Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DOJ fires veteran civil rights prosecutor; releases report criticizing anti-abortion prosecution efforts — The justice department fired a veteran civil rights prosecutor who oversaw a criminal case against anti-abortion protesters. The department also released a widely criticized report on efforts to prosecute anti-abortion protesters, signaling a shift away from enforcement against anti-abortion violence and toward protection of anti-abortion activists.

Supporting reports

• Harmeet Dhillon confirmed as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights; dismantles civil rights enforcement — Harmeet Dhillon was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-45 vote in April 2025 as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Within two weeks, she issued new mission statements abandoning core civil rights laws (Voting Rights Act, Fair Housing Act) in favor of preventing voter fraud, anti-transgender issues, and preventing discrimination against white people. She involuntarily reassigned career lawyers with decades of experience, triggering an exodus of over 100 attorneys. The division has dropped dozens of anti-discrimination cases and reoriented enforcement away from minorities toward white Americans, leaving the division a "shadow of its former self."
• Dhillon served as co-chair of Lawyers for Trump; promoted false 2020 election claims — Before joining the DOJ, Harmeet Dhillon served as co-chair of Lawyers for Trump in 2020, a position from which she worked on lawsuits contesting the 2020 election results and frequently appeared on television promoting the false claim that the election was stolen. During one appearance on Lou Dobbs Tonight on Fox Business, she suggested Trump's Supreme Court appointees would save the election for him, stating "We're waiting for the United States supreme court which the president has nominated three justices to step in and do something and, hopefully, Amy Coney Barrett will come through and pick it up."
• Dhillon's firm defended Trump against 14th Amendment ballot disqualification effort — Before joining the DOJ, Dhillon's law firm successfully defended Trump against an effort to use a novel interpretation of the 14th Amendment to disqualify him from the 2024 presidential ballot. The firm also defended Trump and several close aides in litigation related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. David Warrington, who now serves as White House counsel, was a managing partner at the firm.

Supporting reports

• DOJ social media account insulted reporter over Epstein files — The Department of Justice's official social media account responded to reporter Jamie Dupree's question about why the DOJ released documents it now claims are fabricated by calling him a "dope" and mocking critics who accused the department of breaking the law. The exchanges were described as unprofessional and unprecedented in prior administrations.

Supporting reports

• White House takes control of Justice Department X account — The White House took over the X account of the Justice Department on December 23. On the same day, that account posted a message claiming that accusations in the Epstein files are "unfounded and false."
• Trump White House assumed control of DOJ social media accounts — Following bizarre exchanges on the DOJ's official social media account, reporting from Axios revealed that the Trump White House has assumed direct control over the Department of Justice's social media accounts. The article notes this explains the unprofessional tone of the exchanges and raises concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department.

Supporting reports

• White House takes control of Justice Department X account — The White House took over the X account of the Justice Department on December 23. On the same day, that account posted a message claiming that accusations in the Epstein files are "unfounded and false."

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Trump appoints former lawyer Halligan as US attorney for Eastern District of Virginia, pressures Bondi to investigate political enemies — Donald Trump announced the appointment of Lindsey Halligan, his former lawyer and special assistant, as US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, replacing experienced prosecutor Erik Siebert. In public posts on Truth Social, Trump explicitly pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations of political enemies, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, citing his own impeachments and indictments as justification for "justice" to be "served now."

Supporting reports

• Trump appoints Lindsay Halligan as U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Maryland — On September 20, 2025, the day after Erik Seibert's resignation, President Trump appointed Lindsay Halligan, a White House aide with no experience as a prosecutor, to replace Seibert as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Maryland. The legality of Halligan's appointment is being challenged in court.
• Trump fired US Attorney and appointed personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan — Trump fired the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, citing insufficient evidence to indict NY AG Letitia James for mortgage fraud. He then appointed Lindsey Halligan, one of his former personal attorneys with no criminal law experience, to replace him. Trump stated Halligan had "worked with me for a long time" and "stood up for my rights during the Unconstitutional and UnAmerican raid on my home, Mar-a-Lago."
• Trump fires US Attorney Erik Siebert, replaces with inexperienced personal attorney — US Attorney Erik Siebert resigned from the Eastern District of Virginia after pressure to issue criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. Attorney General Pam Bondi initially appointed Mary Cleary as acting US attorney, but Trump revoked that nomination the same evening and elevated Lindsey Halligan, his former White House assistant and personal attorney with no prosecutorial experience, to the position. Halligan's career has focused on insurance matters in Florida, with federal case filings limited to Trump-related matters.
• Trump appoints former lawyer Halligan as US attorney for Eastern District of Virginia, pressures Bondi to investigate political enemies — Donald Trump announced the appointment of Lindsey Halligan, his former lawyer and special assistant, as US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, replacing experienced prosecutor Erik Siebert. In public posts on Truth Social, Trump explicitly pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations of political enemies, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, citing his own impeachments and indictments as justification for "justice" to be "served now."
• Erik Siebert removed as US Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia — Trump removed Erik Siebert as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday, creating confusion among the office's 300+ attorneys and staff. Siebert's chief deputy, who normally would have succeeded him, was also demoted. Trump appointed Lindsey Halligan, a White House adviser and former personal lawyer with insurance law background and no prosecutorial experience, as Siebert's replacement. Prosecutors expressed concern about Halligan's ability to handle sensitive investigations including those into James Comey and Letitia James.
• Trump removes US attorney and appoints White House aide with no prosecutorial experience as interim replacement — Donald Trump removed Erik Siebert, the US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, after Siebert declined to bring charges against former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James despite Trump's demands. Trump then appointed Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide with no prosecutorial experience and the most junior lawyer on his personal legal team, as interim US attorney. Halligan was sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The move alarmed prosecutors about political pressure to indict Trump's political enemies regardless of evidence strength.
• Trump replaces acting U.S. attorney with White House aide and former personal lawyer — President Trump replaced acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert, a career prosecutor, with White House aide and Trump's former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan. The replacement occurred after Siebert concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge former FBI director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress or New York attorney general Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud. Trump had exploded at Siebert over the weekend over these prosecutorial decisions.
• Lindsey Halligan sworn in as interim US attorney for Eastern District of Virginia — Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide with no prosecutorial experience, was sworn in as the interim US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. This appointment followed the removal of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, by Donald Trump after Siebert declined to bring charges against former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James. Halligan's appointment has raised concerns among current and former prosecutors about potential political pressure to indict Trump's political adversaries without sufficient evidence. Trump is expected to nominate Halligan for a full term in the Senate.
• Trump appointed Halligan as interim U.S. Attorney despite lack of federal prosecution experience — On September 23, 2025, President Trump appointed Lindsey Halligan, a 36-year-old insurance lawyer with no federal criminal prosecution experience, as interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan had previously served on Trump's legal team defending him against classified documents charges and suing CNN on his behalf. According to the article, Trump appointed Halligan specifically because he was "desperate to find someone to indict former FBI Director James Comey and other political enemies."
• Lindsey Halligan appointed as U.S. attorney for Eastern District of Virginia — White House aide and Trump's former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan, who leads the administration's review of Smithsonian Institution museum exhibits, was appointed to replace Erik Siebert as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan has no experience as a prosecutor.
• Trump removed U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert from Eastern District of Virginia — President Trump forced Erik Siebert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, from his post after Siebert raised concerns about potentially charging former FBI Director James Comey and other perceived enemies of the president. Trump then installed Lindsey Halligan, one of his former personal attorneys with minimal prosecutorial experience, as temporary U.S. attorney in Siebert's place. This removal enabled the subsequent indictment of Comey by a politically loyal prosecutor.
• Lindsey Halligan appointed as US Attorney despite lack of prosecutorial experience — Lindsey Halligan, age 36, was appointed as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia—one of the most significant prosecutorial offices in the country—despite having no experience as a prosecutor at any level. Her career included only three federal cases, all while serving as one of Trump's personal attorneys. She previously worked as an insurance lawyer in Florida. Under federal law, she can serve as interim US Attorney for only 120 days unless extended by federal judges or confirmed by the Senate.
• Trump forces out previous US Attorney Erik Siebert for refusing to prosecute political opponents — Fortune reported that newly appointed US Attorney Lindsey Halligan replaced Erik Siebert, whom Trump forced out for refusing to pursue charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. Halligan, age 36, has never prosecuted a case at any level and has participated in only three federal cases while serving as one of Trump's personal attorneys. Siebert, by contrast, was listed as an attorney on 675 federal cases during his prosecutorial career.

Supporting reports

• Trump attempts to remove Federal Reserve governor and other non-appointed officials — Trump is attempting to remove dozens of personnel he did not appoint, including a Federal Reserve governor, a top official at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, prosecutors who investigated him, and leaders across the government including the National Archivist.
• Trump installs second deputy at FBI after souring on first — The White House installed a second deputy at the FBI after becoming dissatisfied with the first, continuing a pattern of rapid personnel changes across agencies.
• Trump pressures Treasury secretary to fire agency's second-in-command — Trump pushed his Treasury secretary to fire the agency's second-in-command, demonstrating continued pressure on cabinet officials to remove personnel who may not align with administration priorities.
• Trump removes acting FEMA administrator over disagreement on agency's continued existence — The White House removed the acting FEMA administrator after he stated the agency should continue to exist, contradicting others in the administration.
• Trump removes IRS director after two months over Treasury Department clash — Trump replaced the head of the IRS less than two months into the job because appointee Billy Long clashed with officials at the Treasury Department. This removal is part of a broader pattern of Trump firing appointees and career officials across multiple agencies.
• Trump removes two DOJ antitrust officials over alleged deal-making with lobbyists — Two top DOJ antitrust officials were removed from their roles after clashing with senior officials at the agency. They accused their colleagues of cutting deals with favored lobbyists. One of the removed officials has publicly questioned the integrity of other DOJ officials.
• Department of Justice launched criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation into Lisa Cook, a governor of the U.S. Federal Reserve, for allegedly committing mortgage fraud by claiming two separate properties as her primary residence. Pro Publica reported that three Trump Cabinet members—Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin—have engaged in the same conduct but face no investigation.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC director Susan Monarez — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired newly confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused to preapprove recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel that Kennedy had stacked with anti-vaccine advocates. This action followed Kennedy's earlier purges of thousands of CDC advisors and staffers who did not share his opposition to vaccines.
• Trump fires Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — President Trump removed Lisa Cook from her position as a Federal Reserve governor. This action raised concerns about central bank independence, as it represents part of a broader pattern of Trump's attacks on the Federal Reserve's autonomy. Trump's nominee to replace Cook stated he would respect Fed independence, but the removal itself signals potential politicization of monetary policy.

Supporting reports

• VA terminates collective bargaining agreements with unions representing health workers — The Department of Veterans Affairs terminated labor agreements with unions representing most of its health workers, citing a March executive order from President Trump that sought to eliminate collective bargaining rights on "national security" grounds. The termination eliminates the VA's obligation to respond to worker reports of unsafe working conditions and voids contract language requiring professional training for nurses and rules governing temporary reassignment based on qualifications. Unions representing 320,000 VA workers stated the agency was retaliating against workers for speaking up for patients and said they would challenge the action in court.

Supporting reports

• DOJ extends Bill Essayli's term as interim U.S. attorney for Los Angeles — The DOJ extended the tenure of Bill Essayli as temporary U.S. attorney for Los Angeles. Essayli, a former assistant U.S. attorney and twice-elected Republican California assemblyman, has used his position to carry out Trump's mass deportations and the president's response to protests and civil unrest in the Los Angeles area. He has charged labor leaders and pursued cases aligned with Trump's political agenda despite warnings of insufficient evidence.
• DOJ extends John Sarcone's term as interim U.S. attorney for Northern District of New York — John Sarcone III's term as interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York was set to expire in July 2025 after federal judges declined to permanently appoint him. Days after judges rejected him, the DOJ redesignated his title and named him as a special attorney, extending his tenure. Sarcone, a former Trump campaign attorney with no prior prosecutorial experience, had used his four-month interim role to publicly denounce Albany Police Department leadership, feud with local journalists, and criticize former President Biden's immigration policies. He also publicly confirmed a DOJ probe into New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of Trump's foremost political adversaries.
• DOJ extends Sigal Chattah's term as interim U.S. attorney for Nevada — The DOJ extended the tenure of Sigal Chattah as temporary U.S. attorney for Nevada before courts could weigh in on her permanent appointment. Hundreds of federal and state judges had asked courts to reject Chattah's permanent appointment based on her long history of racially charged and violence-tinged statements against political opponents and elected officials. Chattah, a former Republican National Committee member, has shown partisan bias while in her temporary role, targeting Nevada's Democratic U.S. senators Catherine Cortez-Masto and Jacky Rosen.

Supporting reports

• FBI forces out special agent Walter Giardina who worked on Trump and Navarro cases — The FBI, under director Kash Patel and deputy Dan Bongino, forced out special agent Walter Giardina, who had worked on cases involving Donald Trump and Peter Navarro, a top trade adviser to the president who was convicted of contempt of Congress. The ouster was part of a broader pattern of removals of senior FBI officials and agents under Patel's leadership.
• FBI pressures agent Michael Feinberg to resign or accept demotion over friendship with Peter Strzok — Special agent Michael Feinberg was told to resign or accept a demotion amid scrutiny from FBI leadership regarding his friendship with Peter Strzok, a lead agent on the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation who was fired by the Justice Department in 2018 after exchanging negative text messages about Trump with FBI lawyer Lisa Page.
• FBI subjects agents to polygraph exams under Patel leadership — Under FBI director Kash Patel and deputy Dan Bongino, numerous senior FBI officials and agents have been subjected to polygraph exams as part of aggressive personnel actions. Former officials report these moves have roiled the workforce and contributed to widespread angst among agents. Multiple senior agents in charge of field offices have been told to retire, resign, or accept reassignment.
• FBI DC field office head Steve Jensen terminated without stated cause — Steve Jensen, head of the FBI's Washington Field Office, announced in a farewell letter that his employment with the FBI will be terminated effective the next day. Jensen stated he received no explanation for the termination and pledged to meet the challenge with professionalism, integrity, and dignity. He urged colleagues to continue protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.
• FBI forced out acting director Brian Driscoll and agent Walter Giardina — The New York Times reported that the FBI is forcing out at least two agents under Kash Patel's leadership, including Brian Driscoll, the former acting head of the bureau, and Walter Giardina, who was involved in Trump investigations. Driscoll sent a message to colleagues stating he was informed his employment would end the next day with no cause articulated. Driscoll had previously refused to carry out the Trump administration's plans for mass firing of January 6 agents.
• Trump administration ousts FBI official Brian Driscoll for resisting demands to name January 6 investigators — The Trump administration forced out Brian Driscoll, a senior FBI official who briefly served as acting director, after he resisted demands from the Justice Department for names of agents who investigated the January 6 Capitol riot. Driscoll and then-deputy director Rob Kissane had resisted the request, leading Justice Department official Emil Bove to accuse them of "insubordination." The FBI ultimately provided employee numbers rather than names. Driscoll's final day was Friday, August 8, 2025.

Supporting reports

• AG Bondi fired DOJ prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases — Attorney General Pam Bondi fired at least three career DOJ prosecutors who worked on cases related to the January 6 insurrection. The attorneys received letters signed by Bondi stating they were "removed from federal service effective immediately" with no further explanation. A federal law enforcement official characterized the firings as "a slap in the face" to career prosecutors and warned of continued "brain drain" at the DOJ.
• Attorney General Bondi fires approximately 20 DOJ employees including January 6 prosecutors — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired approximately 20 Department of Justice employees, including support staff and several prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases for special counsel Jack Smith. The firings targeted individuals who had worked on cases against Trump and his allies, including prosecutions related to classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• Attorney General Bondi fires Joseph Tirrell, DOJ ethics official — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired Joseph Tirrell, the Department of Justice's top ethics official, without explanation. Tirrell's removal is part of a broader pattern of firings targeting officials perceived as obstacles to Trump's agenda.
• Attorney General Bondi fires Maureen Comey, prosecutor on Epstein case — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired Maureen Comey, a key prosecutor in the New York office who had worked on charges against sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. The firing occurred without explanation and is part of a pattern of removing prosecutors who worked on cases against Trump or his associates.

Supporting reports

• DOJ leader allegedly suggested defying court orders on deportations — Emil Bove, the Department of Justice's principal associate deputy attorney general and Trump nominee for the US Court of Appeals, reportedly told staff the department "would need to consider telling the courts 'fuck you'" regarding orders blocking deportations of undocumented people. Former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni, in a whistleblower letter to Congress, alleged Bove made these comments in mid-March during discussions about invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Reuveni further claimed he witnessed DOJ officials systematically undermining court orders through lack of candor, deliberate delay, and disinformation, and that he was fired on April 11 after refusing to misrepresent facts in court filings.
• DOJ official Emil Bove stated DOJ would ignore court orders on deportations — DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni, who was subsequently fired, came forward as a whistleblower to Congress and the DOJ inspector general. Reuveni stated that senior DOJ official Emil Bove announced plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act for swift deportations and, when asked about potential judicial intervention, said the DOJ might have to tell courts "fuck you" and proceed with deportations regardless of legal injunctions. Reuveni reported that the statement was met with stunned silence among senior DOJ officials present.
• New York Times reported DOJ official Emil Bove told subordinates to ignore court orders — On June 24, the New York Times reported on a whistleblower complaint alleging that senior Justice Department official Emil Bove told his subordinates he would ignore court orders to further Trump's mass deportation efforts. Bove, who once served as Trump's criminal defense attorney and was recently nominated to serve as a federal appeals judge, later denied the comments during his confirmation hearing, saying "I have never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order."
• DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni filed complaint about defying court orders — On June 24, 2025, Erez Reuveni, a former Department of Justice lawyer, filed an official whistleblower complaint alleging that DOJ leaders and the White House deliberately defied court orders and "engaged in unlawful activity, abused their authority, created substantial and specific threat to health and safety." Reuveni was fired after telling a court that the administration had made an error when it rendered Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia to CECOT despite a court order not to do so. In the complaint, Reuveni alleged that Emil Bove insisted planes carrying men to El Salvador must take off and said DOJ "would need to consider telling the courts 'f*ck you' and ignore any such court order."
• Bove fired DOJ prosecutors who investigated January 6 Capitol attack — Emil Bove issued a memo terminating dozens of DOJ prosecutors who had worked on cases related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, characterizing their prosecutions as a "grave national injustice." Bove justified the firings by claiming the prosecutors had been hired as temporary employees under the Biden administration and converted to permanent status, and that they were preventing a particular U.S. attorney from fully staffing his office. The terminations were carried out in furtherance of a Trump executive order.
• Whistleblower complaint filed alleging DOJ official directed defiance of court orders — Former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that Emil Bove, principal associate deputy attorney general, instructed prosecutors to disregard judicial rulings against Trump's immigration policies. The complaint surfaced hours before Bove's Senate confirmation hearing for a federal appeals court judgeship. Bove denied the allegations under oath, stating he has "never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order."
• Emil Bove denies whistleblower allegations of directing DOJ staff to defy court orders on immigration — Emil Bove, principal associate deputy attorney general and Trump's nominee for federal appeals court judge, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 25, 2025, denying a whistleblower complaint filed by former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni. Reuveni alleged Bove instructed prosecutors to tell courts "fuck you" when ruling against Trump's immigration policies. Bove also denied Democratic allegations that he dropped corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams to secure his cooperation with immigration enforcement. Republicans signaled support for his nomination while Democrats characterized him as weaponizing the DOJ against Trump's political opponents.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — American Association of University Professors v. United States Department of Justice (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02429 — Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed the case. That day, the Plaintiffs appealed to the Second Circuit.
• Appeal filed — Boyle v. Trump (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-01628 — Defendants appealed Judge Maddox's summary judgment order to the Fourth Circuit.
• Case update — American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO v. Goldstein (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-03072 — Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint .
• Case update — Carter v. Department of Education (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00744 — The court stayed the case pending the status of appeals in State of New York v. McMahon , Civil Action No. 25-10601 (D. Mass.) and Somerville Public Schools v. Trump , Civil Action No. 25-10677 (D. Mass.).
• Case update — City of Chicago v. United States Department of Homeland Security (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-05462 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , adding Boston, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle as plaintiffs. The amended filing described each city's reliance on the Securing the Cities program and the harms from DHS's freeze on 2025 reimbursements and failure to release approved 2024 funds, shifted emphasis from primarily APA claims to a stronger Appropriations Clause theory challenging DHS's withholding of congressionally allocated funds, and stressed the need to restore funding before major events requiring heightened security, including political conventions and national holidays.
• Case update — City of New York v. Trump et al. (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01510 — Plaintiff filed their second amended complaint (redline here ).
• Case update — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — Plaintiffs/Appellees filed their opposition in the D.C. Circuit to the Defendants'/Appellants' emergency motion seeking a stay of Judge Boasberg's June 4 order pending appeal.
• Case update — Northern Alaska Environmental Center v. Trump (D. Alaska) 3:25-cv-00038 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which added the Conservation Law Foundation as a plaintiff.
• Motion granted — Democracy Forward Foundation v. Department of Education (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00940 — DOE answered Plaintiff's complaint, arguing that Plaintiff failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted, that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to grant relief authorized under FOIA, and that Plaintiff is not entitled to compel the release of records properly withheld under FOIA exclusions or exemptions, among other defenses.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Schiff v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10595 — Defendants filed a motion to dismiss , arguing that Plaintiffs' claims are moot in light of Defendants' compliance with the preliminary injunction order issued on May 23.
• House Judiciary Report on Trump Pardons — Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee released a report estimating that Trump's pardons have cost taxpayers over $1.3 billion in fines and restitution. The report highlights the financial impact of presidential pardons.
• R Kelly's Lawyers File Court Documents Alleging Overdose in Prison — Lawyers for R Kelly have filed new court documents alleging that the singer, who is serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking, was rushed to the hospital after overdosing on medication provided by prison staff. The filing claims that Kelly was placed in solitary confinement on June 10 and given medication with instructions to take it, leading to an overdose on June 13. The documents also allege a plot by Bureau of Prisons officials to have Kelly killed by another inmate, prompting a request for his release to home detention, which federal prosecutors have opposed.
• Case update — Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00527 — Defendants filed an unopposed motion before Judge Boasberg seeking clarification or, alternatively, a stay of further proceedings. They argued that under 28 U.S.C. § 2243, no responsive pleading (return) is due in habeas proceedings until the court issues a writ or show-cause order, and that the preliminary-injunction briefing had already served that function. In the alternative, they requested that any requirement to file a return or dispositive motion be stayed until after the D.C. Circuit resolves the appeal of the June 4 order.
• Motion granted — Northern Alaska Environmental Center v. Trump (D. Alaska) 3:25-cv-00038 — Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint or stay proceedings in the alternative.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Harris County Texas v. Robert F Kennedy Jr (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01275 — The court granted State of Alaska's motion to intervene . Judge Sharon Gleason ordered that the State of Alaska be admitted into the case as an intervenor-defendant.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00527 — Judge Christopher Cooper issued a memorandum opinion that granted in part and denied in part Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Judge Cooper granted relief to some of the grants held by four local-government plaintiffs (Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Davidson County and Nashville, Tennessee; and Kansas City, Missouri) and decided against granting relief to all terminated grants nationwide. Defendants are enjoined from enforcing or otherwise giving effect to the March 2025 terminations of grants issued directly or indirectly to these four plaintiffs under the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, the CARES Act, and the CRRSAA.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Association of American Universities v. Department of Defense (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11740 — Judge James E. Boasberg denied Plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion. In the supporting memorandum , Judge Boasberg noted Plaintiff failed to show a likelihood of irreparable harm absent a preliminary injunction.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — National Job Corps Association v. Department of Labor (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-04641 — The Court granted Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order, prohibiting the DOD from enforcing the Rate Cap Policy.
• Case update — Association for Education Finance and Policy Inc. v. McMahon (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00999 — Judge Carter extended the temporary restraining order through June 25.
• Case update — CREW v. DOGE (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00511 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint . In this amended complaint, plaintiffs removed their ultra vires and Impoundment Act claims. Plaintiffs also added counts specifying the IES terminations and their associated alleged APA violation.
• Case update — Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of the Treasury (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00684 — CREW filed a motion for summary disposition with the D.C. Circuit following the Supreme Court's Jun. 6 order.
• Complaint filed — EA T-B v. Bostock — Democracy Forward and the Department of the Treasury filed a joint status report to note the identification of 5,807 potentially responsive documents and the parties' efforts to further narrow Plaintiff's FOIA request to alleviate processing burdens and allow for a more expeditious processing of documents.
• Motion denied — Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01535 — Defendants/Appellants filed their reply in support of their emergency motion in the D.C. Circuit to stay Judge Boasberg's June 4 order pending appeal.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — San Francisco Unified School District v. AmeriCorps, a.k.a. the Corporation for National and Community Service (N.D. Cal.) 3:25 — A complaint was filed in the Western District of Washington under the case caption EA T-B v. Bostock, docket number 2:25-cv-01192. The case involves legal challenges related to actions taken by the Trump administration. Further details about the case are forthcoming.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — W.J.C.C. v. Trump (W.D. Pa.) 3:25-cv-00153 — DOJ, DHS, and State Department (Agency Defendants) answered Plaintiff's complaint. The Agency Defendants admitted they received the FOIA requests but denied improperly withholding records from Plaintiff under FOIA.
• Summary judgment ruling — Grundmann v. Trump et al . (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00425 — The court granted Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, thereby enjoining Defendants from imposing and enforcing new conditions on Plaintiffs' AmeriCorps grants during the pendency of the lawsuit.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Dvortsin as Next Friend of Hayam El Gamal et al., Petitioner, v. Noem (W.D. Tex.) 5:25-cv-00664 — Judge Stephanie Haines restated her holding in A.S.R. v. Trump , No. 3:25-cv-00113, that the presidential proclamation is a valid exercise of the AEA. Judge Haines, however, granted a preliminary injunction in favor of W.J.C.C., rejecting the government's claim that it could apply shortened notice akin to expedited removal procedures. The court held that the petitioner was entitled to: “(1) twenty-one (21) days' notice and an "opportunity to be heard," (2) notice that clearly articulates the fact that he is subject to removal under the Proclamation and the AEA, (3) notice in English and Spanish, the language of the one sought to be expelled, and if needed, Spanish-to-English interpreters shall be provided for any necessary hearings, and (4) notice of all of the foregoing to his counsel.” The court denied the petitioner's request for a preliminary injunction that would have barred the government from transferring him out of the district.
• Federal Appeals Court Rejects DOJ Representation for Trump — The D.C. Circuit issued an administrative stay of Judge Sparkle's March 12 order granting Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment .
• Federal Judge Blocks Education Department Firings — Judge Orlando Garcia granted a motion to extend the previous temporary restraining order blocking the removal of the family from the district or the United States.
• Federal Judge Blocks EPA Grant Cancellations — A federal appeals court rejected President Trump's request to have Justice Department lawyers represent him in his appeal of E. Jean Carroll's defamation case. The decision maintains the separation between personal and official legal matters.
• Case update — ACLU v. United States Social Security Administration (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01217 — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from executing mass firings at the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. The decision prevents potential disruptions to civil rights enforcement.
• Stay pending appeal decided — Newsom v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-04870 — A federal judge blocked the EPA's cancellation of $600 million in environmental justice grants issued during the Biden administration. The ruling protects funding for underserved communities.
• Federal Judge Blocks Transportation Grant Conditions — Defendant Agencies answered Plaintiff's complaint. These agencies admitted that they failed to respond to Plaintiff's FOIA request, but provided several defenses to Plaintiff's action, including alleging Plaintiff is not entitled to compel the production of records under FOIA, the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff's requests, and that they did not improperly withhold the records Plaintiff requested under FOIA.
• Appeal filed — Mahmoud Khalil v. William P. Joyce et al. (D.N.J.) 2:25-cv-01963 — The Ninth Circuit granted the federal government a stay pending appeal .
• Motion denied — Darwin Antonio Arevalo Millan v. Trump (C.D. Cal.) 5:25-cv-01207 — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from tying federal transportation grant funding to immigration enforcement cooperation. The ruling protects states' rights to manage their own policies.
• Motion granted — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — Judge Farbiarz ordered Mahmoud Khalil, who is currently detained by federal immigration authorities in Louisiana, be released from custody. On that same day, the government appealed Judge Farbiarz's June 11 order granting a preliminary injunction to the Third Circuit. Note: Mahmoud Khalil submitted a notice of claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, seeking $20 million in damages from the administration for his detention. The notice alleges that Khalil's arrest and prolonged confinement were the result of discriminatory intent by Secretary Rubio, and that his treatment-including prolonged solitary confinement and denial of medical care-constituted multiple tortious acts by federal officers.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Federation of Government Employees, et al. v. Office of Personnel Management et al (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01237 — Judge Holcomb denied petitioners' ex parte application for a writ of habeas corpus, noting petitioner's detention remains permissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) because of the government's intention to appeal the grant of relief in petitioner's removal proceedings (since petitioners can remain in custody pending such appeals).
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Foreign Service Association v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01030 — Judge Boasberg granted the Defendants unopposed motion for clarification, confirming that the Defendants does not need to take further action in the district court until the D.C. Circuit issues its mandate in the appeal of his June 4 order.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Oversight v. Hegseth (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00883 — In connection with the June 9 preliminary injunction order, Judge Cote ordered OPM to file a report within two weeks describing the procedures put in place since March 6, to ensure adherence to the requirements of the Privacy Act with respect to new grant of access permissions by OPM to records containing Plaintiffs' personally identifiable information (PII). Judge Cote also ordered OPM to file a report within four weeks concerning OPM's grant of access permissions to any records containing Plaintiffs' PII made to DOGE personnel.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Open Technology Fund v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00840 — The D.C. Circuit en banc stayed the preliminary injunction order pending appeal.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — President and Fellows of Harvard College v. Department of Homeland Security (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11472 — Judge Boasberg granted in part and denied in part the Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction, granting a narrower relief by requiring that Defendants perform their mandatory notification and referral obligations, as explained in its accompanying memorandum opinion .
• Stay motion decided — State of New York v. United States Department of Education (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02990 — Judge Royce Lamberth granted Plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion, thereby enjoining Defendants from withholding congressionally appropriated funds under the grant agreement for Fiscal Year 2024 between USAGM and OTF.
• Summary judgment ruling — Association of American Universities v. National Science Foundation (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11231 — Judge Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction barring that administration from banning Harvard from participating in the State Department's Student and Visitor Exchange Program.
• Federal Judge Blocks Harvard Student Ban — The Second Circuit denied Defendants' motion to stay the district court's order, finding DOE's actions likely arbitrary and capricious under the APA-without any particularized assessment and insufficiently attentive to reliance interests-and concluding that a stay would substantially injure the plaintiff States.
• Federal Judge Orders Release of Mahmoud Khalil — The court granted Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment. Implementation of the 15% Indirect Cost Rate is vacated and declared invalid, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law. The court further ordered that within 72 hours of entry of this order, Defendants provide written notice of the order to all funding recipients affected by the 15% Indirect Cost Rate.
• — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from prohibiting Harvard University from admitting international students. The ruling prevents the implementation of a plan to remove the school from the Student and Visitor Exchange Program.
• — A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil from ICE detention on bail, citing concerns that his detention was used as punishment for his activism. Khalil is a Palestinian green card holder involved in student protests.

Supporting reports

• DOJ Requests Civil Rights Attorneys to Stay After Mass Exits — The US Department of Justice has asked civil rights division attorneys to reconsider their recent decisions to leave the department, following a significant wave of departures. This request comes after more than 250 attorneys have left or are planning to leave, representing a 70% reduction in the division's personnel. The DOJ also reached out to attorneys who were involuntarily detailed to low-level offices in April, asking them to return to their original sections. The department is reportedly struggling to staff its civil rights division to handle priorities set by the Trump administration, such as investigations into antisemitism and limiting transgender rights.

Supporting reports

• White House Removes Vice Chair of National Transportation Safety Board — The White House has removed Alvin Brown, the Black vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), marking a significant and unprecedented action in modern history. This removal raises questions about the independence of the NTSB and the potential politicization of safety oversight in aviation.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration orders mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — The Trump administration, through staff from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," issued reduction-in-force letters terminating approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees on April 17. The layoffs eliminated entire divisions including the office of servicemember affairs, office of older Americans, and office of fair lending. According to an employee declaration, the effort was managed by Gavin Kliger and staff were kept working 36 hours straight to ensure notices went out. Employees raised concerns about violations of court orders requiring "particularized assessment," but were told "all that mattered was the numbers."
• Federal judge bars Trump administration from rapid deportation policy — Federal Judge Brian Murphy on Friday barred the Trump administration from implementing a new policy that would allow it to rapidly deport hundreds or thousands of immigrants to countries other than their own without giving them an opportunity to demonstrate they face persecution, torture, or death. The ruling blocks a policy that would circumvent due process protections for asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants.
• Federal judge blocks mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's termination of approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees, announced on Thursday via reduction-in-force letters. The layoffs, orchestrated by staff from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," eliminated entire divisions including servicemember affairs, older Americans, and fair lending offices. The judge's order came after a federal appeals court had modified (but not eliminated) an earlier injunction limiting the agency's ability to terminate staff. The administration's compliance with the ruling remains unclear.

Supporting reports

• Trump appoints Alina Habba as interim U.S. attorney for District of New Jersey — On March 24, 2025, President Trump named Alina Habba, a former personal attorney and campaign spokesperson with no prosecutorial experience, as interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. Three days later, Habba stated in an interview with a far-right conspiracy theorist that she intended to use the traditionally nonpartisan role to influence New Jersey's political alignment toward Republicans. By end of May, she had opened investigations into Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matt Platkin and brought charges against Democratic Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver.
• Trump appointed Alina Habba as interim U.S. Attorney for District of New Jersey — President Trump announced that Alina Habba, currently serving as Counselor to the President and Trump's long-time personal attorney, will serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, effective immediately. The previous U.S. Attorney for New Jersey was reassigned to serve as Ambassador to Namibia, reportedly learning of his reassignment through Trump's Truth Social post.
• Trump announced Alina Habba as interim US attorney for New Jersey — On Truth Social, Trump announced Alina Habba as the interim US attorney for the District of New Jersey. Habba currently serves as counselor to the president and previously worked as a legal spokesperson for Trump. She was threatened with imprisonment by a judge in Trump's defamation trial for her behavior, sanctioned in the 2022 Clinton conspiracy case, and recently called herself a "big fan" of alleged human trafficker Andrew Tate.
• Habba states intent to use U.S. attorney office for partisan purposes — On March 27, 2025, three days after her appointment, Alina Habba told a far-right conspiracy theorist in an interview that she planned to use her role as interim U.S. attorney to influence New Jersey's political alignment. She stated, "We could turn New Jersey red. I really do believe that. Hopefully while I'm there, I can help that cause." This explicit statement of partisan intent violated the traditional nonpartisan character of the U.S. attorney role.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge orders reinstatement of fired probationary staff — A federal judge in California, William H. Alsup, issued a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of probationary federal employees who were fired from six federal agencies. The ruling is part of a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees. The judge criticized the Trump administration's justification for the firings, stating that claims of poor performance were false. The order affects employees from the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, and Treasury. The judge also restricted the Office of Personnel Management from advising agencies on terminations.
• Judge orders Musk to comply with lawsuit — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to turn over their records and answer questions in response to a lawsuit filed by 14 attorneys general from Democratic-dominated states. They are required to comply within three weeks.
• Judge orders rehiring of federal employees — Judge William Alsup ordered the Trump administration to immediately rehire tens of thousands of federal employees from various departments who were terminated due to Elon Musk's DOGE cuts. The judge criticized the administration for allegedly firing employees under false pretenses of performance issues, calling it a lie and expressing frustration over the lack of transparency in the process.
• Federal judge reinstates fired probationary workers — On March 13, 2025, a federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers at federal agencies. This decision was part of a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees. The ruling applies to employees from several departments, including Defense and Veterans Affairs, who were dismissed under claims of poor performance. The judge criticized these claims as false and prohibited the Office of Personnel Management from advising on terminations.
• Federal judges rule against Musk's firings — Two federal judges issued rulings against Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) regarding the firing of probationary employees. Judge William H. Alsup in California ruled that fired employees must be offered their jobs back, criticizing the process as a "sham." In Maryland, Judge James Bredar issued a temporary restraining order blocking further firings at 18 federal agencies. These rulings challenge Musk's cost-cutting measures, which have faced public disapproval and legal scrutiny.
• Judge orders reinstatement of federal workers — U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that federal agencies must immediately offer jobs back to thousands of probationary workers who were purged from the government early in President Trump's administration. The judge stated that the mass firings did not follow legal protocols. Additionally, Judge James Bredar ordered the reinstatement of these workers across multiple federal departments, indicating that the government likely engaged in an illegal scheme regarding the firings.
• Judge rules against mass firings — U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that the mass firings of probationary workers from various federal departments did not comply with legal requirements. The judge expressed skepticism about the government's claims regarding the firings and criticized the lack of transparency in the process.

Supporting reports

• Liz Oyer claims firing over refusal to recommend pardon — Liz Oyer, head of the DOJ office responsible for pardon recommendations, stated she was fired after refusing to recommend restoring gun rights to actor Mel Gibson. Oyer claims she faced pressure to include Gibson, who lost his gun rights due to a domestic battery conviction, in her recommendations. Her dismissal raises concerns about political interference in the pardon process.
• DoJ Official Fired After Refusing to Restore Mel Gibson's Gun Rights — Elizabeth Oyer, a pardon attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, claims she was fired after refusing to recommend the restoration of gun rights for actor Mel Gibson. Oyer, appointed under President Biden, was working on a project to restore gun ownership rights to certain individuals. She alleges that senior officials pressured her to include Gibson, a Trump ally, in the list of candidates for restored rights. Oyer resisted, citing ethical concerns about granting gun rights to someone with a history of domestic violence. Her termination was reportedly sudden, and her account was confirmed by anonymous sources.

Supporting reports

• Adam Cohen fired from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces — Adam Cohen, head of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, was fired by the Trump administration. This action is part of a broader effort to purge or sideline career officials within the administration. The firing raises concerns about the politicization of law enforcement agencies and the impact on efforts to combat organized crime.