Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration requests Navy base for immigration enforcement — The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Trump administration made a request to use a Navy base near Chicago to assist in the crackdown on undocumented immigrants. While a final decision hasn't been made, federal immigration agents and possibly National Guard troops would operate out of the base for much of September, a plan that one Navy captain says raises "a lot of concerns and questions."
• White House requests military base support for immigration enforcement in Chicago area — The Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security requested that Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago provide facilities and logistical support for immigration operations targeting "sanctuary cities." The request, confirmed by the base on Thursday, includes potential National Guard deployment from September 2–30. Illinois Democratic leaders, including Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and Governor JB Pritzker, condemned the plan as unconstitutional and unauthorized, arguing it undermines military readiness and represents federal overreach into a city that has not requested assistance.

Supporting reports

• Grand jury declines to indict Sean Charles Dunn in sandwich-throwing case — A federal grand jury refused to approve an indictment against Sean Charles Dunn, 37, a former DOJ paralegal accused of throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection officer during a protest against Trump's deployment of armed troops in Washington DC on August 13. The incident occurred as Dunn confronted the officer, called him and colleagues "fascists," and shouted "I don't want you in my city" before throwing the sandwich and fleeing. The grand jury's refusal to indict signals public objection to the troop deployment and represents a rare rebuke of federal prosecutors.
• Protester not indicted for throwing sandwich at federal troops in DC — A protester who threw a sandwich at federal troops occupying Washington DC was not indicted. The author notes this outcome as "enormously cheering," suggesting it represents a legal or prosecutorial decision not to pursue charges against the individual for the minor act of protest.

Supporting reports

• National Guard troops deployed to perform beautification projects in Washington, D.C. — National Guard troops were deployed in Washington, D.C., to pick up trash and work on dozens of "beautification and restoration" projects. This deployment occurred amid the administration's stated focus on using military forces to address crime in American cities.

Supporting reports

• Governor Pritzker declared Trump's Chicago military deployment unconstitutional and illegal — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker held a press conference at the Chicago waterfront flanked by community leaders and declared Trump's planned military deployment to Chicago "unprecedented and unwarranted," "illegal," "unconstitutional," and "un-American." Pritzker characterized the action as a political power grab targeting a Democratic city and state, not a genuine public safety measure.
• Pritzker announced Illinois will pursue legal action against Trump administration — Governor Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois will challenge the Trump administration's military deployment plan in court and will deploy "every lever" at its disposal to protect Illinois residents and their constitutional rights, including potential legal action against federal officials involved in the deployment scheme.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker rejected federal military deployment — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stated that the state had received no requests from the federal government for assistance and had made no requests for federal intervention. He declared there was no emergency warranting federalization of the Illinois National Guard, deployment of National Guard from other states, or active-duty military within state borders. Pritzker accused Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis and abuse his power.
• Pentagon planned National Guard deployment to Chicago — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has been planning for weeks a military deployment of National Guard members and possibly active-duty troops to Chicago. The president lacks authority to deploy National Guard troops without a governor's request, but Trump has justified deployments by claiming soldiers protect federal buildings and personnel—a rationale potentially applicable to any location where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operate.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs Executive Order 14339 establishing specialized federal law enforcement and National Guard units for District of Columbia crime emergency response. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14339 on August 25, 2025, directing federal agencies to deploy additional resources to address crime in Washington, D.C. The order mandates hiring of U.S. Park Police and federal prosecutors, establishes an online recruitment portal for law enforcement applicants, creates specialized federal and D.C. National Guard units for public safety enforcement, directs HUD to investigate housing authority compliance with safety requirements, and instructs the Attorney General to review and recommend changes to Metropolitan Police Department General Orders. The order references prior emergency declarations and authorizes potential deployment of state National Guard units nationwide.
• Trump executive order on National Guard civil disturbance response — On August 25, President Trump signed an executive order directing the secretary of defense to ensure that each state's Army National Guard and Air National Guard are resourced, trained, organized, and available to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring public safety and order. The order also mandates establishment of a standing National Guard quick reaction force resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment.
• Trump issued executive order directing federal law enforcement expansion and National Guard mobilization in Washington, D.C. — President Trump signed an executive order on August 25, 2025, directing the National Park Service to hire additional U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. to hire prosecutors focused on violent and property crimes, and the Department of Defense to create and train a specialized National Guard unit in D.C. dedicated to public safety. The order also directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure all state National Guard units are resourced and available for rapid deployment to assist law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances nationwide, and instructs HUD to investigate housing authority non-compliance with safety requirements.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14339 directing federal law enforcement expansion and National Guard mobilization in Washington, D.C. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14339 on August 25, 2025, directing the National Park Service to hire additional U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. to hire prosecutors focused on violent crime, and the Department of Defense to create and train a specialized D.C. National Guard unit under Title 32 activation. The order also directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure all state National Guard units are resourced and available for rapid nationwide deployment to quell civil disturbances, establishes a standing National Guard quick reaction force, and instructs HUD to investigate housing authority compliance with crime-prevention requirements. The order references a prior crime emergency declaration (Executive Order 14333 of August 11, 2025).
• Trump expands law enforcement takeover in DC — Trump signed a fourth executive order expanding his takeover of law enforcement in DC, directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "ensure the availability of a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment."
• Trump signs executive order priming National Guard for rapid mobilization — President Trump signed an executive order on an unspecified date that primes the National Guard "for rapid mobilization" across the country. The order follows Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and signals potential deployment to Chicago. Trump justified the moves by claiming he has authority to act when he believes the country is in danger, stating "I have the right to do anything I want to do. I'm the President of the United States of America."

Supporting reports

• Hegseth orders weapons for DC National Guard troops — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive that Joint Task Force-DC members supporting the federal crime-reduction mission in Washington DC will be deployed with service-issued weapons, reversing the Pentagon's prior statement that troops would remain unarmed. A defense official stated the order came "at the direction of the secretary of defense" and cited consistency with mission and training. The DC government had been informed of the intent to arm troops.
• Pentagon authorizes National Guard troops in Washington DC to carry firearms — The Pentagon authorized 2,000 National Guard troops deployed to Washington DC to carry service-issued firearms while supporting local law enforcement efforts to reduce crime. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the authorization, with troops assigned to crime-reduction missions carrying weapons while those assigned to city beautification roles would not. The deployment represents an escalation of military presence in the nation's capital under a law-and-order mandate.
• National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., began carrying firearms — National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., under the federal takeover of the city's police began carrying firearms on the night of August 24, 2025, marking an escalation in the militarization of the nation's capital.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens federal crackdown expansion to Chicago and New York — President Trump announced plans to expand federal crime-control operations to Chicago and New York, targeting Democratic-led cities with Black mayors. Simultaneously, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered that approximately 2,000 National Guard troops already deployed and patrolling Washington DC streets under federal control be armed with service weapons, reversing earlier Pentagon assurances that troops would remain unarmed. The armed deployment represents an escalation of federal intervention into DC policing.
• Trump threatens federal intervention in Chicago — Trump threatened to take over Chicago, claiming that he would send federal forces to address crime in the city. This statement was met with criticism from local officials, who labeled it an illegal abuse of power.
• Pentagon confirms planning for national guard deployment to Chicago; Jeffries accuses Trump of manufacturing crisis — Pentagon officials confirmed to ABC News that planning is underway to send national guard troops to Chicago. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of "manufacturing a crisis" to justify the deployment, stating the president was "playing games with the lives of Americans." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called any such deployment "the most flagrant violation of our constitution in the 21st century." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated the state had received no federal requests for assistance and that Trump was "abusing his power." The deployment would override state authority, as national guard is normally under state control and only federalized in national emergencies at a governor's request.
• Trump floats military deployment to Baltimore — Trump suggested sending military troops to Baltimore and threatened to "rethink" federal funding for bridge repair in the city, escalating rhetoric about using military force in domestic cities.
• Trump threatens to send troops to Baltimore — President Trump threatened to send troops to Baltimore after Maryland Governor Wes Moore invited him to walk through the city, which Trump interpreted as a provocation.
• Trump threatens to deploy national guard to Chicago; Illinois Democrats condemn as unconstitutional — Pentagon sources confirmed planning for national guard deployment to Chicago, though no final decision has been announced. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and state Attorney General Kwame Raoul held a news conference condemning the threat as unconstitutional and an abuse of presidential power. Trump, at an Oval Office event, referred to Chicago as a "killing field" and signed executive orders on cashless bail and flag burning. Pritzker stated neither he nor the mayor had been contacted by the White House but said they were prepared to pursue legal action to prevent deployment.
• Trump announced plan to deploy military to Chicago — Trump announced plans to deploy armed military personnel to Chicago, framing the action as a response to crime. The deployment was not coordinated with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker or Chicago's mayor, who learned of the plan through media reports rather than official communication from the White House.
• Trump threatens unilateral national guard deployment to Chicago against state objections — President Trump publicly considered deploying the national guard to Chicago without the governor's consent, citing crime concerns. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago leaders opposed the move as unnecessary overreach. Trump stated he might act unilaterally using emergency powers, framing it as a response to what he called a "killing field." Pritzker characterized the threatened action as a "dangerous power-grab" and military occupation to punish dissidents. Trump has already deployed the national guard to Los Angeles and Washington DC.