours from the court to comply with Judge Cooper's order to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center, stating that the letters would be removed "in the early hours of the morning of June 13." The request came after the government missed the midnight June 12 deadline, with the DOJ implicitly acknowledging that the removal would occur when there would not be a large audience watching either in person or on livestream.

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• Bipartisan group of ex-federal judges files lawsuit challenging Trump's $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund — Thirty-five former federal judges, including conservative J. Michael Luttig and former district judges Nancy Gertner and Shira Scheindlin, filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on May 29 seeking to reopen Trump's IRS case. They argue the $1.776bn settlement fund is "a product of collusion and a fraud on the Court," claiming Judge Kathleen Williams may have been deceived before approving it on May 18. The judges contend the fund was created to distribute taxpayer dollars to Trump's political allies, including those convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot.
• Thirty-five federal judges requested Trump lawsuit reopening — Thirty-five federal judges filed a request that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams reopen a legal case that Trump, his oldest sons, and the Trump Organization had brought against the Internal Revenue Service. Although the Trumps had dropped the suit, the Department of Justice used it as justification for establishing the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund to compensate those claiming the legal system had been "weaponized" against them for crimes related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The judges' filing challenges the legitimacy of the fund by questioning whether the Trumps and the IRS were actually adversaries in the case.
• Thirty-five former federal judges challenge Trump IRS settlement as fraud on the court — A group of thirty-five former federal judges, appointed by members of both political parties, filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams to reopen the legal case Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization brought against the Internal Revenue Service. The judges alleged that Trump and his organization dropped the lawsuit and announced a "settlement agreement" with the Department of Justice as a pretext to justify a $1.776 billion slush fund for paying off those convicted in connection with Trump's schemes to overturn the 2020 election results. The judges characterized the lawsuit and settlement as "fraud on the Court," noting that Trump was simultaneously the plaintiff and the person in charge of the IRS, and that the settlement lacked constitutional or congressional authority.
• Florida court ordered Trump to respond to retired federal judges' filing on slush fund — A federal court in Florida ordered President Trump to respond to a filing by 35 retired federal judges who are requesting an investigation into the Anti-Weaponization Fund and the dismissal of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. The retired judges' filing alleges possible "collusion" in the case. This represents an early procedural victory for the judges in their challenge to the fund.

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• Federal judge issues temporary order blocking "anti-weaponization" fund — A federal judge issued a temporary order preventing the Trump administration from establishing the nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund while a lawsuit seeking to stop it is considered. The fund, which originated from a settlement after Trump sued the IRS over disclosure of his tax returns, had been proposed to compensate individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
• Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump's $1.8bn Anti-Weaponization Fund — US District Judge Leonie Brinkema issued a temporary restraining order on Friday barring the Trump administration from transferring money into or taking further action on a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The fund was created to settle a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump and his sons over leaked tax returns, without the government mounting a legal defense. The order preserves the status quo pending legal arguments in a challenge brought by Democracy Forward and other plaintiffs, preventing irreversible disbursement of taxpayer funds.
• Judge Leonie Brinkema temporarily blocked Anti-Weaponization Fund — U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema for the Eastern District of Virginia issued a temporary order halting the Department of Justice from creating, operating, or distributing funds from the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund, a $1.776 billion slush fund established by the Trump administration to compensate those convicted of crimes related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The order prohibits the administration from transferring money to the fund, considering claims for payment, or paying out any funds. Brinkema scheduled a hearing on the case for June 12. The plaintiffs challenging the fund are people and entities prosecuted or threatened by the Trump administration who argue they are not being treated equally with Trump loyalists in compensation claims.
• Motion granted — Floyd v. Department of Justice (E.D. Va.) 1:26-cv-01399 — Judge Brinkema enjoined Defendants from taking any action related to the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, including transferring money to the Fund, considering submitted claims, or disbursing any funds. Judge Brinkema also denied the Plaintiffs' motion for expedited briefing and granted the Defendants' request for additional time.
• Federal Judge Brinkema temporarily blocked Trump's $1.776 billion fund for fraudsters and insurrectionists — Federal Judge Brinkema issued a temporary block on any further action involving Trump's $1.776 billion fund, preserving the status quo while litigation moves forward. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 12, 2026. The fund was characterized as being for "fraudsters and insurrectionists."
• Federal judge temporarily blocked Trump's $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund — U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Justice from taking further action on the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, a $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded initiative. The order blocks the transfer of money to the fund, consideration of claims, and disbursement of funds while plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction is pending. Judge Brinkema scheduled a hearing for June 12 to hear further arguments on the case.
• Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump's $1.776 Billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" — A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from creating or operating a planned $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" designed to compensate individuals who claim they were wrongfully targeted by the government, potentially including those Trump pardoned for Jan. 6 involvement. The order prohibits consideration of submitted claims and disbursement of funds pending a June 12 hearing.

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• Justice Department filed complaint against D.C. Bar disciplinary authorities challenging bar discipline of federal attorneys — The Department of Justice filed a complaint against D.C. Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton P. Fox III, the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel, and the D.C. Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility, alleging improper use of bar discipline to regulate official actions of federal government attorneys. The complaint specifically seeks to nullify bar discipline against former Assistant Attorney General Jeff Clark related to internal deliberations on the 2020 Presidential Election. The filing is framed as advancing President Trump's Executive Order on Weaponization of the Federal Government.
• Trump DOJ sues DC Bar Association over discipline of presidential allies — Trump's Justice Department sued the DC Bar Association for its efforts to discipline two key presidential allies: former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark, who attempted to help overturn the 2020 election, and pardon attorney Ed Martin. The lawsuit claims the DC Bar is "weaponizing state bar discipline against Executive Branch attorneys" and chilling candid legal advice. The action represents retaliation against bar discipline of administration officials.

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• Federal grand jury indicts Southern Poverty Law Center for wire fraud, false statements, and money laundering conspiracy — A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals associated with violent extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Socialist Party of America, while publicly claiming to oppose those groups. The DOJ alleges the organization used fictitious bank accounts to conceal the scheme and made false statements to financial institutions.
• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces 11-count indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center — Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference announcing an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights organization with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to launder money. The charges relate to a now-defunct program in which the SPLC paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing. The indictment was widely viewed as an effort by Blanche to demonstrate to Trump his willingness to use the DOJ against political rivals.
• DOJ pressured prosecutors to indict Southern Poverty Law Center despite case-strength concerns, whistleblower alleges — A Department of Justice lawyer, Aakash Singh, reportedly pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center despite serious concerns about the case's strength, according to a whistleblower account shared with House Democrats. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on April 21, accusing the civil rights organization of wire fraud and money laundering related to an informant program. Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon opened an investigation into the matter, citing Singh's directive to prosecutors to expedite charges. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing.
• Justice Department indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — Trump's Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges, alleging the civil rights organization defrauded donors by secretly paying informants more than $3 million to infiltrate white supremacist and extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. The tactic of using paid informants has been used by the FBI and other federal agencies for decades. Critics characterized the indictment as "nakedly political."
• DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — The Department of Justice, through Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) by an Alabama grand jury. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, alleging the SPLC funneled over $3 million to confidential informants within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023 using fictitious entities, and misrepresented to donors and banks how funds were being used. The SPLC's CEO Bryan Fair disputed the allegations and stated the informant program "saved lives."
• Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges by Trump administration DOJ — The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on federal fraud charges by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, alleging the organization improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing payments to donors. The indictment claims at least $3 million went to informants affiliated with the KKK, Aryan Nations, and other groups between 2014 and 2023. SPLC CEO Bryan Fair stated the payments were necessary to monitor violence threats and that information was shared with the FBI and law enforcement. Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• DOJ indicted Southern Poverty Law Center for fraud — The Department of Justice indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging that SPLC used donor money to pay informants to infiltrate right-wing hate groups, but claiming the purpose was to create false flags to instigate violence and racist demonstrations. The indictment has refueled conspiracy theories that the January 6 insurrection was instigated by infiltrators paid by left-wing groups. Rep. Dan Goldman criticized the indictment as legally baseless, comparing it to prosecuting the FBI for funding drug trafficking through informants.

Supporting reports

• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces 11-count indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center — Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference announcing an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights organization with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to launder money. The charges relate to a now-defunct program in which the SPLC paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing. The indictment was widely viewed as an effort by Blanche to demonstrate to Trump his willingness to use the DOJ against political rivals.
• DOJ pressured prosecutors to indict Southern Poverty Law Center despite case-strength concerns, whistleblower alleges — A Department of Justice lawyer, Aakash Singh, reportedly pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center despite serious concerns about the case's strength, according to a whistleblower account shared with House Democrats. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on April 21, accusing the civil rights organization of wire fraud and money laundering related to an informant program. Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon opened an investigation into the matter, citing Singh's directive to prosecutors to expedite charges. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing.

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• Trump administration fires immigration judges who blocked deportations — The Trump administration abruptly fired two immigration judges appointed by the Biden administration in 2024 who were approaching the end of their probationary terms. Both judges—who had granted asylum at higher rates than peers—had blocked deportations of Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk and Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi. The firings were reported by the New York Times on April 11.
• Department of Justice terminates six immigration judges, including two who ruled against deportations of pro-Palestinian students — The Department of Justice terminated six immigration judges, including Roopal Patel and Nina Froes, who had ruled against the Trump administration in deportation cases involving pro-Palestinian university students Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi. Both judges were Biden appointees with prior immigration defense experience. Patel rejected deportation grounds against Öztürk; Froes blocked removal of Mahdawi. The administration stated judges are evaluated on conduct, impartiality, and performance, but NPR analysis found the Trump administration appears to target judges with immigrant representation backgrounds.

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• Lower federal courts issue rulings blocking Trump administration policies on immigration, tariffs, and DOJ prosecutions — Since Trump's second term began, district court judges nationwide have issued sharply critical rulings challenging the legality of administration policies on immigration, tariffs, and DOJ prosecutions of political opponents. A Just Security study found over 210 cases since early 2025 where courts ruled against administration conduct, including 34 instances of non-compliance with court orders, 90 cases of judicial distrust in government representations, and 91 findings of arbitrary and capricious administrative action. Trump has responded with escalating attacks on judges, calling them "crooked" and "lunatic," and urging House Republicans to pass legislation "cracking down on rogue judges."

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• Judge James Boasberg quashes grand jury subpoena for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a 37-page ruling on March 13, 2026, quashing a grand jury subpoena for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Boasberg found "abundant evidence that the subpoenas' dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the president or to resign and make way for a Fed chair who will." The judge noted the government offered no evidence that Powell committed any crime "other than displeasing the president." Trump had been waging a public campaign against Powell to lower interest rates faster and attacked Boasberg on Truth Social following the ruling.

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• Immigration judges fired without cause under Trump's second term — Approximately 100 of 735 immigration judges nationwide have been fired without cause since Trump's second term began in 2025, including judges with low asylum grant rates. The Justice Department is actively recruiting replacements and has made clear through recruiting materials that "conscientious adjudication of asylum claims is no longer the point," explicitly advertising positions as "deportation judge" roles focused on maximizing deportations rather than fair adjudication.

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• Federal judge summons ICE acting head Todd Lyons to court for alleged defiance of court orders — Minnesota's top federal judge summoned Todd Lyons, the acting head of ICE, to appear in court on Friday for allegedly defying court orders. The judge stated "The court's patience is at an end," signaling potential contempt of court proceedings against the ICE leader for failing to comply with judicial directives.
• Minnesota federal judge summons ICE acting director for contempt over defiance of court orders — Chief US District Judge Patrick Schiltz issued a three-page order summoning acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear before him on Friday, warning of potential contempt charges. Schiltz accused the Trump administration of deliberately delaying or ignoring judicial directives across Minnesota's federal courts during "Operation Metro Surge," an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign. The judge cited a specific case in which he had ordered a man released on January 15 who remained in custody as of Monday night, and noted that detained immigrants had been sent to Texas or released far from home without means to return, causing "significant hardship."
• Multiple Minnesota federal judges weigh legal challenges to Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement — Several Minnesota federal judges are considering broader legal challenges that could significantly restrict federal immigration enforcement in the state or halt Operation Metro Surge entirely. US District Judge Michael Davis accused the administration of attempting to "defy court orders" and "deny noncitizens their due process rights." Judge Kate Menendez ordered government lawyers to respond by Wednesday evening to claims the operation was designed to punish Minnesota for its sanctuary policies. Another federal judge is weighing whether the deployment of 3,000 immigration agents constitutes an unconstitutional occupation, a case that gained momentum following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal officers.
• Federal judge orders ICE director to appear in court and threatens contempt — Minnesota's chief federal judge, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz (appointed by President Bush), ordered the head of ICE, Todd Lyons, to appear in his courtroom on Friday and threatened to hold him in contempt for repeated defiance of judges' orders in the state. Judge Schiltz stated "The court's patience is at an end." The order came in response to the Trump administration's massive immigration enforcement action in the Twin Cities, which has flooded courts with emergency lawsuits. Schiltz noted that the administration has been slow-walking or outright defying directives of many Minnesota judges, including at least one of his own orders for release that was not complied with.
• Federal judge orders ICE director to appear in court for contempt of court — Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, to appear in court on Friday to explain why he was not in contempt of court after ICE officials apparently ignored Schiltz's order to permit a detainee to have a bond hearing or be released. On Tuesday, the government released the detainee. On Wednesday, Schiltz canceled the Friday hearing but identified "96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases" and warned that he would haul Lyons or other government officials into court if they continued ignoring court rulings.
• Minnesota federal judge issues scathing order documenting 96 ICE court order violations — Minnesota's Chief Federal Judge Schiltz issued an order that included an appendix identifying 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. The judge stated: "This list should give pause to anyone—no matter his or her political beliefs—who cares about the rule of law. ICE has likely violated more court orders in Jan 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence."

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• The chief federal judge in Minneapolis district court criticized DOJ for a "frivolous" attempt to increase arrests of anti-ICE demonstrators and noted the court docket had been inundated with cases of illegal ICE detentions. — The chief federal judge in Minneapolis district court stated that the court's docket had been inundated with cases of "illegal detentions" by ICE and criticized the Department of Justice for a "frivolous" attempt to increase arrests of anti-ICE demonstrators who disrupted a St. Paul church service. The judge's comments reflect concerns about the volume and legality of ICE enforcement actions in the district.

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• Minnesota attorney general filed lawsuit seeking restraining order on evidence destruction — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration officials, seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent DHS agents from destroying evidence related to the Pretti shooting. Ellison's suit characterized the federal government's conduct as an "astonishing" departure from normal investigations, appearing designed to destroy rather than preserve evidence. A Trump-appointed judge immediately granted the restraining order, barring the administration from "destroying or altering evidence" concerning the killing.
• Federal judge orders administration not to destroy evidence in Pretti shooting — A Trump-appointed federal judge issued a late-night order on January 24 directing the Trump administration not to destroy or alter evidence in the case of Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by Border Patrol agents.
• Minnesota Attorney General files lawsuit against DHS officials — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other officials, seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the shooting of Alex Pretti. The lawsuit highlighted the unusual handling of the investigation and the federal government's refusal to allow state investigators access to the scene. A judge granted the restraining order, prohibiting any alteration or destruction of evidence.
• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against DHS to prevent the destruction of evidence related to Pretti's death. — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Ellison stated "Tonight, on behalf of Minnesota law enforcement, I filed a lawsuit against DHS to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. DHS is not above the law, and Alex sure as hell is not beneath it."

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• Lindsey Halligan leaves US attorney position after judicial rulings of unlawful appointment — Lindsey Halligan, a Trump-appointed federal attorney with no prosecutorial experience who led failed cases against political opponents Letitia James and James Comey, departed her position as interim US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. Multiple federal judges ruled her appointment unlawful and rejected the administration's argument for back-to-back interim appointments. A judge ordered her to cease using the title "US attorney" and threatened disciplinary proceedings; another judge declared the position vacant.
• Lindsey Halligan departs U.S. Attorney's Office following judicial criticism — Lindsey Halligan officially left the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after serious judicial criticism and disputes over the legality of her authority. Courts determined that the executive branch could not unilaterally improvise authority and that appointments must follow established legal rules.
• Virginia U.S. Attorney resigns amid judicial criticism — Lindsey Halligan has resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia following judicial criticism and disputes over the legality of her authority. This development underscores the judiciary's role in maintaining checks on executive appointments and authority.

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• Alina Habba resigns as New Jersey U.S. attorney after appeals court disqualification — Alina Habba became the first of Trump's unlawful appointments to resign after an appeals court disqualified her from serving as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor. Her resignation clears the way for judges in the federal district to select a new U.S. attorney. Habba's departure follows successful legal challenges to other Trump appointees who were placed in office through temporary appointments that bypassed Senate confirmation.
• Challenges to Trump's unlawful U.S. attorney appointments succeed; Lindsey Halligan defeated — Defendants successfully challenged several of Trump's temporary U.S. attorney appointments made to circumvent Senate confirmation. Most notably, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James succeeded in challenging Lindsey Halligan, whom Trump had appointed to bring criminal cases against them. These legal victories demonstrate that courts are willing to invalidate Trump's unlawful appointments of loyalists to key federal prosecutor positions.
• Judge ruled Trump's acting U.S. attorney holds office unlawfully — U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield ruled that John Sarcone, Trump's temporary nominee as acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, does not hold that position lawfully. Trump ignored the law to keep his loyalists in control of key Department of Justice offices. Although judges have said five of Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys are in office illegally, at least three have refused to step down.
• Federal judge removes Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for unlawful appointment — Ex-Trump campaign lawyer John Sarcone has been disqualified from investigating New York Attorney General Letitia James because he was unlawfully appointed. Sarcone is the fifth Trump-installed U.S. attorney to be removed by a federal judge for similar appointment violations.

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• Federal judge dismisses indictment against TikTok streamer shot by ICE agents — US District Judge Fernando Olguin dismissed an indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Los Angeles TikTok creator, who was shot by an immigration agent during an October enforcement operation. The judge cited constitutional violations, including ICE's obstruction of Parias's access to his defense team at the Adelanto detention center and the government's failure to timely disclose body-worn camera footage of the shooting. The indictment was dismissed with prejudice, barring prosecutors from refiling assault charges.

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• Vice President JD Vance announced list of judges and prosecutors for "swifter justice" — Vice President JD Vance stated at the TPUSA event: "Greatness awaits every single one of you in the America First movement we are building together, but we need your help to get there. Do you want more prosecutions? Great. So do we. Trump and I have a list of better judges and prosecutors to enact swifter justice." The statement indicates the administration is preparing to appoint judges and prosecutors based on loyalty to the "America First" movement rather than judicial independence.

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• Alina Habba resigned as US Attorney for New Jersey following Third Circuit ruling — Alina Habba, who held the position of US Attorney for New Jersey through an illegal appointment, announced her resignation following a Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. In her statement, Habba said she was stepping down "to protect the stability and integrity of the office" but framed her compliance as not a surrender of her position or principles.
• Alina Habba stepped down as top federal prosecutor in New Jersey — On December 8, Alina Habba, Trump's former personal lawyer whom he maneuvered to keep as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, announced she would step down from her post after an appeals court ruled she was disqualified from the position. Habba said she would continue at the Justice Department as a senior adviser to the attorney general for US attorneys. Attorney General Pam Bondi tweeted that the DOJ "will seek further review" of the decision and that Habba "intends to return" if the ruling is overturned.
• Alina Habba resigns as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey after courts rule her appointment unlawful — Alina Habba, Trump's former personal lawyer appointed U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, resigned after federal courts ruled her interim appointment unlawful and she lacked Senate confirmation. The Trump administration had attempted to keep her in place by reappointing her as a "special attorney" after her 120-day interim term expired in July. Habba announced her resignation on social media but stated she would serve as a senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who indicated the DOJ would seek further review of the ruling.

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• Third Circuit upholds ruling that Alina Habba's appointment as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey was unlawful — A three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling finding that President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi violated federal vacancy laws and the Senate confirmation process in appointing Alina Habba as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey. The panel rejected Bondi's argument that she could funnel U.S. attorney powers into a "special attorney" title to circumvent Senate confirmation. Despite the disqualification, Habba and the DOJ continue to claim she holds the position.
• Federal appeals court upheld ruling that Alina Habba's appointment was unlawful — A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that Alina Habba, whom Trump placed in the position of acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, was appointed unlawfully. Trump appointed her to a 120-day acting appointment, after which district court judges control the spot until Senate confirmation. The judges rejected Habba, who has no prosecutorial experience, and selected experienced prosecutor Desiree Leigh Grace instead. Attorney General Pam Bondi then fired Grace and maneuvered Habba back into control.
• Federal judges found illegal Trump appointments of multiple U.S. attorneys — Federal judges have found illegal Trump's appointments of U.S. attorneys for the Central District of California and the District of Nevada, in addition to the Eastern District of Virginia and District of New Jersey. These rulings indicate a pattern of the administration attempting to place unqualified or illegally appointed prosecutors in positions of power.
• Judge D. Michael Fisher issued opinion on Habba appointment — Federal judges have found illegal Trump's appointments of U.S. attorneys for the Central District of California and the District of Nevada, in addition to the Eastern District of Virginia and District of New Jersey appointments previously ruled unlawful.
• Appeals court upholds disqualification of Trump's interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey — Judge D. Michael Fisher wrote in the appeals court opinion that "It is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place," but stated that Trump cannot circumvent the law to place his preferred appointees in prosecutorial positions. The ruling affirmed that district court judges retain authority to select U.S. attorneys when the 120-day acting appointment expires and the Senate has not confirmed a nominee.
• Third Circuit Court affirms Alina Habba unlawfully occupied U.S. Attorney position — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit unanimously upheld the disqualification of Alina Habba as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. The panel, composed of judges appointed by George W. Bush and Barack Obama, found that the Trump administration had attempted to circumvent the Senate confirmation process by appointing Habba as a perpetual "interim" U.S. Attorney after she failed to secure Senate confirmation votes. The court noted that citizens of New Jersey and loyal employees in the U.S. Attorney's Office deserve clarity and stability.
• Federal appeals court ruled Trump's attorney appointment unlawful — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that Alina Habba was never legally acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Judges from across the political spectrum determined she unlawfully occupied the role after attempting to sidestep established rules governing vacancies. The ruling follows a pattern of Trump administration officials attempting to bypass Senate confirmation, destroy institutional norms, and consolidate power through procedural manipulation.
• Judge D. Michael Fisher criticized administration's circumvention of legal barriers — A federal appeals court ruled that Trump's efforts to keep Alina Habba, his former personal attorney, as the top prosecutor in New Jersey were unlawful, upholding a lower court's decision that disqualified Habba from her post. The ruling rejected Trump's attempt to place a personal loyalist in a federal prosecutorial position.
• — A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that President Trump's appointment of Alina Habba as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey was unlawful. Trump appointed her to a 120-day acting position, after which district court judges were to control the spot until Senate confirmation. The judges rejected Habba, who has no prosecutorial experience, and selected experienced prosecutor Desiree Leigh Grace instead. Attorney General Pam Bondi then fired Grace and maneuvered Habba back into control.
• — In the appeals court opinion upholding the ruling against Habba's appointment, Judge D. Michael Fisher wrote: "It is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place." The judges stated that Trump cannot simply ignore the law to place his preferred appointees in office.