Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Border patrol chief praised federal agent who shot US citizen — Gregory Bovino, border patrol chief leading Trump administration deportation efforts, sent text messages and emails praising federal agent Charles Exum after Exum shot US citizen Marimar Martinez five times in Chicago in October 2025. Martinez, a Montessori school assistant with no criminal record, was initially charged with felony charges that were dismissed after video evidence showed an agent had steered his vehicle into her car. Newly released evidence, including body-camera footage and communications, was made public this week after a federal judge lifted a protective order.

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Delays Swearing-in of New Representative — House Speaker Mike Johnson postponed the swearing-in of newly elected Arizona representative Adelita Grijalva, which has been interpreted as a delay tactic regarding a vote on releasing files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
• House Speaker Johnson delays House return and swearing-in of newly elected Arizona representative — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent House members home until October 14, delaying the return to session that was scheduled for Monday. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) noted that Johnson appears to be delaying the swearing-in of newly elected Arizona representative Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat. Grijalva has indicated she will sign a discharge petition that needs only one more signature to force a House floor vote on instructing the Department of Justice to release files from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's actions.
• Speaker Johnson delayed swearing in newly elected congresswoman — Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed the swearing in of newly-elected Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva, whose vote is needed to bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the floor for a vote. Grijalva won her election in a landslide two weeks prior, but Johnson has not sworn her in despite southern Arizona being without representation for seven months following the death of the previous representative. Johnson told Meet the Press the delay "has nothing to do with that" and called it "totally absurd," but his office has not responded to requests for comment on when he will swear her in.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed Republicans are working to fix healthcare while sending House home until October 14 — Speaker Johnson stated on camera that "Republicans are the ones concerned about healthcare. Republicans are the party working around the clock everyday to fix healthcare. This is not talking points for us: we've done it." However, Johnson simultaneously sent the House home until October 14. The statement appears to refer to Republican cuts to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in their July budget reconciliation bill, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 10 million by 2034.
• Speaker Johnson delays House return and blocks Epstein files vote — Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House on recess for a second consecutive week, stating he would not call the chamber back into session until government funding is restored. He also announced he would not swear in newly elected Democratic representative Adelita Grijalva until the House returns. Republican Thomas Massie accused Johnson of using the recess to delay a discharge petition vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which Massie said had reached 218 signatures—enough to force a floor vote.
• House Republicans blocked swearing in of Arizona Democrat — House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, refused to swear in Arizona's newly elected Democrat, Adelita Grijalva. This decision is seen as an effort to prevent Democrats from obtaining the final vote needed to release the Epstein files.
• Speaker Johnson claimed he votes with Trump because "that's my party" — During a CSPAN call-in program, a caller asked Speaker Mike Johnson if he had ever voted against anything Trump has proposed in terms of policy. Johnson responded: "I typically vote with President Trump because that's my party."
• Speaker Johnson refused to swear in Rep. Adelita Grijalva and blamed Chuck Schumer — During a CSPAN call-in program, a caller asked why Speaker Johnson had sworn in other members during pro forma sessions but refused to swear in Adelita Grijalva. Johnson blamed Chuck Schumer and stated that two Florida members had their families and supporters in town, so "as a courtesy to them, went ahead and administer the oath." He stated this had "zero to do with Epstein" and was "for maximum transparency." Rep. Marge Greene subsequently stated on CNN that the House should be in session and that Grijalva "does deserve to be sworn in," and questioned whether the delay was to avoid a discharge petition. Rep. Ro Khanna stated on MSNBC that the House is not even holding votes to pay troops because they are "so concerned about swearing Grijalva in" and that "the only reason they're not doing this is because of the Epstein files."
• 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.

Supporting reports

• Senate Committee Report on Department of Government Efficiency — The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs released a report detailing the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which included significant cuts to government funding and staff. The report highlighted that DOGE's actions led to the collapse of vital services and raised concerns about privacy and cybersecurity risks due to a lack of oversight.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocks national guard deployment to Portland — US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a restraining order on Saturday blocking the Trump administration from deploying federalized national guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The judge, nominated by Trump, agreed with Oregon's assertion that deploying national guard troops would likely inflame rather than calm protests, similar to effects observed in 2020.
• Judge Immergut blocks Oregon National Guard deployment — U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a ruling blocking the deployment of federalized Oregon National Guard troops to Portland. She declared that "the President's determination" that law enforcement could not execute the laws of the United States "was simply untethered to the facts." Immergut wrote that the nation is "a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law" and warned that the administration's arguments "risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation."
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Oregon v. Trump (D. Or.) 3:25-cv-01756 — District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Sept. 28 memorandum ordering the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard service members to Portland. In granting the TRO, the court found that the administration likely exceeded its authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406 and violated the Tenth Amendment. On Oct. 5, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the State of California and moved for a second temporary restraining order after the administration ordered the deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon under the same authority, seeking to circumvent the initial order. Judge Immergut quickly granted the second TRO, extending her order to prohibit the deployment of any federalized members of the National Guard in Oregon, regardless of their state origin. The administration has announced it intends to appeal both decisions.
• Federal judge temporarily blocked National Guard deployment to Oregon — Federal Judge Karin Immergut temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Oregon, writing that the president and his officials "have made a range of arguments that, if accepted, risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation." In response, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller tweeted that the decision amounted to "legal insurrection" and claimed that the refusal of Portland and Oregon law enforcement to cooperate with ICE officials is "an organized terrorist attack on the federal government and its officers."
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration national guard deployment to Portland — US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying 200 federalized Oregon National Guard members to Portland. Trump had announced the deployment on September 27, citing unrest at an ICE office. Oregon's attorney general filed suit, arguing the deployment would violate the Constitution and federal law prohibiting military enforcement of domestic law. The judge agreed the deployment would likely inflame rather than calm protests, contradicting the administration's characterization of Portland as a war zone when recent protests had been "sedate" with fewer than a dozen participants.
• Judge Immergut issues emergency order blocking federalized National Guard deployment — Both California and Oregon requested that Judge Immergut stop the Trump administration from circumventing her initial ruling by deploying California National Guard troops to Oregon. On Sunday evening, Judge Immergut held an emergency hearing on the deployment and issued an order forbidding the deployment of any federalized National Guard troops from any state to Oregon for 14 days.
• Federal judge blocked military deployment to Portland — U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled that the Trump administration failed to satisfy legal requirements to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon. The judge wrote that the order was necessary to preserve America's "longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs." The judge found the President's determination "simply untethered to the facts" and "not conceived in good faith," noting the administration risked blurring the line between civil and military federal power.
• Judge Immergut broadened order blocking National Guard deployments nationwide — Judge Immergut broadened her order to block the Trump administration from sending National Guard troops from any state or DC to Oregon, and told Justice Department lawyers that Trump's effort to do so was "in direct contravention" of her decision. The ruling came after Trump tried to send hundreds of California National Guard troops to Oregon, and another 400 members of the Texas National Guard to cities including Portland and Chicago.
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration deployment of national guard to Oregon — US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying federalized California national guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The order, effective until at least October 19, came hours after California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he would sue President Trump over the planned deployment. The judge found no evidence that recent protests necessitated the deployment and questioned how federalizing out-of-state guard units would not violate her prior day's order blocking Oregon's own guard deployment to Portland.
• — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an administrative stay of District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut's Oct. 4 Temporary Restraining Order blocking the Sept. 28 memorandum authorizing the federalization of the Oregon National Guard. Because the Oregon National Guard had already been federalized, the court said, the “administrative stay will best preserve the status quo” while the appeal is pending. Today's order does not address the underlying merits or Judge Immergut's further Oct. 5 order , which prevents the deployment of out-of-state National Guard troops to Oregon.

Supporting reports

• NYC Bar Association issued statement on Comey indictment — The New York City Bar Association issued a statement on September 29 about the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, writing, "We are at a turning point in our history," and adding that "the Supreme Court has long recognized that prosecutions animated by impermissible motives are unconstitutional." The statement signals concern that the prosecution may be politically motivated.
• New York City Bar Association condemns administration's military actions — The New York City Bar Association issued a statement condemning the Trump administration's military actions against Venezuelan boats, labeling them as illegal summary executions prohibited by U.S. and international law. They called for Congress to intervene and remind the President of his lack of authority for such actions.
• New York City Bar Association warned Trump administration that attacks on Venezuelan vessels violate law and called them illegal summary execution — The New York City Bar Association issued a warning that whatever legal advice officials are using to justify attacks on Venezuelan boats will not protect them in court. The bar association called the strikes "illegal summary execution" that are "prohibited by both U.S. and international law," or "murders." It called for Trump to stop such attacks and for Congress to remind the President that he lacks authority to continue misusing military forces for unlawful attacks on foreign vessels and their civilian crews.

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

• Trump Posts Video Depicting Political Opponents as Zombies — President Donald J. Trump posted a video on his social media account depicting prominent Democrats as zombies and portraying his administration's officials in a negative light. The video, set to music, included altered lyrics and imagery suggesting a grim future for the Democratic Party. This action has drawn criticism from national security veterans, who argue it undermines democratic norms.
• Trump social media account posts AI video depicting Democrats as prey of Grim Reaper and zombies — Trump's social media account posted an AI-generated video set to Blue Öyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" depicting Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance as band members, with OMB Director Russell Vought as the Grim Reaper. The video contains modified lyrics suggesting Vought will "tie your hands" of Democrats and shows Democratic leaders as zombies outside an unemployment office, concluding with AI-generated ghouls in MAGA attire. National security veterans noted this imagery is contrary to expectations in a healthy democracy.
• Trump social media account posts images depicting Democrats as "party of hate, evil, and Satan" — Trump's social media account posted images of prominent Democrats, including former President Joe Biden, with the heading "THE PARTY OF HATE, EVIL, AND SATAN" and accompanying text declaring "The Democratic Party is Dead!" with accusations of having "no leadership," "no message," and "no hope." The post characterized the Democratic Party's message as solely focused on hating Trump. This represents an escalation in inflammatory rhetoric from the administration.

Supporting reports

• White House authorizes deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members — On Saturday afternoon, a White House spokesperson announced that Trump has "authorized" the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members. Governor Pritzker later stated he had been informed that members of the Texas National Guard would also be deployed to Illinois, further expanding federal military presence in the state without state consent.
• Trump issued presidential memorandum calling 300+ Illinois National Guard into federal service to protect federal personnel and property in Illinois — President Trump issued a presidential memorandum on October 4, 2025, directing the Secretary of War to call at least 300 members of the Illinois National Guard into federal service. The memorandum states that federal facilities in Illinois, particularly those supporting ICE and Federal Protective Services, have faced "coordinated assault by violent groups" seeking to obstruct federal law enforcement and impede deportations. Trump determined that regular U.S. forces are insufficient and that the situation warrants mobilization. The National Guard personnel are authorized to perform protective activities the Secretary of War deems necessary to ensure federal law execution, with a 60-day duration or at the Secretary's discretion.
• Trump authorized deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago — Trump authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the move unnecessary and a "manufactured performance—not a serious effort to protect public safety," signaling state-level resistance to the federal deployment order.
• Trump administration deploys 300 California National Guard troops to Portland — On Sunday, October 5, blocked from deploying Oregon National Guard troops in Portland by Judge Immergut's ruling, the Trump administration deployed 300 California National Guard troops to Portland instead. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment, characterizing it as "a breathtaking abuse of the law and power" and stating the Trump administration is "unapologetically attacking the rule of law itself and putting into action their dangerous words—ignoring court orders and treating judges, even those appointed by the President himself, as political opponents."
• Trump administration deploys national guard troops to Portland despite judicial order — The Pentagon deployed 200 national guard members from California to Oregon on Sunday, and the Trump administration announced plans to send additional troops from Texas, directly after Judge Immergut's temporary restraining order. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reported that 101 California national guard members arrived by plane on Saturday night with no formal federal communication and unverified locations. The administration proceeded without state authorization or coordination.
• Trump administration orders Texas national guard deployment to Illinois without state authorization — The Trump administration ordered 400 members of the Texas national guard to deploy to Illinois, Oregon, and other states without communicating with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated he "fully authorized" Trump to deploy the troops. Chicago could see Texas troops deployed by Tuesday or Wednesday as the administration moves to federalize the Illinois national guard.
• Trump authorizes national guard deployment to Chicago — President Trump authorized deployment of 300 Illinois national guard troops to Chicago, citing "violent riots and lawlessness." The deployment follows a border patrol shooting of a woman on Chicago's southwest side during an operation where agents reported being rammed by vehicles. Governor JB Pritzker opposed the move, calling it unnecessary and stating the Pentagon issued an ultimatum to deploy troops or face federal deployment. The action occurs amid an intensified immigration enforcement crackdown by ICE in the city.
• Trump Authorizes Deployment of Illinois National Guard — President Trump authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members to assist in protecting federal facilities, following a demand for the state to call up its troops. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized this action as an overreach of federal power.
• Trump administration announces deployment of California national guard to Portland — Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced that approximately 200 federalized members of the California national guard were being reassigned from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon at the direction of President Trump to support ICE and other federal personnel and protect federal property. This deployment occurred despite prior court orders and without state authorization, following Trump's September 27 announcement of plans to deploy guard troops to Portland.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker called Trump's National Guard deployment an "invasion" — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated that Trump ordered 400 Texas National Guard members for deployment to Illinois and other locations without any federal officials contacting him directly to discuss or coordinate the action. Pritzker characterized the deployment as "Trump's Invasion," noting it began with federal agents and would include federalized National Guard members against the state's wishes, and called on Texas Governor Abbott to withdraw support and refuse to coordinate.
• Texas Governor Abbott authorized National Guard deployment — Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded to Illinois Governor Pritzker's criticism by stating he fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials, and argued that either other states must fully enforce protection for federal employees or allow Texas Guard to do so. Abbott asserted the superiority of Texas National Guard training and expertise.
• Trump administration federalized Texas National Guard for deployment to Portland and Chicago — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the federalization of 2,000 Texas National Guard members, with 400 being deployed to Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois. This action came immediately after a federal judge blocked the federalization of the Oregon National Guard, appearing to circumvent the court order by using troops from another state. The administration characterized this as a response to unrest in those cities.
• National Guard deployment to Chicago area begins — National Guard troops from Texas began arriving at Elwood Army Reserve Center, approximately 50 miles outside Chicago, as part of a Trump administration deployment. By Wednesday, 200 Texas National Guard troops had arrived with another 300 Illinois National Guard troops preparing to deploy. The FAA issued flight restrictions over the center until December 6. Trump administration officials stated troops would protect federal immigration agents and facilities, not assume law enforcement duties, though the deployment proceeded despite objections from Illinois Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson.
• Trump administration deploys national guard troops to Chicago area for immigration enforcement — The Trump administration deployed approximately 500 national guard troops (200 from Texas, 300 from Illinois) to the Chicago area to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities and federal property. The deployment occurred without coordination with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker or Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. A federal judge held a hearing on whether to declare the deployment illegal, with state and city attorneys arguing it violates the Constitution. Trump attacked both officials on social media, saying they "should be in jail."

Supporting reports

• Stephen Miller directs deportations, detentions, and diversity program elimination while influencing cabinet secretaries — Reports surfaced that deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller was in charge of deportations, detentions, and efforts to eliminate diversity programs, while also exercising influence over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. This represents concentration of power over multiple policy domains in an unelected White House official.

Supporting reports

• HHS Office for Civil Rights threatened Harvard with debarment — The Wall Street Journal reported on September 29 that the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter to the president of Harvard University, notifying the school that the Trump administration would refer it to a process called debarment, which could make Harvard ineligible for federal grants. The move appears to be retaliation for the university's diversity and inclusion policies.

Supporting reports

• Trump called for removal of New York Attorney General Letitia James on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump called for the removal of New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom he called "SCUM" and a "Complete and Total Disaster." He also baselessly accused James of "costing New York State Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in lost business." This follows months of pressure from Trump against James, who brought a business fraud case against him in 2023.
• Trump called for jailing of Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor — On Truth Social, Trump called for the jailing of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing them of "failing to protect" ICE officers. In response, Pritzker called Trump "unhinged," "insecure," and a "wannabe dictator," adding, "If you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me."
• Trump calls for arrest of Chicago mayor and Illinois governor — On October 8, President Trump called for the arrest of Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, both Democrats, accusing them of failing to safeguard immigration officers. The statement escalated Trump's rhetoric regarding the National Guard deployment dispute and represented a direct attack on state and local Democratic officials who had opposed the federal military deployment to their jurisdiction.
• Trump calls for jailing Chicago mayor and Illinois governor; National Guard deploys to Chicago area — President Trump called for the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Truth Social, accusing them of failing to protect ICE officers. Simultaneously, National Guard troops from Texas began arriving at an army reserve center near Chicago at Trump administration order, despite objections from Illinois officials. Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deployment, with a court hearing scheduled. Mayor Johnson signed an executive order barring federal immigration agents from using city property for enforcement operations.
• Trump calls for Spanberger withdrawal on Truth Social — President Trump posted on Truth Social calling Spanberger "weak and ineffective" and echoing Republican demands that she withdraw from the Virginia gubernatorial race over her continued support for Jay Jones despite the violent texts controversy.
• Trump calls for jailing Chicago mayor and Illinois governor over National Guard deployment objections — On October 8, 2025, as hundreds of National Guard troops were poised to enter Chicago against the objections of the city's Democratic mayor and Illinois governor, President Trump called for jailing both officials despite neither having been charged with crimes. The deployment was part of Trump's militarized immigration crackdown, which the Democratic leaders had criticized.
• Trump attacks Chicago and Illinois officials, calls for their imprisonment — President Trump sent social media posts attacking Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, saying they "should be in jail" for failing to protect federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. The attacks came as the administration escalated its presence in Chicago and announced plans to purchase additional buildings for ICE operations.
• President Trump posted that Chicago Mayor and Governor Pritzker should be in jail — President Trump posted on his social media account that the Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers and that Governor Pritzker should also be in jail. The posts appeared to be retaliation for the officials' resistance to the National Guard deployment.

Supporting reports

• Stephen Miller exerted influence over Venezuelan drug boat strikes — The Guardian reported on September 29 that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has taken a prominent role in the Trump administration's strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug boats, sometimes exerting more influence than Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio. The reporting indicates a concentration of power over military/law enforcement operations in the hands of a political operative rather than traditional national security channels.
• Stephen Miller directs strikes on Venezuelan boats, taking precedence over Secretary of State Rubio — Hugo Lowell of The Guardian reported on Monday that Stephen Miller has directed the administration's strikes on Venezuelan boats, taking precedence over Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio. This represents an unelected White House official exercising control over military and foreign policy operations that should be coordinated through the State Department and National Security Council.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents deploy teargas and pepper balls against protesters at Broadview facility — ICE agents at the Broadview immigration processing centre in Chicago deployed teargas canisters and pepper ball irritants against approximately 100 protesters who were blocking government vehicles and demonstrating against detention conditions. Agents also physically removed protesters from the street, including body-slamming at least one person. The escalation occurred as protesters attempted to obtain information about detained family members.

Supporting reports

• DHS announces mass arrests of undocumented immigrants in Chicago — The Department of Homeland Security announced on October 3 that more than 1,000 undocumented immigrants had been arrested in and around Chicago since September when the operation began. DHS claimed those arrested included "the worst of the worst pedophiles, child abusers, kidnappers, gang members, and armed robbers," but has produced little evidence for the claim. Federal data shows that more than 70 percent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees as of the previous month had no criminal convictions.

Supporting reports

• Journalist Mario Guevara deported to El Salvador after 100 days in ICE custody — Emmy-winning journalist Mario Guevara, who has lived in the Atlanta area for 20 years and holds a work permit, was arrested on June 2025 while livestreaming "No Kings Day" protests on petty charges that were immediately dismissed. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reopened his dormant deportation case following the arrest and held him for 100 days. On Friday, October 3, 2025, immigration officials deported him to El Salvador at 4 a.m., separating him from his two American citizen children and family.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration launches Operation Midway Blitz immigration enforcement in Chicago — The Trump administration conducted a major immigration enforcement operation dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants for arrest and deportation. The operation involved ICE agents conducting raids, detaining hundreds of people at the Broadview immigration processing centre in squalid conditions, and using force against protesters. Trump threatened to deploy the National Guard to the city and referenced the operation during a eulogy for Charlie Kirk, a rightwing organizer killed in September.

Supporting reports

• Trump designates "antifa" as major terrorist organization — President Trump designated "antifa" as a "major terrorist organization" in late September 2025. The designation is based on an inaccurate narrative that antifa is a centralized organization, when in fact antifa—short for anti-fascist—is an ideology with a loose network of activists rather than a formal organization with membership or hierarchy.

Supporting reports

• Russ Vought froze federal infrastructure funding in blue states — Russ Vought, acting in his federal role, placed a hold on $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects, specifically the Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Project, citing concerns about race-based contracting. The action represents a continuation of Vought's pattern of freezing federal funding on infrastructure projects in Democratic-led states.
• Trump administration freezes $2.1bn in Chicago transit funding, citing diversity concerns — OMB Director Russ Vought announced a freeze of $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects, including Red Line extensions and modernizations of the city's mass transit system. Vought justified the hold as ensuring "funding is not flowing via race-based contracting," citing a new Transportation Department rule effective Wednesday. The move targets a Democratic-led city during a federal government shutdown and follows a similar $18 billion freeze on New York transit projects announced the previous day.
• Trump administration withholds $2.1 billion in Chicago transit funding citing race-based contracting concerns — Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced that $2.1 billion in federal funding for two transit infrastructure projects in Chicago had been placed on hold, citing concerns about "race-based contracting." The action occurred during the ongoing federal shutdown and was characterized as part of the Trump administration's strategy to retaliate against Democratic-led areas by canceling federal dollars for projects in those jurisdictions.

Supporting reports

• Federal court rejects administration's attempt to end birthright citizenship as unconstitutional — A second federal court rejected the Trump administration's attempt to end birthright citizenship, ruling that such action would be unconstitutional. This represents judicial rejection of a major administration policy initiative targeting the 14th Amendment's guarantee of citizenship to those born in the United States.

Supporting reports

• DOJ Civil Rights Division investigation into Portland Police Department initiated — Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent a letter to Portland's police chief on October 3, 2025, warning that the city's response to ongoing protests at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility "may be based on viewpoint discrimination," in violation of a federal consent decree placed on the department in 2015. Dhillon simultaneously tweeted the letter and has made numerous public statements about the investigation on social media and news outlets, discussing the department's handling of anti-ICE protests.

Supporting reports

• Homeland Security Secretary Noem accuses IceBlock founder of obstructing justice; Attorney General Bondi threatens legal action — In June 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly stated that IceBlock and its founder Joshua Aaron were "obstructing justice" and suggested prosecuting CNN for reporting on the app. In July, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on Fox News that crowdsourced apps tracking law enforcement locations are "not allowed" and warned Aaron to "watch out" because "that's not a protected speech," implying legal consequences.

Supporting reports

• Labor Department withholds monthly jobs and unemployment data during shutdown — The US Labor Department did not release its monthly data on job creation and unemployment on Friday, October 3, 2025, citing the federal funding lapse as the reason. The action occurred as the Trump administration threatened to use the shutdown to retaliate against Democrats, suggesting the data withholding may be part of a broader strategy to weaponize the shutdown against political opponents.
• Federal government shutdown enters third day with economic data gaps — Three days into the government shutdown, critical economic data collection has halted. The Labor Department's monthly jobs report, scheduled for Friday release, was not published, marking the first casualty in what officials expect will be a series of delayed or missed economic data. The absence of updated labor market and inflation figures creates extraordinary difficulty for the Federal Reserve, which relies heavily on government data to guide interest rate decisions at its upcoming meeting later in the month.

Supporting reports

• Energy Department slashes climate funding and freezes construction projects during shutdown — The U.S. Energy Department is cutting nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding for projects across 16 states and freezing $18 billion allocated for two New York City construction projects. Trump stated he would meet with Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, to determine which agencies aligned with his political priorities should face cuts, describing the shutdown as an "unprecedented opportunity" to eliminate what he called "Democrat Agencies."
• Energy Department terminated 321 awards for 223 projects — Hours after Russ Vought pledged to revoke climate-related funding, the Energy Department announced it had terminated 321 awards for more than 223 projects, claiming the investments did not "advance the nation's energy needs" and were not "economically viable." The agency provided scant details about the cuts.
• Vought announced cancellation of $8 billion in climate funding — OMB Director Russ Vought posted that nearly $8 billion in "Green New Scam" funding was being cancelled to halt the "Left's climate agenda." He listed projects in 16 states, all of which are blue states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Supporting reports

• Wisconsin Planned Parenthood suspends abortion services due to Trump tax bill Medicaid defunding provision — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin ceased abortion provision on October 2, 2025, in response to a provision in Trump's tax and spending bill that blocks abortion providers receiving over $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements from participating in the program for one year. The organization attempted to preserve Medicaid funding for other services (cancer screenings, STI tests, contraception). The provision applies almost exclusively to Planned Parenthood. The suspension is believed to be the first in a state where abortion remains legal.

Supporting reports

• Judge denies Kilmar Ábrego García’s bid for asylum in the US — An immigration judge in Baltimore denied Kilmar Ábrego García's asylum request, giving him 30 days to appeal the decision. Ábrego, a Salvadoran national, was deported to El Salvador in March by the Trump administration but returned to the US in June. He faces criminal charges related to human smuggling, which he denies. The Trump administration has been actively campaigning against him, labeling him as a gang member despite no convictions. Ábrego's lawyers have filed motions for a gag order due to prejudicial statements made against him.
• Immigration judge denies asylum bid for Kilmar Ábrego García — An immigration judge in Baltimore denied Kilmar Ábrego García's asylum application on October 3, 2025. Ábrego, a Salvadoran national with an American wife and children who has lived in Maryland for years, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March 2025 and returned to the US in June following public pressure. He faces criminal charges related to human smuggling (which his lawyers dispute) and has 30 days to appeal the asylum denial. The Trump administration has publicly campaigned against him, labeling him MS-13 despite no convictions, and announced plans to deport him to Uganda and Eswatini.