Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Congressman Raskin accuses FBI Director Patel of directing $1m in unauthorized bonus payments to loyalist agents — Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, alleged that FBI Director Kash Patel authorized over $1 million in taxpayer-funded bonus payments to a small circle of loyalist agents, including those on his security detail and "director's advisory team." Some agents received payments of nearly $8,000 every two weeks despite already earning at the federal salary ceiling. Raskin characterized the arrangement as a "personal slush fund" that may have violated federal law and demanded a full accounting by June 29.
• House Democrats launched investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged misuse of FBI funds — Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee issued a press release announcing an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged misuse of FBI funds. Representative Jamie Raskin, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, stated they had received information that Patel directed more than $1 million in bonuses to agents close to himself. The Democrats wrote that these payments raise concerns that FBI funds are being used to reward political loyalty rather than merit and professionalism.
• FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly using agency budget as personal slush fund — According to a letter from Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin obtained by MS NOW, FBI Director Kash Patel may be using part of the agency's budget as a "personal slush fund" to provide more than $1 million in "unlawful 'bonus' payments" to special agents on his Director's Advisory Team and his security detail. Raskin noted that by issuing the payments, Patel's office "may be knowingly breaking federal law" and that the payments have been sent at such a frenzied rate that some have bounced from exhausted accounts.

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• FBI seizes Cyber Ninjas audit data from Arizona state senate president — In March 2026, the FBI seized a large collection of digital data compiled by Cyber Ninjas during its 2020 audit of Maricopa County election results. The material, which may include vote details and ballot images, was handed over by Republican state senate president Warren Petersen under a federal grand jury subpoena. Secretary of State Fontes criticized Petersen's compliance as a political favor to Trump and suggested it may have violated state data-protection laws.

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• Homeland Security Investigations reopens investigation into 2020 Arizona election — The investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSI) is conducting a federal investigation into Arizona elections and has reopened examination of the 2020 presidential election result. Secretary of State Fontes characterized the move as a "bizarre" attempt to relitigate an election settled more than five years ago, comparing the perpetual resurfacing of election denial claims to a recurring disease.

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• Federal prosecutors drop charges against two Venezuelan men and open investigation into officer perjury — On February 2026 (reported April 7), the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota dropped all charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis after determining that "newly discovered evidence" was "materially inconsistent" with the criminal complaint. Chief federal prosecutor Daniel Rosen approved dismissal with prejudice, preventing refiling. Simultaneously, federal authorities opened a criminal investigation into whether the ICE officers involved provided false testimony under oath. The officers were placed on administrative leave pending internal investigation and potential termination or criminal prosecution.

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• State of Minnesota v. U.S. Department of Justice, complaint filed — The State of Minnesota, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans filed a complaint in federal district court against the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Attorney General Bondi, and DHS Secretary Noem. The suit challenges a federal policy of refusing to share evidence with state investigators regarding three fatal or injurious shootings by federal agents during "Operation Metro Surge" in January 2026. Plaintiffs allege the categorical refusal violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Tenth Amendment, and seek declaratory relief, vacatur of the noncooperation policy, and a court order compelling production of evidence.
• Minnesota sued Trump administration for federal officer shooting records — Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration seeking access to information about shootings by federal officers, including shootings that resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The lawsuit was filed as part of state-level efforts to defend ordinary Americans and expand protections under law.

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• Kristi Noem testified before Senate Judiciary Committee — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday regarding her department's handling of detentions, deportations, and other matters. During the hearing, lawmakers of both parties questioned her on the lawlessness and corruption in the department, including her labeling of individuals shot by federal agents as engaged in "domestic terrorism," her handling of FEMA disaster relief, and her refusal to back away from the administration's characterization of Trump opponents as engaged in "criminal and terroristic conspiracies."
• Sen. Tillis calls for DHS Secretary Noem's resignation — Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) formally called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's resignation during the hearing, citing a pattern of poor leadership decisions, detention of American citizens, obstruction of inspector general investigations, and slow response to disaster relief in North Carolina. Tillis submitted a letter from the Office of Inspector General documenting ten instances of being misled and prevented from pursuing investigations, and announced he would place holds on nominations and deny quorum in committee markups until receiving written responses to his questions within two weeks.
• Senate hearing on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's leadership and conduct — The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's tenure, during which multiple senators criticized her management, including allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds, improper detention of U.S. citizens, conflicts of interest involving contracts awarded to associates, and failure to cooperate with inspectors general. Sen. Tillis detailed a $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem and questioned her judgment; Sen. Whitehouse asked about luxury aircraft purchases; Sen. Welch raised concerns about no-bid contracts to her former spokeswoman's husband; and Sen. Blumenthal questioned whether an agent involved in a shooting remained on duty.
• Sen. Blumenthal questions whether agent in shooting remains on duty — During the Senate hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal asked DHS Secretary Noem whether the agent who shot Ms. Martinez remained on the job carrying a gun. Noem stated she did not know the details and said she would get back to him. Blumenthal expressed concern that Americans would find it "absolutely terrifying" if the agent remained on duty.
• Sen. Welch questions DHS Secretary Noem on arrest quotas — During the Senate hearing, Sen. Chris Coons asked DHS Secretary Noem whether DHS operates with arrest quotas. Noem denied the practice, claiming only "targeted enforcement." Coons countered by citing a statement from Stephen Miller on Fox News the prior year stating, "We're setting a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day," directly contradicting Noem's testimony.
• DHS Secretary Noem questioned on $220 million ad campaign — During the Senate hearing, Sen. Adam Schiff questioned DHS Secretary Noem about a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign featuring her prominently. Schiff noted the contract went to a company that did not exist two weeks before receiving it, and that $143 million went to a subcontractor Noem had worked with extensively as South Dakota governor. Noem claimed she had nothing to do with the contract award, though she acknowledged Trump had approved the campaign.
• Sen. Kennedy questions DHS ad spending and Noem's name recognition — Sen. John Kennedy questioned DHS Secretary Noem about the $220 million ad campaign, noting it was a quarter-billion in taxpayer money while the administration was cutting budgets elsewhere. Kennedy stated the campaign was effective for Noem's personal name recognition and put the president in an awkward position, suggesting OMB Director Russ Vought would not have approved such spending.
• DHS Secretary Noem questioned on no-bid contract to former spokeswoman's husband — During the Senate hearing, Sen. Peter Welch questioned DHS Secretary Noem about a $143 million no-bid DHS contract awarded to Yoho, the husband of her former chief spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin. Noem confirmed the relationship and the contract award. Welch also asked Noem to inquire whether Corey Lewandowski, identified as a "special government adviser," received any compensation from these contracts.

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• DOJ prosecutors dismiss assault charges against Venezuelan men in Minneapolis ICE case after video evidence contradicts officer testimony — Minneapolis federal prosecutors dismissed felony assault charges against two Venezuelan men accused of attacking an ICE officer on January 14, 2026. The DHS had initially described them as "violent criminal illegal aliens" who attacked with a snow shovel and broom handle. On February 12, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice after "newly discovered evidence" (video footage) proved officer statements were false. ICE director Todd Lyons acknowledged that "sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements" and opened an investigation into possible perjury.
• Justice Department drops charges against men arrested by ICE — The Justice Department dropped charges against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, who were arrested by ICE agents in Minneapolis and charged with assault on a federal officer. DHS had claimed the men attacked an agent with a snow shovel and broom handle, but video surveillance evidence contradicted the agent's account. The DOJ stated "newly discovered evidence" suggested the allegations were false.
• ICE officers admitted to perjury in criminal case — ICE Director Todd Lyons announced that a joint ICE-DOJ review of video evidence revealed two ICE officers made untruthful statements under oath in an investigation that led to criminal charges against two innocent men. Both officers were placed on administrative leave. The U.S. Attorney's Office is investigating the false statements, and the officers may face termination and criminal prosecution. The DOJ subsequently filed a motion to dismiss all charges, citing newly discovered evidence materially inconsistent with the complaint affidavit.

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• U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez imposed restrictions on ICE's tactics in response to protesters' lawsuits, but the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals quickly stayed her decision at the Trump administration's request. — U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez, overseeing lawsuits by protesters contesting illegal arrests and retaliation by ICE officers, imposed restrictions on ICE's ability to use pepper spray and other munitions against demonstrators. However, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals quickly granted a Trump administration request to stay her decision, a move that led to public celebration from top DOJ and DHS officials. Attorneys for protesters subsequently urged the federal appeals court to reinstate the restrictions, arguing that expected further protests in response to Pretti's death create "an urgent need for intervention."
• Federal appeals court allows tear gas and pepper spray against Minnesota protesters — A federal appeals court decision paved the way for federal officers to continue using tear gas and pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Following the ruling, a senior U.S. Border Patrol official, Greg Bovino, used tear gas against protesters in Minneapolis.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Tincher v. Noem (D. Minn.) 0:25-cv-04669 — The Eighth Circuit stayed the lower court's preliminary injunction restricting ICE officers' actions during protests and denied Plaintiffs' emergency motion to lift the administrative stay, finding that the injunction was overbroad and vague. The panel granted Plaintiffs' request for expedited merits briefing.

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• DOJ fired federal prosecutor who declined to prosecute Comey — MS NOW reported that the Justice Department fired a federal prosecutor who served as first assistant to the now-disqualified U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan after he declined to lead the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.
• Six DOJ Civil Rights Division leaders resigned in protest — At least six leaders of the criminal section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the DOJ decided not to investigate the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, a process that usually takes place after any fatal shooting by a law enforcement officer.
• Federal leadership responded to ICE killings with defensive messaging and threats toward critics — After Renee Good was killed by ICE, federal leadership responded with defensive messaging, threats toward critics, and rhetoric framing accountability as an attack on law enforcement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared publicly behind messaging stating "One of ours, all of yours," signaling protection from consequences rather than transparency or restraint.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division officials resigned after being ordered not to investigate ICE agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good — Four high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the Trump DOJ instructed them to investigate the victim, Renee Nicole Good, rather than the ICE agent who shot and killed her. The resignations follow a February wave of departures from the DOJ's Public Integrity Section, where prosecutors refused orders to dismiss a bribery case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The departures reflect broader institutional collapse within the DOJ, with thousands of career officials resigning or fired.
• Four leaders of DOJ Civil Rights Division criminal section resigned over ICE shooting decision — At least four leaders of the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ resigned to protest the decision by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon not to investigate the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good. The departures included the chief of the section, principal deputy chief, deputy chief, and acting deputy chief. This represents the most significant mass resignation at DOJ since February 2025, when five leaders of the Public Integrity Section resigned rather than comply with orders to dismiss the bribery case against former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
• Department of Justice declined to investigate shooting as civil rights violation — The Department of Justice declined to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross as a civil rights attack. Instead, the DOJ classified the incident as an assault on a federal officer and initiated an investigation into Good's ties to local activists rather than examining the shooting itself. This prosecutorial decision prompted the resignation of at least six career prosecutors from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
• DOJ declines civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Trump administration's Department of Justice leadership declined to open a civil-rights investigation into a Minneapolis ICE shooting incident, stating there was "no basis" for review while the FBI continues its investigation. In response, four senior supervisors in DOJ's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest, citing their exclusion from the case and objecting to the refusal to initiate civil-rights oversight. The resignations signal internal resistance to narrowing accountability mechanisms.
• Federal prosecutors resign from DOJ civil rights division over blocked investigation into ICE shooting — Six lawyers from the US attorney's office in Minnesota and four leaders of the DOJ civil rights division resigned in protest after the department, under assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon, declined to investigate the January 7 fatal shooting of unarmed civilian Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated there was "no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation" without elaboration. The resignations reflect broader purging of the civil rights division, which has lost roughly 70% of its staff since Trump's second term began.
• Federal prosecutors resign in protest over DOJ decision not to investigate killing of Renee Nicole Good — Several federal prosecutors resigned in protest after the Department of Justice declined to conduct a civil rights investigation into the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. The killing sparked widespread protests and prompted state and local legal challenges to the federal immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration has defended the agent's actions as self-defense, a characterization disputed by local officials and video evidence.
• Four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors resign over case exclusion — Four senior supervisors in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned after being told they would be sidelined from the Minnesota ICE shooting investigation. The resignations were framed as protest against both their exclusion from the case and the broader refusal to open civil-rights oversight into the use-of-force incident. The departures represent internal institutional resistance to the narrowing of accountability mechanisms.
• Six career prosecutors resigned from DOJ Civil Rights Division — At least six career prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest over the DOJ's decision not to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good as a civil rights violation and instead to investigate Good's ties to local activists.
• DOJ declines to open civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Department of Justice announced it found "no basis" to open a civil-rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The decision was made by DOJ leadership and signaled that civil-rights review would be granted only at the administration's discretion. The refusal to investigate followed the fatal incident and preceded the resignation of four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon declines to open investigation into ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good — Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, instructed federal prosecutors in the division's criminal section that she would not open an investigation into whether the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis violated federal law. The Civil Rights Division's criminal section normally handles investigations into law enforcement misconduct, but no probe was announced publicly or pursued internally.
• DOJ senior officials pressure federal prosecutors to investigate Renee Nicole Good's widow for criminality; six prosecutors resign — Senior DOJ officials pressed federal prosecutors to investigate Becca Good, widow of Renee Nicole Good, for possible criminality before the shooting. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.—including some who worked on fraud-related investigations—resigned in response to the pressure to pursue Good's family rather than investigate the ICE agent's conduct. The prosecutors' resignations were prompted by the DOJ's attempt to weaponize the fatal shooting and redirect the FBI's probe toward Good's family and their connections to local activist groups.
• DOJ civil rights division and federal prosecutors resign over handling of ICE shooting — At least four senior leaders of the DOJ Civil Rights Division and six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in response to how the Trump administration handled the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The resignations signal institutional breakdown and loss of confidence in federal accountability mechanisms.

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.

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• Federal court rejects Trump's authority to independently mobilize D.C. National Guard for policing — On November 20, a federal court rejected Trump's assertion that he had the right to independently mobilize the D.C. National Guard for routine police work. The judge found that the deployment of more than 2,000 Guard troops to Washington was unlawful and violated the District's right to govern itself, establishing a significant legal constraint on the president's domestic military deployment authority.
• Court ruled National Guard deployment in Washington D.C. illegal but stayed order pending government appeal — On November 20, 2025, a court ruled that the deployment of the National Guard in the District of Columbia was illegal but stayed the order ending the deployment until December 11 to permit the government to appeal the decision.
• Case update — District of Columbia v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-03005 — Judge Cobb temporarily blocked the administration from using the D.C. National Guard for crime control in the District and from using out-of-state Guards. The order is slated to take effect on Dec. 11 in order to “permit orderly proceedings on appeal.”

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• Federal Judge Ellis finds Border Patrol Chief Bovino lied under oath about assault by protester — U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in Chicago ruled that Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol chief, lied when he and the Department of Homeland Security claimed he had been struck in the head by a rock before throwing a tear gas canister at protesters on October 28. Video evidence showed Bovino was not hit until after he threw the tear gas, violating her earlier temporary restraining order limiting use of force. Bovino ultimately admitted he was not hit until after deploying the tear gas.

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• Chicago Police Chief Thomas Mills testified that federal agents used chemical agents arbitrarily and indiscriminately — Chicago Police Chief Thomas Mills testified that the use of chemical agents by federal agents at the ICE facility in Broadview has often been arbitrary and indiscriminate, deployed even when crowds numbered as few as ten people.

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• Supreme Court ruling permits warrantless immigration raids and racial profiling in California — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that invalidated a July temporary restraining order barring federal agents from racially profiling immigrants in southern and central California. The decision cleared the way for the Department of Homeland Security to conduct warrantless raids targeting people based on skin color, accent, or employment. Following the ruling, DHS announced plans to "flood the zone in Los Angeles" with enforcement operations, intensifying fear in immigrant communities already experiencing economic hardship and deportation risk.

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• California governor files preliminary injunction to block extended national guard deployment — Following Judge Breyer's ruling, California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a preliminary injunction on September 2 seeking to block the Trump administration's extension of national guard troops' deployment in Los Angeles through the November election. Newsom argued there was no justification for continued military presence against communities. Approximately 300 troops remained deployed at the time, down from thousands sent in June.
• Federal judge rules Trump administration illegally deployed national guard in Los Angeles — Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court ruled that the Trump administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act (1878) by deploying thousands of national guard troops to accompany federal immigration agents on raids in Los Angeles in June 2025. The ruling, effective September 12, barred troops from conducting arrests, searches, crowd control, and other law-enforcement functions. California Governor Gavin Newsom had filed suit in June, arguing the deployment constituted militarization of domestic streets. The Trump administration vowed to appeal.
• Judge Breyer ruled Trump administration's use of military in Los Angeles violated Posse Comitatus Act — Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense acted illegally when they deployed the Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles. The judge found that armed soldiers set up protective perimeters, traffic blockages, and engaged in crowd control, directly violating the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of U.S. military to execute domestic law. The judge noted that 300 troops remain in Los Angeles and warned that Trump and Hegseth have stated their intention to deploy National Guard troops in other cities, "thus creating a national police force with the President as its chief." Breyer prohibited the defendants from deploying or using military or National Guard troops to execute laws and stayed the order until noon September 12 to allow appeal.
• Federal judge ruled Trump's LA military deployment violated Posse Comitatus Act — A federal judge ruled that Trump's deployment of the military to Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the army from performing domestic law enforcement actions without authorization from Congress. While the judge noted that it's legal to deploy the officials to protect federal property, he said that Trump is using the military as a "national police force with the President as its chief."
• Judge Blocks Military Deployment for Law Enforcement in Los Angeles — On September 2, 2025, Judge Charles Breyer issued a ruling that prohibited the Trump administration from using military troops for law enforcement in Los Angeles, citing violations of the Posse Comitatus Act. The judge's order prevents the deployment of National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement activities, emphasizing the need to uphold legal boundaries between military and civilian roles.
• Judge Rules Against Trump's Use of Military for Domestic Law Enforcement — On September 2, 2025, Judge Charles Breyer ruled that President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense acted illegally by deploying the Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles to enforce domestic law, violating the Posse Comitatus Act. The judge prohibited the use of military troops for law enforcement activities and warned against creating a national police force under presidential control.
• Judge rules Trump violated federal law in Los Angeles national guard deployment — A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that President Trump violated federal law when he deployed thousands of national guard troops to Los Angeles earlier in the summer during protests against ICE operations. The ruling represents a legal challenge to Trump's authority to unilaterally deploy military forces domestically without proper statutory authorization or state consent.
• Federal judge rules Trump's military deployment to Los Angeles unlawful — A federal judge found that Trump illegally deployed thousands of military troops to Los Angeles in June and barred the Pentagon from using National Guard and Marines for police functions such as arrests and crowd control. The order takes effect September 12. The ruling upheld California Governor Gavin Newsom's lawsuit challenging the deployment as a violation of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits military use in domestic law enforcement.

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• Governor Pritzker declared Trump's Chicago military deployment unconstitutional and illegal — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker held a press conference at the Chicago waterfront flanked by community leaders and declared Trump's planned military deployment to Chicago "unprecedented and unwarranted," "illegal," "unconstitutional," and "un-American." Pritzker characterized the action as a political power grab targeting a Democratic city and state, not a genuine public safety measure.
• Pritzker announced Illinois will pursue legal action against Trump administration — Governor Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois will challenge the Trump administration's military deployment plan in court and will deploy "every lever" at its disposal to protect Illinois residents and their constitutional rights, including potential legal action against federal officials involved in the deployment scheme.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker rejected federal military deployment — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stated that the state had received no requests from the federal government for assistance and had made no requests for federal intervention. He declared there was no emergency warranting federalization of the Illinois National Guard, deployment of National Guard from other states, or active-duty military within state borders. Pritzker accused Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis and abuse his power.
• Pentagon planned National Guard deployment to Chicago — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has been planning for weeks a military deployment of National Guard members and possibly active-duty troops to Chicago. The president lacks authority to deploy National Guard troops without a governor's request, but Trump has justified deployments by claiming soldiers protect federal buildings and personnel—a rationale potentially applicable to any location where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operate.

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• California sues Department of Justice over unauthorized National Guard and Marine deployment to Los Angeles — Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit against the Department of Justice, alleging that the federal government unlawfully deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in June without authorization. The lawsuit invokes the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from acting as law enforcement. Court testimony and documents revealed that troops accompanied ICE during arrests and that deployment documents referenced "demonstrating federal reach and presence" alongside stated missions to guard federal buildings and law enforcement officials.
• California Sues Department of Justice Over Unauthorized Troop Deployment — California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, claiming it unlawfully deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles without proper authorization. The lawsuit cites the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts federal troops from acting as law enforcement officers.

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• Judge Breyer rules Trump's federalization of California National Guard unlawful — U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled in mid-June 2025 that Trump's order to federalize California National Guard troops without the governor's permission was unlawful and set a "dangerous precedent for future domestic military activity." The ruling temporarily blocked the federalization order, reasserting state sovereignty and constitutional limits on executive military deployment authority.
• Trump federalizes California National Guard and deploys Marines to suppress Los Angeles protests — Trump issued an order federalizing thousands of California National Guard troops and deploying Marines to Los Angeles to suppress largely peaceful protests against immigration enforcement. California sued, and U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled in mid-June that Trump unlawfully federalized the guard without the governor's permission, setting a "dangerous precedent for future domestic military activity." A three-judge appeals panel (two Trump appointees) ruled on June 19 that the federalization order could remain in place; California appealed on June 20.

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• Supreme Court Allows Transgender Military Ban — The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order permitting the enforcement of President Trump's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. This decision allows the ban to take effect while ongoing litigation and appeals are resolved. The ruling has significant implications for transgender rights and military policy, as it reverses previous policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly.
• US Supreme Court Allows Trump Trans Military Ban to Take Effect — The US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can enforce a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military while legal challenges continue. This decision could lead to the discharge of thousands of transgender military members. The court's order was unsigned and did not provide an explanation, with the three liberal justices dissenting. The ban, which was implemented by the Department of Defense, reverses a previous executive order allowing transgender service. Lower courts had previously blocked the ban, but the Supreme Court's decision allows it to proceed.
• Case update — Shilling v. Trump (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00241 — The Supreme Court issued a stay (with Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissenting).
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in United States v. Shilling — On May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of United States v. Shilling. This decision temporarily halts a lower court's preliminary injunction that had blocked the enforcement of a Department of Defense policy banning individuals with a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria from military service. The policy, issued under an executive order by President Donald Trump, was challenged by transgender military members and advocacy groups as discriminatory. The stay allows the policy to be enforced while further litigation proceeds.
• Supreme Court grants stay in United States v. Shilling — The Supreme Court granted a stay of the preliminary injunction entered by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in the case United States, et al. v. Shilling, Commander, et al. This stay will remain in effect pending the outcome of the appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and any subsequent petition for a writ of certiorari. If certiorari is denied, the stay will automatically terminate. If certiorari is granted, the stay will terminate upon the issuance of the Supreme Court's judgment. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented from the decision to grant the stay.