Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Senator Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for military censure in retaliation for protected speech — Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Department, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and the Navy Department, alleging violations of his First Amendment rights, the Speech and Debate Clause, separation of powers, due process, federal law governing retired officer ranks (10 USC 1370), and the Administrative Procedure Act. The suit challenges Hegseth's January 5 formal censure of Kelly, which followed Kelly's November 18 participation in a video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel that they have a legal duty to refuse unlawful orders. The lawsuit seeks to declare the censure and related actions unlawful and unconstitutional, vacate them, and enjoin their enforcement.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Kelly v. Hegseth (D.D.C.) 1:26-cv-00081 — Plaintiff moved for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
• Sen. Kelly sued Secretary Hegseth to block reduction of his Navy rank and retirement pay for protected speech — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) filed a lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seeking an injunction to prevent unilateral reduction of Kelly's Navy rank and retirement pay in retaliation for a video urging service members not to follow unlawful orders. Kelly's complaint alleges First Amendment violation, retaliation for protected legislative speech, and an unprecedented executive attack on congressional independence and military oversight authority.
• Senator Kelly sued Defense Secretary Hegseth over military retaliation — Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon to block their efforts to punish him for a video he participated in last year with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders, asking a federal judge to find the move "unlawful and unconstitutional."
• Mark Kelly sues Hegseth over military rank reduction and pension censure — Democratic Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit in Washington DC federal court challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's formal censure and threatened demotion/pension reduction. The censure targeted Kelly and five other military-veteran lawmakers for a November video urging service members to resist unlawful orders. Kelly argues the action violates free speech, legislative independence, and separation of powers. The lawsuit names Hegseth, the Department of Defense, the Navy, and Navy Secretary John Phelan as defendants and seeks to vacate the censure and all related actions.
• Senator Mark Kelly files lawsuit against Defense Secretary Hegseth over retaliation for protected speech — Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's attempt to reduce his rank and pension as punishment for the video urging troops to refuse illegal orders. Kelly characterized Hegseth's actions as an "unconstitutional crusade" that sends a chilling message to retired military members that speaking against the administration will result in loss of rank and pay. Kelly argued that such retaliation violates constitutional protections and sets a dangerous precedent for suppressing military veterans' free speech.
• Pentagon censures Senator Mark Kelly and launches administrative proceedings — Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth formally censured Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, in January and initiated administrative proceedings that could result in rank reduction and pension cuts. Kelly participated in the same November video about military duty to illegal orders. Kelly has responded with litigation arguing the Pentagon's actions violate constitutional protections.

Supporting reports

• Senator Slotkin said she is under federal investigation — Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said in an interview that federal prosecutors are investigating her for participating in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• DOJ threatens Federal Reserve with criminal indictment over interest rate policy — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly stated that the Department of Justice threatened criminal charges against the Fed related to a multi-year renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. Powell characterized the threat as retaliation for the Fed's decision to set interest rates based on economic conditions rather than presidential preference, stating the threat was "a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."
• Federal investigation opened against Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin for video urging troops to refuse illegal orders — Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin announced she is under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for her participation in a video released in 2025 in which she and five other Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds urged U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders. The video's message aligns with established military law and constitutional principle. President Trump called the video "seditious behavior by traitors" punishable by death; the White House later clarified he did not seek execution but wanted them "held accountable." Slotkin characterized the investigation as weaponization of federal government to intimidate political opponents.
• Senator Elissa Slotkin faces federal criminal investigation for oath video — Senator Elissa Slotkin is now under federal criminal investigation for appearing in a video urging service members to remember their oath and refuse illegal orders. The investigation represents potential criminalization of speech encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations and refuse unlawful commands.
• Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are under investigation — Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are being investigated by the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia over their participation in a viral video calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• Trump DOJ investigates Democratic lawmakers over military video on illegal orders — Three House Democrats—Jason Crow (Colorado), Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), and Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania)—confirmed that the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C., led by Jeanine Pirro, requested interviews regarding their participation in a November video instructing troops they need not comply with illegal orders. The investigation expands to five lawmakers total; the Pentagon also formally censured Senator Mark Kelly and launched administrative proceedings. Trump called the video "seditious" and threatened capital punishment, later walking back but maintaining the lawmakers face "serious jeopardy."

Supporting reports

• Senate Armed Services Committee announces investigation into Caribbean boat strikes — Senators Roger Wicker (R) and Jack Reed (D) released a joint statement announcing that the Senate Armed Services Committee would conduct "vigorous oversight" into alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. The committee directed inquiries to the Department of Defense to determine facts surrounding the circumstances of the strikes, which have killed over 80 people.
• House Armed Services Committee announced bipartisan investigation into Caribbean strikes — House Armed Services Committee leaders Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA) announced they are taking bipartisan action to gather a full accounting of the military operation in question and committed to providing rigorous oversight of DOD's military operations in the Caribbean.
• Senate Armed Services Committee announced investigation into Hegseth's alleged strike orders — Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-RI) issued a joint statement announcing that the committee is aware of reports regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels and has directed inquiries to the Department of Defense, committing to vigorous oversight to determine the facts.
• House Armed Services Committee chair vowed oversight of boat strikes — Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, publicly vowed to conduct oversight not just of the September 2 strike but of the entire operation involving attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. Rogers stated there are "very serious concerns in Congress about the attacks on the so-called drug boats" and that the operation was "completely outside of anything that's been discussed with Congress."
• Senate Armed Services Committee chair vowed oversight of boat strikes — Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, publicly vowed to conduct oversight of the September 2 boat strike and the entire operation involving attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. The bipartisan concern reflects alarm about military operations conducted without congressional knowledge or authorization.
• Congressional committees announced investigations into September 2 boat strike. — Both Republican and Democratic congressional committees announced investigations into the September 2, 2025 boat strike in the Caribbean in which Defense Secretary Hegseth allegedly ordered the killing of all occupants and Admiral Bradley ordered a second strike on survivors. The investigations represent bipartisan concern about the legality and circumstances of the operation.
• Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker opened an inquiry into the September 2 military strike operation. — Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated that he had spoken with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Caine, and expected to speak with Admiral Mitch Bradley. Wicker's committee opened an inquiry into the September 2 operation and is seeking video and audio recordings of the strikes. Wicker stated that once those materials are received, he will decide how to proceed, saying "We're going to find out what the true facts are."
• House and Senate Armed Services Committee chairs launch investigations into boat strike — Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced they will launch investigations into the September 2 boat strike and the larger operation. Both are Republicans. Their action follows bipartisan criticism of the incident, with Senator Angus King (I-ME) calling it "a stone cold war crime."