Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump refuses to meet with Democratic leadership during shutdown — Representative Hakeem Jeffries stated on MSNBC that he has not met with Speaker Mike Johnson to negotiate shutdown resolution because "Donald Trump has not given them permission to meet." This indicates that Trump is controlling Republican negotiating positions and preventing direct negotiations between House leadership and Democratic counterparts.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge issues temporary restraining order on riot control weapons in Chicago — On an unspecified date before 13 October, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order restricting federal agents from using riot control weapons (tear gas, rubber bullets, etc.) against journalists, protesters, and religious practitioners in Chicago unless there is probable cause that individuals have committed a crime. The order responds to documented use of such weapons against veterans and other demonstrators during ICE protests.
• Federal judge ordered ICE to wear body cameras in Chicago — A federal judge ordered immigration officers to wear body cameras while conducting operations in the Chicago area, saying she was a "little startled" by footage of agents using tear gas and other tactics as part of Trump's immigration crackdown in the city and had concerns about her previous order preventing agents from using certain riot control techniques against journalists and protesters.
• Federal court orders ICE agents in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration operations — A federal court issued an order on October 17 requiring federal ICE agents operating in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration enforcement operations. The ruling followed multiple documented incidents in which federal agents deployed pepper balls, smoke grenades, and teargas against protesters and local police outside the Broadview detention center. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker praised the decision, stating that federal agents had "clearly lied" about their conduct and that the body camera requirement was a proper judicial response to unjustified use of chemical agents against protesters.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Chicago Headline Club v. Noem (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12173 — Judge Ellis issued a modification to her previous Temporary Restraining Order, further enjoining federal agents' use of force in immigration enforcement operations in the Northern District of Illinois. The modification adds a requirement that all such federal agents wear active body cameras while engaged in enforcement activity, unless exempt under CBP, ICE, or DHS policy. The modified TRO came a day after Ellis reportedly expressed during a hearing that she was “startled” by “images in the paper” showing federal agents deploying tear gas against protestors without warning and had “serious concerns that my order is being followed.”
• Federal judge orders ICE to wear body cameras in Chicago area after tear gas violations — US District Judge Sara Ellis ordered federal immigration officers in the Chicago area to wear body cameras after they repeatedly deployed pepper balls, smoke grenades, and tear gas against protesters and local police in apparent violation of her prior ruling banning riot-control techniques without warning. The order follows escalating enforcement actions by ICE and other federal agencies as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, with documented incidents including tear gas deployed near schoolchildren, an attorney shoved to the ground, and a 19-year-old citizen pinned without clear cause.

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

• Trump suggests personnel changes at CBS following merger — Trump stated that Larry Ellison and his son, described as "friends of mine" and "big supporters of mine," will "do the right thing" regarding leadership at CBS following a merger. Trump indicated that current CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell will not be the head anchor, suggesting that Trump expects to influence or control CBS personnel decisions based on personal loyalty.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to sidestep court orders blocking Guard deployments — In response to recent court orders blocking military deployments, Trump and senior White House officials raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the president's most powerful emergency authorities. The rarely used law allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or lawless behavior. The act is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday that he may invoke the act to sidestep court rulings blocking the dispatch of Guard troops, saying "It's been invoked before. We have an Insurrection Act for a reason."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration launches Operation Midway Blitz immigration enforcement — The Trump administration initiated Operation Midway Blitz, an aggressive federal anti-immigration enforcement push targeting Chicago and other cities. The operation has involved increased ICE raids and detention activity, creating fear and disruption in immigrant communities, particularly in predominantly Latino neighborhoods like Pilsen. Community organizations have mobilized to educate residents on their rights and provide support during raids.

Supporting reports

• Federal court blocks ICE warrantless arrests in Illinois — A federal court issued a ruling this week preventing ICE from conducting warrantless arrests in Illinois, in response to aggressive anti-immigration enforcement under Operation Midway Blitz. The ruling came as the Trump administration simultaneously sought to deploy federalized National Guard troops to Chicago against the objections of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker. The decision provides temporary legal protection to immigrants in the state during heightened enforcement activity.

Supporting reports

• Bill Pulte, as FHFA director, referred NY AG Letitia James to DOJ, leading to her indictment on bank fraud charges. — Bill Pulte, serving as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred New York Attorney General Letitia James to the Department of Justice following her legal pursuits of Trump. James was subsequently indicted on bank fraud charges. Pulte, a millennial millionaire with a history of targeting family members and Trump's perceived enemies, has transformed his position into a platform to denigrate Trump's political opponents. In addition to the James referral, Pulte has also probed Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, both of whom are now under federal criminal investigation. Pulte's official role is to ensure the soundness of the mortgage market, not to investigate political figures.

Supporting reports

• Vance refused to answer questions about border czar's alleged bribe — On ABC News, Vice President Vance refused to answer questions about whether border czar Tom Homan returned the $50,000 cash bribe he allegedly accepted in 2024 from undercover federal agents posing as business executives in exchange for government contracts if Trump returned to the White House.

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

• Vance baselessly claimed Illinois Governor violated oath of office — Vice President Vance was asked about Trump's calls for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to be jailed, to which he baselessly claimed that Pritzker "has violated his fundamental oath of office," something that "seems pretty criminal to me."

Supporting reports

• Trump called for investigation of former FBI Director Chris Wray. — Trump posted on social media claiming that "THE BIDEN FBI PLACED 274 AGENTS INTO THE CROWD ON JANUARY 6" and called for action, stating "a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies" and "DO SOMETHING!!!" The post appeared to call for investigation or prosecution of former FBI Director Chris Wray. However, Trump's own FBI Director Kash Patel subsequently issued a statement that the story was false and that agents were sent to the Capitol after the violent insurrection was already well underway. Additionally, it was the Trump administration's FBI, not Biden's, since Biden was not yet president on January 6, 2021.

Supporting reports

• Trump called for prosecution of Senator Adam Schiff. — Trump posted on social media calling for Senator Adam Schiff to be prosecuted, characterizing the Ukraine impeachment as "a far bigger Illegal Hoax than Watergate" and stating he hoped "the necessary authorities, including CONGRESS, are looking into this." Trump accused Schiff of being "sooo dishonest and corrupt" and claimed "so many laws, and protocols, were violated." The statement represents a direct call for law enforcement action against a political opponent.

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance said Trump considering Insurrection Act invocation for National Guard deployment — On NBC's "Meet the Press," Vice President JD Vance said Trump is "looking at all of his options" to deploy National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities, including invoking the Insurrection Act. He noted that while Trump "has not felt like he needed to" invoke the Insurrection Act "right now," he also hasn't ruled out doing so.
• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to sidestep court orders blocking Guard deployments — In response to recent court orders blocking military deployments, Trump and senior White House officials raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the president's most powerful emergency authorities. The rarely used law allows the president to deploy military forces within the U.S. to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or lawless behavior. The act is the primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday that he may invoke the act to sidestep court rulings blocking the dispatch of Guard troops, saying "It's been invoked before. We have an Insurrection Act for a reason."

Supporting reports

• The Pentagon diverted $8 billion in research and development funds to cover military payroll during the shutdown. — The Trump administration ordered the Pentagon to repurpose approximately $8 billion in unobligated research and development funds from the prior fiscal year to cover military payroll, preventing service members from missing their first paychecks during the government shutdown. However, civilian federal employees were not afforded the same treatment. The Trump administration's budget office also argued in a draft opinion that furloughed workers are not entitled to back pay when the shutdown ends, creating a disparity in how different federal workers are treated.
• Trump administration redirects Pentagon funds to pay military personnel during shutdown — The Trump administration, via Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reallocated unspent Pentagon research and development funds to ensure military personnel receive scheduled paychecks on October 15 during the government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the move as lawful, while Democratic lawmakers questioned its legality under appropriations law. The action bypassed the need for a separate military pay bill and was framed by Trump as preventing Democrats from holding the military "hostage."
• Trump announces plan to pay furloughed troops using unappropriated funds — Trump announced he has the power to pay furloughed troops by redirecting unused fiscal year 2026 appropriations to cover military payroll after funding expired on September 30. Trump claims authority as commander in chief. Budget experts note this violates the Antideficiency Act and constitutional requirements that only Congress can appropriate and direct spending. The move is unnecessary, as Congress would easily pass a measure to pay troops if House Speaker Mike Johnson called the chamber into session.
• Trump directs use of FY2026 Department of War funds to pay active-duty military during appropriations lapse — President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-8 directing the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, to use funds appropriated for Fiscal Year 2026 to disburse military pay and allowances to active-duty and Reserve component personnel during a 15-day appropriations lapse. The memorandum asserts that the lapse presents a threat to military readiness and invokes Article II authority as Commander in Chief to authorize the reallocation of funds with a "reasonable, logical relationship" to military compensation.
• Trump signed presidential memo to pay military during shutdown — Trump signed a presidential memo to use unspent federal funds to pay military members during the government shutdown. It's unclear whether he has the legal authority to issue the directive.
• Trump administration announced use of military research funds to pay furloughed troops — The Trump administration announced it would pay furloughed troops by redirecting funds Congress appropriated for research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTE) for fiscal year 2026. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the action as a "creative solution," dismissing Democratic legal objections. The Antideficiency Act, dating to 1870, prohibits spending money Congress has not appropriated for a specific purpose. This action violates that law and undermines congressional control of federal finances.

Supporting reports

• Chicago TV journalist arrested and released during ICE raid — Debbie Brockman, a video editor and US citizen employed by WGN television in Chicago, was forcibly arrested by masked federal agents during an ICE enforcement operation in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on Friday morning. Videos show agents pushing her to the ground and handcuffing her; she was accused of throwing objects at a federal vehicle. She was released by 3 p.m. with no charges filed. The incident occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement in Chicago and sparked public outcry.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents arrest Chicago TV producer Debbie Brockman during immigration enforcement operation — Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Debbie Brockman, a U.S. citizen and WGN television producer, on October 10 in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood during an ICE operation. Agents forced her to the ground, handcuffed her, and detained her for approximately seven hours. A Homeland Security official claimed she threw objects at a Border Patrol vehicle and assaulted a federal officer. Brockman was released without charges. Her attorneys dispute the government account, stating she was violently assaulted while walking to a bus stop and was not acting in any professional capacity at the time.
• Border Patrol agents arrest WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman while recording detention — Masked Border Patrol agents arrested WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman in Chicago after she recorded agents detaining a Latino man. Agents claimed she obstructed their work; Homeland Security later accused her of throwing objects and assaulting a federal officer. Brockman was released without charges. The arrest occurred one day after a federal judge issued a restraining order protecting journalists from such federal agent conduct.

Supporting reports

• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer labels Democratic opposition as "terrorist wing" — House Majority Whip Tom Emmer joined Speaker Johnson in attacking political opponents, labeling those opposing Trump's destruction of constitutional checks and balances as "the terrorist wing" of the Democratic Party. Emmer characterized the October 18 rally defending constitutional separation of powers as a "hate America rally."
• House Republican leadership claimed No Kings protests are terrorism — House Republican leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP Whip Tom Emmer, claimed that the "No Kings" protests scheduled for October 18 on the National Mall are acts of terrorism and alleged that Democratic leadership wants to keep the government shutdown ongoing to avoid facing the protesters. Johnson stated the protests are "Pro-Hamas, Antifa people" and accused House Democrats of selling merchandise for the event. Emmer called the protests "the terrorist wing of their party."
• House Speaker Johnson labels "No Kings" protest as "Hate America rally" — House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the planned "No Kings" protest scheduled for October 18—a demonstration against Trump's authoritarian overreach—as a "Hate America rally." Republicans also characterized the peaceful protest as "pro-Hamas" or "anti-America."

Supporting reports

• Trump announces drug-pricing deal with AstraZeneca in exchange for tariff relief — President Trump announced a deal with British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca under which the company will offer discounted medicines to the U.S. Medicaid program at "most-favored-nation" pricing (matching the lowest price in other developed nations) in exchange for tariff relief. The agreement includes discounted prices through a "TrumpRx" website. Trump made false claims that the deal could reduce drug prices by up to 1,000%. This follows a similar agreement reached with Pfizer the previous week.
• White House issues fact sheet announcing pharmaceutical pricing agreement with AstraZeneca — The White House issued a fact sheet on October 10, 2025, announcing a second most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing agreement, this time with AstraZeneca. The agreement states it will provide Medicaid programs access to MFN drug prices on AstraZeneca products, claims to result in "hundreds of millions of dollars in savings," and requires the company to invest $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing and R&D by 2030, including a new Virginia facility projected to create 3,600 jobs. The fact sheet frames the deal as addressing higher U.S. drug prices relative to other developed nations.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration begins new round of federal employee layoffs during shutdown — The Trump administration began a new round of federal employee layoffs to pressure Democrats to end the government shutdown. Trump told reporters they were laying off "people that the Democrats want." Legal analysts stated such layoffs are illegal. Labor unions sued preemptively to prevent the layoffs after Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought threatened to use the shutdown to slash more of the government.
• White House orders layoffs of 4,000+ federal workers during shutdown — On October 10, 2025 (the 10th day of the shutdown), Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, carried out threatened layoffs of more than 4,000 federal workers across multiple agencies. The budget office stated the funding situation was "fluid and rapidly evolving." Democrats condemned the action as deliberate harm to workers who "protect our country, inspect our food, respond when disasters strike." Legal challenges are expected.

Supporting reports

• AFL-CIO and unions file emergency motion for temporary restraining order against RIFs — The AFL-CIO, AFGE, and AFSCME filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order on Friday, October 10, to block the Trump administration from carrying out reduction-in-force layoffs during the government shutdown. Union leaders, including AFGE president Everett Kelley and AFSCME president Lee Saunders, characterized the layoffs as illegal and warned of devastating effects on critical services and workers' families. The unions pledged to pursue "every available legal avenue" to stop what they termed "unlawful attacks."

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Johnson cancels fourth week of House session — House Speaker Mike Johnson announced cancellation of another week of House sessions, marking the fourth week he has kept House members away from their jobs since September 19. The extended recess prevents the House from working on the overdue budget, necessary appropriations bills, extension of healthcare premium tax credits, and swearing in Representative Adelita Grijalva, whose vote would provide the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson attacks Democratic senators and October 18 rally — House Speaker Mike Johnson attacked Democratic senators who support extending premium tax credits for healthcare, claiming they hold that position only out of fear of "anti-Trumpers." Johnson labeled the October 18 "No Kings" rally a "hate America rally" and characterized attendees as "the antifa crowd, the pro-Hamas crowd, and the Marxists." The position Johnson attacked is supported by 78% of Americans.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth announced Qatari Air Force base at Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. will accept a letter to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho, where Qatari military fighter pilots will train over U.S. airspace. The announcement drew immediate criticism from right-wing figures and commentators who questioned the national security implications and alleged connections to Trump's business dealings with Qatar, including a reported $5.5 billion golf resort project.
• Qatar Air Force base established at Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho — The Trump administration announced a new military partnership granting Qatar its own Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. The facility, called the "Qatari Emiri Air Force Facility," will host Qatari F-15s and pilots. This occurred during a U.S. government shutdown while troops remained unpaid and millions faced loss of health care.
• Pentagon permitted Qatar to establish military facility on U.S. soil in Idaho — On October 10, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. government will permit Qatar to establish a military presence on U.S. soil. The Qatari government will create a Qatar Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho, which will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots who will train alongside U.S. troops. This announcement followed Qatar's May 2025 gift of a luxury 747 jet to the U.S. government and occurred within weeks of Trump's September 29 executive order elevating Qatar's security status to NATO-equivalent levels.

Supporting reports

• DOJ cites FACE Act in first-ever lawsuit against pro-Palestinian demonstrators at synagogue — The Trump administration filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit citing the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act against pro-Palestinian demonstrators who protested at a New Jersey synagogue. Although the FACE Act's language protects "places of religious worship," the federal government had never previously invoked the act for this purpose, according to a DOJ official. This represents a novel application of the statute in a manner inconsistent with its original legislative intent and enforcement history.
• Trump administration curtails FACE Act enforcement; anti-abortion activists charged in Pennsylvania clinic trespass case — Six anti-abortion activists, including two previously pardoned by Trump, were charged with trespass and criminal conspiracy after entering a Delaware County abortion clinic in Upland, Pennsylvania in July 2025, attempting to disrupt services. Days after Trump took office, the DOJ announced it would severely limit enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, restricting prosecutions to "extraordinary circumstances" involving death, serious bodily harm, or significant property damage. The DOJ also dismissed ongoing FACE Act cases and Trump pardoned nearly two dozen people convicted under the act. The defendants waived their right to appear in court; no trial date has been set.
• Trump pardons nearly two dozen FACE Act convicts; dismisses ongoing prosecutions — Following his inauguration, Trump pardoned approximately two dozen individuals convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and the DOJ dismissed several ongoing FACE Act cases. This action directly undermined federal protections for abortion clinic access established in 1994. The pardons and dismissals occurred as part of a broader policy shift signaling reduced federal enforcement against anti-abortion clinic disruptions and harassment.

Supporting reports

• Rutgers professor blocked from boarding flight to Spain after Trump threats against antifa — Mark Bray, a Rutgers University historian who teaches courses on anti-fascism and authored "Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook," was prevented from boarding a flight to Spain at Newark airport on October 9. His family's flight reservation was cancelled at the gate without explanation, one day after Trump promised "very threatening" steps against antifa activists. Bray had announced plans to relocate to Europe after receiving death threats, including one vowing to kill him in front of his students. He successfully reboarded a flight to Spain the following evening.