Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Leqaa Kordia released from ICE detention after year in custody despite three judicial release orders — Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old pro-Palestinian activist from the West Bank, was arrested at a Gaza protest outside Columbia University in April 2024, then taken into ICE custody a year later during a routine check-in at a New Jersey ICE office. She was held at Prairieland detention center in Texas for over a year despite a judge ruling three times that she posed no threat and could be released on bond. She was finally released on a $100,000 bond on March 17, 2026. During detention, she reported dangerous conditions, was hospitalized after a seizure in February while shackled, and faced accusations from then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of being a terrorist sympathizer.

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• Tucker Carlson claims CIA preparing criminal referral for Iran communications — Tucker Carlson posted a video on X claiming the CIA is preparing a criminal referral to the Department of Justice alleging he acted as a foreign agent by communicating with people in Iran before the recent US-Iran war. Carlson denied the unleveled charges and asserted his loyalty to the United States. The claim reflects broader tensions within Trump's MAGA movement over the Iran conflict, with Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Steve Bannon, and Marjorie Taylor Greene breaking with the administration over the war.

Supporting reports

• Trump endorses FCC chair's threat to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social expressing he was "thrilled" that FCC Chair Brendan Carr was "looking at the licenses" of news organizations reporting unfavorably on the Iran war. Carr had stated on X that broadcasters running "hoaxes and news distortions" should "correct course before their license renewals come up" or "lose their licenses." In a Reuters interview, Carr said license revocations were "on the table" and accelerated reviews were possible. Trump claimed news outlets "knowingly" disseminated false information and should face treason charges, while Defense Secretary Hegseth barred press photographers and singled out CNN.
• Trump posted social media attacks on New York Times and Wall Street Journal — President Trump posted on social media that the New York Times and Wall Street Journal "actually want us to lose the War" and that their "terrible reporting is the exact opposite of the actual facts." Trump called the outlets "Lowlife 'Papers' and Media" and characterized journalists as "truly sick and demented people that have no idea the damage they cause the United States of America," citing his 2024 election victory as proof that Americans understand events better than "Fake News Media."
• Trump posted that media outlets should face treason charges for false reporting — President Trump posted on social media that media outlets generating stories he characterized as "FAKE" "should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information." Trump reiterated support for FCC Chair Brendan Carr's attack on the media and insisted he won the presidential election "IN A LANDSLIDE."

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• Trump posted image claiming to reshape media landscape with defunding and firings — President Trump posted an image titled "PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RESHAPING THE MEDIA" with three categories: "GONE," "REFORMS," and "WINNING." Under "gone" was the defunding of PBS and NPR and a list of reporters fired since Trump took office in 2025. Under "reforms," the image claimed Trump was the "Most Accessible POTUS Ever" and noted CBS's new ownership by Trump ally David Ellison included a "News Bias Ombudsman." Under "winning" was a quote from The Guardian that "Trump is waging war against the media—and winning."

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• Laura Loomer accused Tucker Carlson of being Iranian asset; created list of alleged foreign agents — Laura Loomer posted that Tucker Carlson is an Iranian asset and should be jailed, questioning why he would oppose the U.S. killing the Ayatollah. Loomer stated she created a list of conservative influencers she believes are taking money from Iran, Russia, and Qatar and provided supporting evidence to the DOJ. Loomer accused all listed individuals of violating FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) and stated they deserve jail time.

Supporting reports

• Trump and FCC Chair Carr threatened media companies covering the war — Trump posted that the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets "want us to lose the War" and that their reporting is "the exact opposite of the actual facts." FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded by threatening broadcasters, stating that those "running hoaxes and news distortions" have a chance to "correct course before their license renewals come up" or they will lose their licenses. Carr stated the law requires broadcasters to operate in the public interest.

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• Trump berates and silences ABC News reporter on Air Force One — On March 15, Trump shushed ABC News journalist Mariam Khan during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One, calling her a "very obnoxious person" after she asked about the deployment of thousands of marines and sailors to the Middle East. Earlier in the same gaggle, Trump called ABC News "one of the worst, most fake, most corrupt news organizations on the planet" and announced he would not take further questions from the network after Khan asked about the appropriateness of using a dignified transfer photo in a fundraising email.
• Trump refuses ABC News questions on Air Force One — During a press availability on Air Force One, Trump was asked by an ABC News reporter about his PAC sending a fundraising email using a photo from a dignified transfer ceremony. Trump responded that he thought it was appropriate, then asked who the reporter worked for. Upon learning the reporter was from ABC, Trump declared ABC "maybe the most corrupt news organizations on the planet" and stated "I don't want any more questions from ABC," refusing further questions from that outlet.

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• Nine anti-ICE protesters convicted on terrorism support charges in Texas — Nine protesters were found guilty of providing material support to terrorists and related charges following a July 4, 2025 demonstration at Prairieland detention center near Fort Worth. Prosecutors alleged the defendants were part of an antifa cell and coordinated an ambush on law enforcement; the defendants maintained they planned a peaceful protest and brought firearms for self-defense. The case marked the first federal prosecution alleging individuals were part of an antifa terrorist cell. Sentencing ranges from 10 to life in prison.

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• Michigan state representative Noah Arbit attacks Muslim politician Abdul El-Sayed on social media — Pro-Israel state representative Noah Arbit posted on X (formerly Twitter) attacking Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official running for U.S. Senate, accusing him of stoking hatred against Jews. Arbit invoked AIPAC and drew a logical line from El-Sayed's criticism of Israel to the Temple Israel attack. El-Sayed had expressed horror at the attack and called for an end to the cycle of violence involving Israeli strikes, the Iran war, and the synagogue attack, while distinguishing between criticism of Israel and antisemitism.

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• Defense Secretary Hegseth complained about war coverage at press briefing — On March 14, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a press briefing at the Defense Department in which he spent significant time complaining about headlines reporting that the war is widening and that the administration underestimated Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz. He called for a "patriotic press" that would report Iran is weakening, criticized CNN's reporting, and stated "The sooner [right-wing Trump ally] David Ellison takes over that network, the better." He claimed the Strait of Hormuz is open and that Iran can "barely communicate, let alone coordinate."
• Hegseth criticized media coverage of the Iran war — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed frustration during a press briefing about media reports suggesting that the war with Iran is widening and that the administration underestimated the threat of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that the Strait is open and criticized CNN for its reporting.

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• FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens broadcaster license revocation over Iran war coverage — FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned broadcasters on March 14 that they could lose their licenses if they continue "running hoaxes and news distortions," specifically referencing coverage of Trump's Iran war policy. Carr stated broadcasters "have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up." Senator Elizabeth Warren responded by calling the threat "straight out of the authoritarian playbook" and noting it violates constitutional protections for free speech.

Supporting reports

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened broadcast licenses of media stations — Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr posted a threat to the broadcast licenses of media stations, stating that "Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions—also known as the fake news—have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up." Carr claimed "The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not." Carr also falsely claimed Trump won "a landslide election victory" when Trump received less than 50% of the vote.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth complained about war coverage at press briefing — On March 14, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a press briefing at the Defense Department in which he spent significant time complaining about headlines reporting that the war is widening and that the administration underestimated Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz. He called for a "patriotic press" that would report Iran is weakening, criticized CNN's reporting, and stated "The sooner [right-wing Trump ally] David Ellison takes over that network, the better." He claimed the Strait of Hormuz is open and that Iran can "barely communicate, let alone coordinate."

Supporting reports

• FCC chair threatens to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, warned on Saturday that broadcasters could lose their licenses if they air what the agency deems "fake news" or "hoaxes" about the Iran conflict. Carr stated on X that broadcasters must operate in the public interest or "will lose their licenses." He doubled down in a CBS News interview, claiming licenses are not a property right and broadcasters must avoid "news distortion." The threat drew immediate criticism from both Democrats and a Republican senator.

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• White House press secretary defends Trump's false Tomahawk claim — On Tuesday, March 10, when a reporter asked why Trump said Iran had Tomahawks when only three other U.S. allies and the U.S. possess them, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt answered: "The president has a right to share his opinions with the American public, but he has said he'll accept the conclusion of that investigation, and frankly, we're not going to be harassed by the New York Times, who's been putting out a lot of articles on this making claims that have just not been verified by the Department of War, to quickly wrap up this investigation because the New York Times is calling on us to do so."
• White House Press Secretary Leavitt defended Trump's false claim as "opinion" — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump's factually false claim that Iran may possess Tomahawk missiles by characterizing it as the president's right to "share his opinions with the American public." She also attacked the New York Times for reporting on the school bombing and accused the outlet of harassment.

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• Kari Lake announced partnership between Voice of America and One America News — While serving as de facto head of Voice of America, Kari Lake announced a partnership between the government-funded international broadcaster and One America News, a pro-Trump outlet known for spreading misinformation. Press freedom advocates characterized the move as an attempt to replace independent journalism with political programming within an institution specifically created to provide fact-based reporting to audiences in countries with state-controlled media. This partnership was announced before the federal court ruling that voided Lake's authority.

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• Secretary Hegseth refuses to answer questions about girls school strike — During a 60 Minutes interview, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was asked directly whether the U.S. bombed the Iranian girls school. He declined to provide a substantive answer, stating only that the matter "is being investigated, which is the only answer I'm prepared to give." Fox host Laura Ingraham subsequently criticized the response, calling for the administration to "wrap up its investigation and address head-on" the "horrible unintended tragedy."
• Secretary Hegseth held press conference avoiding questions on Iranian school bombing — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conducted a press conference where he called exclusively on right-wing media outlets (Gateway Pundit, OAN) and avoided all questions about the bombing of an Iranian girls school that killed at least 175 people, mostly children. Neither Hegseth nor Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine commented on any investigation into the bombing. A reporter attempting to ask about it was ignored.

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• Spanish-language journalist detained by ICE without warrant shown — Estefany Rodriguez Florez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias who has done stories critical of ICE, was arrested during a traffic stop without being shown a warrant, according to court documents filed by her attorney. Rodriguez, a Colombian citizen with a valid work permit who entered the U.S. lawfully, has been living in the country for five years and applied for political asylum through her U.S. citizen husband. She left Colombia after receiving death threats for her coverage of crime.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge voided actions taken by Kari Lake at Voice of America — U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled on Saturday that Kari Lake, a Trump-appointed official, lacked lawful authority to serve as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America. Lake had exercised approximately 95 percent of the CEO's duties despite not being employed by USAGM when the former CEO resigned in January 2025 and lacking Senate confirmation. The court voided her actions, including layoffs of over 1,000 journalists and staffers, funding cuts, and restructuring that reduced VOA broadcasting from 49 languages to four. The ruling reaffirms that administrations must follow legal procedures when installing control over public institutions.
• Appeals court voids Kari Lake's tenure as head of US Agency for Global Media for lack of Senate confirmation — Senior judge Royce C Lamberth of the US District Court for the District of Columbia voided the tenure of Kari Lake, a Republican former gubernatorial candidate, who unlawfully led the US Agency for Global Media for several months in 2025 without Senate confirmation. The court voided mass layoffs and other actions Lake took to dismantle the agency overseeing Voice of America and related international news broadcasters, finding her appointment violated constitutional requirements.
• Federal judge voids Kari Lake's unlawful tenure at USAGM, invalidating mass layoffs — US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake unlawfully served as head of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent agency of Voice of America, after Trump appointed her without Senate confirmation on 31 July 2025. During her tenure through 19 November 2025, Lake cut over 1,000 staff positions and terminated contracts. The judge voided all actions taken during her unlawful service, citing violations of the Appointments Clause and the Vacancies Act. The ruling relied on precedent from the Third Circuit's invalidation of Alina Habba's appointment to lead the US attorney's office in New Jersey.
• Federal judge ruled Kari Lake acted unlawfully in running Voice of America — U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake, head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, acted unlawfully in running the Voice of America and its parent agency. The judge declared all of Lake's actions over the past year null and void, including the layoffs of more than 1,000 journalists and staffers. Lake announced she would appeal the ruling.
• Federal judge voided Kari Lake's authority over Voice of America — A federal judge ruled that Kari Lake had been unlawfully running Voice of America without proper legal authority and voided her actions. Lake had previously laid off more than 1,000 journalists and reduced Voice of America's language broadcasts from 49 to four. The ruling invalidated these personnel and operational decisions made without lawful authorization to hold the position.

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• John Mazurek accepts Alford plea in Cop City arson case, resolves three-year prosecution without conviction — John Mazurek, a 33-year-old Georgia carpenter, resolved a three-year felony arson case by accepting an Alford plea to the reduced charge of criminal damage to property on March 7, 2026. Superior Court Judge Emily Richardson approved the plea, which carries a decade of probation but no conviction. Mazurek had faced up to 20 years for allegedly burning police motorcycles during July 2023 protests against a police training facility. The case involved two months of jail time, 24-hour house arrest, ankle monitoring, and persistent surveillance. Prosecutors' evidence centered on trace DNA from a soda bottle fashioned into an incendiary device, though defense analysis showed genetic material from up to five additional people on the bottle.
• Probation conditions imposed on Mazurek restrict First Amendment protest activity and association — As part of the Alford plea resolution, Judge Emily Richardson imposed probation conditions requiring Mazurek to abstain from "activities, movements, rallies or protests … outwardly expressing or proclaiming anti-government sentiment" for ten years. He was also prohibited from associating with "Defend the Atlanta Forest," described by prosecutors as a group but which functioned as a social media account broadcasting movement messages. Legal experts note such conditions are common in politically motivated prosecutions and serve to isolate defendants and communities from legitimate First Amendment activity.

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• ICE arrests approximately 100 clergy members during Minneapolis airport protest — During a demonstration at Minneapolis-St Paul international airport organized by clergy opposing ICE operations, federal immigration agents arrested approximately 100 faith leaders who were engaged in prayer and civil disobedience. The arrests occurred as 250 clergy members led roughly 2,000 participants in the protest against federal immigration enforcement in the city.
• Minneapolis mayor reaffirms sanctuary policy and clergy conduct mass protest against ICE operations — In response to Trump sending thousands of federal troops to Minneapolis in January 2026, the city's mayor emphasized the municipality's sanctuary policy refusing cooperation with ICE. Hundreds of clergy members from inside and outside the city organized protests, with 250 clergy leading approximately 2,000 participants in a demonstration at Minneapolis-St Paul international airport. ICE arrested about 100 clergy members during the action as faith leaders engaged in prayer and civil disobedience.

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• Nashville journalist Estefany Rodríguez detained by ICE without warrant, released after 15 days — Estefany Rodríguez, a Colombia-born journalist covering immigration for Nashville Noticias, was arrested by ICE on March 4 without a warrant, despite holding a valid work permit and pending asylum and green card applications. She spent 15 days in custody across Alabama and Louisiana detention facilities, endured isolation and alleged chemical abuse by guards, and was denied attorney contact for 10 days. A federal judge released her on a $10,000 bond on March 20. Her lawyers alleged she was targeted for her reporting on ICE operations.

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• Kristi Noem refuses to retract "domestic terrorist" claim about unarmed protesters — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before Congress on March 3, 2026, and refused to retract her statements labeling two unarmed protesters killed by ICE and CBP officers as "domestic terrorists." Senator Dick Durbin challenged her to withdraw the claim, noting that ICE and CBP officials had testified they did not provide information supporting the terrorism allegation. Noem cited "reports from the ground" but offered no evidence.
• Kristi Noem refuses to retract false statements calling killed Minnesotans "domestic terrorists" at Senate oversight hearing — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3 and refused to retract her characterization of two U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis as "domestic terrorists." Senator Dick Durbin pressed Noem to acknowledge the false accusation against Renee Good and Alex Pretti, but she deflected, citing "chaotic" reports from agents at the scene. The hearing also addressed concerns about arrest quotas, a $220 million advertising contract awarded to a firm run by Noem's former spokesperson, and inspector general complaints of obstruction.

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• FBI investigated New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson over story on Kash Patel's girlfriend — The FBI opened an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson in March 2026 following her February 28 article alleging that FBI Director Kash Patel used federal resources to provide protection and transportation for his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins. FBI agents searched databases for details about Williamson and suggested assessing whether her reporting violated federal stalking laws. Patel denied the investigation on Fox News, claiming the article posed a direct threat to his girlfriend. The Times' executive editor condemned the FBI's actions as unconstitutional and a violation of First Amendment rights.

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• Independent journalist Brixton Hughes arrested in connection with Minnesota church protest — Brixton Hughes, identified as an independent journalist, was arrested on Friday morning in connection with the January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. Hughes posted on Facebook "Feds at my door" following the arrest. Hughes was among 25 people arrested as part of the DOJ's expanded prosecution of protest participants. Two other journalists, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, were previously charged over the same protest, though they maintained they were covering it as reporters rather than participating.

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• CNN contributor Scott Jennings promoted unverified claim about Iranian threat — CNN contributor Scott Jennings reported on Saturday that "senior Trump Admin officials" had told him that "credible intelligence indicated Iran planned preemptive missile strikes against US military targets in the region, and against civilian targets as well," and that "failure to act would've resulted in mass US casualties." The bulletin notes that no other journalist reported this claim, Trump did not make this assertion, and the claim was not corroborated by any other source. The article characterizes this as CNN paying Jennings to "push the lie to their shrinking audience."