Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Administration halts Afghan visas and pauses applications from 19 non-European countries — The Trump administration halted the ability of Afghans to obtain US visas and paused immigration applications filed by immigrants from 19 non-European countries. These actions were accompanied by a halt to all asylum decisions. The measures represent a sweeping restriction on immigration based on national origin, implemented without individualized review or targeted intelligence.

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• Trump pardons entertainment executive indicted by DOJ for bid-rigging conspiracy — Donald Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon on Tuesday for Tim Leiweke, co-founder of Oak View Group, who had been indicted by the Trump administration's own Justice Department in July 2025 on charges of orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas. Leiweke had pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to stand trial in 2026. The pardon was posted to the DOJ website on Wednesday with no explanation provided.

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• Trump pardons Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar under indictment for bribery — Trump pardoned Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar, who is under indictment for a $600,000 bribery scheme involving Azerbaijani officials and a Mexican energy company. The Biden administration had prosecuted Cuellar under the rule of law. Trump's pardon signals that bribery is acceptable if the recipient pledges loyalty to him, weaponizing presidential power to normalize corruption.
• Trump criticizes pardoned congressman for refusing party switch after pardon — Donald Trump pardoned U.S. House member Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and his wife on bribery charges on Wednesday. Days later, Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat and stated he would not change parties. Trump responded on Sunday with a Truth Social post criticizing Cuellar for "lack of LOYALTY," suggesting the congressman owed him political allegiance in exchange for the pardon and threatening future refusal of clemency.

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• Trump announces Biden's autopens invalidate all prior presidential actions — President Trump announced that because former President Joe Biden used an autopen to sign documents, "[a]ny and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts," pardons, and commutations Biden signed are "invalid." Trump claimed no constitutional mechanism exists for a president to erase the actions of a predecessor by fiat. Legal experts note all modern presidents, including Trump, have used autopens, and the Constitution provides no such invalidation power.
• Trump expanded plan to terminate Biden's autopen-signed documents — On Truth Social, Trump doubled down on his plan to terminate all of Biden's executive orders signed by autopen, but expanded the list to include documents, proclamations, memorandums, and contracts. The expansion broadened the scope of retroactive invalidation of Biden administration actions.

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• Trump administration paused immigration applications from 19 countries — On the evening of December 2, 2025, the Trump administration implemented a policy pausing all immigration applications from 19 countries and halting the processing of green cards and citizenship applications. Federal authorities announced they would target Somali immigrants in Minneapolis–St. Paul in an upcoming sweep, despite the fact that approximately 95% of Somalis in Minnesota are already U.S. citizens and about 50% were born in the U.S.
• USCIS halts immigration applications from 19 countries under travel restrictions — On December 3, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a policy memo imposing an immediate "adjudicative hold" on all asylum applications and ordering a comprehensive re-review of individuals from 19 "high-risk countries" who entered the US after January 20, 2021. The 19 countries—Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen—are already under partial or full US travel restrictions. The action follows the shooting of two national guard members in Washington DC by an Afghan national granted asylum earlier in 2025.

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• Trump Cabinet members praise president at televised meeting while he appears asleep — At a televised Cabinet meeting on December 2, 2025, Trump's Cabinet officers praised the president as "brilliant" and a "miracle worker." Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Trump as the only man who could end Russia's war in Ukraine while gesturing at the president, who appeared to be asleep. The meeting was designed to demonstrate that Trump is alert and active, but instead presented a visual of apparent presidential incapacity during a formal government proceeding.
• Trump cabinet meeting with public statements on military operations and policy — During a Tuesday cabinet meeting, President Trump made multiple public statements including claims about cognitive test performance, praise for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, assertions about ending wars and deserving a Nobel Peace Prize, denial of murders in Washington D.C., claims about inflation and prescription drug prices, and discussion of naval operations against drug trafficking vessels. Hegseth stated the U.S. has "only just begun" sinking "narco boats" and putting people "at the bottom of the ocean." Cabinet members discussed various policy matters while Trump mused about seizing partial company ownership.
• Trump held a Cabinet meeting during which he fell asleep for extended periods while making public statements. — Trump convened a Cabinet meeting in front of press and television cameras on December 2. During the meeting, his eyes were closed approximately 80% of the time during the final hour as he sat with two Band-Aids on his hand. He made various statements about tariffs, income tax, his health, cognitive fitness, Somali immigrants, and military strikes, while Cabinet officials took turns praising him. The meeting was conducted with the president visibly fatigued.
• Trump made statements claiming he is "sharper than 25 years ago" and claimed to have "aced" a cognitive test. — During the Cabinet meeting, Trump stated "I think I'm sharper than I was 25 years ago" and claimed he took a physical and "got all As. Everything." He also claimed he was offered a cognitive test, asked if it was hard, and stated "I aced it," adding that no president has ever agreed to take one. These claims were made while Trump was visibly fatigued and sleeping during the meeting.
• Trump struggled to stay awake during Cabinet meeting — During a Cabinet meeting, Trump struggled to stay awake, according to reporting. The incident raised questions about the president's fitness and stamina for the demands of the office.

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• Trump convenes "war cabinet" to discuss Venezuela invasion — President Trump summoned his "war cabinet" to discuss a potential military invasion of Venezuela. The discussion occurred amid Trump's declining approval ratings and lowest presidential polling numbers in American history. Polling data shows 70% of Americans oppose military action against Venezuela, and 56% believe such conflict would not reduce drug trafficking. Trump's allies have been deployed to right-wing media to promote war rhetoric, regime-change justifications, and discussions of seizing Venezuelan oil reserves for American petroleum companies.
• White House demands Nicolás Maduro leave Venezuela with threat of military action — The White House conducted a phone call with Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro demanding his immediate departure from the country to allow restoration of democratic rule. The U.S. offered safe passage to Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and his son if he resigned immediately. Maduro's representatives proposed retaining command of the armed forces while ceding political control to the opposition. The call reached an impasse as positions diverged. Washington is simultaneously preparing to launch land attacks inside Venezuela.

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• White House claimed September 2 boat strike was lawful self-defense — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration believes the September 2 strike on a boat off Venezuela was lawful because it "was conducted in self defense to protect Americans and vital United States interests." This justification would permit the president or those acting in his name to be judge, jury, and executioner without regard to law. Leavitt attributed the orders to Admiral Bradley rather than Defense Secretary Hegseth.
• Trump administration announced formal armed conflict determination against drug cartels — The Trump administration announced that President Donald Trump has "determined" the United States is in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that individuals aboard targeted boats are formally designated "combatants." This determination was made without providing the legal authority required to support such a classification. The administration announced the strikes on September 4 and informed Congress to ensure it was "fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution," but has since ignored that resolution's requirement for congressional approval for hostile actions continuing longer than 60 days, a deadline that passed in early November.
• Trump administration asserts formal armed conflict with drug cartels without legal authority — The Trump administration declared that President Trump has "determined" the U.S. is in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that individuals on targeted boats are formally "combatants." The administration notified Congress of strikes on September 4 under the War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional approval for hostile actions continuing longer than 60 days. That deadline passed in early November 2025, yet Trump has not sought or obtained congressional approval and has ignored the War Powers Resolution requirement. Legal experts have stated the operation lacks lawful foundation, as civilians engaged in trade—even illicit trade—are not enemy combatants under international law.

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• Trump proposed massive White House ballroom without following permitting or zoning requirements — Trump has proposed a ballroom at the White House that has grown from an initial 500-seat design to a planned structure larger than the West Wing and Executive Mansion, with capacity for a presidential inauguration crowd. Trump told contractors they do not need to follow permitting, zoning, or code requirements because the structure is on White House grounds.

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• Trump personally selected ballroom contractors outside government bidding process — Contractors working on Trump's White House ballroom did not go through the traditional government bidding process. Instead, Trump has been personally selecting each contractor and handling contract details, including compensation amounts.

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• Trump installed personal lawyer as chairman of National Capital Planning Commission — Trump installed his former personal lawyer Will Scharf as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, which is supposed to review plans for the White House ballroom project. Scharf has stated there is no need to review Trump's plans before demolition of the East Wing.

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• Trump pardons former Honduran president — Trump announced a full pardon for former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of drug trafficking. This decision raises questions about the integrity of U.S. foreign policy and the rule of law, given Hernández's criminal history.
• Trump pardons former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernández convicted of cocaine trafficking conspiracy — Trump announced a full pardon for Juan Orlando Hernández, former president of Honduras, who was found guilty by an American jury last year of conspiring to import 400 tons of cocaine into the United States and was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison. Trump announced the pardon on social media, writing "MAKE HONDURAS GREAT AGAIN!"
• Trump granted pardon to Juan Orlando Hernández, major drug trafficker — Trump announced a pardon for Juan Orlando Hernández, former president of Honduras, who was convicted by a US jury of conspiring to traffic 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. The DOJ estimated this represented 4.5 billion doses of cocaine and that Hernández was at the center of one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world.
• Trump justified Hernández pardon by claiming Biden setup — When asked to explain the pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, Trump stated "Many of the people of Honduras said it was a Biden setup. I looked at the facts and agreed with them." When pressed for evidence, Trump responded that arresting a president for drug trafficking in any country would be unjust.
• Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, former Honduran president and major narco-trafficker — Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras and one of the world's most notorious narco-traffickers. According to the text, Hernández trafficked hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States, worked with El Chapo, and openly vowed to "shove cocaine up the noses of gringos until they die." Trump proceeded with the pardon despite these facts.
• Trump pledges pardon for former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández — Donald Trump announced his intention to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who was convicted in July 2024 in Manhattan federal court and sentenced to 45 years in prison for cocaine importation and weapons offenses. Trump claimed Hernández was "set up" and that the Honduran people believed he was wrongly prosecuted. The pardon pledge contradicts Trump's stated "war on drugs" agenda, particularly given simultaneous military operations against Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, whom Trump accuses of narco-trafficking despite weaker evidence of culpability than Hernández's proven conviction.
• Trump pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández — President Trump quietly pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, former President of Honduras, who is described as one of the most notorious drug traffickers in modern history and who once promised to "shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos." The pardon occurred while Trump was publicly demanding military action against drug trafficking and criticizing others as "narco terrorists."
• Trump pardoned former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking and weapons conspiracy. — Trump officially pardoned Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, who was incarcerated in federal prison serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking and conspiracy to traffic weapons into the United States. Hernandez had served less than 2 years of his sentence before being released. According to an immigration attorney, Hernandez was also accused of ordering the murder of a former ally by machete while in prison.
• Trump formally pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández — Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández's lawyer said his client was released from prison after Trump formally pardoned him on Monday evening. Axios reported that Trump's pardon came hours after ally Roger Stone, who had called for the pardon in multiple posts, reached out to the president to lobby for the move.
• Trump pardons entertainment executive indicted by DOJ for bid-rigging conspiracy — Donald Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon on Tuesday for Tim Leiweke, co-founder of Oak View Group, who had been indicted by the Trump administration's own Justice Department in July 2025 on charges of orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas. Leiweke had pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to stand trial in 2026. The pardon was posted to the DOJ website on Wednesday with no explanation provided.
• Trump pardons ex-Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández from 45-year drug trafficking sentence — Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández on December 5, 2025, commuting a 45-year federal sentence for drug trafficking and weapons charges. Hernández had been convicted in March 2024 after a three-week trial in which prosecutors proved he accepted $1 million from cartel kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and allowed Honduras to serve as a cocaine trafficking corridor. The pardon occurred while Trump was simultaneously waging a "war on drugs" with military operations in the Pacific and Caribbean, and amid Trump's interference in Honduras's presidential election endorsing Hernández's political ally.

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• Trump commuted sentence of private equity executive convicted of fraud — The New York Times reported that Trump granted a commutation to David Gentile, a private equity executive convicted in 2024 of securities and wire fraud in a $1.6 billion scheme that defrauded thousands of investors. Gentile had served less than two weeks of a seven-year sentence. It is unclear whether he had connections to Trump or his allies.
• Trump released private equity executive David Gentile after 11 days of 7-year sentence — Trump released David Gentile, a private equity executive from Nassau County, New York, who had served less than two weeks of a seven-year sentence for his role in a $1.6 billion fraud scheme. Gentile was convicted in August 2024 of securities and wire fraud for defrauding 10,000 investors through GPB Capital funds, misrepresenting performance and using investor capital to make false distribution payments.
• Trump commuted sentence of private equity executive convicted of $1.6 billion fraud scheme — Trump commuted the sentence of private equity executive David Gentile, convicted in August 2024 of defrauding 10,000 investors in a $1.6 billion scheme involving securities and wire fraud. Prosecutors identified victims as small business owners, teachers, nurses, farmers, and veterans. A judge sentenced Gentile to seven years in prison. He reported to authorities on November 14, was incarcerated, and was released less than two weeks later after Trump's commutation.

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• Trump threatened to close Venezuelan airspace and warned airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers — President Trump issued a social media post declaring that airspace above Venezuela was "closed in its entirety" and directed the warning at "all airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers." The White House provided no legal basis for the pronouncement. The statement created the impression Trump was prepared to shoot down commercial airliners near Venezuela. The post occurred amid reports of unauthorized U.S. military actions off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia.
• Trump declared Venezuelan airspace closed — On Truth Social, Trump declared that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered "CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY." The Venezuelan government rejected the claim as a "colonial threat" designed to undermine the country's "territorial integrity, aeronautical security, and full sovereignty," calling it a "hostile, unilateral, and arbitrary act."

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• Trump announces plan to cancel most Biden executive orders based on autopen signature claims — Donald Trump declared via social media that he intends to cancel approximately 92% of Joe Biden's executive orders, claiming baselessly that Biden did not personally authorize them and that White House staff used an autopen signature machine without his approval. Trump alleged Biden was not involved in the autopen process and threatened perjury charges if Biden claimed otherwise. The announcement prompted Republican celebration, including statements from the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project and House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, though legal experts warned such actions could set problematic precedents.
• Trump announced cancellation of executive orders signed via Autopen — Trump posted that he is "hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally." Trump claimed that if Biden says he was involved in the Autopen process, Biden will be "brought up on charges of perjury." Legal experts noted that perjury charges require false statements made under oath and that presidents now have immunity following Trump's Supreme Court appeal.
• Trump claimed authority to nullify Biden's autopen-signed executive orders — On Truth Social, Trump claimed he will nullify any executive order from the Biden administration signed with an autopen or "anything else that was not directly signed" by Biden himself, and warned that Biden "will be brought up on charges of perjury" if he claims involvement in the autopen process. Trump has admitted to using the autopen himself and lacks legal authority to nullify Biden's pardons, which included his son and Jan. 6 investigators.

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• Trump announces pardon for former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernández — Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he will grant a full pardon to Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras currently serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking and weapons charges. Hernández was convicted in March 2024 of accepting millions in bribes to protect cocaine shipments destined for the US. Trump characterized the conviction as "very harsh and unfair," despite prosecutors describing Hernández as having "paved a cocaine superhighway to the United States." The pardon announcement coincided with Trump's endorsement of Tito Asfura in Honduras's upcoming presidential election.
• Trump announced a pardon for former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández — Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he will grant a full pardon to Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras currently serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking and weapons charges. Hernández was convicted in March 2024 of accepting millions in bribes to protect cocaine shipments destined for the US. Trump characterized the conviction as "very harsh and unfair," despite Hernández's role in enabling drug traffickers to use Honduras's military and police. The pardon announcement coincided with Trump's endorsement of Tito Asfura in Honduras's upcoming presidential election.
• Trump announced pardon for convicted drug trafficker Juan Orlando Hernández — President Trump announced he would pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced in the United States to 45 years in prison for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the country while collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel. Trump's decision to shield a convicted narco-trafficker contradicts his administration's stated commitment to waging a war on drugs.
• — On Truth Social, Trump announced he would grant a pardon to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, a convicted drug trafficker sentenced to 45 years in prison in 2024 for conspiring to import cocaine to the US. Trump claimed Hernández was "treated very harshly and unfairly," though then-Attorney General Merrick Garland had described the conspiracy as "one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world."

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• Trump vows to strip citizenship from naturalized immigrants and pause migration from "third-world countries" — Over Thanksgiving, President Trump announced plans to strip US citizenship from naturalized immigrants "who undermine domestic tranquility," permanently pause migration from all "third-world countries," and deport any foreign national deemed "non-compatible with Western Civilization." These statements represent a sweeping attack on naturalized citizenship rights and blanket restrictions on immigration based on national origin and cultural criteria.
• Trump announces plan to denaturalize naturalized citizens and permanently pause migration from "Third World Countries" — In a Thanksgiving social media post, Trump announced a dramatic purge of immigrants, stating he would "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries," "terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions," "remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States," "end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens," "denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility," and "deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization." The denaturalization proposal targets the nation's 24.5 million naturalized citizens. From 1990 to 2017, only about 11 people per year lost citizenship, typically for hidden criminal activity or human rights violations.
• Trump announced permanent pause on migration from "Third World Countries" and denaturalization policy — On Truth Social, Trump announced his administration will "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries" and stated the US will "remove anyone who is not a net asset," denaturalize migrants deemed to undermine "domestic tranquility," and deport foreign nationals classified as public charges, security risks, or "non-compatible with Western Civilization." The announcement provided no implementation details but signaled a sweeping expansion of immigration restrictions beyond existing policy.
• Trump threatened to de-naturalize immigrant citizens — President Trump threatened to revoke citizenship from immigrants who have already become American citizens, claiming they are "non-compatible with Western civilization." This threat targets naturalized citizens based on national origin.
• Trump posted offensive social media message threatening citizenship stripping on Thanksgiving — On Thanksgiving at midnight, President Trump posted on his social media account threatening to strip citizenship from naturalized immigrants, used an offensive slur to describe Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and ended with a message excluding those who "hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for." The post raised concerns among officials and medical experts about the president's mental acuity and fitness for office.

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• Trump pressure campaign for mid-decade congressional redistricting — Trump initiated a White House pressure campaign to redraw congressional districts mid-decade to create Republican-friendly maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas responded by drawing five additional Republican districts; California advanced a ballot measure for five Democratic districts in response. Federal courts blocked Texas's maps, and the Supreme Court will review the decision. Some Republican and Democratic state lawmakers have resisted the pressure, citing concerns about partisan gerrymandering, legal risks, and democratic norms. Trump threatened Indiana legislators with primary challenges if they did not support redistricting.
• Trump threatened Indiana state senators with primary challenges over redistricting — Trump posted on Truth Social on an unspecified date (referenced as "Tuesday" in the article) threatening Indiana state senators who did not support mid-decade redistricting. He stated he would ensure supporters won their primaries and achieve "Greatness," but warned that those who refused would face primary challenges from "MAGA Grassroots Republicans." Some Indiana legislators who opposed redistricting subsequently experienced swatting attacks.
• Trump pressured Indiana to redraw congressional map for partisan gain — Trump, with support from Indiana Governor Mike Braun, has vowed to back primary challengers against Republican state legislators blocking a redistricting plan designed to gain two GOP seats and help the party hold its House majority in the 2026 midterm elections. An unnamed Indiana legislator told The Atlantic he fears his house could be firebombed if he speaks out against the plan, illustrating the intimidation climate surrounding the redistricting effort.
• Indiana State Senator Michael Bohacek announced opposition to redistricting after Trump's ableist remarks — Indiana State Senator Michael Bohacek announced he will vote against the redistricting plan after Trump called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz a "retard" in a Thanksgiving post. Bohacek, who has advocated for people with intellectual disabilities since his daughter was born with Down Syndrome, stated that Trump's repeated use of derogatory language has consequences and will influence his vote.

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• Pentagon launches investigation into Senator Mark Kelly — The Pentagon launched an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for "serious allegations of misconduct" in response to a viral video in which Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to refuse illegal orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the video "despicable, reckless and false." Kelly responded that intimidation would not silence him.
• FBI Counterterrorism Division opened investigation into six lawmakers — By November 25, 2025, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division notified Congress it was opening an inquiry into the six veteran lawmakers and requested interviews with all six members. The investigation was triggered by their one-minute video reminding service members of their legal obligation to refuse illegal orders—a principle codified in U.S. military law since 1950 and rooted in post-World War II Nuremberg principles. Legal experts confirmed the lawmakers were simply restating existing law and that their statement does not constitute sedition.
• Pentagon announced investigation of Senator Kelly and signaled possible recall to active duty — The Pentagon announced it is investigating Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, and signaled it could recall him to active duty for possible court-martial over his participation in the video reminding troops of their legal obligation to refuse illegal orders. The threatened recall and court-martial of a sitting U.S. senator for restating military law represents an extraordinary use of military authority against a member of Congress.
• FBI contacts House and Senate regarding Democratic lawmakers' anti-Trump military video — The FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews with several Democratic members of Congress—Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan, plus Sen. Elissa Slotkin—after they filmed a video urging military troops not to follow illegal orders. The lawmakers characterized the FBI outreach as intimidation and harassment, with Sen. Slotkin stating that the President is "weaponizing the federal government against his perceived enemies."
• FBI counterterrorism division investigates Democratic lawmakers — The FBI's counterterrorism division launched an investigation into six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a viral video calling on military members to refuse illegal orders. Four House members stated that the FBI contacted the House and Senate sergeant at arms to set up interviews. They accused Trump of "using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress."
• Far-right figures call for investigation and deportation of Arab-Americans — In the days following the November 18 rally, far-right figures including Tommy Robinson, Wall Street Apes, and Sidney Powell used the Dearborn incident to call on the Department of Justice to investigate and deport Arab-Americans. These calls amplified the rally's narrative of victimhood and framed an entire ethnic group as a threat requiring federal action.
• FBI contacts Capitol Police to schedule interviews with six Democratic senators — Fox News reported that the FBI contacted US Capitol Police to schedule interviews with the six Democratic senators who released the video advising military personnel to refuse illegal orders. The interviews appear to be part of the broader investigation into the lawmakers' statements.
• Pentagon launches investigation into Senator Mark Kelly for video advising troops to refuse illegal orders — The Pentagon announced an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers after they released a video advising military service members that they can refuse illegal orders and warning of "threats to our constitution" from within the administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the video "despicable, reckless, and false." Trump characterized the senators' statement as "seditious behaviour" punishable by death. The Pentagon warned it could recall Kelly to active duty for court-martial under a federal law prohibiting military retirees from interfering with military discipline.

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• Trump administration orders review of Biden-era refugees — The Trump administration ordered a review of all refugees who entered the US during the Biden administration, affecting roughly 233,000 people. The order could result in termination of refugee status if individuals are determined not to have met refugee criteria. The order also suspended all processing of applications for permanent residence for those refugees.

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• Vice President Vance claimed congressional reminders of Constitution are illegal — Vice President JD Vance stated that if the president has not issued illegal orders, then members of Congress telling the military to defy the president is by definition illegal. This statement contradicts the constitutional duty of military personnel to refuse unlawful orders and the right of Congress to remind them of that duty.

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• Rep. Jason Crow detailed Trump's threats to use military unlawfully — Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) appeared on CBS and detailed Trump's threats to use the military in unlawful ways, including sending troops into Chicago, into polling stations, killing terrorists' families, and shooting peaceful protesters. Crow stated that Trump cannot tolerate members of Congress reminding service members of their constitutional duty to obey the law and resorts to threats of violence and arrest.
• Pentagon announces investigation of Senator Mark Kelly for video calling troops to refuse illegal orders — The Pentagon announced an investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, after he participated in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on US troops to refuse unlawful orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the video was "despicable" and that Kelly's conduct undermines military discipline. The Pentagon cited federal law allowing recall of retired service members to active duty for possible court-martial. Kelly responded that the investigation was meant to intimidate Congress and vowed not to be silenced.
• Defense Department announced investigation of Senator Kelly for alleged misconduct and threatened recall to active duty — The Defense Department posted on social media that it was investigating Senator Mark Kelly following "serious allegations of misconduct" and suggested that Kelly could be recalled to active duty "for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures." This announcement came after Kelly participated in a November 18 video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel of their legal right and duty to refuse unlawful orders.
• Department of War initiated review of Senator Mark Kelly for potential court-martial — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War has initiated a review of retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for potential recall to active duty and court-martial proceedings. The review stems from a video Kelly made with five other Democratic lawmakers informing service members of their constitutional duty to refuse unlawful orders. The DOD statement cited 10 U.S.C. § 688 and 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits actions intended to interfere with military loyalty, morale, and discipline. Hegseth characterized the video as "despicable" and "seditious."
• Trump posted threats against Senator Mark Kelly — President Trump posted on social media that Senator Mark Kelly should be "arrested, hanged, and put to death" in response to Kelly's video encouraging service members to follow the Constitution and refuse unlawful orders. Kelly responded by reaffirming his oath to the Constitution and stating that Trump's threats would not intimidate him or other members of Congress from holding the administration accountable.
• Pete Hegseth orders Navy investigation into Mark Kelly's video comments — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum to Navy Secretary John Phelan on Tuesday ordering an investigation into "potentially unlawful comments" made by Senator Mark Kelly and fellow Democrats in a social media video encouraging military personnel to refuse unlawful orders. The Pentagon had already announced an investigation on Monday. Hegseth requested a brief by December 10. The group faces FBI counter-terrorism inquiry and potential court-martial proceedings.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Navy review of Senator Kelly — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a memo directing the Navy secretary to review Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for "potentially unlawful conduct" related to the viral video where Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to resist illegal orders. The memo requested the Navy review be completed and briefed to Hegseth by December 10.
• Defense Secretary threatens Senator with court martial over military dissent video — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Senator Mark Kelly with court martial after Kelly recorded a video with five Democratic lawmakers warning military members to question unlawful orders, apparently in reference to the Caribbean boat strikes. The threat represents potential retaliation against a senator for encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth threatens court martial of Senator Mark Kelly — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court martial Senator Mark Kelly in response to Kelly's video urging military personnel to follow the law and refuse illegal orders. Hegseth called the video "sedition" and made deranged social media posts attacking Kelly's uniform and medals, later claiming Kelly's image was reversed by his phone. Kelly responded that the threat was about intimidation and the media cycle, not law, and refused to be silenced.
• Trump threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly over military discipline video — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened to court-martial Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly released a video with five other Democratic lawmakers urging military members not to follow illegal orders. The video was released in response to the alleged illegal directives issued by Hegseth regarding lethal operations.

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• Trump attacked Ukraine and falsely blamed it for ingratitude — Trump issued a statement falsely claiming Ukrainian leadership "expressed zero gratitude for our efforts" and scolded European nations for purchasing Russian oil. The statement misrepresented European energy policy; most of Europe has substantially reduced reliance on Russian energy except for authoritarian allies Trump favors, such as Hungary under Viktor Orbán.
• Mark Toth characterized Trump's Ukraine posts as Russian victory — National security reporter Mark Toth stated that Team Trump is not reading the room or the Russians, and that Putin is playing a divide-and-conquer game that the White House is falling for. Toth characterized Trump's posts slamming Ukraine and attacking Europe as a "100% win for Russia," noting that Trump's attack on Europe divides Washington from NATO as Dmitriev intended.

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• Trump accuses Democratic lawmakers of sedition on Truth Social — Trump posted on Truth Social targeting six Democratic lawmakers who published a video urging military members to refuse illegal orders. Trump accused them of sedition "AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and stated they "SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW." He later shared a post calling them "traitorous sons of bitches" who should be "impeached and prosecuted."
• Trump demands arrest and execution of Democratic lawmakers for sedition — On Thursday, President Trump posted on social media that the Democratic lawmakers' video constituted "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and demanded each lawmaker be "ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL." In a follow-up post, he stated the behavior was "punishable by DEATH." Trump continued attacking the lawmakers over the following two days. The posts represent a sitting president calling for the arrest and capital punishment of elected members of Congress for speech he perceives as threatening to his policies.
• Trump invoked stolen 2020 election claim and labeled critics "traitors" — Trump reiterated the false claim that the 2020 election was "stolen" and attacked Democratic lawmakers, veterans, and former intelligence officials who reminded U.S. troops they cannot obey unlawful orders, calling these Americans "traitors." Trump's team reposted comments suggesting George Washington would have hanged such individuals.
• Trump posted calls for execution of Democrats for treason — Trump posted on social media that Democrats who told the military to disobey his orders should be executed for sedition, calling it "a major crime" and "sedition at the highest level." He made two additional posts at midnight Saturday repeating the accusation and claiming "many great legal scholars" agreed the Democrats had committed serious crimes.
• Trump accuses Kelly and other Democrats of sedition punishable by death — President Trump posted on Truth Social that Senator Kelly and other Democrats who participated in the video had engaged in "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH" and reposted another user's message saying "HANG THEM." Kelly subsequently stated that Trump's language made him fear for his family's safety, particularly given his wife Gabrielle Giffords' prior assassination attempt in 2011.
• Trump Posts Calls for Senator Kelly's Arrest and Execution — President Trump posted on social media calling for Senator Mark Kelly's arrest, hanging, and execution in response to Kelly's participation in a video reminding servicemembers of their duty to refuse unlawful orders. The posts were part of the administration's escalating rhetoric against lawmakers who have questioned the legality of military operations, including deadly strikes on civilians in small boats near Venezuela.
• Trump calls for execution of Senator Kelly for advising troops on illegal orders — President Trump posted on social media that Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers "should be in jail right now" and characterized their video advising military personnel to refuse illegal orders as "seditious behaviour at the highest level, punishable by DEATH." Trump also republished a post containing the phrase "hang them." Kelly responded that Trump's threats were intended to intimidate Congress from holding the administration accountable.

Supporting reports

• Trump demanded Ukraine accept peace plan by November 27 or lose US aid — Trump issued an ultimatum requiring Ukraine to accept the 28-point peace plan by Thursday, November 27, or face loss of US military and financial aid. The plan demands Ukraine surrender territory, reduce armed forces by more than half, and constitutionally abandon NATO membership. Trump later posted criticism of Ukraine's leadership for lack of gratitude and attacked Europe for buying Russian oil.
• Trump demanded Ukraine sign Russia peace plan by Thanksgiving — President Trump stated he expected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign onto the 28-point peace plan by Thanksgiving (November 27, 2025), a deadline of four days. This demand came despite internal U.S. government confusion over the plan's authorship and the absence of full interagency coordination or congressional consultation.
• Trump administration working on plan to force Ukraine to cede territory to Russia — Axios reported that the Trump administration is working on a new plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The plan would force Ukraine to cede parts of its territory to Russia, which it doesn't currently control, and also require Ukraine to limit its military far below its current levels. One US official said that Ukraine would likely lose the territory if the war continues, and "therefore it is in Ukraine's interest to reach a deal now."