Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• White House bars Politico from Air Force One press pool; CNN also repeatedly excluded — The White House refused to allow Politico on Air Force One on Monday, preventing the news organization from fulfilling its press corps pool responsibilities. This follows a pattern: news outlets filed a lawsuit on September 21 alleging the ban violates the First and Fifth Amendments. Judge Timothy Kelly sided with the plaintiffs and issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Trump administration to reinstate journalists' press badges. Since then, the White House has repeatedly barred CNN from traveling on Air Force One on days when it was CNN's turn to be the TV pool representative. The Trump administration appears to be justifying these restrictions by claiming access to the White House complex differs from access to tight spaces like Air Force One. Judge Kelly is scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday over the news outlets' request for a preliminary injunction.
• White House blocks Politico from Air Force One pool rotation — The White House decided to block Politico from riding on Air Force One and called numerous other outlets to ask one to fill the primary print slot for the out-of-town pool rotation. Each of those outlets declined to step in, leaving the pool slot unfilled.
• Trump administration defended restrictions on news organizations' press access — The Trump administration continued to defend its decision to restrict press access for reporters from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico on journalistic conduct grounds. CNN, MSNBC, and Politico filed a federal court challenge, asking a judge to continue blocking the restrictions and to rule on long-term protections. The judge previously ordered temporary relief and is expected to rule on permanent protections.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration denies White House access to CNN and MS Now journalists despite federal court order — On Thursday evening, the Trump administration barred journalists from CNN and MS Now from covering a White House state dinner honoring Chinese President Xi Jinping, hours after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued an overnight order requiring the administration to restore press credentials to the three banned outlets (CNN, MS Now, Politico). CNN was permitted only a photojournalist and audio technician, excluding editorial staff. MS Now reporter Laura Barrón-López was denied credentials entirely. The administration had revoked the outlets' hard passes on Saturday, citing "fake news," but Kelly ruled the revocation violated due process and likely breached First Amendment protections.
• White House blocked CNN and MS NOW from state dinner with Chinese leader Xi Jinping — On the evening of September 25, CNN and MS NOW were blocked from full access to the White House state dinner with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The White House told CNN it could send only an audio producer and a cameraman, not a reporter or producer. CNN senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes stated the outlet was "specifically denied access" and that the White House was "not letting in the CNN editorial presence."

Supporting reports

• White House denied access to reporters in defiance of court order — Despite the federal court's overnight restraining order, White House staff denied access to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters when they arrived to cover Trump's event with Chinese President Xi on the morning of September 24. The denial occurred in direct defiance of the judicial order. Attorneys for the media companies filed an emergency motion requesting an expedited hearing, which was granted and scheduled for 12:45 p.m. The White House eventually admitted the reporters just before the emergency hearing was set to begin.
• White House continued to deny CNN, Politico, and MS NOW access despite court order — Despite Judge Kelly's order restoring journalist credentials, the White House continued to deny reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW access to the White House campus on the morning of September 25. The outlets' lawyers requested an emergency hearing, citing repeated violations of the court's order. After the judge ordered the administration to respond, the reporters were allowed back into the area.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon secretly hired military veterans as paid right-wing influencers to promote Pete Hegseth — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has secretly hired military veterans with large social media followings to act as paid right-wing influencers to push Pete Hegseth's propaganda. Although these individuals are now government employees, the Pentagon refuses to provide details on their assignments. Their taxpayer-funded job is to "amplify Pete Hegseth's" messaging.
• Pentagon hires right-wing social media influencers as government employees — The Pentagon has hired right-wing social media influencers as special government employees using taxpayer money to amplify Defense Secretary Hegseth's viewpoints and attack critics of the Trump administration. Reported hires include Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Thomas Anderson. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on their job content, salaries, or employment duration.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers as Pentagon employees — Washington Post Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers to work at the Department of Defense as Special Government Employees (SGEs) to promote him on social media platform X. Retired Colonels Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Tom Anderson acknowledged being SGE employees for the Pentagon after the article's publication. The Pentagon had previously declined to comment on the issue and withheld information about the SGEs' status for days, including after speculation on social media.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: Intercept Media, Inc. v. Trump (S.D.N.Y. 1:26-cv-06867) — Intercept Media, Inc. and Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging President Trump's use of Truth Social to announce official government business and Trump Media & Technology Group's "Truth API," a subscription service charging up to $100,000 per month for early access to presidential posts. Plaintiffs allege they cannot subscribe for financial and editorial-independence reasons and thus face delayed access to official announcements relative to paying subscribers. The complaint asserts violations of the First Amendment right to receive public officials' statements on equal terms, First Amendment limits on government restriction of access to designated public forums, First and Fifth Amendment unconstitutional-conditions doctrine, and Fifth Amendment equal protection. Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment and an injunction barring defendants from posting official government information exclusively on Truth Social through the paid early-access API.
• Trump sued over Truth API subscription service selling early access to market-sensitive posts — The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation filed suit in US District Court for the Southern District of New York against Trump, two aides, and the Executive Office of the President, challenging "Truth API," a paid data feed launched August 1 by Trump Media & Technology Group. The service charges $100,000/month (or $60,000/month for three-year commitments) for early access to posts from Trump and nine other senior officials' accounts on Truth Social. The complaint alleges the arrangement is corrupt and unconstitutional, allowing Trump—who remains Truth Media's largest shareholder—to personally profit from selling privileged access to information generated in his official capacity. The suit seeks to declare the service unlawful and bar the administration from using Truth Social as an exclusive venue for official announcements while selling preferential access.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon designated press office as classified facility — The Pentagon designated its press office as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), a classified space. Journalists, including those who retain press badges, now require appointments to speak with the press secretary. This represents an escalation of Pentagon efforts to control information about military operations that have been ongoing for months.
• Pentagon designates press office as classified facility, bars journalists from entry — The Pentagon's acting press secretary Jose Valdez announced that the Pentagon Press Office has been redesignated as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) due to speechwriters handling classified material, resulting in a blanket ban on journalist access to the office space. This move follows months of escalating restrictions on press access to the defense department, including a September mandate requiring journalists to pledge not to gather unauthorized information and an October announcement of a curated "next generation" press corps. The New York Times has sued the Pentagon twice over these policies; a federal judge ruled against the Pentagon in March, but an appeals court stay allowed the government to continue enforcement while appealing.
• Pentagon designates press room as classified facility — The Department of Defense announced on June 2, 2026, that the Pentagon press office, the longstanding workspace where journalists seek information from military and defense officials, is now a classified space off-limits to the press. The stated reason is that speechwriters handling sensitive material need the room. The Pentagon designated the press room as a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF), which allows reporters to be excluded on classification grounds.

Supporting reports

• FCC accelerates ABC license renewal review following White House attack on Jimmy Kimmel — The Federal Communications Commission, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, announced an accelerated review of eight ABC-owned local broadcasting licenses (WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham, and KFSN-TV Fresno). The licenses were not scheduled for renewal until 2028–2031 but now must be filed by May 28, 2026. The action follows the White House's attack on late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a joke about Melania Trump. The FCC cited an ongoing investigation into Disney's diversity practices as justification, though critics characterize the move as political retribution and regulatory intimidation.
• Federal Communications Commission announced review of ABC's broadcast licenses — On April 28, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission announced it is reviewing ABC's broadcast licenses following a joke made by late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel about First Lady Melania Trump on April 24, 2026. FCC chair Brendan Carr, a Trump loyalist who frequently attacks media organizations, leads the agency.
• FCC orders Disney/ABC license renewal in retaliation for Kimmel criticism — FCC Chair Brendan Carr issued an order directing Disney's ABC to file license renewals for all licensed TV stations within 30 days (by May 28, 2026). The order is widely viewed as retaliation for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's criticisms of Trump and the network's resistance to Trump administration pressure to fire Kimmel. The FCC asserts the review relates to an ongoing probe into Disney's diversity initiatives, but the timing and context suggest political retaliation. The order initiates a protracted legal process, though ABC has broad legal protections.
• FCC accelerates review of ABC broadcast licenses following Kimmel joke — On Monday, following Melania Trump's public criticism of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke about her appearance, FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced the agency was expediting its review of eight ABC local broadcasting licenses. Carr denied the action was related to Kimmel's monologue, but the timing and context suggest regulatory retaliation for constitutionally protected speech critical of the Trump family.

Supporting reports

• Trump and Melania called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke — On April 23, Jimmy Kimmel aired a joke about First Lady Melania Trump's appearance on his ABC late-night show. Two days later, after an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Trump and Melania publicly called for Kimmel's firing on April 27, characterizing the joke as "hateful," "violent rhetoric," and a "call to violence." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr also pressured ABC to take action. Kimmel denied the joke was a call to assassination.
• Melania Trump issued statement attacking Jimmy Kimmel and demanding ABC take action against him — Melania Trump issued a social media statement attacking late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke made at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner two days prior. Kimmel had joked that Melania had "a glow like an expectant widow." Melania characterized Kimmel's monologue as "hateful and violent rhetoric," called him a "coward," and demanded that ABC network take action to prevent him from broadcasting, stating "People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate."
• FCC Chair Carr threatened ABC affiliates over Jimmy Kimmel — FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC affiliates with enforcement action regarding Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Melania Trump, stating "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." The FCC subsequently launched a review of Disney's broadcast licenses years ahead of the normal schedule. The threat and accelerated review appear coordinated with the president's demand for Kimmel's firing.
• Trump and Melania called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired — President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called on Disney and ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a video in which Kimmel jokingly called Melania an "expectant widow." Trump characterized the joke as a "despicable call to violence." The incident prompted FCC Chair Brendan Carr to threaten ABC affiliates with enforcement action, stating "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," and the FCC subsequently launched a review of Disney's broadcast licenses ahead of schedule.
• Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over joke — Trump and Melania called for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke, according to reporting covered in the briefing's Wednesday section on buried political stories.

Supporting reports

• Trump endorses FCC chair's threat to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social expressing he was "thrilled" that FCC Chair Brendan Carr was "looking at the licenses" of news organizations reporting unfavorably on the Iran war. Carr had stated on X that broadcasters running "hoaxes and news distortions" should "correct course before their license renewals come up" or "lose their licenses." In a Reuters interview, Carr said license revocations were "on the table" and accelerated reviews were possible. Trump claimed news outlets "knowingly" disseminated false information and should face treason charges, while Defense Secretary Hegseth barred press photographers and singled out CNN.
• Trump posted social media attacks on New York Times and Wall Street Journal — President Trump posted on social media that the New York Times and Wall Street Journal "actually want us to lose the War" and that their "terrible reporting is the exact opposite of the actual facts." Trump called the outlets "Lowlife 'Papers' and Media" and characterized journalists as "truly sick and demented people that have no idea the damage they cause the United States of America," citing his 2024 election victory as proof that Americans understand events better than "Fake News Media."
• Trump posted that media outlets should face treason charges for false reporting — President Trump posted on social media that media outlets generating stories he characterized as "FAKE" "should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information." Trump reiterated support for FCC Chair Brendan Carr's attack on the media and insisted he won the presidential election "IN A LANDSLIDE."

Supporting reports

• FCC chair threatens to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, warned on Saturday that broadcasters could lose their licenses if they air what the agency deems "fake news" or "hoaxes" about the Iran conflict. Carr stated on X that broadcasters must operate in the public interest or "will lose their licenses." He doubled down in a CBS News interview, claiming licenses are not a property right and broadcasters must avoid "news distortion." The threat drew immediate criticism from both Democrats and a Republican senator.

Supporting reports

• Secretary Hegseth refuses to answer questions about girls school strike — During a 60 Minutes interview, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was asked directly whether the U.S. bombed the Iranian girls school. He declined to provide a substantive answer, stating only that the matter "is being investigated, which is the only answer I'm prepared to give." Fox host Laura Ingraham subsequently criticized the response, calling for the administration to "wrap up its investigation and address head-on" the "horrible unintended tragedy."
• Secretary Hegseth held press conference avoiding questions on Iranian school bombing — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conducted a press conference where he called exclusively on right-wing media outlets (Gateway Pundit, OAN) and avoided all questions about the bombing of an Iranian girls school that killed at least 175 people, mostly children. Neither Hegseth nor Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine commented on any investigation into the bombing. A reporter attempting to ask about it was ignored.

Supporting reports

• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signals enforcement of equal-time rule against talk shows — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued new guidance signaling that late-night and daytime talk shows can no longer assume they fall under the "bonafide news" exemption from the equal-time rule. Carr indicated that exemption determinations would depend on multiple factors, including whether there was "partisan motivation" in featuring political candidates as guests. The guidance prompted stations to seek pre-approval before booking candidates, effectively making the FCC a de facto guest-booking authority.
• FCC Chair Carr opened investigation of The View — FCC chair Brendan Carr opened an investigation of the morning talk show The View after Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appeared on the show earlier this month. Carr changed the FCC's enforcement of the Equal Time Rule to apply to non-news talk shows that appear to be "motivated by partisan purposes," requiring networks to give equal time to all candidates for an office if they interview one candidate.
• FCC chair investigates talk show for Equal Time Rule violation — FCC chair Brendan Carr opened an investigation into the talk show "The View" after it featured Democratic candidate James Talarico, suggesting that the show may have violated the Equal Time Rule by not providing equal airtime to other candidates.
• FCC launches investigation into ABC's interview with Democratic candidate — After ABC's The View interviewed Texas State Representative James Talarico on February 2, 2026, an anonymous FCC source leaked to Fox News that the Commission had launched an investigation into the interview. The FCC source stated, "Fake news is not getting a free pass anymore," signaling that the investigation was retaliatory and politically motivated.
• FCC investigated San Francisco radio station over ICE coverage — Early in Trump's second term, the FCC launched an investigation into San Francisco radio station KCBS over its coverage of ICE operations in San Jose. According to the Associated Press, the station's news directors told employees to ensure that the station's coverage did not anger the FCC, demonstrating that regulatory threat had a chilling effect on editorial independence.

Supporting reports

• Stephen Colbert reports CBS blocked Talarico interview — The Trump administration issued new guidance in January 2026 reinterpreting the "equal-time rule" to apply to daytime and late-night talk shows, reversing the longstanding assumption that interviews with politicians conducted by talk show hosts would be exempt from the rule. This guidance became the legal basis cited by CBS for blocking the Colbert-Talarico interview.
• Texas Democratic Senate primary between Talarico and Crockett — James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett are competing in the Texas Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat scheduled for March 3, 2026. On February 16, CBS refused to air Stephen Colbert's interview with Talarico, citing Trump administration FCC guidance concerns. The incident generated widespread censorship allegations and boosted Talarico's campaign through viral YouTube views and fundraising. Both candidates present contrasting strategies: Crockett emphasizes partisan confrontation of Trump; Talarico pursues cross-partisan economic messaging to appeal to disaffected Trump voters and independents.
• Stephen Colbert reports network legal censorship of Texas state representative — Late-night host Stephen Colbert announced on air that his network's legal team had prohibited him from interviewing Texas state Representative James Talarico, who was scheduled as a guest. Colbert stated he was told "in no uncertain terms" that he could not have Talarico on the broadcast and was further instructed not to mention the prohibition itself. Colbert then proceeded to discuss the censorship on air, citing the network's apparent unwillingness to address the matter.
• CBS refused to air Colbert interview with Democratic candidate over FCC equal-time rule — Late-night host Stephen Colbert reported that CBS refused to broadcast an interview he conducted with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, citing legal concerns about FCC chair Brendan Carr's regulatory guidance issued in January requiring equal airtime for political candidates on daytime and late-night talk shows. CBS claimed the broadcast "could trigger" the equal-time rule, though the network stated the program was not prohibited. Colbert's team found no historical enforcement of the rule on late-night shows dating to the 1960s. The interview was uploaded to YouTube instead.
• CBS Blocks Stephen Colbert Interview with Texas State Representative — CBS network legal counsel blocked Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico and instructed him not to mention the cancellation. The network cited concerns about retaliation from FCC Chair Brendan Carr. Colbert disclosed the censorship on-air and subsequently released the interview independently online, revealing the chilling effect of government pressure on editorial decisions.
• CBS prohibits Colbert interview with Democratic candidate under FCC pressure — CBS forbade Late Show host Stephen Colbert from interviewing Texas State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, citing the FCC's January 21 "equal time rule" reinterpretation. The FCC declared that talk-show interviews with political candidates would no longer have blanket news exemptions and would be evaluated case-by-case for "bona fide" news purposes versus "partisan purposes." CBS also instructed Colbert's lawyers to prevent him from discussing the censorship decision. Colbert aired the incident anyway on his February 17 show, calling it an effort to silence Trump critics on television.
• Colbert's interview with Talarico received 3.8 million YouTube views — As of 10:00 p.m. on February 18, Colbert's 15-minute interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico had been viewed on YouTube 3.8 million times. Forbes reported it is Colbert's most watched interview in months, indicating significant public interest in Talarico's message criticizing Republican use of Christianity as a political weapon.
• CBS blocked interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico — Late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert told viewers he had been unable to air an interview he did with Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas James Talarico. Colbert stated: "I was told…that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on." CBS chose not to challenge the FCC's reinterpreted Equal Time Rule, which FCC chair Brendan Carr had changed to apply to non-news talk shows deemed "motivated by partisan purposes."

Supporting reports

• DHS and Trump administration frame shooting as self-defense and label victim as domestic terrorist — Within hours of the shooting, DHS and ICE officials characterized the incident as lawful self-defense. Trump amplified the narrative by posting that Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over" an ICE officer and that the agent "almost died." DHS leadership immediately began using the phrase "domestic terrorism" to describe Good's actions, establishing a federal narrative before full evidence was released to the public.
• DOJ civil rights division leader amplifies false claim about Renee Good shooting — Harmeet Dhillon, the Republican activist now leading the Justice Department's civil rights division, shared on X (formerly Twitter) Trump's false claim that Renee Good "violently, willfully and viciously ran over the ICE officer." Forensic analysis by the New York Times, Bellingcat, and other outlets has demonstrated this characterization is false. Dhillon's amplification of disproven claims while heading the civil rights division signals politicization of the office responsible for investigating police and federal law enforcement misconduct.
• Homeland Security Secretary Noem characterized Renee Good's actions as domestic terrorism — Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly stated that Good had committed an act of "domestic terrorism," claiming she disobeyed officers' commands and attempted to "run a law enforcement officer over." This characterization preceded detailed video analysis that contradicted the account of the shooting.
• DHS Secretary Noem falsely labels Renee Good's death an "act of domestic terrorism" — Hours after the January 7 shooting, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Renee Good "attempt[ed] to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents" and described the incident as an "act of domestic terrorism." White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also described the incident as "domestic terrorism" on X. Domestic terrorism is legally defined as a violent act intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or affect government conduct by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. Good was driving home after taking her 6-year-old son to school, had no criminal record beyond a speeding ticket, and no known links to any terrorist group.
• Trump falsely claims Renee Good ran over ICE agent — On January 7, President Trump posted on Truth Social that Renee Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer." Witness videos contradict this claim, showing the first shot occurred while Ross stood in front of Good's vehicle as she turned to avoid him, and subsequent shots while he stood to the side. Trump repeated the false claim to New York Times reporters the same day, claiming Good "ran him over," and showed reporters a video he said supported his narrative. When reporters noted the video did not show Good running over Ross, Trump called it a "terrible scene."
• ICE agent shoots and kills Minneapolis resident; Trump administration launches coordinated disinformation campaign — An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and poet, during a Minneapolis raid on January 8, 2026. Within hours, the Trump administration—including President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—issued a coordinated series of false and misleading statements characterizing Good as a "domestic terrorist" and "violent rioter" who attempted to run over the officer. Video evidence contradicts these claims. Democratic officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, publicly denounced the falsehoods as "verifiably false" and "bullshit."
• Republican Randy Fine justifies killing of civilian by ICE — Republican Randy Fine appeared on television and justified the killing of Renee Good by stating that if Americans "get in the way of the government repelling a foreign invasion" they will "end up just like that lady did yesterday." The statement framed civilian death as an acceptable consequence of federal enforcement actions.
• Department of Homeland Security issued false statement about ICE shooting — The Department of Homeland Security posted a statement on social media claiming that Renee Nicole Good had "weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers" and that the shooting was an act of "domestic terrorism." The statement falsely claimed ICE officers were injured and recovering in the hospital. Video evidence contradicts these claims, showing the vehicle moving away from the officer and no evidence of officers being struck or injured. The statement also blamed "sanctuary politicians" for assaults on law enforcement.
• DHS and administration officials made false public statements about Minneapolis shooting — The Department of Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and President Trump made public statements claiming that federal agent Renee Nicole Good was shot in self-defense, contradicting video evidence from multiple witnesses. The administration's narrative was amplified by Fox News Channel, which shifted its coverage to align with official talking points as video evidence emerged.
• Trump posted false account of ICE shooting — President Trump posted on social media a false account of the shooting, claiming the officer "seems to have shot at her in self defense" and that "it is hard to believe that he is alive" because the woman "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer." Video evidence shows the vehicle moving away from the officer and no contact between vehicle and officer. Trump blamed the incident on "the Radical Left" and called for Americans to "stand by and protect our Law Enforcement Officers."
• Vice President Vance made false claims about Minneapolis shooting — Vice President J.D. Vance held a press conference on the shooting and claimed that Renee Nicole Good was part of a "left wing network" and that she "aimed her car at a law enforcement officer and pressed on the accelerator." The New York Times published a slow-motion video analysis the same day demonstrating conclusively that the vehicle was turning away from the officer when he opened fire.
• White House press secretary attacked victim of federal shooting — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good as resulting from a "larger, sinister left-wing movement" and described federal law enforcement as "under organized attack." The statement blamed the victim and a political movement rather than addressing the circumstances of the shooting.
• Vice President Vance repeats false claims about shooting victim at press conference — Vice President JD Vance held a press conference where he repeated the administration's false narrative that Renee Good used her car as a weapon against ICE officers. He reduced her to "that woman," insisted she tried to run down an officer, and made unsubstantiated claims that she was part of "left-wing networks" targeting officers. He also attacked the press for reporting facts about the incident, accusing media of "putting law enforcement at risk."
• Vice President Vance repeats false claims about Renee Good shooting — On January 8, Vice President J.D. Vance repeated Trump's false claims about the shooting, stating "Ramming an ICE officer with your car, that's what justifies being shot." Vance later amplified a 47-second video of the incident that was selectively leaked to Alpha News, a right-wing outlet, before being released by DHS. Vance also claimed Good was "brainwashed" and a "victim of left-wing ideology," and told reporters that Ross has "absolute immunity" for Good's killing.
• White House Press Secretary falsely labels Renee Good an "insurrectionist" — On January 8, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Renee Good was part of "a large, sinister left-wing movement" and described her as "a leftist insurrectionist who was purposefully and illegally obstructing law enforcement operations." Vice President Vance amplified these claims. Good was affiliated with ICE Watch, a loose coalition of citizens that alerts neighbors to ICE activity using whistles and messaging apps—activity that is legal and constitutionally protected. Good had no association with any violent or extremist group.
• Homeland Security Secretary and Vice President defend ICE shooting and attack victim's character — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Vice President JD Vance publicly defended ICE agent Jonathan E Ross's shooting of Renee Nicole Good, contradicting video evidence of the incident. Noem characterized Ross as "an experienced officer" following his training and noted he had been hospitalized. Vance claimed without evidence that Good was part of a "leftwing network" attempting to incite violence against law enforcement, calling her "a victim of leftwing ideology" who had been "brainwashed." Both officials asserted the agent acted in self-defense, contradicting widely circulated video footage showing Good reversing her car to allow ICE vehicles to pass before being shot multiple times.
• Trump administration justifies Minneapolis shooting as self-defense and labels victim as domestic terrorist — The Trump administration publicly justified the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent as "self-defense" and accused Good of engaging in "an act of domestic terrorism." This narrative contradicts witness video evidence widely shared online, which shows Good had turned her vehicle wheels away from the agent before he shot her three times as she attempted to drive away.
• Trump administration officials accuse shooting victim of domestic terrorism without evidence — President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem publicly accused Renee Nicole Good of "domestic terrorism" in connection with her fatal shooting by ICE, without providing evidence and before the official investigation was complete. Vance further asserted the agent enjoyed "absolute immunity" from prosecution, a claim contradicted by legal experts and state officials.
• Vice President Vance and DHS repost video of ICE shooting of Renee Good — Vice President J.D. Vance and the Department of Homeland Security reposted a cell phone video of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. The video, which Vance claimed exonerated Ross, actually shows Good smiling and telling Ross "I'm not mad at you" before he shot her, then calling her a slur afterward. Vance captioned his repost: "What the press has done in lying about this innocent law enforcement officer is disgusting." The administration's framing contradicted the video's actual content.
• Noem falsely claims ICE agent received hospital treatment — Secretary Noem stated that the ICE agent involved in the shooting "went to the hospital. He was hit by the vehicle. He received treatment, was released, and is spending time with his family now." The bulletin reports this claim was false; the agent had no injuries and received no treatment.
• Trump discusses taking Machado's Nobel Peace Prize — Trump told Sean Hannity he understood Machado was coming to meet with him in the next week and that accepting a Nobel Peace Prize from her "would be a great honor." When asked if receiving her prize would change his view of her running the country, Trump said he would have to speak with her and that "I can't think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel prize more than me."
• Trump endorses Vance's characterization of Renee Good as agitator — When asked about Vance's suggestion that Renee Good was part of a broad left-wing network, Trump stated he had not seen the VP's statement but called him "generally very accurate" and characterized Good as "an agitator. Probably a paid agitator. She was not normal."

Supporting reports

• CBS News editor Bari Weiss pulls 60 Minutes segment on immigrant detention — CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss pulled a 60 Minutes segment investigating the Trump administration's practice of sending immigrants to El Salvador's megaprison CECOT, where Human Rights Watch documented inhumane conditions, torture, and sexual violence without due process. The segment's suppression prevented public disclosure of alleged human rights violations.
• 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi stated story was pulled for political reasons — 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi wrote in an email to colleagues that the pulled story had been screened five times and cleared by CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices, and was factually correct. Alfonsi stated that pulling the story after all rigorous internal checks had been met was "not an editorial decision, it is a political one." She noted that journalists had repeatedly requested interviews with administration officials who did not respond, and that allowing government refusal to participate to become a reason to spike stories would effectively give the administration a "kill switch" for inconvenient reporting.
• 60 Minutes segment on CECOT renditions leaked and circulated in United States — The 60 Minutes segment on migrant renditions to CECOT, which had been pulled from broadcast, had already been distributed in Canada and copies appeared in the United States on the afternoon of December 22. Legal analyst Asha Rangappa noted that the segment "debunks the fundamental claim used by [the] Trump admin[istration] that the detainees it sent there are 'terrorists' and corroborates torture using clips from El Salvadorean influencers Bukele uses internally." The leaked segment subsequently went viral.
• Bari Weiss pulled 60 Minutes story on migrant renditions to CECOT prison hours before air — Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, pulled a 60 Minutes story about the Trump administration's renditions of 252 migrants to CECOT, a notorious terrorist prison in El Salvador, just hours before it was scheduled to air. The story had undergone standard vetting, fact-checking, and legal review. Weiss stated in an email that she pulled the story because it did not present the administration's justification for the renditions, despite the story focusing on documented torture of prisoners.
• CBS pulled 60 Minutes segment on Trump-era deportations to CECOT hours before air — CBS postponed a completed 60 Minutes investigation into Trump administration deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison, citing need for "additional reporting." Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi publicly objected, characterizing the decision as political rather than editorial, despite the segment having cleared legal and standards review. The episode subsequently aired via Canadian broadcaster distribution and circulated online. The segment included interviews with former detainees, Human Rights Watch leadership, and UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center; DHS declined to participate.
• CBS Pulls 60 Minutes Segment on Trump-Era Deportations — CBS postponed a scheduled 60 Minutes segment investigating the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison, citing the need for "additional reporting." The segment, which included allegations of abuse and interviews with former detainees and human rights experts, was reportedly pulled for political reasons, according to correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. Despite the postponement, the segment aired in Canada and circulated online. The delay has been criticized as a form of "soft censorship," potentially diminishing the segment's impact on public accountability.
• CBS pulled 60 Minutes investigation hours before broadcast — CBS pulled a completed 60 Minutes investigation examining Trump-era deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison hours before broadcast. The segment had cleared legal and standards review. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi stated the decision was political, not editorial. CBS cited a need for "additional reporting." The segment later aired through a Canadian broadcaster and circulated online.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatened to sue BBC for $1 billion over Jan. 6 documentary — Trump threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion on November 10, claiming in a letter from his lawyers that their documentary included "malicious, disparaging" edits to his January 6 speech at the Ellipse. The letter demanded an apology, full retraction of the documentary, and compensation for alleged harm.
• Trump threatens $1bn lawsuit against BBC over edited January 6 speech — Donald Trump's legal team sent a letter to the BBC threatening a $1 billion defamation lawsuit in Florida state court unless the corporation provides a "full and fair retraction" of a Panorama documentary that edited his January 6, 2021 Capitol speech. The BBC has acknowledged the edit was misleading. Trump claims reputational and financial harm. Legal experts note Trump has a history of unsuccessful libel suits and that the $1bn figure lacks substantive basis; the BBC has not yet committed to settlement.
• Trump threatens $1 billion lawsuit against BBC over Panorama January 6 editing — Donald Trump's legal team sent a cease-and-desist letter to the BBC threatening a $1 billion defamation lawsuit over a Panorama documentary episode that aired in October 2024, alleging the network defamatorily edited Trump's January 6 speech to suggest he encouraged Capitol violence. The letter cites "election interference" and claims the editing caused Trump "overwhelming financial and reputational harm." BBC director general Tim Davie and chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness have already resigned over the controversy. The BBC stated it will review the correspondence and respond in due course.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon replaces departing press corps with far-right outlets after restrictive policy implementation — After Pentagon reporters refused to sign new restrictive press policies introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon announced a replacement press corps of 60 journalists from far-right outlets including Lindell TV, Gateway Pundit, Post Millennial, and others. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell characterized departing mainstream journalists as "self-righteous media who chose to self-deport." Major outlets including the Washington Post, New York Times, Atlantic, Fox News, and Newsmax had all declined to accept the new rules, which restricted access to unauthorized material and certain areas.
• Pentagon announced "new media" press corps of right-wing outlets — The Pentagon announced a "new media" press corps made up of 60 people from primarily right-wing outlets including Real America's Voice, the Gateway Pundit, Lindell TV (created by MyPillow CEO and Trump ally Mike Lindell), Turning Point USA's media brand Frontlines, and Timcast, created by podcaster Tim Pool. Pool was among conservative influencers linked to a media company secretly funded by Russian state media employees, which amplified Kremlin interests.
• Pentagon establishes new press corps after traditional pool walks out over censorship demands — The Pentagon announced formation of a new press corps to cover Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense after the traditional press pool resigned rather than accept a requirement to publish only material approved by Pentagon officials. The departing journalists included Hegseth's former colleagues at Fox News Channel. The new press corps, composed entirely of outlets that accepted Pentagon censorship, includes LindellTV (owned by election denier Mike Lindell) and podcaster Tim Pool, who received Russian funding before the 2024 election.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon issues restrictive press credential policy; major news outlets refuse to sign — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a new Pentagon press policy requiring journalists to pledge they will not obtain unauthorized material and restricting access to certain areas without official accompaniment. The policy, presented in September and requiring signature by October 14 at 5pm or loss of credentials within 24 hours, was rejected by the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, the Atlantic, the Guardian, Reuters, Associated Press, NPR, HuffPost, and Breaking Defense. Hegseth responded with dismissive social media posts; Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell claimed outlets mischaracterized the policy as merely requiring acknowledgment of understanding rather than agreement.
• Major news outlets refuse to comply with Pentagon screening mandate — The Washington Post, New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN, Guardian, Breaking Defense, and Newsmax issued statements refusing to comply with new rules mandated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requiring that reporting on the Pentagon and military issues be submitted for screening and approval by the Department of Defense. Only OAN has signed the mandate so far. Newsmax stated the requirements are "unnecessary and onerous."
• Major media outlets refused to sign Pentagon press policy — Major media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal, said they wouldn't sign on to a new Defense Department policy that the Pentagon Press Association warned "gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release." The move marks a mass exodus of Pentagon reporters, who lost their press badges when outlets refused to sign on to the policy.
• Trump endorsed Pentagon press restrictions — Trump endorsed the Pentagon's new press restrictions, saying that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace," and adding, "The press is very dishonest." Hegseth, who called the restrictions "common sense stuff," accused reporters of trying to get Defense Department employees to "break the law" by leaking information.

Supporting reports

• Kristi Noem released a TSA video blaming Democrats for shutdown impacts. — Kristi Noem, as head of the Department of Homeland Security, released a video to be played in U.S. airports stating that TSA's top priority is ensuring pleasant and efficient airport experiences while keeping travelers safe. However, she blamed Democrats in Congress for refusing to fund the federal government, stating that because of this "most of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay." The video uses federal resources and airport infrastructure to deliver a partisan political message blaming one party for the shutdown.
• Seattle and Portland airports refuse to air Kristi Noem video — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport announced they will not broadcast a video by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that criticizes Democrats and blames them for flight delays. The airports determined the video violates the Hatch Act by using federal resources for partisan political messaging.
• Multiple U.S. airports refused to show Homeland Security partisan video — Many U.S. airports refused to show a new video intended to play on screens near security lines that features Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democratic lawmakers for the government shutdown. Some airports raised concerns that the video is a violation of the Hatch Act, which generally prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.
• Multiple airports refuse to air Kristi Noem partisan political advertisement — Thirteen major U.S. airports have confirmed they will not play a partisan political PSA video by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for airport delays. The airports refusing to air the video include Portland International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Niagara Falls International, Buffalo Niagara International, Westchester County, Phoenix International, Las Vegas International, Charlotte International, Cleveland International, LAX, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark International.
• Airports refuse to air DHS shutdown video citing Hatch Act violation — Airports around the country refused to air a video recorded by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for display at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. The video blamed Democrats for the government shutdown. Some airports noted the video violates the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of government assets for partisan purposes.
• Kristi Noem administration spending hundreds of millions on propaganda ads — Trump loyalist Kristi Noem's administration was spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on propaganda advertisements glorifying Trump and demonizing migrants, diverting resources from family protection programs.

Supporting reports

• Trump criticized Trump-appointed judge — Trump publicly attacked Judge Karin Immergut on Truth Social, stating "If he made that decision - Portland is burning to the ground" and "That judge ought to be ashamed of himself." Trump claimed he "wasn't served well by the people who pick judges" despite having appointed Immergut himself. Trump's statements misrepresented conditions in Portland, where protests have been confined to a single city block with no widespread destruction.
• Trump attacked Rev. Al Sharpton and called for FCC investigation of NBC — On Truth Social, Trump attacked Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist and MSNBC host, claimed Comcast chair Brian Roberts is "afraid" to cancel his show because it wouldn't be "Politically Correct," and once again called on the Federal Communications Commission to "look into" NBC's broadcasting license. This represents a continued pattern of Trump using regulatory agencies to target media outlets critical of his administration.

Supporting reports

• Trump attacked Rev. Al Sharpton and called for FCC investigation of NBC — On Truth Social, Trump attacked Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist and MSNBC host, claimed Comcast chair Brian Roberts is "afraid" to cancel his show because it wouldn't be "Politically Correct," and once again called on the Federal Communications Commission to "look into" NBC's broadcasting license. This represents a continued pattern of Trump using regulatory agencies to target media outlets critical of his administration.

Supporting reports

• White House restructures press pool selection, elevates MAGA-aligned outlets and influencers — The Trump administration has fundamentally altered White House press interactions by removing control of reporter selection from the White House Correspondents' Association and placing it directly under White House authority. This shift has resulted in the inclusion of MAGA-aligned outlets, influencers, and podcasters while marginalizing established news organizations. A Media Matters review found rightwing outlets received 41% of questions in briefings from January to April 2025, with outlets like One America News Network and Gateway Pundit called on more frequently than the Washington Post and Associated Press. The administration also added a "new media" seat in the briefing room, always called on first, typically occupied by administration-friendly voices.

Supporting reports

• Sinclair Broadcast Group forced Jimmy Kimmel off air and produced propaganda special on Charlie Kirk — Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns dozens of ABC affiliates, pressured ABC to suspend production of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after Kimmel criticized the exploitation of Charlie Kirk's assassination. Sinclair then produced a "special report" that depicted Kirk as a prophetic religious figure while omitting his documented far-right views, including opposition to the Civil Rights Act, support for public executions, and antisemitic statements blaming "Jewish donors" for national problems. The special was initially scheduled to air during Kimmel's timeslot but was pulled minutes before broadcast and published only on YouTube.
• Sinclair special omitted Charlie Kirk's extremist statements and depicted him as prophetic religious figure — Sinclair's National News Desk produced a memorial special that systematically omitted Kirk's documented extremist positions—including calling the Civil Rights Act a "huge mistake," supporting public executions, and blaming "Jewish donors" for national problems—while depicting him primarily as a prophetic religious figure and comparing him to Reverend Billy Graham. The program framed Kirk's death as having "fueled a revival of faith across America" and included interviews suggesting his legacy would inspire a new generation of Christian activism.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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