Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DOJ employees wrote open letter about sledgehammer approach — ProPublica reported that nearly 300 DOJ employees who have left the agency under Trump signed an open letter stating that the Trump DOJ is "taking a sledgehammer" to long-standing work to "protect communities and the rule of law." The employees stated that the DOJ is retreating from its mission to impartially uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe, and protect civil rights.

Supporting reports

• Prosecutor resigns under protest in Broadview Six case — Sheri Mecklenburg, a career Department of Justice prosecutor near retirement, resigned on September 26 in protest over the handling of felony charges against six Democratic activists arrested at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility protest in Illinois. In her resignation letter, Mecklenburg alleged that U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, a Trump supporter, had personally directed the felony prosecution against her objection that misdemeanor charges were more appropriate, threatened to fire her if she pushed back, and later scapegoated her for prosecutorial misconduct when the cases fell apart.

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• Judge Talwani holds hearing on extending block of USPS mail ballot restrictions — U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts held a hearing on September 3 to determine whether to extend her temporary block of the USPS mail ballot restrictions beyond September 10. Talwani expressed concern that the new system could cause "major disenfranchisement" and questioned why states would want the USPS to stop batches of ballots from their own voters. She noted the rush to implement the system 70 days before the election and questioned why states could not implement such measures themselves if they desired them.

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• Senator Blumenthal demands USPS Postmaster General cease ballot mail project and provide records — Senator Richard Blumenthal, top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, issued formal demands to Postmaster General David Steiner to abandon the ballot mail IT project, cease work ordered halted by federal court, and provide by September 8 all records related to the project, including names and dates of personnel involved. Blumenthal characterized the system as designed to "disenfranchise millions of Americans," noting that one-third of all Americans cast ballots by mail.
• Senator Blumenthal requested information on USPS mail-voting plan and accused administration of political motivation — Senator Blumenthal requested detailed information from the Postmaster General about the USPS mail-voting verification plan. Blumenthal stated the USPS rule puts all mail voters at risk and accused the Trump administration of being "hellbent on changing the framework of casting ballots in this country, clearly for political reasons."
• Federal whistleblower disclosed flaws in USPS mail-voting verification system — An anonymous federal worker filed a whistleblower disclosure with Senator Blumenthal warning that the U.S. Postal Service's new system to regulate mail voting for the midterms has been "rushed, chaotic, and fundamentally flawed." The USPS issued the rule last week, and it is currently blocked by federal court. The whistleblower alleges workers were forced to create the system in weeks when it should have taken 9 months, and that work continued on implementation even after being ordered to stop. The disclosure warns the Trump administration "has hidden the high likelihood that the new ballot mail verification processes will result in major disruptions in mail ballots ever getting delivered to voters." Specific concerns include rejection of entire batches of thousands of ballots when a problem with one voter is found, and no planning for inevitable errors. The whistleblower called one portion of internal software "garbage."

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Rosenzweig v. Blanche (S.D. Fla.) — Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rosenzweig filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida challenging his removal by the Department of Justice on September 23, 2025. Rosenzweig alleges the removal was retaliation for First Amendment-protected speech critical of President Trump, a violation of the Civil Service Reform Act's restrictions on removing career employees, a Privacy Act violation for compiling records of his protected activity, and a due process violation. He seeks reinstatement, backpay, declaratory relief, and damages.

Supporting reports

• Attorney General announces indictment of former FBI Director James Comey — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that a federal grand jury in North Carolina had indicted former FBI Director James Comey with threatening Trump. The charges stemmed from an Instagram post Comey made of seashells arranged to spell "86 47," which he deleted and apologized for, stating he was unaware the number could convey violent intent. The DOJ completed its investigation nearly a year later and chose to announce the charges days after the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces DOJ evidence in Comey case — On May 3, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice has "evidence of all sorts" from an 11-month investigation into James Comey that it will present at trial. This statement came as part of the prosecution of Comey on charges related to the Instagram seashell post, which legal experts characterized as a weak case designed to appease Trump.
• Attorney General Blanche addressed selective prosecution of '86 47' posts. — Attorney General Todd Blanche was asked on NBC whether other people would be prosecuted for posting "86 47" or only James Comey. Blanche responded that the phrase is "posted constantly" and "used constantly," stating that "every single case depends on the investigation that is done."

Supporting reports

• House Democrats open investigation into DOJ pressure on SPLC indictment — House Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon announced an investigation into allegations that DOJ leadership pressured prosecutors to rush charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center. The investigation was triggered by a whistleblower account indicating that Aakash Singh, an associate deputy attorney general, ordered federal prosecutors in Alabama to expedite the indictment despite concerns about case strength. The Democrats' letter, released Friday, seeks to examine whether the indictment was politically motivated and whether DOJ norms of prosecutorial independence were violated.
• SPLC lawyers seek court order blocking prejudicial government statements — Lawyers representing the Southern Poverty Law Center filed for a court order to block the government from making further prejudicial statements against the organization. The filing came after Trump, Blanche, and other administration allies made false or misleading statements about the SPLC, including claims that the organization funded rightwing extremism and never shared information with law enforcement—both contradicted by the facts underlying the indictment itself.

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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• Attorney General Pam Bondi fires six federal prosecutors over insufficient support for ICE — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Fox News that she had fired six federal prosecutors who resigned over DOJ pressure to investigate Renee Nicole Good's widow rather than the ICE agent's conduct. Bondi characterized the prosecutors' departure as a failure to "sufficiently support law enforcement," stating "We had six prosecutors who suddenly decided they didn't want to support the men and women of ICE. So, the breaking news tonight is I fired them all."

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• Senator Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for military censure in retaliation for protected speech — Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Department, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and the Navy Department, alleging violations of his First Amendment rights, the Speech and Debate Clause, separation of powers, due process, federal law governing retired officer ranks (10 USC 1370), and the Administrative Procedure Act. The suit challenges Hegseth's January 5 formal censure of Kelly, which followed Kelly's November 18 participation in a video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel that they have a legal duty to refuse unlawful orders. The lawsuit seeks to declare the censure and related actions unlawful and unconstitutional, vacate them, and enjoin their enforcement.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Kelly v. Hegseth (D.D.C.) 1:26-cv-00081 — Plaintiff moved for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
• Sen. Kelly sued Secretary Hegseth to block reduction of his Navy rank and retirement pay for protected speech — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) filed a lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seeking an injunction to prevent unilateral reduction of Kelly's Navy rank and retirement pay in retaliation for a video urging service members not to follow unlawful orders. Kelly's complaint alleges First Amendment violation, retaliation for protected legislative speech, and an unprecedented executive attack on congressional independence and military oversight authority.
• Senator Kelly sued Defense Secretary Hegseth over military retaliation — Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon to block their efforts to punish him for a video he participated in last year with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders, asking a federal judge to find the move "unlawful and unconstitutional."
• Mark Kelly sues Hegseth over military rank reduction and pension censure — Democratic Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit in Washington DC federal court challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's formal censure and threatened demotion/pension reduction. The censure targeted Kelly and five other military-veteran lawmakers for a November video urging service members to resist unlawful orders. Kelly argues the action violates free speech, legislative independence, and separation of powers. The lawsuit names Hegseth, the Department of Defense, the Navy, and Navy Secretary John Phelan as defendants and seeks to vacate the censure and all related actions.
• Senator Mark Kelly files lawsuit against Defense Secretary Hegseth over retaliation for protected speech — Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's attempt to reduce his rank and pension as punishment for the video urging troops to refuse illegal orders. Kelly characterized Hegseth's actions as an "unconstitutional crusade" that sends a chilling message to retired military members that speaking against the administration will result in loss of rank and pay. Kelly argued that such retaliation violates constitutional protections and sets a dangerous precedent for suppressing military veterans' free speech.
• Pentagon censures Senator Mark Kelly and launches administrative proceedings — Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth formally censured Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, in January and initiated administrative proceedings that could result in rank reduction and pension cuts. Kelly participated in the same November video about military duty to illegal orders. Kelly has responded with litigation arguing the Pentagon's actions violate constitutional protections.

Supporting reports

• Senator Slotkin said she is under federal investigation — Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said in an interview that federal prosecutors are investigating her for participating in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• DOJ threatens Federal Reserve with criminal indictment over interest rate policy — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly stated that the Department of Justice threatened criminal charges against the Fed related to a multi-year renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. Powell characterized the threat as retaliation for the Fed's decision to set interest rates based on economic conditions rather than presidential preference, stating the threat was "a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."
• Federal investigation opened against Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin for video urging troops to refuse illegal orders — Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin announced she is under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for her participation in a video released in 2025 in which she and five other Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds urged U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders. The video's message aligns with established military law and constitutional principle. President Trump called the video "seditious behavior by traitors" punishable by death; the White House later clarified he did not seek execution but wanted them "held accountable." Slotkin characterized the investigation as weaponization of federal government to intimidate political opponents.
• Senator Elissa Slotkin faces federal criminal investigation for oath video — Senator Elissa Slotkin is now under federal criminal investigation for appearing in a video urging service members to remember their oath and refuse illegal orders. The investigation represents potential criminalization of speech encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations and refuse unlawful commands.
• Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are under investigation — Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are being investigated by the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia over their participation in a viral video calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• Trump DOJ investigates Democratic lawmakers over military video on illegal orders — Three House Democrats—Jason Crow (Colorado), Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), and Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania)—confirmed that the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C., led by Jeanine Pirro, requested interviews regarding their participation in a November video instructing troops they need not comply with illegal orders. The investigation expands to five lawmakers total; the Pentagon also formally censured Senator Mark Kelly and launched administrative proceedings. Trump called the video "seditious" and threatened capital punishment, later walking back but maintaining the lawmakers face "serious jeopardy."

Supporting reports

• Federal judge restores whistleblower lawyer's security clearance after blocking White House revocation — Attorney Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer who represented whistleblowers critical of the Trump administration, had his security clearance revoked in March 2025 via presidential memo. Zaid sued in May, arguing the revocation was political retribution. On December 23, 2025, federal judge Amir H. Ali granted a preliminary injunction requiring immediate restoration of Zaid's clearance, finding the revocation was solely motivated by Zaid's representation of government-adverse clients and violated due process. The administration complied by January 13, 2026.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Zaid v. Executive Office of the President (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01365 — Judge Ali granted in part and denied in part Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction and denied the government's motion to dismiss. Judge Ali enjoined the government from giving effect to the security clearance revocations or denial of access to classified information as to Zaid. The preliminary injunction will not go into effect until Jan. 13, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Marrazzo v. Kennedy et al. (D. Md.) — Jeanne Marrazzo, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the NIH, filed a federal complaint against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other HHS officials alleging unlawful termination in retaliation for whistleblowing and objections to new NIH policies. After placing Marrazzo on administrative leave, HHS terminated her three weeks after she filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in September 2025. Marrazzo alleges violations of the Civil Service Reform Act, Fifth Amendment due process, First Amendment retaliation protections, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act, seeking reinstatement, backpay, and declaratory relief.

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• Illinois establishes Accountability Commission to document federal agent misconduct — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker established the Illinois Accountability Commission to compile evidence of harassment, intimidation, brutalization, and detention of American citizens and legal residents by federal agents. Pritzker stated that federal agency supervisors and inspectors general would normally enforce accountability, but Trump has fired 17 inspectors general and installed cronies at the Department of Justice while MAGA Congress members refuse to conduct oversight. The commission will create an official public record of abuses and rights violations for potential future prosecution.

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• Trump's interim U.S. attorney for Eastern District of Virginia leaked grand jury testimony to reporter — Lawfare reported that Trump's hand-picked interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, engaged in a Signal exchange with reporter Anna Bower in which she divulged details about grand jury testimony in her criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Halligan later told Bower that their entire correspondence was off the record, despite the fact that such requests must be made in advance and agreed to by the reporter. The incident raised serious concerns about prosecutorial ethics and the politicization of the Justice Department.
• US Attorney Halligan's use of auto-delete Signal messages potentially violates federal records-retention laws — Lindsey Halligan, interim US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, used Signal with auto-delete settings (eight-hour message expiration) to communicate with a journalist about her prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James. Watchdog groups American Oversight and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington warned that this practice potentially violates the Federal Records Act and DOJ records-retention rules. American Oversight filed a public records request for the messages; both groups called for investigation by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ Office of Inspector General.

Supporting reports

• Federal grand jury indicted John Bolton for classified information disclosure — A federal grand jury in Maryland indicted former national security advisor John Bolton on eighteen counts: eight counts of communicating secret information to unauthorized recipients and ten counts of unauthorized possession of classified documents. The charges relate to Bolton sharing classified diary material with relatives that later informed his memoir "The Room Where It Happened." The indictment references Bolton's criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Signal messaging to plan military operations.
• Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted for retaining classified information — John Bolton, Trump's former National Security Advisor, was indicted for keeping more than 1,000 pages of diaries containing highly classified information and sharing them with two relatives. The indictment also notes that Bolton's email account was hacked by Iran, exposing some of the classified secrets.
• John Bolton indicted for mishandling classified information — John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser and prominent critic of the president, was indicted for allegedly mishandling classified information. Bolton faces 18 criminal charges, including eight counts of transmitting national defense information and 10 counts of unlawfully retaining national defense information. In a statement, Bolton said he "look[s] forward to the fight to defend my lawful conduct and to expose [Trump's] abuse of power."
• John Bolton indicted on 18 counts of mishandling classified information — The Department of Justice filed an 18-count indictment against John Bolton, former Trump national security adviser, charging him under the Espionage Act with transmitting and retaining highly classified information. Bolton allegedly sent diary entries containing classified details to two unnamed individuals via personal email and messaging accounts. The grand jury indictment was handed down in federal district court in Maryland on October 17, 2025. Bolton's defense argues the diaries were personal records shared only with family and known to the FBI since 2021.
• John Bolton pleads not guilty to 18-count indictment for mishandling classified information — Former national security adviser John Bolton surrendered to authorities and pleaded not guilty in Maryland federal court to an 18-count indictment alleging he shared classified diary notes with relatives lacking security clearances, stored classified documents at his home, and sent top-secret information via personal email. Bolton's lawyer characterized the prosecution as political retaliation for his 2020 memoir critical of Trump. Career prosecutors in the Maryland US attorney's office filed the charges, which were initially dropped by the Biden DOJ in 2021 but reopened after the CIA director and FBI director reviewed Bolton's hacked emails.

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• Former CDC Director Monarez testifies that RFK Jr. operates without scientific basis — Susan Monarez, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions that Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is operating according to ideology without regard for science. Monarez stated that Kennedy fired her after she refused to approve changes to the childhood vaccination schedule without supporting research.
• Former CDC director testified she was fired for scientific integrity — Appearing before the Senate health committee, former CDC director Susan Monarez testified that she was fired for "holding the line on scientific integrity." She said she was directed to only work with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's political appointees at the agency, "and not to speak or work with career scientists." She also testified that RFK Jr. said "there was no scientific evidence associated with [COVID-19] vaccines," called the CDC "the most corrupt federal agency in the world," and said its employees "were killing children, and they don't care."
• Senator Cassidy warns against Kennedy-appointed immunization panel — Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) warned against the panelists that Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices after purging the panel responsible for making changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Insurance companies also signaled they will disregard any changes made by Kennedy's panel and continue covering vaccines, indicating lack of confidence in the panel's scientific judgment.
• Susan Monarez testifies against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions — Former CDC director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, criticizing Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for operating based on ideology rather than scientific evidence. Monarez was fired by Kennedy after refusing to support changes to the childhood vaccination schedule without proper research.

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• Tulsi Gabbard revokes security clearances of 37 intelligence officials — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that, at Trump's direction, the agency is revoking the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence officials, several of whom were involved in an assessment ordered by then-President Barack Obama involving Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Gabbard accused the officials of "abus[ing] the public trust by politicizing and manipulating intelligence, leaking classified intelligence without authorization, and/or committing intentional egregious violations of tradecraft standards."

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• Emil Bove confirmed to federal appeals court by US Senate — The Senate confirmed Emil Bove, a former Trump defense attorney and top DOJ official, to a lifetime seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals by a 50-49 vote. The confirmation proceeded despite whistleblower allegations that Bove advocated for ignoring court orders, misled Congress about dropping corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and participated in firing prosecutors who worked January 6 cases. All Democrats and two Republicans opposed the nomination.
• Senate confirmed Emil Bove as federal appeals court judge — The Republican-controlled Senate narrowly confirmed former Trump lawyer Emil Bove for a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge, despite whistleblower allegations and widespread concerns over his fitness for office, including from over 900 former DOJ attorneys who penned a letter opposing his appointment.
• Senate confirms Emil Bove to federal judgeship despite whistleblower allegations — The Senate confirmed Emil Bove to a federal judgeship on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with 50 Republicans voting in favor and 47 Democrats voting against. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Democrats in opposition, with Murkowski stating that someone who counseled attorneys to ignore court orders should not receive a lifetime seat on the bench. Republican Thom Tillis (R-NC) voted in favor, illustrating Republican enablement of the administration's assault on the rule of law.
• Emil Bove confirmed to US Court of Appeals for Third Circuit on 50-49 Senate vote — The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Emil Bove to a lifetime appointment on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on a 50-49 vote, despite opposition from over 80 retired judges and three whistleblowers alleging serious ethical violations. Bove, who served as acting deputy attorney general, faced allegations of disregarding court orders, firing prosecutors for political reasons, and pressuring DOJ lawyers to defy judicial rulings. The Senate Judiciary Committee chair dismissed whistleblower concerns as "delay-and-obstruction tactics" without substantive investigation.

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• Mark Zaid files lawsuit challenging security clearance revocation — National security lawyer Mark Zaid filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the revocation of his security clearance. The lawsuit argues the revocation order was unconstitutionally vague, violated due process rights, and impeded First Amendment protections for free speech, association, and the right to petition the government. Zaid contends the action was politically motivated retaliation for his representation of whistleblowers and public criticism of Trump. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of his clearance and aims to hold the administration accountable to the rule of law. Oral arguments were heard on June 27, 2025.

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• AG Bondi fired DOJ prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases — Attorney General Pam Bondi fired at least three career DOJ prosecutors who worked on cases related to the January 6 insurrection. The attorneys received letters signed by Bondi stating they were "removed from federal service effective immediately" with no further explanation. A federal law enforcement official characterized the firings as "a slap in the face" to career prosecutors and warned of continued "brain drain" at the DOJ.
• Attorney General Bondi fires approximately 20 DOJ employees including January 6 prosecutors — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired approximately 20 Department of Justice employees, including support staff and several prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases for special counsel Jack Smith. The firings targeted individuals who had worked on cases against Trump and his allies, including prosecutions related to classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• Attorney General Bondi fires Joseph Tirrell, DOJ ethics official — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired Joseph Tirrell, the Department of Justice's top ethics official, without explanation. Tirrell's removal is part of a broader pattern of firings targeting officials perceived as obstacles to Trump's agenda.
• Attorney General Bondi fires Maureen Comey, prosecutor on Epstein case — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired Maureen Comey, a key prosecutor in the New York office who had worked on charges against sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. The firing occurred without explanation and is part of a pattern of removing prosecutors who worked on cases against Trump or his associates.

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• DOJ leader allegedly suggested defying court orders on deportations — Emil Bove, the Department of Justice's principal associate deputy attorney general and Trump nominee for the US Court of Appeals, reportedly told staff the department "would need to consider telling the courts 'fuck you'" regarding orders blocking deportations of undocumented people. Former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni, in a whistleblower letter to Congress, alleged Bove made these comments in mid-March during discussions about invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Reuveni further claimed he witnessed DOJ officials systematically undermining court orders through lack of candor, deliberate delay, and disinformation, and that he was fired on April 11 after refusing to misrepresent facts in court filings.
• DOJ official Emil Bove stated DOJ would ignore court orders on deportations — DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni, who was subsequently fired, came forward as a whistleblower to Congress and the DOJ inspector general. Reuveni stated that senior DOJ official Emil Bove announced plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act for swift deportations and, when asked about potential judicial intervention, said the DOJ might have to tell courts "fuck you" and proceed with deportations regardless of legal injunctions. Reuveni reported that the statement was met with stunned silence among senior DOJ officials present.
• New York Times reported DOJ official Emil Bove told subordinates to ignore court orders — On June 24, the New York Times reported on a whistleblower complaint alleging that senior Justice Department official Emil Bove told his subordinates he would ignore court orders to further Trump's mass deportation efforts. Bove, who once served as Trump's criminal defense attorney and was recently nominated to serve as a federal appeals judge, later denied the comments during his confirmation hearing, saying "I have never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order."
• DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni filed complaint about defying court orders — On June 24, 2025, Erez Reuveni, a former Department of Justice lawyer, filed an official whistleblower complaint alleging that DOJ leaders and the White House deliberately defied court orders and "engaged in unlawful activity, abused their authority, created substantial and specific threat to health and safety." Reuveni was fired after telling a court that the administration had made an error when it rendered Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia to CECOT despite a court order not to do so. In the complaint, Reuveni alleged that Emil Bove insisted planes carrying men to El Salvador must take off and said DOJ "would need to consider telling the courts 'f*ck you' and ignore any such court order."
• Bove fired DOJ prosecutors who investigated January 6 Capitol attack — Emil Bove issued a memo terminating dozens of DOJ prosecutors who had worked on cases related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, characterizing their prosecutions as a "grave national injustice." Bove justified the firings by claiming the prosecutors had been hired as temporary employees under the Biden administration and converted to permanent status, and that they were preventing a particular U.S. attorney from fully staffing his office. The terminations were carried out in furtherance of a Trump executive order.
• Whistleblower complaint filed alleging DOJ official directed defiance of court orders — Former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that Emil Bove, principal associate deputy attorney general, instructed prosecutors to disregard judicial rulings against Trump's immigration policies. The complaint surfaced hours before Bove's Senate confirmation hearing for a federal appeals court judgeship. Bove denied the allegations under oath, stating he has "never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order."
• Emil Bove denies whistleblower allegations of directing DOJ staff to defy court orders on immigration — Emil Bove, principal associate deputy attorney general and Trump's nominee for federal appeals court judge, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 25, 2025, denying a whistleblower complaint filed by former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni. Reuveni alleged Bove instructed prosecutors to tell courts "fuck you" when ruling against Trump's immigration policies. Bove also denied Democratic allegations that he dropped corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams to secure his cooperation with immigration enforcement. Republicans signaled support for his nomination while Democrats characterized him as weaponizing the DOJ against Trump's political opponents.

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• Trump administration orders mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — The Trump administration, through staff from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," issued reduction-in-force letters terminating approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees on April 17. The layoffs eliminated entire divisions including the office of servicemember affairs, office of older Americans, and office of fair lending. According to an employee declaration, the effort was managed by Gavin Kliger and staff were kept working 36 hours straight to ensure notices went out. Employees raised concerns about violations of court orders requiring "particularized assessment," but were told "all that mattered was the numbers."
• Federal judge bars Trump administration from rapid deportation policy — Federal Judge Brian Murphy on Friday barred the Trump administration from implementing a new policy that would allow it to rapidly deport hundreds or thousands of immigrants to countries other than their own without giving them an opportunity to demonstrate they face persecution, torture, or death. The ruling blocks a policy that would circumvent due process protections for asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants.
• Federal judge blocks mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's termination of approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees, announced on Thursday via reduction-in-force letters. The layoffs, orchestrated by staff from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," eliminated entire divisions including servicemember affairs, older Americans, and fair lending offices. The judge's order came after a federal appeals court had modified (but not eliminated) an earlier injunction limiting the agency's ability to terminate staff. The administration's compliance with the ruling remains unclear.