Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court overturns detention challenge ruling in Mahmoud Khalil case — A federal appeals court overturned the ruling in the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate arrested in March 2025 for pro-Palestinian activism. The reversal opens the door to his eventual re-detention. Khalil, whose initial arrest was cited as the first target of Trump's effort to deport noncitizen students with pro-Palestinian views, plans to appeal the appellate decision.
• US appeals court reverses lower court decision freeing Palestinian activist from ICE detention — A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed a lower court's order releasing Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student, from immigration detention. The court found that the district court lacked jurisdiction to hear Khalil's habeas petition, ruling that immigration courts—not federal courts—have authority over such claims. Khalil had been detained in March 2025 after the Trump administration argued his pro-Palestinian activism constituted a threat to US foreign policy. He was released in June 2025 but now faces potential re-detention.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth announced Pentagon takeover of Stars and Stripes editorial content — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War is taking over editorial content decision-making for Stars and Stripes, the military publication. Hegseth stated the publication would be refocused away from "woke distractions" and toward warfighting, weapons systems, and military lethality. The Pentagon's statement challenged the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes, which has long retained independence under a congressional mandate governed by First Amendment principles.
• Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin defended editorial independence — Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin responded to the Pentagon's takeover announcement by reaffirming the publication's commitment to First Amendment principles and editorial independence. Slavin stated that military personnel who risk their lives in defense of the Constitution have earned the right to press freedoms and accurate, balanced coverage with accountability for military officials.
• Pentagon strikes policy protecting Stars and Stripes editorial independence, seizes control of military newspaper — The Trump administration's Department of Defense published a final rule in the Federal Register on Thursday striking previous policy that required Stars and Stripes to have a civilian editor and independent ombudsman. Pentagon officials will now control content "custom tailored to our warfighters," with the outlet directed to avoid "woke distractions" and focus exclusively on military topics. The action eliminates protections mandated by Congress and a defense department directive guaranteeing "free flow of news and information" without censorship.

Supporting reports

• Minnesota Attorney General sues Trump administration over ICE surge and excessive force — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday alleging that the Department of Homeland Security's deployment of thousands of ICE agents violates the Administrative Procedures Act through excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, racist targeting, and surveillance of courts, churches, and schools. The lawsuit follows the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, which sparked nationwide protests.
• Minnesota Attorney General files federal lawsuit to halt ICE operation in Minneapolis — Minnesota's attorney general filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop an ICE operation that fanned out across the Minneapolis area, initially directed at the Somali community. The lawsuit was filed following the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during the operation. The legal action represents state-level challenge to federal immigration enforcement activities.
• Minnesota Attorney General files lawsuit against Trump administration over DHS enforcement actions — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced he is filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security's use of excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, and targeting of courts, churches, and schools violates the Administrative Procedure Act. Ellison called for courts to end the surge of DHS agents in Minnesota.
• Minnesota attorney general sues Trump administration over ICE surge and use of force — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security on January 13, 2026, alleging excessive and lethal force, warrantless arrests, and targeting of courts, churches, and schools. The suit follows an ICE agent's fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good. Ellison seeks a temporary restraining order and an end to the deployment of thousands of DHS agents in Minnesota, characterizing the surge as unconstitutional and harmful to public safety and civil liberties.
• Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul file lawsuit challenging DHS immigration enforcement surge as constitutional violation — Minnesota's attorney general, Minneapolis's mayor, and St. Paul officials filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the Trump administration's massive immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. The suit alleges that the Department of Homeland Security is violating First Amendment and other constitutional protections by targeting a progressive, Democratic-leaning state that welcomes immigrants. The lawsuit characterizes the operation as a "federal invasion." The city of Chicago and Illinois separately filed a similar suit over the DHS's "organized bombardment."
• Illinois sued Department of Homeland Security for unlawful ICE and CBP tactics — The state of Illinois filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security alleging unlawful and dangerous tactics used by Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during "Operation Midway Blitz." Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul documented that agents acted as occupiers rather than law enforcement officers, randomly and violently questioning residents, brutally detaining citizens and non-citizens without warrants or probable cause, and using tear gas and chemical weapons against bystanders, injuring dozens including children, elderly persons, and local police officers. Governor J.B. Pritzker stated the actions undermined constitutional rights and threatened public safety.
• Minnesota and Minneapolis and St. Paul sued Trump administration over ICE operations — Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul filed lawsuits against the Trump administration challenging federal immigration enforcement operations that began on January 6. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison characterized the operation as "a federal invasion" and documented that poorly trained, aggressive, and armed federal agents conducted widespread unlawful conduct including terrorizing residents. The lawsuit challenged the legality and constitutionality of the enforcement tactics.

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."