Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Defense Department announced withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany — On Friday, the Defense Department announced it was pulling 5,000 troops from Germany and cancelling a plan formulated under the Biden administration to deploy an artillery unit equipped with missiles in Europe. The U.S. had increased its European presence after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. These moves will return U.S. forces to pre-invasion levels. Senior defense officials indicated the force reduction was intended as punishment for Germany after Chancellor Merz's criticism of Trump's Iran strategy. U.S. bases in Germany serve as staging areas for U.S. operations in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
• Trump announced withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. — Trump announced the immediate withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, with more withdrawals to follow. The decision came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told students the US was "being humiliated by the Iranian leadership." Nearly 40,000 US troops are currently stationed in Germany, the largest contingent in Europe.
• Trump suggested withdrawing troops from Spain and Italy — On Thursday, President Trump suggested to reporters that he might also pull troops out of Spain and Italy, stating "Why shouldn't I? Italy has not been of any help to us. And Spain has been horrible. Absolutely horrible."

Supporting reports

• Trump orders Navy to shoot Iranian boats near Strait of Hormuz based on nonexistent minesweeping operation — President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot Iranian boats near the Strait of Hormuz, citing a minesweeping operation that does not exist. The order represents a direct military command based on a false premise, escalating tensions in a critical international waterway and potentially violating rules of engagement and international law governing naval operations in contested waters.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatened renewed military action if ceasefire terms not met — By Wednesday night, Trump backed away from celebratory statements about the ceasefire and posted a lengthy threat that all U.S. military assets would remain in place around Iran until the "REAL AGREEMENT" was fully complied with. He threatened that if compliance did not occur, "the 'Shootin' Starts,' bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before," and reiterated demands that Iran have no nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz remain open.
• Trump threatens military action against Iran while contradicting his own deal claims — Trump posted threats on Truth Social declaring that all U.S. ships, aircraft, and military personnel will remain positioned around Iran until the "REAL AGREEMENT" is fully complied with. He threatened that if compliance does not occur, "Shootin' Starts, bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before." Trump also announced that Iran agreed to no nuclear weapons and an open Strait of Hormuz—terms that directly contradict his simultaneous claim that the ten-point framework is a fake hoax, since those terms originate from that framework. He stated the U.S. military is "Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest."
• Trump threatened renewed military action against Iran — Trump posted on Truth Social that all U.S. ships, aircraft, and military personnel will remain in place around Iran with additional ammunition and weaponry for the "lethal prosecution and destruction" of Iran until the ceasefire agreement is fully complied with. He stated that if compliance does not occur, "the 'Shootin' Starts," bigger and stronger than ever before. He also reiterated that no nuclear weapons and an open Strait of Hormuz were agreed terms.

Supporting reports

• Trump proclaims commitment to countering cartel criminal activity in Western Hemisphere — President Trump issued Proclamation 11015 on March 7, 2026, declaring a sustained U.S. commitment to dismantling cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. The proclamation designates cartels and transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, announces the establishment of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition comprising military leaders from 17 countries, and commits to coordinating with allies to deprive these organizations of territory, financing, and resources. The proclamation authorizes use of "any necessary resources and legally available authorities" and calls for training and mobilizing partner nation militaries to achieve effective fighting forces.
• Trump issued proclamation on countering cartel criminal activity in Western Hemisphere — President Trump issued a proclamation on March 7, 2026, declaring commitment to dismantling cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. The proclamation states the administration has designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, established the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition with 17 countries, and commits to using "any necessary resources and legally available authorities" to defeat these threats. It directs coordination with allies to deprive organizations of territory, financing, and resources, and to train and mobilize partner nation militaries.

Supporting reports

• Secretary Noem contradicted by ICE and CBP on domestic terrorism designation — During Senate hearings, Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott and ICE Director Lyons both denied that they had provided Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem with an assessment that Alex Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism. However, Noem had repeatedly stated publicly that she only referred to Pretti as a domestic terrorist because that is what ICE and CBP told her. The contradiction suggests Noem may have misrepresented the basis for her characterization.
• Sen. Gary Peters questioned whether Noem was told Pretti was domestic terrorist — Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott and ICE Director Lyons whether they had provided Secretary Noem with an assessment that Alex Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism. Both officials answered no. Peters then asked how Noem could possibly have come to that conclusion to tell the American public, and Scott responded that he could not speculate on what someone else would say or why.
• Wall Street Journal reports chaos at DHS under Noem and Lewandowski — Wall Street Journal reporters Michelle Hackman, Josh Dawsey, and Tarini Parti published an investigation describing the Department of Homeland Security as in chaos under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her advisor Corey Lewandowski. The reporters documented that Noem and Lewandowski are using DHS for personal aggrandizement with an eye to elevating Noem to the presidency, including focus on image, firing or demoting 80% of career field leadership, apparent steering of contracts to allies, and excessive demands including a luxury 737 MAX jet for their travel. DHS is currently leasing the $70 million plane and is in the process of buying it.
• Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski misused DHS resources for personal and political purposes — Wall Street Journal reporting revealed that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and her adviser Corey Lewandowski used departmental resources for personal and political benefit, including using a luxury 737 MAX jet (being acquired for approximately $70 million) for travel, firing a U.S. Coast Guard pilot over a blanket left on a plane, and attempting to obtain law-enforcement badges and guns for political appointees without proper training. The reporting also documented their public denial of an alleged affair while showing little effort to hide their relationship within the department.
• Coast Guard pilot fired over Kristi Noem's blanket, later reinstated — According to a Wall Street Journal report, a U.S. Coast Guard pilot was fired by Corey Lewandowski, described as Kristi Noem's close adviser, after Noem's personal blanket was left behind on a plane. The pilot was later reinstated because no one else was available to fly the leadership home. The incident reflects broader politicization and culture of intimidation within the Department of Homeland Security.
• DHS pushes for political appointees to receive federal badges and weapons — According to a Wall Street Journal report, Kristi Noem's close adviser Corey Lewandowski pushed for political appointees to receive federal badges and weapons. The moves alarmed career officials and deepened concerns about the politicization of law enforcement within the Department of Homeland Security.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act and deploy troops to Minneapolis — According to reporting in the article, Donald Trump recently threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and send troops to Minneapolis in response to the ICE shooting and subsequent protests. A journalism professor quoted in the article noted that Trump's threat signals Minneapolis will remain an epicenter of ICE activity and counter-protests.
• Trump claims authority to deploy troops to Minneapolis and Saint Paul — President Trump claimed authority to send federal troops into Minneapolis and Saint Paul amid protests against ICE operations. The White House is openly floating the use of military force against Americans exercising their constitutional rights. Federal agents have already deployed heavily armed personnel, deployed chemical agents, and targeted peaceful protesters in these operations.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration conducted military strikes on Venezuela without congressional authorization — President Trump announced on January 3 that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and stated the administration would run Venezuela and control its oil fields. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on Sunday talk shows to defend the strikes, characterizing them as a law enforcement operation rather than military action. However, reporting indicates at least 80 people were killed in the operation, and Trump explicitly told media the U.S. intends to take control of Venezuela's government and resources.
• Trump administration ordered U.S. Military to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro without Congressional authorization — On January 3, 2026, President Trump ordered the U.S. Military to conduct a raid that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Venezuelan territory without seeking Congressional authorization. Trump initially claimed the action was based on Maduro's alleged membership in a drug cartel called "Cartel de los Soles," but later admitted no such cartel exists. Trump subsequently announced that Venezuela would transfer 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, suggesting resource seizure as a motivation. The raid violated established international norms governing state sovereignty and the treatment of foreign heads of state.
• Trump administration conducts military raid capturing Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro — Top Trump officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen Dan Caine briefed all 100 US senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, a special forces raid that captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas on January 3 and transported them to a New York jail. Rubio outlined a three-phase plan involving stabilization, oil market access for US companies, and extracting 30–50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market rates. Republicans defended the operation as law enforcement against an indicted drug trafficker; Democrats condemned it as an illegal act of war undertaken without congressional consultation, with Senator Chris Murphy stating the administration plans to "steal Venezuelan oil at gunpoint."
• Military captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife — On January 3, 2026, the military captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump had previously suggested he was determined to end what he called "narco-terrorist" activity in Venezuela. Upon Maduro's capture, Trump made clear his intent to control Venezuela's oil resources.
• Trump administration launched military strike on Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro — In the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026, the Trump administration ordered the military to conduct a strike against Venezuela, seize President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, and fly them to New York City to face federal charges announced by the Southern District of New York. The operation, called "Operation Absolute Resolve," was conducted without consulting Congress and in apparent violation of international law. At least 40 civilians and military personnel were killed in the strike, which hit a three-story apartment building.
• Trump ordered military invasion of Venezuela to capture President Maduro and seize oil assets — Trump ordered a military invasion of Venezuela using special forces to capture President Nicolás Maduro, who is under criminal indictment in the U.S. Trump explicitly stated the primary objective was to seize control of Venezuela's government and oil assets. Trump announced the U.S. would directly run Venezuela's government and oil infrastructure, with American oil companies investing billions in exchange for reimbursement from extracted oil revenues. Trump stated U.S. military personnel would remain on the ground and threatened Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez with severe consequences if she did not comply with U.S. directives.
• Trump authorized strikes in Venezuela and abduction of Maduro — In the middle of the night on January 3, Trump authorized a series of strikes in Venezuela, as well as the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the US military. The illegal strikes took place without congressional authority. Maduro and Flores were transported to New York, where they face drug and weapons charges. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was subsequently sworn in as interim president following Maduro's kidnapping.
• United States military operation in Venezuela captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife — The U.S. carried out a large-scale military operation in and around Caracas, Venezuela, and seized Nicolás Maduro and his wife. They were transported to the United States to face charges related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking allegations. The President publicly celebrated the operation and spoke in terms suggesting temporary U.S. control of Venezuela. Multiple governments have condemned the action as a violation of international law, and the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet Monday to address the matter.
• Trump administration conducted airstrikes in Venezuela and captured Maduro — On January 3, 2026, the Trump administration conducted nighttime airstrikes in Venezuela and removed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, transporting them to New York to face federal narcoterrorism and drug-trafficking charges. This action followed months of strikes against small boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that Trump claimed, without evidence, were operated by narcoterrorists from Venezuela, and seizures of vessels allegedly carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
• Trump administration conducts lethal military strikes against Venezuelan targets without congressional authorization — Since September 2025, the Trump administration has conducted approximately 35 lethal strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats off Venezuela's coast, resulting in at least 115 deaths. Additionally, a massive military deployment off Venezuela's shores, including the largest U.S. aircraft carrier, was carried out without seeking congressional authorization. These actions were justified through executive orders declaring Venezuelan leaders "narco-terrorists" and invoking post-2001 war-on-terror legal frameworks.
• Trump administration detains Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without prior congressional notification — The Trump administration conducted a military operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia, without alerting Congress in advance. Senior congressional leaders, including the "gang of eight," were informed only after the operation had begun. The administration justified the withholding of information by citing security concerns and the need for operational secrecy. The action bypassed the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires presidential notification to Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops into hostilities.
• US special forces capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in military raid ordered by Trump — US special forces conducted a pre-dawn military operation in Caracas on Saturday, capturing Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The raid resulted in at least 40 deaths, including civilians and Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel. Maduro was transported to Manhattan and arraigned in federal court on Monday on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges. He pleaded not guilty. The operation sparked international condemnation at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, with multiple countries calling it a "crime of aggression" and a breach of international law.
• Trump orders military raid capturing Venezuelan President Maduro — President Trump ordered a Saturday morning military raid in which U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro was transported to New York to face criminal charges. Trump subsequently announced the U.S. would "run" Venezuela indefinitely. Legal experts stated the action violated U.S. and international law. The raid occurred without prior congressional authorization or public debate.
• US military forces capture and extract Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela; Maduro arraigned in New York federal court on drug trafficking and weapons charges — US military forces conducted an operation that resulted in the forcible removal and capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela. Maduro was transported to New York and arraigned in federal court on charges related to international drug trafficking and weapons trafficking. The operation involved a US military attack on Venezuelan territory. Maduro pleaded not guilty to the charges. The arraignment drew dozens of protesters outside the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan, divided between those celebrating Maduro's detention and those opposing US intervention in Venezuela.
• Barry Pollack retained as counsel for Nicolás Maduro in US federal court — Nicolás Maduro, the captured Venezuelan president, appeared in federal court in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of drug-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. He was represented by Barry Pollack, a prominent US trial lawyer previously known for securing Julian Assange's release from UK prison in 2024. Pollack questioned the legality of Maduro's abduction by US forces in a raid on Caracas and argued Maduro is entitled to immunity as a sovereign head of state.
• Maduro arraigned in Manhattan federal court on drug and narco-terrorism charges — Nicolás Maduro appeared before federal judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan on Monday for arraignment on four federal criminal counts including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Maduro, who was first indicted in 2020, pleaded not guilty and claimed he remained the legitimate president of Venezuela and was being held as a prisoner of war. His wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty to related charges.
• Nicolás Maduro arraigned in Manhattan federal court on narco-terrorism charges following US military capture in Caracas — Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan president, was captured in Caracas on January 3 and arraigned in Manhattan federal court on January 6 on narco-terrorism charges brought by the Trump Justice Department. Maduro entered a not guilty plea while making defiant statements about his legitimacy and characterizing his capture as a kidnapping. His wife, Cilia Flores, also appeared and pleaded not guilty. Judge Alvin Hellerstein scheduled a case conference for March 17. Neither defendant requested bail at this stage but reserved the right to do so later.
• Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in US court after capture — Nicolás Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, pleaded not guilty to charges of drugs, weapons, and "narco-terrorism" in a US federal court in Manhattan. His capture was part of a US special forces operation ordered by Donald Trump, which has been condemned by several countries as a "crime of aggression." The operation has raised concerns about breaches of international law and has led to an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Maduro's arraignment follows his indictment in 2020 for drug trafficking-related charges.
• US military operation captures Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela — US special forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas, ordered by Donald Trump. The operation resulted in at least 40 deaths, including civilians and security personnel. The US justified the intervention as necessary to combat drug trafficking, but it has been widely condemned as a breach of international law. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to address the situation, with several countries condemning the US action as a "crime of aggression."
• Trump administration launches military operation to abduct Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro — The U.S. military, under President Trump's direction, conducted a night-time operation that forcibly abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, resulting in dozens of deaths. Trump subsequently backed Maduro's former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, to lead the country. The operation, termed "Operation Absolute Resolve," represents a significant military intervention in Latin America and a departure from Trump's stated 2024 campaign pledge to avoid foreign wars and "put America first."
• Trump announces U.S. control over Venezuelan oil — President Trump declared that the interim authorities in Venezuela would turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, stating that the proceeds would be controlled by him to benefit both Venezuela and the U.S. This announcement indicates a shift towards direct U.S. control over Venezuelan resources.
• Trump threatens Greenland with military action — President Trump stated that the U.S. needs Greenland for national defense, implying potential military action against the self-governing territory, which is part of Denmark. This statement contradicts established NATO agreements and raises concerns about U.S. military intentions.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announced removal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland — Following the Supreme Court's December 23 rejection of its deployment authority, the Trump administration announced on December 31, 2025 that it would remove National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. Trump claimed the troops had "greatly reduced" crime and vowed to return "in a much different and stronger form" when crime rises again.
• Trump announces end of National Guard deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland — On December 31, 2025, President Trump announced he was ending his National Guard deployment in Los Angeles and his attempted military takeovers in Chicago and Portland. This retreat followed a Supreme Court ruling one week prior that upheld a lower court decision halting his efforts to send hundreds of Guard troops into Chicago. The Court determined Trump lacked authority to invoke an archaic law to federalize Illinois Guard troops. Trump signaled he may return to Democratic-led cities "in a much different and stronger form," hinting at potential invocation of the Insurrection Act.
• Trump administration withdraws national guard deployment orders from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland — Following a California court ruling that returned national guard troops to state authority and a U.S. Supreme Court block on Illinois deployment, the Trump administration announced withdrawal of federal troops from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. The Department of Justice ceased contesting the California court's decision, effectively ending the administration's attempt to maintain federal control over state national guard units in these Democratic-led cities. Trump framed the move as temporary, pledging to redeploy troops later.
• Trump announces withdrawal of National Guard deployments from major cities — Trump announced the withdrawal of National Guard deployments from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, while simultaneously threatening to redeploy them "in a much different and stronger form" if crime allegedly surged. This announcement came after Trump lost multiple court challenges to the deployments, including a 6-3 Supreme Court ruling the previous week that found his justification for sending National Guard to Chicago insufficient.

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• Trump signed executive order designating fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" — On December 15, Trump signed an executive order formally classifying illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as "Weapons of Mass Destruction," arguing fentanyl is "closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic." The order directs DOJ to pursue fentanyl trafficking prosecutions, contemplates DoD resources supporting enforcement, and instructs DHS to identify fentanyl threat networks using WMD and nonproliferation intelligence tools. The classification empowers the Pentagon to assist law enforcement and allows intelligence agencies to deploy tools normally reserved for countering weapons proliferation.
• Trump designates illicit fentanyl and precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction via Executive Order 14367 — President Trump signed Executive Order 14367 on December 15, 2025, designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction. The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced investigations and prosecutions; the Secretaries of State and Treasury to pursue asset and financial sanctions; the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ enforcement; the Secretary of War to update Armed Forces directives on chemical incident response to include fentanyl threats; and the Secretary of Homeland Security to employ WMD and nonproliferation threat intelligence for counter-fentanyl operations.
• Trump designates illicit fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on December 15, 2025, designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced prosecutions and sentencing; the Secretaries of State and Treasury to target assets and financial institutions involved in fentanyl trafficking; the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ enforcement; and the Secretary of Homeland Security to integrate WMD-related threat intelligence into counter-fentanyl operations. The order frames fentanyl as a national security threat comparable to chemical weapons.
• Trump signed executive order designating illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction — President Trump signed Executive Order 14367 on December 15, 2025, designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction. The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced prosecutions and sentencing; the Secretaries of State and Treasury to pursue asset seizures and financial sanctions against fentanyl traffickers; the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ enforcement; the Secretary of War to update armed forces directives on chemical incidents to include fentanyl; and the Secretary of Homeland Security to use WMD and nonproliferation threat intelligence for counter-fentanyl operations.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order designating fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction — The White House published a fact sheet on December 15, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that designates illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction. The order directs the Attorney General to pursue enhanced criminal charges and sentencing in fentanyl cases; instructs the Secretaries of State and Treasury to pursue asset seizures and financial sanctions against fentanyl networks; directs the Secretary of War and Attorney General to assess whether military resources should support DOJ in WMD-related emergencies; and orders updates to chemical incident response protocols and enhanced intelligence gathering on fentanyl smuggling networks.
• Trump signs executive order designating fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction — Trump signed an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The order directs the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute groups trafficking fentanyl and orders the Defense Department to determine if military resources are needed to help the DOJ conduct federal law enforcement to combat the threat of fentanyl.
• Trump signed executive order designating illicit fentanyl as "weapon of mass destruction" — Trump signed an executive order classifying illicit fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction," a designation typically reserved for chemical and biological threats. The move activates national-security enforcement tools and reframes drug enforcement as wartime escalation. The White House issued a fact sheet detailing the directive to federal agencies.

Supporting reports

• US military conducts lethal strikes on boats in Eastern Pacific — The US Southern Command announced that, at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US military conducted lethal strikes on three boats in the Eastern Pacific, killing a total of eight people.
• U.S. military strikes three boats in eastern Pacific, killing eight people — U.S. Southern Command announced that the military conducted strikes on three small boats in the eastern Pacific at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, killing eight people. The command claimed intelligence confirmed the vessels were engaged in narco-trafficking. This brings the total death toll from U.S. strikes to at least 95. Legal experts dispute the administration's claim of an "armed conflict" against drug cartels and say the U.S. has no legal basis for the strikes.
• Sen. Rand Paul warned against regime change wars in South America — Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) warned on NBC that if the Trump administration continues toppling regimes in South America, there is "no amount of money that could be printed to pay for that" and lives should not be lost without a congressional vote. Paul's statement was made in response to Trump's warning to Colombia that it "could be next" after the administration's military escalation against Venezuela.
• Rep. Mike Turner expressed grave concern about boat strikes in Venezuela — Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) stated on ABC that there is "very grave concern in Congress" about boat strikes occurring in Venezuela. Turner noted that the individuals conducting the strikes are not being subject to criminal prosecution, and if they were, there would be no capital punishment available. Turner's statement indicates congressional concern about the legality and accountability of military operations against Venezuela.
• Sen. Jack Reed warned about consequences of violating laws of war — Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) stated on Fox that the U.S. must follow the law of war and can expect other countries to do the same. He warned that if the U.S. does not follow the law of war, it cannot expect other countries to protect American service members in distress, refrain from shooting wounded personnel in the water, or avoid leaving wounded soldiers to die. Reed's statement was made in response to the administration's military operations against Venezuela.
• Pentagon lawyers proposed sending boat strike survivors to El Salvador megaprison — The New York Times reported on December 9 that Pentagon lawyers raised the prospect of sending survivors of a mid-October boat strike in the Caribbean to El Salvador's megaprison in an effort to ensure they don't end up in the US court system, where the Trump administration could be forced to present evidence justifying their strikes in the region. The proposal represents an attempt to evade judicial accountability.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced mounting Republican criticism over a potentially illegal order to kill survivors of a Caribbean boat strike. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding an order that allegedly directed the killing of survivors from a Caribbean boat strike. The order was characterized as potentially illegal. This incident contributed to broader concerns about dysfunction within the Trump administration and raised questions about the legality and ethics of military directives under the current leadership.
• Pentagon conducts military strikes on Venezuelan vessels; at least 95 killed since September — The Pentagon conducted strikes on three boats accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific near Venezuela, killing eight people. This action is part of an escalating campaign that has included more than 20 strikes since September 2, resulting in at least 95 deaths. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refused to release video footage of a September 2 attack, citing national security and "longstanding Department of War policy." The administration defends the strikes as preventing drugs from reaching U.S. shores, though Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles confirmed in a Vanity Fair interview that the campaign aims to oust Maduro.

Supporting reports

• White House claimed September 2 boat strike was lawful self-defense — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration believes the September 2 strike on a boat off Venezuela was lawful because it "was conducted in self defense to protect Americans and vital United States interests." This justification would permit the president or those acting in his name to be judge, jury, and executioner without regard to law. Leavitt attributed the orders to Admiral Bradley rather than Defense Secretary Hegseth.
• Trump administration announced formal armed conflict determination against drug cartels — The Trump administration announced that President Donald Trump has "determined" the United States is in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that individuals aboard targeted boats are formally designated "combatants." This determination was made without providing the legal authority required to support such a classification. The administration announced the strikes on September 4 and informed Congress to ensure it was "fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution," but has since ignored that resolution's requirement for congressional approval for hostile actions continuing longer than 60 days, a deadline that passed in early November.
• Trump administration asserts formal armed conflict with drug cartels without legal authority — The Trump administration declared that President Trump has "determined" the U.S. is in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that individuals on targeted boats are formally "combatants." The administration notified Congress of strikes on September 4 under the War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional approval for hostile actions continuing longer than 60 days. That deadline passed in early November 2025, yet Trump has not sought or obtained congressional approval and has ignored the War Powers Resolution requirement. Legal experts have stated the operation lacks lawful foundation, as civilians engaged in trade—even illicit trade—are not enemy combatants under international law.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Jason Crow detailed Trump's threats to use military unlawfully — Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) appeared on CBS and detailed Trump's threats to use the military in unlawful ways, including sending troops into Chicago, into polling stations, killing terrorists' families, and shooting peaceful protesters. Crow stated that Trump cannot tolerate members of Congress reminding service members of their constitutional duty to obey the law and resorts to threats of violence and arrest.
• Pentagon announces investigation of Senator Mark Kelly for video calling troops to refuse illegal orders — The Pentagon announced an investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, after he participated in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on US troops to refuse unlawful orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the video was "despicable" and that Kelly's conduct undermines military discipline. The Pentagon cited federal law allowing recall of retired service members to active duty for possible court-martial. Kelly responded that the investigation was meant to intimidate Congress and vowed not to be silenced.
• Defense Department announced investigation of Senator Kelly for alleged misconduct and threatened recall to active duty — The Defense Department posted on social media that it was investigating Senator Mark Kelly following "serious allegations of misconduct" and suggested that Kelly could be recalled to active duty "for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures." This announcement came after Kelly participated in a November 18 video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel of their legal right and duty to refuse unlawful orders.
• Department of War initiated review of Senator Mark Kelly for potential court-martial — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War has initiated a review of retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for potential recall to active duty and court-martial proceedings. The review stems from a video Kelly made with five other Democratic lawmakers informing service members of their constitutional duty to refuse unlawful orders. The DOD statement cited 10 U.S.C. § 688 and 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits actions intended to interfere with military loyalty, morale, and discipline. Hegseth characterized the video as "despicable" and "seditious."
• Trump posted threats against Senator Mark Kelly — President Trump posted on social media that Senator Mark Kelly should be "arrested, hanged, and put to death" in response to Kelly's video encouraging service members to follow the Constitution and refuse unlawful orders. Kelly responded by reaffirming his oath to the Constitution and stating that Trump's threats would not intimidate him or other members of Congress from holding the administration accountable.
• Pete Hegseth orders Navy investigation into Mark Kelly's video comments — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum to Navy Secretary John Phelan on Tuesday ordering an investigation into "potentially unlawful comments" made by Senator Mark Kelly and fellow Democrats in a social media video encouraging military personnel to refuse unlawful orders. The Pentagon had already announced an investigation on Monday. Hegseth requested a brief by December 10. The group faces FBI counter-terrorism inquiry and potential court-martial proceedings.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Navy review of Senator Kelly — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a memo directing the Navy secretary to review Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for "potentially unlawful conduct" related to the viral video where Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to resist illegal orders. The memo requested the Navy review be completed and briefed to Hegseth by December 10.
• Defense Secretary threatens Senator with court martial over military dissent video — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Senator Mark Kelly with court martial after Kelly recorded a video with five Democratic lawmakers warning military members to question unlawful orders, apparently in reference to the Caribbean boat strikes. The threat represents potential retaliation against a senator for encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth threatens court martial of Senator Mark Kelly — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court martial Senator Mark Kelly in response to Kelly's video urging military personnel to follow the law and refuse illegal orders. Hegseth called the video "sedition" and made deranged social media posts attacking Kelly's uniform and medals, later claiming Kelly's image was reversed by his phone. Kelly responded that the threat was about intimidation and the media cycle, not law, and refused to be silenced.
• Trump threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly over military discipline video — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly released a video with five other Democratic lawmakers urging military members not to follow illegal orders. The video was released in response to the alleged illegal directives issued by Hegseth regarding lethal operations.

Supporting reports

• Trump stated he could invoke the Insurrection Act without judicial review — During the 60 Minutes interview, Trump stated that if he needed to send the Army or Marines into cities, he would do so "in a heartbeat" using the Insurrection Act, claiming "no judge can even challenge you on that. If I wanted to I could."
• Trump claims he can invoke Insurrection Act without judicial review — During a 60 Minutes interview, Trump said he would send the Army or Marines into US cities "in a heartbeat" and claimed no judge could challenge his invocation of the Insurrection Act if he did so.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces federalization of National Guard and deployment to Democratic-led cities — During a speech in Japan on October 29, President Trump announced he is federalizing National Guard troops and deploying them into Democratic-led cities, stating the purpose is to "have safe cities." Trump also repeated false claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. When pressed by reporters, Trump referenced the Insurrection Act, claiming that if invoked, it would allow him to deploy military forces without court involvement, though the Act legally applies only during actual insurrection or rebellion.
• Trump said he would deploy Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to US cities — Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he would be willing to deploy other branches of the military into US cities, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Without naming the Insurrection Act, Trump said, "If I want to enact a certain act, I'm allowed to do it," adding that "I'd be allowed to do whatever I want" and claiming that "the courts wouldn't get involved."
• Trump stated he could deploy any military branch into American cities without court involvement. — When asked about his prior statement regarding sending "more than the National Guard" into American cities, Trump stated he was "allowed to do that" and could deploy the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines as he wished. Trump asserted that "the courts wouldn't get involved. Nobody would get involved" and that "I could send anybody I wanted."

Supporting reports

• White House demolition of East Wing began without National Capital Planning Commission approval — Demolition of the White House East Wing commenced on October 20, 2025, without formal submission to or approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency statutorily required to review major construction and renovation projects on federal property in Washington, D.C. The East Wing, which housed First Lady offices for 48 years and served as a workspace for policy initiatives by multiple First Ladies, is being demolished to make way for a privately funded ballroom estimated at $250–$300 million. President Trump appointed Will Scharf, his White House Staff Secretary, to chair the Commission; Scharf argued the Commission has jurisdiction only over construction, not demolition, creating a procedural loophole.
• National Nuclear Security Administration furloughs 80% of workforce during government shutdown — The National Nuclear Security Administration announced it will furlough approximately 1,400 employees (80% of its workforce) starting Monday, October 20, 2025, due to exhausted carryover funding during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Only 375 essential staff will remain to handle critical safety operations including nuclear material monitoring, equipment maintenance, and reactor safety. The shutdown has now become the longest complete government-wide funding lapse in U.S. history, surpassing the 16-day 2013 shutdown. Most scientific research, stockpile maintenance, and global security programs will be suspended.
• Trump administration begins demolition of White House East Wing for $250 million ballroom construction — Construction crews began demolishing part of the White House East Wing to make way for a $250 million ballroom project announced by Trump in July. Trump announced on Truth Social that "ground has been broken on the White House" and stated the project would be privately funded with zero cost to taxpayers, though it involves unnamed donors and corporate representatives including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin. The project is expected to be completed by January 2029. Democratic congressman Mark Takano proposed legislation to prohibit federal funds for White House construction during government shutdowns.
• Trump administration begins demolition of White House East Wing without approval — Demolition crews began tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make way for Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction of federal buildings, has not signed off on the destruction. In September, the Trump-appointed head of the commission, Will Scharf, claimed the board has no jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation. As of the time of reporting, the White House had not submitted building plans to the National Capital Planning Commission.
• Trump bulldozes East Wing of the White House on October 20 — On Monday, October 20, President Trump began to bulldoze the East Wing of the White House, the People's House. The demolition of a historic structure symbolized the administration's disregard for institutional continuity and public property.
• Trump ordered physical destruction of White House East Wing to construct ballroom — Trump began demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make room for a ballroom styled after his Mar-a-Lago property. The work commenced on the date reported, representing a significant alteration to the historic structure. No congressional authorization or public process was described in the source material.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens use of Insurrection Act against American cities — On the morning of October 19, 2025, President Trump told Fox News Channel host Maria Bartiromo that he could invoke the Insurrection Act, stating "Don't forget I can use the Insurrection Act. Fifty percent of the presidents almost have used that. And that's unquestioned power. I choose not to, I'd rather do this, but I'm met constantly by fake politicians." He framed the threat in terms of ensuring "safety" in cities, implying military or federal force could be deployed against American civilians and local governments.
• Trump falsely claimed presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act 28 times and threatened to use it to deploy troops to cities — Trump stated he can "always use the Insurrection Act" to send more troops to U.S. cities and falsely claimed that one president invoked it 28 times. In reality, the Insurrection Act has been invoked only 30 times in over 230 years, with President Ulysses S. Grant invoking it six times. Trump specifically threatened to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco and other Democratic-run cities, claiming they are "unsafe" and "disasters."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration seeks Supreme Court override of Illinois National Guard deployment block — The Trump administration's Justice Department filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday requesting permission to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, after lower courts halted the deployment. The administration claimed federal agents faced threats and assaults in Chicago and Broadview. A federal appeals court had upheld the lower court's injunction on Thursday. The administration has already deployed Guard units to multiple Democratic-led cities including Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington DC, framing military intervention as necessary for immigration enforcement and public order.
• Trump administration petitions Supreme Court to override Chicago ruling — Following the Seventh Circuit's affirmation of Judge Perry's block on national guard deployment to Chicago, the Trump administration filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court requesting that the Court pause the lower court rulings and permit national guard deployment to Chicago streets.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to sidestep court orders blocking Guard deployments — In response to recent court orders blocking military deployments, Trump and senior White House officials raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the president's most powerful emergency authorities. The rarely used law allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or lawless behavior. The act is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday that he may invoke the act to sidestep court rulings blocking the dispatch of Guard troops, saying "It's been invoked before. We have an Insurrection Act for a reason."

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance said Trump considering Insurrection Act invocation for National Guard deployment — On NBC's "Meet the Press," Vice President JD Vance said Trump is "looking at all of his options" to deploy National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities, including invoking the Insurrection Act. He noted that while Trump "has not felt like he needed to" invoke the Insurrection Act "right now," he also hasn't ruled out doing so.
• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to sidestep court orders blocking Guard deployments — In response to recent court orders blocking military deployments, Trump and senior White House officials raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the president's most powerful emergency authorities. The rarely used law allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or lawless behavior. The act is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday that he may invoke the act to sidestep court rulings blocking the dispatch of Guard troops, saying "It's been invoked before. We have an Insurrection Act for a reason."

Supporting reports

• Stephen Miller announced alternative federal deployment options — Stephen Miller stated that the administration would abide by the court ruling insofar as it affects the covered parties, but asserted that the president has "many options" to deploy federal resources and U.S. military to Portland. This statement suggested the administration would seek alternative legal pathways to deploy military or federal forces despite the court order.
• Trump officials discussed invoking Insurrection Act — NBC News reported that Trump administration officials have engaged in increasingly serious discussions about the president invoking the Insurrection Act, though a decision to do so wasn't expected to happen imminently.
• Stephen Miller claims president has plenary authority to use military against citizens — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller stated in a CNN interview that the president possesses "plenary authority"—complete, unchecked power—to use the military to suppress what he characterized as an "insurrection." Miller abruptly stopped speaking mid-sentence after making this claim. The statement echoes arguments that exceptions to the rule of law reveal where true power rests in a society, a concept central to Carl Schmitt's political philosophy.
• Trump declared at least eight national emergencies since January 2025 — Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has declared at least eight national emergencies, which it has used to justify the invocation of emergency powers for various policy objectives.
• White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller asserted "plenary" presidential authority under Title 10 — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller claimed that the president's power under Title 10 to federalize National Guard troops is "plenary," or absolute. This assertion of unlimited executive authority was made in the context of the National Guard deployment to Illinois for ICE enforcement operations.
• White House officials discussed invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops — White House officials, led by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have been having increasingly serious discussions about having Trump invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops to suppress domestic unrest. The Insurrection Act permits the president to deploy troops to suppress insurrection, domestic violence, or unlawful combinations that obstruct the execution of federal law.
• Senate authorized executive deadly-force authority against drug cartels without congressional approval — The U.S. Senate voted 48–51 to permit the president to order deadly force against drug cartels without requiring congressional authorization. Two Republicans (Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski) opposed; one Democrat (John Fetterman) voted in favor. The article notes the authority has already been used in Caribbean boat strikes resulting in at least 21 deaths, and Congress has not been provided evidence that the targeted boats carried narcotics. The vote grants this power to all future presidents regardless of party.

Supporting reports

• White House authorizes deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members — On Saturday afternoon, a White House spokesperson announced that Trump has "authorized" the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members. Governor Pritzker later stated he had been informed that members of the Texas National Guard would also be deployed to Illinois, further expanding federal military presence in the state without state consent.
• Trump issued presidential memorandum calling 300+ Illinois National Guard into federal service to protect federal personnel and property in Illinois — President Trump issued a presidential memorandum on October 4, 2025, directing the Secretary of War to call at least 300 members of the Illinois National Guard into federal service. The memorandum states that federal facilities in Illinois, particularly those supporting ICE and Federal Protective Services, have faced "coordinated assault by violent groups" seeking to obstruct federal law enforcement and impede deportations. Trump determined that regular U.S. forces are insufficient and that the situation warrants mobilization. The National Guard personnel are authorized to perform protective activities the Secretary of War deems necessary to ensure federal law execution, with a 60-day duration or at the Secretary's discretion.
• Trump authorized deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago — Trump authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the move unnecessary and a "manufactured performance—not a serious effort to protect public safety," signaling state-level resistance to the federal deployment order.
• Trump administration deploys 300 California National Guard troops to Portland — On Sunday, October 5, blocked from deploying Oregon National Guard troops in Portland by Judge Immergut's ruling, the Trump administration deployed 300 California National Guard troops to Portland instead. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment, characterizing it as "a breathtaking abuse of the law and power" and stating the Trump administration is "unapologetically attacking the rule of law itself and putting into action their dangerous words—ignoring court orders and treating judges, even those appointed by the President himself, as political opponents."
• Trump administration deploys national guard troops to Portland despite judicial order — The Pentagon deployed 200 national guard members from California to Oregon on Sunday, and the Trump administration announced plans to send additional troops from Texas, directly after Judge Immergut's temporary restraining order. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reported that 101 California national guard members arrived by plane on Saturday night with no formal federal communication and unverified locations. The administration proceeded without state authorization or coordination.
• Trump administration orders Texas national guard deployment to Illinois without state authorization — The Trump administration ordered 400 members of the Texas national guard to deploy to Illinois, Oregon, and other states without communicating with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated he "fully authorized" Trump to deploy the troops. Chicago could see Texas troops deployed by Tuesday or Wednesday as the administration moves to federalize the Illinois national guard.
• Trump authorizes national guard deployment to Chicago — President Trump authorized deployment of 300 Illinois national guard troops to Chicago, citing "violent riots and lawlessness." The deployment follows a border patrol shooting of a woman on Chicago's southwest side during an operation where agents reported being rammed by vehicles. Governor JB Pritzker opposed the move, calling it unnecessary and stating the Pentagon issued an ultimatum to deploy troops or face federal deployment. The action occurs amid an intensified immigration enforcement crackdown by ICE in the city.
• Trump Authorizes Deployment of Illinois National Guard — President Trump authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members to assist in protecting federal facilities, following a demand for the state to call up its troops. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized this action as an overreach of federal power.
• Trump administration announces deployment of California national guard to Portland — Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced that approximately 200 federalized members of the California national guard were being reassigned from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon at the direction of President Trump to support ICE and other federal personnel and protect federal property. This deployment occurred despite prior court orders and without state authorization, following Trump's September 27 announcement of plans to deploy guard troops to Portland.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker called Trump's National Guard deployment an "invasion" — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated that Trump ordered 400 Texas National Guard members for deployment to Illinois and other locations without any federal officials contacting him directly to discuss or coordinate the action. Pritzker characterized the deployment as "Trump's Invasion," noting it began with federal agents and would include federalized National Guard members against the state's wishes, and called on Texas Governor Abbott to withdraw support and refuse to coordinate.
• Texas Governor Abbott authorized National Guard deployment — Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded to Illinois Governor Pritzker's criticism by stating he fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials, and argued that either other states must fully enforce protection for federal employees or allow Texas Guard to do so. Abbott asserted the superiority of Texas National Guard training and expertise.
• Trump administration federalized Texas National Guard for deployment to Portland and Chicago — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the federalization of 2,000 Texas National Guard members, with 400 being deployed to Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois. This action came immediately after a federal judge blocked the federalization of the Oregon National Guard, appearing to circumvent the court order by using troops from another state. The administration characterized this as a response to unrest in those cities.
• National Guard deployment to Chicago area begins — National Guard troops from Texas began arriving at Elwood Army Reserve Center, approximately 50 miles outside Chicago, as part of a Trump administration deployment. By Wednesday, 200 Texas National Guard troops had arrived with another 300 Illinois National Guard troops preparing to deploy. The FAA issued flight restrictions over the center until December 6. Trump administration officials stated troops would protect federal immigration agents and facilities, not assume law enforcement duties, though the deployment proceeded despite objections from Illinois Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson.
• Trump administration deploys national guard troops to Chicago area for immigration enforcement — The Trump administration deployed approximately 500 national guard troops (200 from Texas, 300 from Illinois) to the Chicago area to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities and federal property. The deployment occurred without coordination with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker or Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. A federal judge held a hearing on whether to declare the deployment illegal, with state and city attorneys arguing it violates the Constitution. Trump attacked both officials on social media, saying they "should be in jail."

Supporting reports

• Secretary of Defense issues memorandum federalizing 200 Oregon National Guard members for 60-day deployment to Portland — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum on September 28 stating that 200 members of Oregon's National Guard would be "called into Federal service effective immediately for a period of 60 days." The memorandum followed Trump's demand for military deployment to Portland, which he claimed was necessary to protect federal property and suppress lawlessness. Oregon's governor Tina Kotek stated she had been notified that the president had seized control of the state's reservists, invoking authority to suppress "rebellion" or lawlessness. City and state officials filed suit shortly thereafter to block the deployment.
• Hegseth called 200 Oregon National Guard members into federal service — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called 200 members of the Oregon National Guard into federal service for 60 days. This action followed Trump's repeated threats to deploy federal troops to Portland to address what he characterized as "domestic terrorism" and civil unrest. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek had explicitly told Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that federal troops were unnecessary and that the state could manage its own public safety.
• Hegseth federalizes 200 Oregon National Guard personnel — On September 29, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth federalized 200 National Guard personnel from Oregon under the stated purpose of protecting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal government personnel performing federal functions. The action followed Trump's directive and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek's public disagreement with Trump's characterization of Portland's security situation.

Supporting reports

• Trump posts directive to deploy troops to Portland — On September 27, Trump's social media account posted a directive to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect ICE facilities from what Trump characterized as attacks by "Antifa" and "domestic terrorists." Trump authorized "Full Force, if necessary." The post was based on Trump's assertion that Portland was a "war ravaged" city plagued by "anarchists" and "crazy people," claims contradicted by local officials and reporting.
• Trump directed troop deployment to Portland, Oregon — On September 27, Trump announced via Truth Social that he directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, which he baselessly called "War ravaged" and "under siege" by antifa. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson responded that "the number of necessary troops is zero, in Portland and any other American city." The deployment was presented without evidence of the claimed crisis.
• Trump directed military deployment to Portland with authorization for full force — President Trump posted that he was directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to provide troops to protect the ICE facility in Portland and "any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," and authorized "Full Force, if necessary." The order came after Trump claimed the facility was under siege, but Senator Ron Wyden posted a video showing the ICE facility with no people present.
• Trump announced deployment of federal troops to Portland — Trump announced on Truth Social that he is directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon at the request of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to protect against what he characterized as attacks by "Antifa" and "domestic terrorists." Trump authorized "full force, if necessary." Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson both rejected the deployment, stating there is no insurrection or threat to national security warranting military presence in the city.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet on Memphis crime task force memorandum — The White House published a fact sheet on September 15, 2025, describing a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Trump establishing a Memphis Safe Task Force to address violent crime in Memphis, Tennessee. The memorandum directs coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement; authorizes the Secretary of War to request Tennessee National Guard deployment; and permits mobilization of National Guard units from other states. The fact sheet states that Memphis had the highest violent crime rate in the country in 2024 and cites FBI data on murder, robbery, and property crime rates.
• White House issued presidential memorandum establishing Memphis Safe Task Force and authorizing National Guard mobilization for law enforcement operations in Memphis, Tennessee. — On September 15, 2025, the White House issued a presidential memorandum directing the establishment of a Memphis Safe Task Force to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts in response to violent crime in Memphis. The memorandum cites FBI data showing Memphis had the highest per capita violent crime rate in 2024 and directs the Attorney General to chair the Task Force, which shall include representatives from the Treasury, War, Justice, HHS, HUD, Transportation, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, FBI, ATF, DEA, and other agencies. The memorandum authorizes the Secretary of War to request Tennessee National Guard units under 32 U.S.C. § 502 to support law enforcement operations and permits further National Guard mobilization as deemed necessary.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration deploys ICE and threatens National Guard deployment to Chicago citing crime — The Trump administration has ramped up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Chicago and threatened or sent National Guard deployments to the city, citing violent crime as justification. Chicago violence prevention workers and community organizers argue this approach exploits the city's crime narrative to normalize military force on streets and expand surveillance in already over-policed neighborhoods, rather than addressing root causes like poverty and lack of investment.
• Trump announces intention to deploy national guard to Chicago — During remarks at the White House on Monday, Trump stated that his administration would deploy national guard troops to Chicago "probably next" and indicated the deployment would proceed regardless of opposition from Illinois Democratic governor JB Pritzker. Trump also floated St. Louis, New Orleans, and Baltimore as potential future targets for similar deployments, stating "We want to save these places."
• Trump deploys national guard to Memphis; Democratic officials challenge deployment in state court — On September 15, 2025, President Trump signed a memo mobilizing the national guard to Memphis, Tennessee, citing the city's high murder rate. On November 4, 2025, a state chancery court in Nashville heard a legal challenge filed by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, state representatives Gabby Salinas and GA Hardaway, and other Democratic officials, with ACLU support, arguing the deployment violates state law and lacks proper authorization. The city of Memphis declined to join the lawsuit. Judge Patricia Head Moskal appeared skeptical of the state's defense and indicated she would issue a written ruling after receiving briefs.
• Trump signs executive order deploying national guard to Memphis — Donald Trump signed a presidential memo on Monday establishing a "Memphis Safe Task Force" and authorizing the deployment of national guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, in coordination with federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, ATF, DEA, ICE, US Marshals, and DOJ. Tennessee Republican governor Bill Lee welcomed the deployment. Trump stated Chicago would "probably" be next and suggested potential future deployments to St. Louis, New Orleans, and Baltimore, while indicating he would proceed without Illinois governor JB Pritzker's cooperation if necessary.