Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump states he could have prosecuted political opponents but chose restraint, then asserts presidential power is absolute — From the Oval Office on October 7, 2026, Trump told reporters he could have taken "very bad things" against Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama but refrained out of respect for the presidency. He then stated "I can do whatever I want, if I want," asserting that despite two impeachments and actions by political opponents, he views the presidency as a "very sacred position" and retains unlimited executive authority.

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• Todd Blanche declines to pledge DOJ independence from White House — US Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, declined on NBC's Meet the Press to pledge that the Department of Justice would act independently of the White House, stating "no attorney general should ever pledge that." Blanche asserted Trump would never ask him to do something unethical or illegal, dismissing concerns about politicization as a "false narrative." His comments came days after his narrow 50-49 Senate confirmation and amid Trump's dismissal of his predecessor Pam Bondi over insufficient action against Trump's political opponents.
• Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to pledge DOJ independence from White House — On NBC's Meet the Press, Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to pledge that the DOJ will always act independently of the White House, stating "No, I'm not going to pledge that, and no AG ever should." When asked if he would comply with a presidential directive that crosses ethical or legal lines, Blanche responded that the president "would never do that" and "never has" and "never will," without committing to refuse unlawful orders.

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• White House requests DOJ revive charges against former Olympian David Hearn — The White House requested that the Department of Justice weigh new charges against former Olympian David Hearn after US Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped vandalism charges on 31 July 2026, citing insufficient evidence and a contractor's flawed pool installation. Pirro's office determined damage predated Hearn's visit. Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision. The request to Main Justice headquarters marks an extraordinary instance of White House pressure on DOJ prosecutorial decisions, departing from traditional arm's-length separation.

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• Trump attacks U.S. Attorney Pirro and demands she reverse decision to drop indictment — President Trump posted that "U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro should re-visit her hastily made decision" to drop the indictment against David Hearn, attacking Hearn as "a big player in ActBlue" and describing Hearn's attorney as a "TRUMP DERANGED SLEAZEBAG" and "Political Hack Lawyer." Trump's post pressures the U.S. Attorney to reverse her prosecutorial decision based on political considerations rather than legal merit.
• Trump demands U.S. Attorney Pirro prosecute David Hearn for reflecting pool damage — President Trump continues to insist that vandals, not poor installation, caused damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and demands that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro prosecute the alleged wrongdoers. Trump specifically demands prosecution of Olympian David Hearn, whom the Department of Justice indicted, despite Pirro's decision to drop the indictment after determining the damage resulted from installation problems rather than vandalism.
• White House requests DOJ revive charges against former Olympian David Hearn — The White House requested that the Department of Justice weigh new charges against former Olympian David Hearn after US Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped vandalism charges on 31 July 2026, citing insufficient evidence and a contractor's flawed pool installation. Pirro's office determined damage predated Hearn's visit. Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision. The request to Main Justice headquarters marks an extraordinary instance of White House pressure on DOJ prosecutorial decisions, departing from traditional arm's-length separation.
• White House directed Justice Department to reconsider Reflecting Pool vandalism prosecution — Trump's White House asked the Justice Department to examine whether prosecutors could bring new charges related to alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The DOJ had previously prosecuted former Olympic canoeist David Hearn over damage to the pool liner, but prosecutors dropped the case after reviewing evidence showing that rushed and flawed renovation work, not vandalism, caused the problems. Trump repeatedly blamed vandals for the damage and, despite new evidence, criticized the decision to drop the case and urged U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to reconsider it.

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• Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general — The US Senate voted 50-49 to confirm Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney, as attorney general. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote after two Republicans (Collins, Murkowski) opposed the nomination. Blanche had been serving in an acting capacity and faced pushback over a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" and tax immunity provisions for Trump, his sons, and businesses. Cornyn and Tillis secured written assurances the fund would not proceed, enabling narrow confirmation.
• Todd Blanche confirmed as US Attorney General — The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as US Attorney General. Legal scholar Sherrilyn Ifill characterized the confirmation as signaling the collapse of the rule of law and the beginning of an accelerated program to suppress dissent. The confirmation occurred amid ongoing concerns about the use of the Justice Department as a political instrument.
• Senate confirmed Trump's former criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche as attorney general — The Senate narrowly voted to confirm Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, as attorney general on August 8. As acting attorney general, Blanche greenlit the second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, reauthorized the use of firing squads for death penalty executions, and signed off on a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" (now supposedly rescinded). The confirmation marks a significant shift in DOJ leadership toward Trump's personal interests.
• Senate Republicans confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General — At 4:00 a.m. on August 9, 2026, just before a five-week recess, Senate Republicans confirmed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the permanent position of Attorney General of the United States. Blanche, who served as President Trump's personal criminal lawyer, becomes the top law enforcement officer of the country. Some Republicans, including 92-year-old Senate Judiciary Committee chair Chuck Grassley, expressed enthusiasm for the nomination. Others expressed skepticism but stated they believed confirming Blanche was preferable to allowing Trump to select an alternative candidate.
• Todd Blanche sworn in as attorney general by Trump defense lawyer Emil Bove — On August 10, Todd Blanche took the oath of office as attorney general, administered by federal appeals court judge Emil Bove, a Trump defense lawyer who later became deputy at the Department of Justice. The ceremony excluded the press but included FBI director Kash Patel and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Retired conservative judge J. Michael Luttig characterized Blanche as "the symbol of Donald Trump's corruption of the rule of law" and called his confirmation "a shameful act of acquiescence" by Senate Republicans.
• Todd Blanche sworn in as US attorney general — Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal criminal defense lawyer, was sworn in as US attorney general on Monday following a narrow 50-49 Senate confirmation vote on Saturday. Blanche had been serving as acting attorney general since April. He previously represented Trump in criminal cases before joining the administration as deputy attorney general in early 2025. His tenure has included the departure of over 200 prosecutors and agents who worked on Trump-related investigations.

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• Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office. — After the Blanche vote was canceled, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would "temporarily withdraw" Blanche's nomination if Cornyn and Tillis did not "do the right thing," with the intention to resubmit it after the two senators leave office. Trump attacked both senators, claiming his prior refusal to endorse them had "ended" their political careers. He praised Blanche as a potential "Greatest AG of All Time" and stated Blanche would "remain, in any event, as Acting." The post signaled Trump's intent to circumvent Senate opposition through procedural delay and attrition.
• Trump threatens to withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination — Trump threatened to withdraw his nomination of Todd Blanche as attorney general after Senators Cornyn and Tillis refused to confirm him without a written revocation of Trump's tax audit immunity and January 6th slush fund. The senators' conditional refusal to confirm created a standoff over Trump's demand to retain immunity protections and control of discretionary funds related to January 6th.
• Trump refuses to narrow tax immunity agreement despite Republican senators' written limits request — Donald Trump declined a request from Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to formally limit the scope of a controversial tax immunity agreement that grants him, his family, and related entities broad protection from IRS audits. The agreement, part of a settlement ending a lawsuit over unauthorized disclosure of Trump's tax records, includes a $1.8 billion slush fund. Trump's refusal to narrow the deal jeopardized confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general, though Blanche can continue serving as acting AG indefinitely under federal law.
• Trump reverses position on $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and vows to revive it despite Senate opposition — Donald Trump, after initially declaring a controversial $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund "dead," reversed course and promised to revive it through legislation or executive action. The fund, part of a legal settlement with the DOJ over Trump's IRS lawsuit, is intended to compensate individuals Trump claims were wrongfully targeted by government. Senate Republicans John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are blocking Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination over the fund dispute, demanding written assurance the DOJ will not establish it. Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination, keep him as acting attorney general, and "push hard" for the fund anyway.
• Trump threatens to withdraw Blanche AG nomination temporarily, keep him as acting attorney general — Donald Trump announced he may "temporarily" withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general to circumvent Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who are blocking confirmation over objections to a $1.8 billion political-weaponization compensation fund and tax immunity provisions. Trump stated he would keep Blanche as acting attorney general indefinitely under federal law until the two senators leave office in January 2027. The Senate Judiciary Committee canceled a scheduled confirmation vote on Thursday.

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• Trump administration directs DOJ investigation of California Governor Newsom and his wife — Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Federal agents have contacted family friends and former employees, demanding records and allegedly abusing the grand jury process. A source confirmed the administration has conducted multiple investigations for roughly a year, including one regarding his wife's taxes and one related to his former chief of staff. Newsom filed a Freedom of Information Act request demanding disclosure of who ordered the investigation.
• Trump Justice Department investigates California Governor Gavin Newsom — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in a video that Trump's Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, noting that the couple have been placed on the president's political "hit list." Newsom posted on X that federal agents are on a "fishing expedition" to find a crime to indict him as he prepares a possible run for president in 2028. The investigation appears politically motivated and timed to Newsom's potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

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• Trump administration considers settling $10bn IRS lawsuit with $1.7bn compensation fund for allies including January 6 rioters — The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating to settle Trump's $10bn lawsuit against the IRS by establishing a $1.7bn compensation fund using the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The fund would compensate individuals Trump claims were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration, including over 1,500 January 6 rioters. The settlement would also include a public IRS apology and waiver of audits on Trump, his family, and businesses. A federal judge has appointed attorneys to examine whether a genuine legal controversy exists, raising concerns about self-dealing and potential DOJ manipulation.
• Trump withdrew IRS lawsuit; DOJ established $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" from Judgment Fund — Attorneys for President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization filed notice voluntarily dismissing a $10 billion IRS lawsuit in federal court in Miami with prejudice. In exchange, the Justice Department announced creation of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" drawn from the federal Judgment Fund to issue apologies and monetary relief to people claiming government "weaponization" or "lawfare." A five-member commission appointed by the Attorney General will decide beneficiaries; the President can remove any member. Quarterly reports go to the Attorney General, not the public. The fund must cease processing claims by December 2028.
• Trump settles IRS lawsuit and establishes $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund — Trump settled his lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax information by a whistleblower, abandoning his $10bn damages claim in exchange for a financial agreement that allowed him to establish a $1.776bn "anti-weaponization fund." Federal Judge Kathleen Williams approved the settlement on May 18. Critics and Democrats argue the fund functions as a "slush fund" designed to distribute taxpayer dollars to Trump's political allies, including those convicted of violence during the January 6 Capitol riot, whom Trump subsequently pardoned.
• Justice Department announces Anti-Weaponization Fund settlement with Trump entities — The Department of Justice announced establishment of "The Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement agreement in President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service. The fund, capitalized at $1.776 billion from the judgment fund, will process claims from individuals alleging weaponization or lawfare by government. Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization agreed to drop their lawsuit with prejudice and withdraw administrative claims related to tax-return leaks, the Mar-a-Lago raid, and Russia-collusion investigations in exchange for a formal apology (but no monetary damages to them personally) and creation of the fund. The fund will cease operations by December 1, 2028.
• DOJ establishes $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" for January 6 defendants and MAGA loyalists — The Department of Justice created a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded "Anti-Weaponization Fund" designated to provide financial support to January 6th insurrectionists and MAGA loyalists. The fund represents a direct allocation of federal resources to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the Capitol attack, effectively using public money to benefit political allies and those involved in the assault on the Capitol.
• DOJ establishes $1.776 billion fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund designated "for victims of lawfare and weaponization" to provide monetary relief and formal apologies to claimants. The fund will be administered by a five-member Commission appointed by the Attorney General, with one member chosen in consultation with congressional leadership. The President retains authority to remove any Commission member. The fund is expected to provide payouts to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol breach and Trump administration officials.
• DOJ announced Anti-Weaponization Fund eligibility may include January 6 defendants — ABC News and TIME reported before the fund announcement that the proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund could include people charged in connection with January 6. Reuters notes that "weaponization" and "lawfare" are terms the President and allies have used to describe criminal cases arising from the Capitol attack. The Hill reports that several convicted January 6 defendants have pending civil suits. DOJ has not publicly released eligibility criteria or named beneficiaries.
• DOJ announces $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as Trump settlement — Trump's Justice Department officially announced the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement with Trump in his lawsuit against the Treasury Department and IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. The fund will be overseen by a commission appointed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose members Trump can fire without cause, and will be made available in secret to those claiming wrongful government targeting, potentially including those Trump pardoned for January 6 involvement.
• Trump administration dismisses $10bn IRS lawsuit and establishes $1.776bn secretive compensation fund — The Justice Department announced creation of a $1.776bn "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of an agreement in which Trump and his sons dropped a $10bn lawsuit against the IRS. The fund, overseen by five commissioners (four appointed by the attorney general and removable by Trump), will compensate Trump allies with minimal transparency—quarterly reports go only to the attorney general and are confidential. Trump and his sons receive formal apologies but no monetary compensation. Democrats and watchdog groups condemned the arrangement as a slush fund funneling taxpayer dollars to political allies.
• Department of Justice announces $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to compensate Trump and associates — The Department of Justice, under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund purportedly to compensate victims of alleged "weaponization" of the Justice Department under former President Biden. The fund was established following Trump's withdrawal of a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS after a contractor leaked his tax information. Judge Kathleen Williams dismissed the suit, noting no legal settlement existed. The fund is controlled by five administrators, four chosen by Blanche and one in consultation with Congress, all removable by Trump without cause. Distributions are confidential and overseen only by the DOJ. Remaining funds after December 2028 revert to Trump's chosen federal account.
• Creation of $1.776 billion compensation fund for Trump allies with minimal oversight — The Department of Justice announced creation of a $1.776 billion compensation fund on May 19–20, 2026, to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other government claims. The fund is administered by five officials subject to at-will removal by the president, operates with minimal transparency requirements, and is not obligated to publicly disclose recipients or justifications for awards. Senate Democrats criticized the arrangement as an "outrageous, unprecedented slush fund." Acting attorney general Blanche testified that no limitations exist on who may seek compensation, including those convicted of assaulting police on January 6, though he stated Trump and his sons would not receive direct compensation.
• DOJ announces creation of Anti-Weaponization Fund — The Department of Justice announced the establishment of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" aimed at compensating individuals it describes as victims of lawfare under former President Joe Biden. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the fund is a lawful process for victims to seek redress. However, the fund is not a legal settlement related to Trump's dropped lawsuit against the IRS, and it grants Trump significant control over the distribution of taxpayer money without oversight.
• Justice Department announced $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund from Trump IRS lawsuit settlement — The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" created as part of a settlement of President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization dropped the suit and received a formal apology but no direct monetary payment. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal defense attorney, established the fund and will handpick the five-member commission deciding eligibility and payouts. The process is largely shielded from court review, and eligibility criteria remain undefined, with Blanche stating "anybody can apply."

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• Trump offered mass pardons to White House staff before leaving office — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has repeatedly offered mass pardons to White House staff, initially stating he would pardon "everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval Office." The offer was made to encourage staff to conduct themselves without concern about future prosecution for illegal conduct. Trump indicated he would host a news conference to announce mass pardons before leaving office, with the radius of the pardon offer reportedly expanding over time.
• Trump promises mass pardons to staff before leaving office — The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has privately promised mass presidential pardons to his staff before leaving office, stating in a private meeting that he would "pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval." The White House did not deny the promise but claimed the president was joking, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating "the president's pardon power is absolute."

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• Pam Bondi fired as Attorney General; Todd Blanche assumes interim role — President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 1, 2026, shortly before delivering a primetime address on the Iran war. Trump announced her departure via Truth Social, stating she would transition to the private sector. According to reporting, Trump cited Bondi's alleged intervention in matters related to Rep. Eric Swalwell and FBI investigative documents concerning Swalwell's relationship with Christine Fang as a reason for the dismissal. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche was named interim AG. Bondi reportedly pleaded for more time but Trump remained firm.
• Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi; Todd Blanche becomes acting AG and affirms Trump's "right" to direct DOJ investigations — Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2, 2026, after months of pressure to prosecute political rivals including James Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff. Though the DOJ secured indictments against Comey and James, the cases collapsed. Trump was reportedly angered by the department's lack of progress in pursuing enemies. Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, subsequently stated Trump has the "right" to direct investigations at the justice department, signaling the administration's intent to weaponize law enforcement for political retribution.
• Trump dismisses Attorney General Pam Bondi — President Trump announced on 2 April via Truth Social that Attorney General Pam Bondi was being removed from office. Trump cited her transition to "a much needed and important new job in the private sector" without explicitly naming the Epstein files as the reason, though reporting indicates her mishandling of the Epstein investigation and repeated missed disclosure deadlines under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) were a primary motivation for her ouster. Todd Blanche assumed the role of acting attorney general.
• Trump fires attorney general Pam Bondi — Donald Trump dismissed Pam Bondi as US attorney general after 14 months, citing frustration with her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and her failure to prosecute additional political enemies to his satisfaction. Bondi had reshaped the Justice Department through staff purges, shifted prosecutorial focus toward immigration, and complied with Trump's demands to indict former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche assumed acting leadership; Lee Zeldin is reportedly a top contender for permanent replacement.
• Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi via social media — President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi by posting her dismissal on social media. Trump was reportedly angry that Bondi had not adequately punished his political enemies and that her handling of the Epstein files had failed to contain the story. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, will serve as her replacement.
• Pam Bondi fired as Attorney General — President Trump terminated Pam Bondi as Attorney General on April 2, 2026. According to reporting, Bondi reportedly pleaded with Trump not to fire her during a confrontation at the White House. Trump released a statement describing her as a "Great American Patriot" transitioning to the private sector. Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney and current Deputy Attorney General, assumed the role of Acting Attorney General. Bondi remains subject to a bipartisan congressional subpoena to testify before the Oversight Committee regarding the Epstein files.
• Trump appoints Todd Blanche as acting Attorney General — Trump appointed Deputy AG Todd Blanche, his former criminal defense attorney, to replace fired Attorney General Pam Bondi in an acting capacity on April 2. Blanche's appointment places a personal loyalist with no prior DOJ leadership experience in control of the nation's chief law enforcement agency, raising concerns about politicization of the Justice Department.
• Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi — Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2 after she failed to prosecute Trump's perceived political enemies and mishandled the release of the Epstein files. CNN reported that Bondi's upcoming deposition about the Epstein files influenced the timing of her firing, as the White House sought to avoid it. Trump appointed Deputy AG Todd Blanche, his former criminal defense attorney, to replace Bondi in an acting capacity. Bondi is the second woman in Trump's Cabinet to be fired.

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• Trump threatened prosecution of DOJ officials over 2020 election claims — At the Davos speech, Trump stated that "People will soon be prosecuted for what they did" regarding the 2020 presidential election, which he falsely claimed was rigged. He asserted that DOJ officials and others would face prosecution for refusing to help him overturn the election results. The threat was made one day before former special counsel Jack Smith was scheduled to testify publicly about evidence leading to Trump's indictment for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• President Trump threatens prosecution of DOJ officials — During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump claimed that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was rigged and threatened to prosecute Department of Justice officials who did not assist him in overturning the election results. This statement came as former special counsel Jack Smith was set to testify about evidence related to Trump's actions following the election. Trump's remarks indicate a continued effort to undermine the legitimacy of the election and discredit those who oppose him.
• Trump threatened Jack Smith and demanded investigation — After Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee, Trump's social media account posted a threatening message calling Smith a "deranged animal" who "shouldn't be allowed to practice Law" and stating that if Smith were a Republican, "his license would be taken away from him, and far worse." Trump demanded that the Attorney General investigate Smith's conduct, including his use of witnesses, and characterized the entire investigation as a "Democrat SCAM."
• Trump calls for prosecution of Jack Smith on Truth Social — On Truth Social, President Trump responded to Jack Smith's congressional testimony by calling for Smith to "be prosecuted for his actions" and arguing that "At a minimum, he committed large scale perjury!"
• Jack Smith testifies he expects Trump administration to indict him — During his public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, former special counsel Jack Smith stated that he believes Trump administration officials will "do everything in their power" to indict him "because they've been ordered to by the president," but added that he "will not be intimidated." Smith also expressed concern about Trump's mass pardons of people who assaulted police officers.

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• Trump directs DOJ to open new Epstein investigation — President Trump directed the Department of Justice to open a new investigation into Epstein's ties to former President Bill Clinton, JPMorgan Chase officials, and others. The directive was issued on November 14, days before the House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The statute authorizes DOJ to withhold records tied to "ongoing federal investigations," potentially allowing the department to justify withholding documents the transparency bill was designed to release.
• Trump ordered DOJ to open a new investigation into Epstein's ties to Bill Clinton, JPMorgan, and others. — President Trump ordered the Department of Justice to open a new investigation into Epstein's ties to Bill Clinton, JPMorgan, and others. This order was issued one week before Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The timing creates potential for the "ongoing investigation" exception in the transparency law to be invoked to withhold records that would otherwise be required to be released within 30 days.
• Trump directs DOJ to investigate Democrats' ties to Epstein — President Trump instructed the Justice Department to investigate prominent Democrats' alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had previously stated that a review of Epstein files revealed no further investigative leads, agreed to comply and appointed a prosecutor to lead the effort. This action occurred amid the legislative push to release Epstein investigative files.
• Trump directed Attorney General Bondi to investigate Democrats named in Epstein documents — President Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Democrats whose names appeared in documents released by the House Oversight Committee from the Epstein estate, specifically naming former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman. Bondi responded that the Department of Justice "will pursue this with urgency and integrity." The Washington Post reported that these individuals' connections to Epstein had been covered by reporters for years, and that in July, Justice Department officials stated an FBI examination "did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."
• Trump directed DOJ to investigate Epstein's connections to Democratic figures — Trump posted on Truth Social directing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's involvement and relationships with Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, J.P. Morgan Chase, and others. Trump characterized the Epstein files release effort as a "hoax" and "Russia, Russia, Russia Scam" with arrows pointing to Democrats. The posts confirmed Trump personally directs criminal investigations and is targeting political opponents.

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• Trump pardons Changpeng Zhao, Binance founder, amid crypto business ties — Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, founder and largest shareholder of Binance cryptocurrency exchange, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating anti-money-laundering laws and served a four-month sentence. Binance had inked a $2 billion investment deal with Trump family crypto firm World Liberty Financial, expected to yield tens of millions yearly to the Trump family. Trump admitted in a 60 Minutes interview he did not know who Zhao was, claiming he heard it was a "Biden witch-hunt." Legal experts characterized the pardon as pay-to-play and corrupt.
• 60 Minutes investigates Trump crypto empire and Binance pardon — According to Zach Guzman of Coinage Media, CBS's 60 Minutes is planning to release an investigation into the Trump family's growing cryptocurrency empire and Trump's controversial pardon of Binance founder CZ. The investigation focuses on World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto project that launched a digital dollar (USD1) and is shopping it around to various entities. Binance inked a deal to accept $2 billion in USD1, which would allow the Trump company to collect interest payments potentially worth billions of dollars annually. The timing of the Binance deal and Trump's subsequent pardon of CZ raises questions about potential quid pro quo arrangements.

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• Trump commutes George Santos's prison sentence — On Friday, October 18, 2025, President Trump announced via Truth Social that he had commuted the sentence of disgraced former congressman George Santos, who was serving a federal prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos, who had pleaded guilty and was less than three months into a seven-year sentence, was released immediately. In a CNN interview on Sunday, Santos called the sentence "disproportionate" but acknowledged receiving "a large slice of humble pie" and declined to commit to paying restitution.
• Trump commutes George Santos's seven-year fraud sentence after less than three months served — Donald Trump commuted the seven-year, three-month prison sentence of disgraced former congressman George Santos for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on October 18, 2025, after Santos had served fewer than three months at Fairton federal prison in New Jersey. Santos was released the same evening. The commutation followed a public campaign by Republican allies including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Anna Paulina Luna. Trump acknowledged Santos as "somewhat of a 'rogue'" but stated many similar offenders serve shorter sentences. The action has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans as an abuse of presidential power.
• Trump commutes sentence of George Santos in federal fraud case — Donald Trump announced on Friday, October 18, 2025, that he had commuted the sentence of George Santos, the disgraced former New York Republican representative who had been sentenced to 87 months in prison in April 2025 for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos was released from Federal Correctional Institution Fairton in New Jersey hours after the commutation. Trump's action followed pressure from Republican allies, notably Marjorie Taylor Greene, and came after Santos published a letter in a local newspaper appealing for clemency.

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• Trump announces expectation of additional criminal charges against political adversaries — President Trump stated on Friday that he expected more people he considers political enemies to face criminal charges, saying "I think there'll be others" as he departed the White House. Trump characterized his targets as "corrupt radical left Democrats." His remarks came one day after the DOJ indicted Comey and followed Trump's recent calls for his attorney general to pursue investigations against New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff over mortgage fraud allegations.

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• Trump demands DOJ prosecute Comey, James, and Schiff on Truth Social — On September 20, 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi bring charges against former FBI director James Comey, New York attorney general Letitia James, and California senator Adam Schiff. Trump stated "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility" and "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" The post represents direct presidential pressure on the justice department to prosecute political opponents.
• Trump posts demand for prosecution of political opponents on social media — On September 20, Trump posted a message on social media apparently intended privately for Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Adam Schiff. Trump wrote: "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" The posting violated the Presidential Records Act, which requires preservation of presidential communications.
• Trump posts message to Bondi demanding Comey indictment — On September 20, 2025, President Trump posted a message on social media apparently intended as a private communication to Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding that the Justice Department indict Comey and others. The message was posted publicly.
• Trump threatened to fire AG Bondi if she did not indict political enemies — Trump posted on Truth Social threatening AG Pam Bondi with removal if she did not immediately indict his political opponents, specifically naming former FBI Director James Comey and Rep. Adam Schiff. He stated "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" and demanded action against those he claimed were "guilty as hell." The posts were framed as pressure on Bondi to accelerate prosecutions of Trump's perceived enemies.
• Trump publicly pressures Attorney General to prosecute political enemies — Trump posted on Truth Social demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi prosecute his political opponents, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and Senator Adam Schiff. Trump wrote that "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility" and demanded "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" The posts came as the Justice Department was being restructured to remove career prosecutors resisting political pressure.
• Trump Publicly Pressures Attorney General to Prosecute Political Enemies — On September 20, 2025, President Trump accidentally posted a private message intended for Attorney General Pam Bondi on Truth Social, revealing his direct pressure on her to prosecute political opponents, including James Comey and Letitia James. The message, visible to approximately 10.8 million followers before being deleted, expressed frustration over perceived inaction and demanded immediate justice. Following the post, both Comey and James were indicted. This incident highlights the President's use of social media to influence legal proceedings against his adversaries.
• Trump claimed he fired Siebert and pressured Attorney General Bondi for prosecutions — On Saturday morning, Trump posted on social media that Siebert "didn't quit, I fired him." In the evening, Trump posted what appeared to be a direct message to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding prosecution of his political opponents, stating: "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" Trump explicitly demanded action against James Comey, Adam Schiff, and Letitia James.
• Trump calls for DOJ action against political opponents; FCC threatens ABC over Kimmel criticism — Trump posted on social media demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi pursue legal action against Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud allegations, despite a federal prosecutor's resignation after finding insufficient evidence. Simultaneously, FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke ABC's broadcast licenses after Jimmy Kimmel criticized the administration's response to Charlie Kirk's death, prompting ABC to pull Kimmel's show indefinitely. Democratic leaders warned these actions constitute a path toward dictatorship.

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• Trump directs Attorney General Bondi to appoint aide to prosecute political rivals — After the Homan investigation report was published, Trump posted on social media directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide and Trump's former personal lawyer, as interim US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. Trump's stated purpose was to enable prosecution of Democratic political rivals Adam Schiff and Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges both deny. This followed the forced removal of interim US attorney Erik Siebert, reportedly for refusing to bring charges against James due to lack of evidence.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Trump directs FHFA head Pulte to publicly accuse Democratic opponents of mortgage fraud and demand Cook's resignation from Federal Reserve — Bill Pulte, appointed by Trump to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has publicly accused New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook of owner-occupancy mortgage fraud via social media and referrals to the Department of Justice. Trump has demanded Cook resign and threatened to fire her if she does not step down. Cook, the first Black woman appointed to the Fed, denies the allegations and states she will not be "bullied" into resigning. The accusations remain unverified.
• Sen. Adam Schiff accused Trump administration of mortgage-based political persecution — Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), who is being criminally investigated after a referral from Bill Pulte, stated that the Trump administration's use of mortgage investigations against political opponents is "patently false" and that Pulte is "essentially doing the president's bidding." Schiff stated that "Mortgage is their new weapon to go after their critics" and that the administration will "manufacture anything to go after their critics."
• Trump administration weaponized Federal Housing Finance Agency against political opponents — The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration weaponized the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to investigate mortgage records of political opponents. Bill Pulte, a homebuilder heir appointed to lead the agency overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, initiated probes into mortgages of prominent Democrats and a Biden-appointed Federal Reserve official. Pulte partnered Fannie Mae with Palantir, a data analysis firm co-founded by Peter Thiel, and took an unusually active role at both firms.
• Bill Pulte weaponized Federal Housing Finance Agency to investigate Democrats for mortgage fraud — Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, weaponized the typically low-key, non-political agency to open investigations of Democrats for alleged mortgage fraud. Pulte made a criminal referral against Senator Adam Schiff and others, and provided the justification for Trump's attempted firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing mortgage fraud concerns. Pulte posted on social media that "fraud will not be tolerated in President Trump's housing market."

Supporting reports

• Trump acknowledged potential involvement in Bolton raid — When asked whether he knew about the FBI raid on John Bolton ahead of time or had involvement, Trump stated: "I could know about it. I could be the one starting it. I'm actually the chief law enforcement officer." The statement suggests potential presidential direction or knowledge of law enforcement action against a political critic.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for prosecution of Obama and senior officials — President Trump, responding to DNI Gabbard's report, called for the prosecution of former President Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Susan Rice, claiming they committed treason and orchestrated a coup. Trump posted on Truth Social that "Obama himself manufactured the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX" and called it "THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY" and "Irrefutable EVIDENCE." He demanded severe consequences for those involved.
• Trump baselessly accused Obama of committing treason — Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump baselessly accused Obama of committing treason, falsely claiming the former president and his administration "tried to rig the [2016] election, and they got caught. And there should be very severe consequences for that." Obama's spokesperson responded that the claims are "outrageous" and "ridiculous," noting that documents issued by Gabbard "undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election."
• Trump accused Obama and Clinton of treason and election rigging — When asked about Deputy Attorney General Blanche's meeting with Maxwell, Trump attacked former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, claiming they "tried to rig the [2016] election, and they got caught" and should face "very severe consequences." Trump referenced allegations made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday, in which she called for prosecution of Obama and former senior national security officials for a "treasonous conspiracy" against Trump related to Russian interference in the 2016 election.
• Trump directed Republican congressmembers to deflect questions about Epstein files by claiming Obama cheated in 2016 election — During a morning meeting with Republican members of Congress, President Trump stated his popularity is rising and instructed them to redirect questions away from the Epstein files by repeatedly claiming that former president Barack Obama cheated in the 2016 election. Trump requested that cameramen cut cameras during the accusation, though the recording continued uninterrupted. He told congressmembers to use the Obama claim as a deflection tactic for any "inappropriate" questions.
• Trump publicly calls for prosecution of Obama, alleging "coup" and "treason" — Donald Trump told reporters that Barack Obama attempted to lead a "coup" against him and committed "treason" by allegedly manufacturing evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump named Obama as the primary target of a criminal investigation recommended in a report by Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence. Obama's office responded with an emphatic public refutation, breaking precedent to reject the accusations as "outrageous" and "ridiculous," and reaffirmed that Russia's 2016 interference was confirmed by bipartisan Senate investigation and the Mueller report.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders investigation into Biden's presidency over alleged cognitive decline — President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into former President Joe Biden's actions during his presidency, citing concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities. The investigation, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington, aims to determine who was effectively running the government during Biden's term. This move is part of a broader Republican effort to discredit Biden and challenge his executive actions, including pardons and federal rules. The House oversight committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, is also seeking testimony from Biden's former aides regarding his mental and physical faculties.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders DOJ to investigate Chris Krebs for election security statements — President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Krebs coordinated efforts to secure the 2020 presidential election and publicly countered false claims of voter fraud. Trump accused Krebs of weaponizing his position against free speech and stripped him of his security clearance. Trump repeated debunked claims of a "badly rigged election" and suggested Krebs would "have a big price to pay" if the election was found to be unsafe.
• Trump orders DOJ to investigate Miles Taylor for alleged classified leaks and defiance — President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official who served as chief of staff to Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Taylor, who wrote an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed criticizing Trump and later published a book under the pseudonym "Anonymous," was accused of leaking classified information. Trump stripped Taylor of his security clearance and stated he believed Taylor was guilty of treason. Taylor responded that Trump had proven his point by weaponizing the justice department for revenge against dissent.
• Trump stripped security clearances from Christopher Krebs and Miles Taylor — On April 9, Trump revoked security clearances from Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security staffer. Trump claimed Krebs censored Trump loyalists by affirming the 2020 election was not stolen, and that Taylor's anonymous op-ed and book were treasonous and violated the Espionage Act. Trump also ordered government officials to investigate both men and recommend "appropriate remedial or preventative actions." CISA employees reported the attack on Krebs had disheartened staff and compounded staffing cuts that had "already severely degraded our capacity to defend critical infrastructure."
• White House issued fact sheet on presidential memorandum revoking Chris Krebs' security clearance — The White House published a fact sheet on April 9, 2025, describing a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Trump that revokes any active security clearance held by Chris Krebs and associates, including individuals at SentinelOne. The memorandum directs federal agencies to immediately revoke such clearances and calls for a comprehensive review of Krebs' activities as former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), including evaluation of CISA's conduct over six years. The fact sheet characterizes Krebs as having "weaponized" government authority to suppress conservative viewpoints, coerce social media platforms, and censor election information.
• White House issued memorandum directing revocation of Christopher Krebs' security clearance and review of CISA activities — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, directing executive agencies to revoke the security clearance of Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The memorandum alleges that Krebs engaged in censorship of speech related to the 2020 election and COVID-19, and directed coercion of social media platforms. It further directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to review Krebs' conduct as a federal employee and CISA's activities over the preceding six years, with a joint report to follow.
• Immigration judge rules Palestinian organizer Mahmoud Khalil eligible for deportation based on Secretary of State memo regarding his political views — An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian organizer, is eligible for deportation. The ruling accepted a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Khalil's "beliefs, statements or associations" are counter to U.S. foreign policy interests as sufficient evidence for removal of a lawful permanent resident. The judge determined she had no authority to rule on free speech concerns. Khalil, arrested by ICE in March, has been detained in Louisiana for over a month. His legal team plans to appeal and pursue an asylum case.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration issues executive orders targeting law firms over representation of Trump opponents and prosecutors — The Trump administration issued executive orders against corporate law firms that either represented attorneys involved in prosecution efforts against Trump during the Biden presidency or represented the current administration's political opponents. Obama characterized this as an unprecedented use of executive power to punish legal representation based on political alignment.
• Law firms reach deals with Trump administration to avoid executive orders — Multiple prominent law firms—Willkie, Farr and Gallagher; Milbank LLP; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom—capitulated to Trump's executive orders by reaching deals with the White House. In exchange for avoiding the orders, the firms agreed to perform pro bono work for causes aligned with Trump and to decline race-based hiring practices. This capitulation drew criticism from law firm alumni and Senator Bernie Sanders, who characterized it as "absolute cowardice" and a betrayal of professional independence.
• Trump administration issues executive orders targeting law firms representing political rivals — President Trump issued executive orders targeting law firms that had represented his political rivals. The orders sought to revoke security clearances, ban attorneys from accessing federal buildings, and require firms doing business with the government to disclose existing client relationships. The orders threatened to cripple targeted firms. Some firms capitulated and reached deals with the White House; others, including Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale, challenged the orders in court and secured injunctions or mandates blocking most of the measures.
• Trump executive orders target law firms for retribution; judges block orders on First Amendment and due process grounds — Trump issued executive orders targeting law firms Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale, seeking to revoke security clearances and curtail their government business. The orders targeted firms whose lawyers led a special counsel inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Three Washington DC judges in March blocked these orders. Judge John Bates called Trump's move "disturbing" and "troubling," noting it violated the firms' and lawyers' First Amendment and due process rights. Judge Beryl Howell temporarily blocked sanctions against Perkins Coie.
• Trump signs executive order targeting Susman Godfrey law firm — President Trump signed an executive order on April 9, 2025, targeting Susman Godfrey, the law firm that represented Dominion Voting Systems in its $787.5 million defamation settlement against Fox News over 2020 election falsehoods. The order restricts the firm's attorneys from accessing government buildings, revokes security clearances, and bars the firm from representing clients with federal business. Trump stated "there were some very bad things that happened with these law firms" without clarifying his rationale. Susman Godfrey announced it would challenge the order as unconstitutional.
• Trump issued executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, suspending security clearances and restricting federal contracts — President Trump issued an executive order on April 9, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Susman Godfrey LLP employees, cease provision of government materials and services to the firm, review and terminate federal contracts involving the firm, and restrict official access and hiring of Susman employees. The order alleges the firm engages in activities undermining U.S. interests, including weaponizing the legal system, funding groups that undermine military effectiveness, and administering race-based employment programs.
• White House signed Executive Order 14263 targeting law firm Susman Godfrey with security clearance suspensions, contract terminations, and personnel restrictions. — The White House issued Executive Order 14263 on April 9, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Susman Godfrey LLP employees, terminate government contracts with the firm, require contractors to disclose business relationships with Susman, restrict employee access to federal buildings, and limit hiring of Susman staff. The order characterizes the firm as engaging in "weaponization" of the legal system, undermining military effectiveness, and racial discrimination. Agencies must submit assessments of affected contracts within 30 days.
• Trump executive order targeted law firm representing Dominion — Another executive order targets a law firm that represented Dominion Voting Systems Inc. in a lawsuit against Fox Corp. that resulted in the media company agreeing to pay a $787.5 million settlement. The firm is also involved in a defamation case against Trump supporter and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

Supporting reports

• Willkie Farr & Gallagher reaches settlement with Trump administration — Willkie Farr & Gallagher agreed on Tuesday to commit $100 million in pro bono work to causes championed by Trump and to cease race-based hiring practices. The firm, which employs Doug Emhoff (Kamala Harris's husband) and represented Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss in their successful defamation suit against Rudy Giuliani, settled to avoid a threatened executive order. Emhoff had advised the firm not to settle.
• Milbank LLP reaches settlement with Trump administration — Milbank LLP agreed on Wednesday to commit $100 million in pro bono work to settle with the Trump administration and avoid a threatened executive order. The firm recently hired Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general and prominent Supreme Court litigator who wrote a book arguing for Trump's impeachment, making it a likely target.
• Trump administration coerces law firms into settlements to avoid executive orders targeting political opponents — The Trump administration has pressured multiple major law firms into settlements by threatening executive orders that could harm their business. Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Milbank LLP each agreed to commit $100 million in pro bono work and accept restrictions on hiring practices. Earlier, Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, and others settled similarly. The targeting appears aimed at firms representing Trump's political rivals or their associates, including those who represented election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani and those assisting Jack Smith. Some lawyers have quit in protest; others warn the settlements embolden further retaliation.
• Coalition of 21 state AGs warned law firms against surrendering to Trump threats — Delaware AG Kathy Jennings formed a coalition of 21 state AGs who signed a letter sent to the 100 largest law firms in the US. The letter warned firms not to surrender to Trump's threats and stated that recent Trump administration actions targeting law firms and attorneys, plus calls for impeachment of federal judges, represent a clear threat to the justice system. The letter cited the Paul, Weiss law firm's acquiescence to Trump's demands as an example of the chilling effect.
• Willkie Farr and Gallgher and Milbank LLP reach preemptive settlement deals with Trump administration — Two additional major law firms, Willkie Farr and Gallgher and Milbank LLP, reached preemptive settlement agreements with the Trump administration in early April to avoid being targeted by executive orders. These deals followed Skadden's March 28 settlement and occurred as other firms (Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale) successfully obtained court injunctions blocking most provisions of the administration's orders.
• Trump announces $100 million pro bono legal services deal — Trump on April 1 said he reached an agreement with a law firm to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services to support the president's agenda. Among the partners of the firm is former first gentleman Doug Emhoff. The arrangement raises questions about conflicts of interest and the use of private legal resources for presidential purposes.
• Trump announces second $100 million pro bono legal services deal — Trump on April 2 announced another deal with a law firm to provide $100 million in pro bono legal services. The second arrangement within days raises questions about the scope and purpose of private legal support for presidential activities.