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Jul 29, 2026 Senator Rand Paul chaired a Senate hearing on Covid origins during which Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment, then announced intent to seek a contempt of Congress vote Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
A congressional hearing used to target a scientist personally, followed by a threatened contempt vote, signals weaponization of oversight power against a political opponent.
Supporting reports
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment and refuses to testify at Senate Covid hearing — Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions at a Senate committee hearing on Covid-19 origins called by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Fauci stated Paul's goal was to embarrass, intimidate, and land him "behind bars." Paul responded by threatening a contempt vote and removing one of Fauci's attorneys from the room. The hearing became contentious, with Republican senators demanding apologies and attacking Fauci's credibility while Democrats defended him as a victim of harassment.
- Rand Paul announces intent to pursue contempt of Congress vote against Fauci — Following Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment during the Senate hearing, Senator Rand Paul told reporters he intends to call a vote for contempt of Congress the following week in the committee on homeland security and governmental affairs. Paul stated there would be "repercussions" for Fauci's refusal to testify. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri joined in, asserting Fauci has no Fifth Amendment rights in this context and accused him of contempt for Congress and the American people.
- Rand Paul chairs Senate hearing on Covid origins; Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment and declines testimony — Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Republican-led Senate committee hearing chaired by Senator Rand Paul, ostensibly to investigate Covid-19 origins. Fauci, citing his attorneys' advice and invoking the Fifth Amendment, declined to answer questions throughout the hearing. Paul had asserted that Fauci could bear responsibility for the pandemic due to NIH funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Fauci characterized Paul's investigation as an "unhinged obsession." Paul indicated he intends to call a vote for contempt of Congress the following week.
- Republican senators attack Fauci's pandemic record and scientific credibility — Multiple Republican senators used the hearing to criticize Fauci on various grounds. Senator Ron Johnson accused Fauci of covering up unfavorable vaccine information, calling vaccines "experimental gene therapy." Senator Bernie Moreno demanded Fauci apologize for military vaccine mandates, pandemic business closures, and a mask-enforcement arrest, calling him a "total and complete disgrace." Senator Joni Ernst criticized use of aborted fetal tissue in research. Democratic Senator Gary Peters warned the hearing was scapegoating one official for a crisis involving hundreds of officials across administrations.
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment during Senate testimony — Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right during a Senate hearing led by Senator Rand Paul, where he faced aggressive questioning regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci stated that he believed the hearing was aimed at vindicating Paul's public claims for his imprisonment, and he refrained from answering questions over 100 times.
- Senator Rand Paul subpoenas Fauci to testify — Senator Rand Paul, now chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci to appear before the committee. Fauci's lawyers noted Paul's history of calling for Fauci's imprisonment, which influenced Fauci's decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights during the testimony.
- Republicans continue to target Fauci amid political tensions — Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul, have intensified their attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci, accusing him of lying about the origins of COVID-19 and calling for his arrest. This campaign has been fueled by the release of Fauci's private diary, which Republicans have used to further their narrative against him, despite a lack of evidence of wrongdoing.
Jan 5, 2026 Pete Hegseth censured Senator Mark Kelly and moved to strip his military rank and pension Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The Defense Secretary used military disciplinary authority against a sitting senator for urging troops to refuse unlawful orders, an unprecedented executive strike at legislative independence.
Supporting reports
- Defense Secretary Hegseth issued formal censure of Senator Kelly for calling military to refuse unlawful orders — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal censure of Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy officer, stating that Kelly's call for military personnel to refuse unlawful orders "undermines the chain of command," "counsels disobedience," "creates confusion about duty," "brings discredit upon the armed forces," and "is conduct unbecoming an officer." Hegseth directed the Navy Secretary to investigate reducing Kelly's retirement grade. This action followed Kelly's November 18 participation in a video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress reminding military and intelligence personnel of their legal obligation to refuse orders that violate the law or Constitution.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Senator Mark Kelly and threatened military pension cuts and criminal prosecution — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Senator Mark Kelly, cut his military pension, threatened demotion, and warned of possible criminal prosecution after Kelly urged service members to obey their oath to the Constitution. The action appears to be retaliation for Kelly's public criticism of Hegseth and the Trump administration. Kelly responded by stating he would fight the censure and threats, characterizing Hegseth as "the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country's history" and asserting that Hegseth and Trump do not have the authority to suppress Americans' right to speak about their government.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth issues formal censure to Senator Mark Kelly and initiates rank-stripping proceedings — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal censure to Democratic Senator Mark Kelly on January 6, 2026, and initiated administrative proceedings to strip Kelly of his retired military rank and reduce his pension. Hegseth accused Kelly of making "seditious statements" after Kelly, along with five other Democratic lawmakers who are military or intelligence veterans, released a November 2025 video urging service members to uphold the Constitution and refuse unlawful orders. Hegseth cited Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Kelly has 30 days to respond; the Navy Secretary must complete the rank review within 45 days.
Nov 16, 2025 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced resignation from Congress citing retaliation from Trump after supporting Epstein file transparency Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
A sitting member's forced departure after presidential retaliation for a policy disagreement signals erosion of independent judgment within the majority party in Congress.
Supporting reports
- Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation from Congress — Republican Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation effective January 5, 2026, citing "unfair and wrong" treatment by President Trump after he withdrew his endorsement. Greene stated she faced death threats and personal attacks following Trump's withdrawal of support. Trump responded by calling the resignation "great news for the country." The move shocked political observers and prompted speculation about Greene's future political ambitions.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026 — Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from the House of Representatives, effective January 5, 2026, citing souring relations with President Trump and frustration with the legislative branch being "sidelined." Greene, a former Trump ally, broke with the administration over the Epstein files release, Israel policy, healthcare subsidies, and other issues. Trump responded by calling the resignation "great news for the country." Greene's departure will further narrow House Speaker Mike Johnson's already thin majority.
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announces she will not seek reelection — On November 21, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announced in a public letter that she would not run for reelection. In the letter, she attacked Trump and "Establishment Republicans," called out Trump's threats to primary her, and stated, "I refuse to be a 'battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better." Three days later, Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News reported that her letter "rang true to" many House Republicans, with a senior House Republican describing widespread dissatisfaction with the White House team's treatment of members and predicting more early resignations and loss of the House majority.
- Trump withdraws support for Marjorie Taylor Greene over Epstein records stance — Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Republican and supporter of former President Trump, announced her resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026. Her decision follows a public break with Trump after she pushed for the release of the Epstein files, which Trump initially resisted. Greene cited threats from Trump and described her Republican colleagues as "terrified" to oppose him publicly. Her resignation highlights internal tensions within the Republican Party and signals a shift in her stance towards Trump.
- Trump attacked Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and withdrew endorsement — President Trump withdrew his support for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Friday after she criticized his handling of the Epstein records and refused to remove her name from the discharge petition forcing a House vote. Greene had publicly opposed Trump's initial resistance to releasing the files and stood with survivors demanding transparency. Trump reportedly called her a "traitor" for her stance.
- Trump withdrew endorsement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — Trump posted angrily at Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), calling her a traitor, "wacky," and a "ranting Lunatic." He announced he was withdrawing his endorsement of her and would support another Republican to replace her in her district. This attack came after Greene and other House Republicans indicated they would vote to release the Epstein files despite Trump's initial opposition.
- Trump attacks Marjorie Taylor Greene with inflammatory rhetoric over Epstein files disagreement — Trump posted statements withdrawing his endorsement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling her "wacky" and accusing her of complaining excessively. He stated he would support a primary challenger against her in Georgia and claimed she had "gone Far Left." Greene responded by stating she was receiving security warnings about threats to her safety fueled by Trump's rhetoric, drawing parallels to threats faced by Jeffrey Epstein victims. The exchange sparked internal MAGA conflict, with supporters divided over the dispute.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene announced resignation from Congress, citing Trump retaliation over Epstein files advocacy — Trump repeatedly attacked House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene over the weekend, calling her a "traitor" and using other insults after she publicly stated that releasing the Epstein files was "the easiest thing in the world" and criticized efforts to block their release. Greene responded on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, stating that Trump's rhetoric "can radicalize people against me and put my life in danger." She subsequently reported receiving hoax pizza deliveries and a pipe bomb threat directed at her construction company.
- — On November 21, 2025, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress, effective January 5, 2026. Greene stated she faced retaliation from Trump after publicly advocating for release of the Epstein files and criticizing Trump's initial resistance. On 60 Minutes, she said standing up for trafficking victims "should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President." Trump responded by calling her a traitor and "very dumb" on Truth Social and promised to back a replacement candidate.
Jun 8, 2025 California officials sued the Trump administration over the federalization of the California National Guard Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The lawsuit defended state authority against federal military control and became a major test of constitutional balance between state and national power.
Supporting reports
- California AG Files Lawsuit Against Trump — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against former President Trump, challenging the legality of his order to federalize the California National Guard. Bonta argues that the order was unnecessary and escalated tensions, leading to increased unrest. The lawsuit contends that the federalization of the National Guard was an abuse of federal authority and violated state rights.
- California lawsuit against Trump over National Guard deployment — California Governor Gavin Newsom's lawsuit against Trump regarding the federalization of the National Guard is set to be heard by Judge Charles Breyer.
- California Sues Over National Guard Deployment — California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to rescind the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, arguing that it violates the state's sovereign rights and was done without lawful federal authority. This legal challenge highlights the ongoing conflict between state and federal powers.
- California files lawsuit against Trump administration over National Guard deployment — On June 9, 2025, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federalization of the state's National Guard to manage immigration protests in Los Angeles. The lawsuit claims that President Trump's deployment of troops exceeded federal authority and violated the 10th Amendment, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom's authority. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the legal action, seeking a court declaration that the deployment was unlawful and a restraining order to halt the use of troops. The lawsuit argues that the federal intervention was unnecessary and escalated tensions.
- California Governor announces lawsuit against Trump administration — Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to sue the Trump administration over its decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles without state consent. The lawsuit, previewed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, argues that the federal government overstepped its authority and violated state sovereignty. Newsom and Bonta contend that the deployment was unnecessary and inflammatory, as there was no significant threat that warranted such federal intervention. The legal challenge aims to protect state rights and prevent federal overreach in state matters.
- California sues federal government over National Guard deployment — The state of California has filed a lawsuit against the federal government following President Trump's deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom. The lawsuit claims this action violates state sovereignty and challenges the legality of federal intervention in state matters.
- California Attorney General and Governor Sue Trump Over National Guard Deployment — California attorney general Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the unauthorized federalization of the California National Guard, calling the order unlawful and inflammatory.
- Case update — Newsom v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-04870 — State Attorneys General submitted an amicus brief in support of Plaintiffs.
- Temporary restraining order ruling — Newsom v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-04870 — State Attorneys General submitted an amicus brief in support of Defendants.
- Federal judge rules against Trump's troop deployment in LA — In a brief , the Department of Justice called the claims “baseless,” arguing that judicial intervention “would not only hinder federal law enforcement but also expose federal employees and property to violence and vandalism by the rioters in Los Angeles.”
- Judge Rules Against Trump's Federalization of National Guard — Judge Breyer heard arguments on California's request for a temporary order restraining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from ordering National Guard troops and Marines to support immigration raids in Los Angeles.
- — Judge Breyer granted a temporary restraining order enjoining the administration from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles and directing the administration to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom.
- — A federal judge ruled that President Trump's deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles to assist in civilian law enforcement was unlawful, bypassing congressionally mandated procedures. The ruling came in response to a legal challenge by California Governor Gavin Newsom. However, the administration appealed the decision, and a higher court temporarily paused the restraining order, allowing the deployment to continue until a hearing scheduled for the following Tuesday.
- — U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that President Trump unlawfully federalized the California National Guard, ordering the return of troops to Governor Gavin Newsom's control. The judge granted a restraining order but delayed enforcement until Friday at noon, while a panel of the 9th Circuit issued a stay allowing Trump to retain control until a hearing on June 17.
May 7, 2025 The House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee pressed Kristi Noem on due process and received no clear answer Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The exchange showed Congress attempting oversight on constitutional rights while an executive official declined to affirm a basic legal principle.
Supporting reports
- Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem refuses to acknowledge due process rights — During a meeting of the House Committee on Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem declined to answer a question from Representative Lauren Underwood regarding whether she believes the Constitution grants everyone the right to due process. This refusal follows a similar stance taken by former President Trump in a recent interview.