Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• ICE agents arrest Chicago TV producer Debbie Brockman during immigration enforcement operation — Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Debbie Brockman, a U.S. citizen and WGN television producer, on October 10 in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood during an ICE operation. Agents forced her to the ground, handcuffed her, and detained her for approximately seven hours. A Homeland Security official claimed she threw objects at a Border Patrol vehicle and assaulted a federal officer. Brockman was released without charges. Her attorneys dispute the government account, stating she was violently assaulted while walking to a bus stop and was not acting in any professional capacity at the time.
• Border Patrol agents arrest WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman while recording detention — Masked Border Patrol agents arrested WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman in Chicago after she recorded agents detaining a Latino man. Agents claimed she obstructed their work; Homeland Security later accused her of throwing objects and assaulting a federal officer. Brockman was released without charges. The arrest occurred one day after a federal judge issued a restraining order protecting journalists from such federal agent conduct.

Supporting reports

• Judge Ellis restricts federal agents' use of force in northern Illinois — US District Judge Sara Ellis issued a preliminary injunction restricting federal agents' use of force against protesters and journalists in northern Illinois who do not pose a serious threat. The order prohibits pepper balls, rubber bullets, and physical force such as pulling, shoving, or tackling. Ellis also required federal agents to wear visible identification such as badges, addressing concerns about masked plainclothes officers conducting immigration enforcement operations.
• U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis issues temporary restraining order protecting journalists from federal agents — U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis granted a two-week temporary restraining order prohibiting federal agents from dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force against journalists in Chicago, unless the agents have probable cause to believe the individual has committed a crime. The order was issued in response to federal agents targeting journalists in Chicago.
• U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis issues temporary restraining order protecting journalists from federal agents in Chicago — U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis granted a two-week temporary restraining order prohibiting federal agents in Chicago from dispersing, arresting, threatening, or using physical force against journalists unless probable cause exists that they have committed a crime. The order followed reports of federal agents targeting journalists in the city.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Chicago Headline Club v. Noem (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12173 — District Court Judge Ellis issued a temporary restraining order granting plaintiffs' motion and blocking the Trump administration from using force against journalists or ordering crowd dispersal orders unless justified by exigent circumstances in the Chicago area. The order prohibits federal agents from arresting, threatening, or using force against any person they “reasonably should know is a Journalist” without probable cause, using riot control weapons unless necessary to stop an “immediate and serious threat,” and seizing or arresting any non-violent protester without probable cause. The court's ruling enjoins federal agents from this conduct for 14 days (until Oct. 23, 2025).
• Federal judge issues temporary restraining order on protest suppression tactics — A federal judge in Chicago issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday restricting federal agents from using forceful tactics to suppress protests or impede journalists from covering those protests. The order prohibits federal officials from arresting, threatening arrest, or deploying physical force against journalists unless probable cause exists that they have committed a crime. The order came days after prosecutors dropped charges against anti-ICE protesters accused of assaulting federal agents.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon Press Association condemned new Defense Department restrictions — The Pentagon Press Association (PPA) released a statement saying new restrictions by the Defense Department for reporters "appear designed to stifle a free press and potentially expose us to prosecution for simply doing our jobs." It added that the restrictions convey "an unprecedented message of intimidation" to everyone within the department. The PPA noted that the new policy could result in reporters losing their credentials "by seeking information that hasn't been pre-approved for formal release, even when the information is entirely classified."
• Pentagon imposes restrictive media access policies requiring journalist sign-off — The Trump administration's Pentagon released revised media guidelines requiring journalists to sign acknowledgment of policies that restrict solicitation of information from Department employees and limit independent reporting. Major news organizations including The New York Times and The Atlantic expressed opposition, citing concerns the policies will stifle press freedom and expose journalists to prosecution. CNN announced it will not sign. The Pentagon Press Association, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and PEN America all condemned the policies as incompatible with independent journalism, though the Pentagon defended them as reasonable regulations on access privileges.

Supporting reports

• Journalists and protesters sue Trump administration for pattern of brutality in Chicago — Journalists and protesters in the Chicago area filed a lawsuit on October 6, 2025, against the Trump administration alleging a "pattern of extreme brutality" designed to "silence the press and civilians." The suit targeted federal officers' use of force against journalists, peaceful protesters, and religious leaders. On October 9, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) restricting federal officers' use of flash-bang grenades, tear gas, pepper spray, and other "less-lethal" weapons and tactics. On October 16, after videos emerged of agents throwing tear gas canisters into crowds and charging protesters, Ellis required officers to wear body cameras.
• Coalition of Chicago journalists and organizations sued Trump administration — A coalition of Chicago journalists, non-profit organizations, and unions sued the Trump administration, arguing that federal agents have engaged in a "pattern of extreme brutality" at local protests to "intimidate and silence the press and civilians." The filing notes, "Never in modern times has the federal government undermined bedrock constitutional protections on this scale or usurped states' police power by directing federal agents to carry out an illegal mission against the people for the government's own benefit."

Supporting reports

• ICE deploys tear gas, pepper balls, and body slams against protesters and journalists in Broadview, Illinois — ICE agents, alongside Illinois state police and Cook County sheriff's office, deployed tear gas and pepper balls against protesters gathered at an ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois on Friday. Videos show agents body-slamming protesters to the ground. Journalists covering the protests were also attacked—a CBS Chicago reporter was hit with a pepper ball from 50 feet away; a Chicago Sun-Times reporter was tear-gassed; and an Unraveled Press reporter was detained. Legal observers were similarly targeted. The facility, not designed as a detention center, holds nearly 5,000 detainees statewide under "Operation Midway Blitz."
• ICE agents deploy tear gas against protesters in multiple U.S. cities — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used tear gas and other force against peaceful protesters in Portland, Washington DC, and Chicago during enforcement operations. The article references unspecified brutality by the Administration and an unwarranted raid on a Chicago apartment building, indicating escalating use of force against civilian demonstrators opposing immigration enforcement actions.

Supporting reports

• Journalist Mario Guevara deported to El Salvador after 100 days in ICE custody — Emmy-winning journalist Mario Guevara, who has lived in the Atlanta area for 20 years and holds a work permit, was arrested on June 2025 while livestreaming "No Kings Day" protests on petty charges that were immediately dismissed. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reopened his dormant deportation case following the arrest and held him for 100 days. On Friday, October 3, 2025, immigration officials deported him to El Salvador at 4 a.m., separating him from his two American citizen children and family.

Supporting reports

• Apple removes ICEBlock app at DOJ request — In October 2025, Apple removed the ICEBlock app from its App Store following a request from Attorney General Pam Bondi. ICEBlock allowed users to anonymously report sightings of ICE officers and receive alerts if agents were reported within a 5-mile radius. Apple cited app store guidelines around "objectionable" and "defamatory, discriminatory, or mean-spirited content," though the app included disclaimers against violence and interference with law enforcement. Developer Joshua Aaron later sued Trump administration officials, alleging they pressured Apple to violate his First Amendment rights.
• Apple removes IceBlock and similar immigration alert apps from App Store after Trump administration pressure — Apple removed IceBlock, a crowdsourced app that allowed users to anonymously report and monitor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent locations, from its App Store on Friday. The company cited "safety risks" and stated it had received information from law enforcement about the app. The app's developer said the removal was due to pressure from the Trump administration. The app had over 1 million users before removal. Users who previously downloaded it retain access.

Supporting reports

• Google removes ICE-tracking apps from Play Store — Following Apple's removal of ICEBlock and other ICE-tracking apps, Google removed similar applications from its Play Store, including Red Dot and Eyes Up. Red Dot allowed users to report ICE activity and notify nearby community members; Eyes Up was designed to document and preserve evidence of law enforcement abuses by archiving publicly posted materials. The removals occurred after DOJ pressure on tech platforms to eliminate tools facilitating citizen monitoring of federal agents.

Supporting reports

• Federal officers deploy chemical agents and rubber bullets against protesters at Broadview ICE facility — On Saturday night, 26 September, federal officers including US Border Patrol deployed pepper spray, rubber bullets, and teargas against protesters outside the Broadview ICE detention facility in Illinois. Officers arrested multiple protesters. A CBS Chicago reporter was also targeted with gas deployed into her vehicle while she was documenting the scene, causing her to become ill for hours.

Supporting reports

• Disney resumes Jimmy Kimmel Live production; Sinclair and Nexstar continue pre-emption — Disney announced it would resume production of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" beginning Tuesday, less than a week after suspending the program. However, TV station owners Sinclair and Nexstar announced they would continue to pre-empt the program on their affiliate stations. Nexstar is currently seeking to buy Tegna, another local TV operator, in a deal that would require the Trump FCC to change rules limiting the percentage of households a single company's stations can reach.
• Trump threatens ABC over Jimmy Kimmel — Ahead of the return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," Trump falsely called Kimmel "yet another arm" of the Democratic National Committee, which he baselessly claims "would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution." He threatened to "test ABC out on this," noting that while the network settled for $16 million with him in his last lawsuit, "this one sounds even more lucrative."
• ABC affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair refuse to broadcast Kimmel's show; FCC chair encouraged action — After ABC resumed Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following a suspension related to comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination, 66 ABC affiliates owned by Nexstar and Sinclair declined to air the program. Nexstar cited commitment to "respectful, constructive dialogue"; Sinclair said discussions with ABC were ongoing but previously demanded Kimmel apologize and donate to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had publicly encouraged affiliate owners to "take action" against Kimmel and "pre-empt" programming counter to local community values.
• FCC Chairman Carr encourages broadcast affiliates to suppress Kimmel programming — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly encouraged affiliate owners to "take action" against Jimmy Kimmel and "pre-empt" programming that runs counter to the values of "their local communities." This statement preceded Nexstar and Sinclair's decisions to withhold Kimmel's show from their 66 combined affiliates. The timing and language suggest regulatory pressure on private broadcasters to suppress content based on political speech.
• Sinclair and Nexstar media companies decline to air Jimmy Kimmel on ABC affiliates — Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Company have refused to air Jimmy Kimmel content on their affiliated ABC stations. The decision represents a media censorship action affecting broadcast distribution. Advocates are calling local stations to demand compliance with First Amendment principles and free speech standards. The underlying cause relates to Kimmel's on-air commentary, which triggered the networks' editorial decision to withhold programming.
• Sinclair and Nexstar Media Companies Refuse to Air Kimmel — Sinclair and Nexstar media companies have decided not to air Jimmy Kimmel's show on their ABC affiliates. This decision has sparked calls for advocacy to demand that local stations respect the First Amendment and support free speech. The refusal to air the show is seen as part of a broader issue concerning media control and censorship, prompting public action to address these concerns.

Supporting reports

• US appeals court orders deportation of Atlanta journalist Mario Guevara — An immigration appeals court closed the case of Mario Guevara, an Atlanta-based journalist detained by ICE, and ordered his removal from the United States. Guevara, an El Salvador native who has lived in the US for over 20 years, was arrested at a protest in June on charges that were dropped. Despite an immigration judge's initial bond order and his pending green card application and work permit, ICE pursued deportation. The ACLU filed an emergency petition and habeas corpus appeal seeking relief.

Supporting reports

• FCC chair pressures ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel over Kirk comments — Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr pressured ABC to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk's killing. The action drew criticism from some Republicans concerned about government interference in free speech and media editorial decisions. Democratic senators, including Chuck Schumer, called the pressure "government censorship" and demanded Carr's resignation, accusing him of "corrupt abuse of power" and threatening congressional subpoena power.
• FCC Chairman Carr threatened retaliation against ABC over Jimmy Kimmel — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to retaliate against ABC for its handling of comedian Jimmy Kimmel's employment. The threat was characterized as an attempt to pressure the network regarding speech the administration disfavored. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) publicly criticized Carr's threat as "unbelievably dangerous," comparing it to extortion and warning that government should not decide which speech to permit or threaten broadcasters with removal from the air.
• FCC chair threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel comments — FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned ABC that the agency may take regulatory action against the broadcaster, including "the possibility of fines or license revocation," over comments Jimmy Kimmel made on his late-night show about Trump and the response to Charlie Kirk's death. The threat came after Kimmel's monologue criticized the politicization of Kirk's assassination.
• FCC threatens to revoke ABC broadcast licenses over Kimmel's criticism — FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC stations after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized the Trump administration's response to Charlie Kirk's death. In response to the regulatory threat, ABC indefinitely pulled Kimmel's show off the air. The action represents regulatory retaliation against media criticism of the administration.
• FCC chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC broadcast license revocation — Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr threatened that ABC must suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel's show or lose its broadcast license. The threat was made in response to Kimmel's on-air comments about MAGA Republicans' search for someone to blame. Carr later denied involvement in the suspension after public backlash.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon imposed new restrictions on journalists covering DOD — The Pentagon released new restrictions requiring journalists covering the Department of Defense to sign a pledge not to gather or report on information not authorized for release, even if unclassified. Journalists who violate the rules risk losing press credentials. Additionally, 90 credentialed Pentagon reporters were restricted from several floors of the building unless accompanied by a government escort, severely limiting their movement and access previously available under prior administrations.
• Pentagon memo demands journalists pledge not to gather unauthorized information; Trump downplays restrictions — The U.S. Department of War (formerly Pentagon), under Secretary Pete Hegseth, issued a memo requiring journalists to pledge not to gather any information—including unclassified documents—without prior authorization for public release, or face revocation of press passes. The memo follows May restrictions limiting reporter movement within the building. When asked about the directive, President Trump said he did not think the Pentagon should decide what reporters can report on, stating "Nothing stops reporters." Press advocates condemned the policy as a prior restraint on publication.

Supporting reports

• Karen Attiah fired from Washington Post over social media posts — The Washington Post fired columnist Karen Attiah, allegedly over social media posts "about white men in response to the killing of Charlie Kirk." The Post's termination letter called her actions "unacceptable" and "gross misconduct," accusing her of "potentially endanger[ing] the physical safety" of colleagues. Attiah stated the posts were about "speaking out against political violence, racial double standards, and America's apathy toward guns." The Post Guild called her firing "unjust."
• Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah files grievance over termination — Karen Attiah, a Washington Post columnist who was fired last week over social media posts in the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk, filed a grievance arguing her posts were within the company's labor agreement and social media policy. Attiah also sent a letter to the Post's head of human resources in an effort to recover damages from her termination.

Supporting reports

• Trump suggested broadcasters critical of him should "maybe" lose licenses — During public remarks, Trump stated that television networks and broadcasters who criticize him should potentially have their licenses revoked by the FCC. The comment reflects an escalating pattern of threats against media outlets that report unfavorably on his administration. Trump made the remark on Air Force One while claiming 97% of television networks give him "only bad publicity or press."
• Trump threatened ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl — Trump threatened ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl after Karl asked about Attorney General Pam Bondi's comments about targeting hate speech. Trump replied that the Justice Department will "probably go after people like you because you treat me so unfairly," and added, "You have a lot of hate in your heart."
• Trump threatened Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter — When asked by an Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter whether a sitting president should be engaged in so much business activity, Trump threatened him, saying, "Your leader is coming over to see me very soon, I'm going to tell him about you. You set a very bad tone." The threat came during a press conference.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon issues media restrictions requiring journalists to sign pledge limiting information access — The Pentagon, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, issued a memo Thursday requiring journalists to sign a pledge restricting their movements within the building and prohibiting access to any unauthorized information, including unclassified documents. Journalists who refuse to sign lose their Pentagon press passes. The memo follows May restrictions limiting reporter movement to specific areas and Hegseth's removal of major news organizations from Pentagon offices. The policy has drawn criticism from press advocates as a violation of First Amendment protections.
• Trump calls for broadcast license revocation over negative coverage — Speaking on Air Force One Thursday, Trump stated without evidence that 97% of major US networks are "against" him and called for broadcasters' licenses to be "taken away" due to negative coverage. The statement followed backlash over ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show. Senator Cynthia Lummis endorsed the argument, telling Semafor that broadcast licenses are "a privilege" rather than a right and expressing doubt about the First Amendment as "the ultimate right."
• Trump criticizes Fox News polling as worst he has received — President Trump responded to Fox News polling showing 52% of Americans believe he has made the economy worse and only 30% saying he has made it better. Trump told Rupert Murdoch to "go get yourself a new pollster because he stinks," characterizing the Fox polling as "the worst polling I've ever had."
• President Trump suggested revoking broadcast licenses of networks critical of his administration — President Trump suggested that the federal government should revoke FCC licenses of broadcast television networks that are "against" him or provide him with "bad publicity." Trump specifically referenced criticism from late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, stating that networks focused on criticizing him should not be allowed to operate. FCC Chair Carr indicated the matter would be reviewed.
• Trump called for late-night comedians to be fired for criticizing him — President Trump called for late-night comedians to be fired for criticizing him, despite the fact that some had not made statements specifically about the Charlie Kirk assassination. The calls for termination were based on general political opposition expressed on their shows.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon issues media restrictions requiring journalists to sign pledge limiting information access — The Pentagon, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, issued a memo Thursday requiring journalists to sign a pledge restricting their movements within the building and prohibiting access to any unauthorized information, including unclassified documents. Journalists who refuse to sign lose their Pentagon press passes. The memo follows May restrictions limiting reporter movement to specific areas and Hegseth's removal of major news organizations from Pentagon offices. The policy has drawn criticism from press advocates as a violation of First Amendment protections.
• Pentagon revoked press credentials for unauthorized information gathering — On Friday, the Pentagon announced it would revoke press credentials for any journalists who gather information, even unclassified information, that the Pentagon has not expressly authorized for release. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who in February removed long-standing media outlets including NPR, the New York Times, and NBC News and replaced them with right-wing outlets, is investigating leaks of negative stories about him and defense issues. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell characterized the changes as "basic, common-sense guidelines," but the National Press Club called it a "sharp departure" from decades of practice.
• Trump stated negative media coverage is "really illegal" — In the Oval Office on Friday, Trump told reporters that covering the administration negatively is "really illegal." He stated that broadcasters cannot have "free airwaves" if they receive them from the U.S. government. Trump's FCC chair Brendan Carr has complained that many broadcasters have liberal bias and do not serve the public interest as required by FCC regulations.

Supporting reports

• Secretary of State Rubio threatens visa revocation for Kirk critics — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Jerusalem on Monday, reiterated threats to revoke visas for foreign nationals who "celebrate" Charlie Kirk's killing or engage in "negative and destructive behavior." Rubio's deputy, Chris Landau, previously instructed consular officers to undertake "appropriate action" when assessing visas for anyone "praising, rationalizing, or making light of" Kirk's death.

Supporting reports

• Trump filed $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times — President Trump filed a $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times and several of its leading reporters, alleging the newspaper is "a full-throated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party." The case filing praised Trump extensively for his success as a politician, entertainer, and entrepreneur. The New York Times responded that the case "lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting."
• Trump files $15 billion defamation lawsuit against New York Times — Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit in a Florida district court against the New York Times, book publisher Penguin, and several Times reporters, seeking $15 billion plus punitive damages and court costs. The suit alleges that Times reporting on Trump's role in The Apprentice, his inheritance from his father, and comments attributed to former chief of staff John Kelly about Trump's admiration for Hitler were false and designed to damage his business, personal, and political reputation. Trump argues the Times acted with malice and engaged in election interference through the timing and framing of its reporting.
• ABC and CBS settled Trump lawsuits after his election victory — Donald Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times in Florida district court, accusing the newspaper of being a "mouthpiece" for the Democratic Party and spreading false content about him. The suit targets articles and a book by Times journalists published before the 2024 election, claiming intentional malicious defamation. The Times responded that the lawsuit lacks merit and is an attempt to intimidate and stifle independent reporting.
• Pattern of Trump lawsuits against media organizations to suppress coverage — ABC and CBS, both defendants in Trump defamation lawsuits, reached settlements with Trump after his election victory in November 2024. David Enrich, deputy investigations editor at the New York Times, states: "I do not think it was a coincidence that they rushed to reach a settlement after Trump was elected, as opposed to before Trump was elected. I think that speaks pretty clearly to the power dynamics at play here and the fact that some major American institutions are not comfortable going up against the president."
• Trump sued the New York Times for $15 billion over 2024 election coverage — Trump has filed a series of lawsuits against major news organizations—ABC, CBS, the Des Moines Register, and the Wall Street Journal—over election coverage. ABC and CBS rushed to settle after Trump's election victory, according to David Enrich, deputy investigations editor at the New York Times. Enrich notes this represents a precedent-breaking use of presidential power: "Until a few weeks ago, when Trump sued the Wall Street Journal over the Epstein birthday book, a sitting United States president had never sued a news organization while in office."
• — President Trump filed a $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times on September 17, 2025, alleging the paper published "malicious, defamatory, and disparaging articles" during the 2024 election. The articles, adapted from the book "Lucky Loser" by Times investigative journalists, detailed Trump's inheritance of hundreds of millions of dollars, consistent business losses, and bailouts by others. The lawsuit is part of a broader pattern: Trump has sued ABC, CBS, the Des Moines Register, and the Wall Street Journal over election coverage, with ABC and CBS settling after his election victory.

Supporting reports

• Deputy Secretary of State suggested stripping visas from Kirk death celebrants — Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of state, suggested the administration would strip visas from individuals who celebrated Charlie Kirk's death, signaling use of immigration enforcement as a tool for political retaliation.
• Secretary of State Rubio threatens visa revocation for Kirk critics — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Jerusalem on Monday, reiterated threats to revoke visas for foreign nationals who "celebrate" Charlie Kirk's killing or engage in "negative and destructive behavior." Rubio's deputy, Chris Landau, previously instructed consular officers to undertake "appropriate action" when assessing visas for anyone "praising, rationalizing, or making light of" Kirk's death.

Supporting reports

• Larry Bushart sues Tennessee county over arrest and 37-day jailing for Facebook meme — Larry Bushart, a former law enforcement officer, filed a lawsuit against Perry County, Tennessee, Sheriff Nick Weems, and investigator Jason Morrow after being arrested and jailed for 37 days in September 2025 for posting a Facebook meme. The meme, shared in comments on a vigil post for assassinated activist Charlie Kirk, showed Trump with a quote from a 2024 Iowa school shooting ("We have to get over it"), captioned "This seems relevant today." Police arrested Bushart the next day, charging him with "threatening mass violence at a school," though the meme referenced a shooting in Iowa, not the local Tennessee school. The criminal charge was dropped in late October. Bushart alleges violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Supporting reports

• White House Press Secretary falsely attributed signature analysis article to Daily Signal — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that the Daily Signal had published an article with "three separate signature analysts" concluding the letter's signature was not authentic. The Daily Signal published no such article. The Daily Wire, a different conservative outlet, published an article claiming "3 forensic analyses" but actually only ran the letter through AI models, which falsely claimed Trump had never used words like "enigma" that appear in the letter. Expert Thomas W. Vastrick, president of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, told the Washington Post the signature was "very consistent" with Trump's known signatures.

Supporting reports

• Trump's message in Epstein birthday book published; White House denies signature authenticity — On September 8, 2025, a 238-page scrapbook given to Epstein for his 50th birthday was made public, containing a message bearing Trump's signature. The message depicted an imagined conversation between Trump and Epstein, concluding "Happy birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret." The White House claimed the signature was not Trump's, despite it appearing identical to numerous public examples of his signature.
• White House denies Trump's signature on suggestive Epstein birthday note; claims forgery — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that President Trump signed or wrote a sexually suggestive letter to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that was released by the House oversight committee on Monday. The letter, part of Epstein's 2003 birthday book, included a drawing of a naked woman's torso and an imagined conversation between Trump and Epstein. Leavitt stated that three signature analysts concluded the signature was not authentic and that Trump's external legal team is pursuing litigation against the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the letter's existence in July.
• Trump's legal team pursues litigation against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter reporting — Trump's external legal team is pursuing litigation against the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the existence of the suggestive letter to Epstein in July 2025. The White House press secretary cited this litigation as part of the administration's effort to challenge the authenticity of the signature on the letter and discredit the reporting.

Supporting reports

• White House Press Secretary denied authenticity of Epstein birthday card — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement claiming the birthday card story is false and asserting that President Trump did not draw or sign the picture. She announced that Trump's legal team would "aggressively pursue litigation" against the Wall Street Journal and News Corp.
• White House Press Secretary falsely attributed signature analysis article to Daily Signal — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that the Daily Signal had published an article with "three separate signature analysts" concluding the letter's signature was not authentic. The Daily Signal published no such article. The Daily Wire, a different conservative outlet, published an article claiming "3 forensic analyses" but actually only ran the letter through AI models, which falsely claimed Trump had never used words like "enigma" that appear in the letter. Expert Thomas W. Vastrick, president of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, told the Washington Post the signature was "very consistent" with Trump's known signatures.

Supporting reports

• FBI accessed private Signal group chat of immigration court-watch activists — The FBI gained access to encrypted Signal conversations of New York immigration activists organizing "courtwatch" efforts to monitor public federal immigration court proceedings. An August 2025 joint FBI-NYPD report quoted from the private chat and characterized court watchers as "anarchist violent extremist actors," despite the courtwatch activities being non-violent legal observation of public hearings. The report was distributed to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The method of access to the encrypted platform remains unclear.