Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration sued federal judges in Maryland over deportation order — On June 24, the Trump administration sued every federal judge in Maryland, challenging an order blocking them from immediately deporting any immigrant in the state who is challenging their removal through a habeas petition. The administration is arguing that the pause violates a Supreme Court ruling.
• Department of Justice files complaint against U.S. District Court of Maryland over automatic immigration injunctions — The Department of Justice announced filing a complaint against the U.S. District Court of Maryland, challenging a "Standing Order" that automatically issues injunctions against federal immigration enforcement actions. The court's order requires automatic injunctions for habeas petitions filed by detained aliens in Maryland. DOJ argues the order violates procedural requirements, congressional intent, and Supreme Court precedent. Attorney General Pamela Bondi characterized the order as judicial overreach undermining executive authority and the democratic process.
• Trump DOJ sues Maryland federal judiciary over deportation stay order — The Trump Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the entire bench of Maryland federal judges, challenging an order issued by Chief Judge George Russell that bars deportation of undocumented immigrants for at least one day after they file legal challenges to their detention. The DOJ characterized the judicial order as "unlawful" and an improper use of equitable powers. The lawsuit specifically names Judge Paula Xinis, who is overseeing a high-profile case involving Salvadoran national Kilmar Ábrego García and considering sanctions against government officials for refusing to facilitate his release.

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• US Court of Appeals orders Trump administration to return wrongfully deported man to US — The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered the Trump administration to return Jordin Melgar-Salmeron to the United States after he was deported to El Salvador on May 7, less than 30 minutes after the court had expressly barred his removal. The court also required the government to provide a declaration of his current whereabouts and custodial status within one week, and to explain compliance steps. The ruling was designed to address a pattern of apparent government defiance of judicial orders.
• Case update — Melgar-Salmeron v. Bondi (2d Cir.) 23-7792 — The Second Circuit ruled that the government must facilitate the Petitioner's return from El Salvador as soon as possible. The court explained that the Government acknowledged that they had transferred the Petitioner, an alleged MS-13 member, to El Slavador on May 7, 2025 in defiance of a court order and despite assurances given to the court due to a “a confluence of administrative errors" in the Government's words. The court also directed the administration to report back within one week on Melgar-Salmeron's current location and status and plans about his return.
• Federal appeals court ordered return of deported man — On June 24, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration must seek the return of another man deported to El Salvador in violation of a court order "as soon as possible."
• Daniel Lozano-Camargo deported in violation of settlement agreement — Daniel Lozano-Camargo, a 20-year-old Venezuelan, was deported along with approximately 240 other men from Venezuela to El Salvador's Cecot facility after US authorities declared them members of Tren de Aragua. A Maryland court later ruled that he had been improperly removed in violation of an earlier settlement forbidding his removal while his immigration case was pending.
• Guatemalan immigrant deported to Mexico in violation of asylum protections — A Guatemalan immigrant identified only as "OCG" was deported to Mexico despite claiming to have been raped and kidnapped in that country. The deportation appears to violate protections against returning individuals to places where they face persecution or danger.

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• Judge blocks Trump administration from withholding $5 billion in EV charger infrastructure funds to 14 states — U.S. District Judge Tana Lin granted a partial injunction blocking the Trump administration from withholding $5 billion in electric vehicle charger infrastructure funds previously awarded to 14 states under the Biden-era National EV Infrastructure (NEVI) program. In February 2025, the Trump Department of Transportation had ordered states to suspend spending and rescinded NEVI guidance. The Government Accountability Office found this violated federal law in May. Judge Lin ruled the states' lawsuit would likely succeed and the injunction takes effect July 1 unless appealed.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of Washington v. Dept. of Transport et al (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00848 — Judge Tana Lin granted Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction as to 14 Plaintiff states, finding they had established a likelihood of success on the merits as to their APA and separation of powers claims. However, the court denied the motion in part, holding that the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and Vermont had not shown irreparable harm beyond the allegations in their complaint. As to the 14 Plaintiff states that were granted injunctive relief, the court enjoined Defendants from suspending or revoking Plaintiffs' previously approved State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans-annual submissions detailing how each state will use its funding-and from withholding NEVI Formula Program funds.

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• RFK Jr testifies before House health subcommittee on vaccine policies and healthcare fraud — Robert F Kennedy Jr, US health secretary, faced hours of contentious questioning before the House health subcommittee on vaccine policy reversals, budget cuts, and accusations of lying to senators during confirmation. Kennedy attacked Democratic congressman Frank Pallone over pharmaceutical contributions, then was forced to retract the remarks. He denied promising Senator Bill Cassidy he would not fire the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, which he had disbanded two weeks prior. Kennedy also appeared unfamiliar with a DOJ investigation into UnitedHealthcare for Medicare Advantage fraud.
• RFK Jr announces smartwatch mandate vision for healthcare — Robert F Kennedy Jr unveiled a plan to promote smartwatches and fitness trackers as alternatives to medications, with a goal of every American citizen wearing a wearable device within four years. The scheme would be backed by "one of the biggest advertising campaigns in HHS history" to promote wearables as cost-saving alternatives to expensive medications.

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• Trump administration postpones congressional briefings on Iran strikes without explanation — The Trump administration postponed classified congressional briefings scheduled for Tuesday regarding the recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, providing little explanation for the delay. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the postponement as "outrageous, evasive, and derelict," demanding answers on strike results, conflict scope, long-term strategy, and risks to Americans. Democrats have alleged the strikes violated the War Powers Act, which requires presidential consultation with Congress before military action.
• Trump cancelled classified House briefing on Iran strikes without explanation — Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) announced that Trump cancelled a scheduled classified House briefing on the Iran strikes with no explanation. Ryan stated that Trump's team could not substantiate claims that nuclear facilities were "completely and totally obliterated" and that the administration lacked clarity on the status of 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium. Ryan also noted that briefers had conflicting conclusions about the operation's success and Iran's proximity to nuclear breakout.

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• Ninth person died in ICE custody in 2025 — Johnny Noviello, 49, died in ICE custody, becoming the ninth person to die in ICE custody since the beginning of 2025 and the fourth to die in a Florida facility. Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis reported the death.
• ICE detention deaths surge to 13 in fiscal 2025, tracking toward deadliest year on record — Two additional deaths in ICE custody—a 75-year-old Cuban man and a 49-year-old Canadian (Johnny Noviello, found unresponsive June 23 in Miami)—bring the 2025 fiscal-year total to 13 deaths, compared to 12 for all of fiscal 2024. Advocates attribute the spike to deteriorating conditions as ICE detains over 56,000 people (140% of stated capacity) while pursuing aggressive deportation targets. At current pace, 2025 could see 26+ deaths. The Canadian government has requested information from US authorities regarding Noviello's death.

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• US Supreme Court stays judicial order blocking third-country deportations — The US Supreme Court's conservative majority issued an unsigned order on Monday pausing a federal judge's ruling that required immigrants facing deportation to third countries to receive notice and a meaningful opportunity to contest removal. The stay allows the Trump administration to resume deporting migrants to nations they are not citizens of, including conflict-ridden places like South Sudan. The decision overturned a May ruling by Boston-based Judge Brian Murphy, who had blocked the deportation of eight men to South Sudan after finding the administration violated due process rights.
• U.S. Supreme Court granted Trump administration authority to deport migrants to third countries — On June 23, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to deport migrants to countries other than their country of origin, including nations plagued by violence, without additional legal process beyond an initial removal hearing and without regard to conditions migrants may face in those countries. The court majority did not explain its reasoning. Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented sharply. Legal analyst Steve Vladeck noted the ruling expands prior decisions that had already cleared the way for treating up to one million migrants as removable.
• Case update — D.V.D. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10676 — The Supreme Court stopped a lower court's order which has prevented the administration from removing immigrants to third countries without an opportunity to present their claims of potential torture first. The Supreme Court's order is now in place while the litigation proceeds. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Department of Homeland Security v. D.V.D. — The Supreme Court granted the Department of Homeland Security's emergency application for a stay in the case of Department of Homeland Security, Applicants v. D.V.D., et al. This decision allows the federal government to proceed with its actions that were previously blocked by a lower court order. The case involved immigration enforcement actions challenged by the respondents, and the stay permits the continuation of these actions pending further litigation. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the decision.
• Supreme Court allowed Trump administration to deport migrants to third countries — On June 23, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow the Trump administration to move forward with sending migrants to countries other than their own, temporarily overturning a lower court ruling that prevented the deportations until migrants could challenge them in court. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin posted on Twitter, "Fire up the deportation planes."

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

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• Liberty Justice Center files lawsuit challenging tariff emergency on behalf of small businesses — The Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit at the U.S. Court of International Trade on behalf of several small businesses challenging Trump's tariff emergency declaration. The lawsuit, involving law professor Ilya Somin, contested the administration's invocation of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs without congressional authorization or genuine crisis justification.
• Two courts reject Trump's tariff emergency declaration — Two federal courts rejected Trump's April 2025 claim that foreign trade practices constituted a national emergency justifying unilateral tariff imposition. An appeals court subsequently issued a temporary stay of the more expansive ruling, allowing the tariff regime to remain partially in effect pending further litigation.
• Fifteen Democratic state attorneys general sue to halt Trump's energy emergency declaration — In June 2025, fifteen Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Trump to halt his national "energy emergency" declaration from January 2025. The states argued the declaration was unlawful, designed to bypass normal environmental permitting procedures for hundreds of oil and gas projects, and would cause enormous damage to historic and natural resources while undermining drinking water standards.
• Stephen Miller attacks court ruling on tariffs as "judicial coup" — Following a court of international trade ruling against the Trump administration's tariff emergency in late May 2025, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller attacked the ruling on social media as a "judicial coup." A day later, Miller escalated rhetoric, claiming "we are living under a judicial tyranny," despite two of the three judges being Republican appointees, including one Trump had appointed.

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• Tom Homan threatens arrest of California governor and LA mayor — Tom Homan, Trump's "border czar," threatened to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass if they interfere with federal immigration enforcement sweeps. The threat was made in the context of ongoing federal immigration raids in Los Angeles and represents an explicit use of law enforcement authority to coerce state and local elected officials into compliance with federal operations.

Supporting reports

• Denial of entry and deportation of work visa holder "Jonathan" — A man with a US work visa provided an anonymous account of being denied entry to the US after a trip to Australia to scatter his sister's ashes. He was pulled aside on arrival in Houston, Texas, and accused of selling drugs and having improper paperwork. After detention for over a day, he was put on a flight back to Australia despite having worked on the US east coast for five years and living with his girlfriend.
• Denial of entry and detention of UK Subs band members — Members of the punk rock band UK Subs were denied entry and detained in the US on their way to play a gig in Los Angeles after being questioned about visas. Bassist Alvin Gibbs stated he wondered whether his frequent and critical public comments about Trump and his administration played a role. The three band members were kept in harsh conditions for 24 hours then deported back to the UK.
• Denial of entry to French scientist for criticizing Trump administration — A French scientist was denied entry to the US after immigration officers at an airport searched his phone and found messages in which he had expressed criticism of the Trump administration. The researcher was on his way to a conference in Texas. France's minister of higher education and research, Philippe Baptiste, stated that "freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold."
• Detention and alleged abuse of German green-card holder Fabian Schmidt — Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old German national and US green-card holder, was apprehended by border officials as he returned to New Hampshire from a trip to Luxembourg. His family stated he was held for hours at Boston's Logan airport, stripped naked and put in a cold shower, then deprived of food and medicine, and collapsed. His case is being investigated. He was released from ICE detention in Rhode Island in mid-May.
• Detention and deportation of British graphic artist Rebecca Burke — British graphic artist Rebecca Burke was arrested at the border while traveling from Seattle to Canada as a backpacker due to a visa mix-up. She became one of 32,809 people arrested by ICE during the first 50 days of Trump's presidency. After nearly three weeks of grueling detention conditions, she smuggled out poignant drawings of fellow detainees when released.
• Detention and deportation of German tourist Jessica Brösche — German tourist and tattoo artist Jessica Brösche, 29, from Berlin was detained by US immigration authorities and deported back to Germany after more than six weeks in US detention, including eight days in solitary confinement. Her family compared her ordeal to "a horror film."
• Detention and questioning of US citizen attorney Amir Makled at airport — Amir Makled, a Detroit-born attorney, was questioned at the airport upon returning from vacation and flagged to a terrorism response team. He was kept behind and pressured to hand over his phone and some of its contents. Makled represents a pro-Palestinian student protester arrested at the University of Michigan. Experts said the incident was evidence of a weakening of Fourth Amendment constitutional protections at the border against unreasonable search and seizure.
• Detention of Canadian visitor Jasmine Mooney in ICE facilities — Canadian Jasmine Mooney was shackled and detained in ICE facilities for two weeks over an alleged work visa irregularity while visiting California. She spoke out about harsh detention conditions, information blackouts, and her outrage that many other detainees she met remain stranded without access to resources that helped her secure release.

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• ICE detains Iranian woman with 47-year US residency during gardening at home — Mandonna "Donna" Kashanian, 64, an Iranian national who arrived in the US in 1978 on a student visa and has lived in the country for 47 years, was detained by plainclothes ICE officers in unmarked vehicles while gardening outside her home in New Orleans on Sunday morning. She was handcuffed, transported to a Mississippi jail, then transferred to the South Louisiana ICE processing center in Basile. Kashanian had been granted a stay of removal conditional on compliance with immigration requirements, which her family says she always met. She has no criminal record. The detention occurred hours after US airstrikes in Iran; DHS released a statement highlighting arrests of 11 Iranians nationwide over the weekend.
• ICE detention of Donna Kashanian, Iranian immigrant with 47-year US residency — On June 22, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Donna Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian immigrant, in her yard in New Orleans without advance notice to her family. Kashanian arrived in the US in 1978 on a student visa, has no criminal record, and was granted a stay of removal conditional on compliance with immigration requirements—which she maintained for decades. She was transferred to detention facilities in Mississippi and Louisiana. Her family reports the arrest occurred hours after US airstrikes in Iran and amid a Trump administration escalation of Iranian deportations and nationwide ICE enforcement operations.

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• Congressional debate and legislative response to unilateral military action — Following Trump's June 21 airstrikes, Congress faced pressure to assert constitutional war powers. The article documents fractured Republican response—Senator John Fetterman praised decisive action while Representative Thomas Massie raised constitutional authority concerns. Democrats and independent voices called for congressional intervention and formal approval. The article calls for citizens to contact representatives demanding a resolution halting military operations until formal approval is granted and for Congress to reform War Powers limitations.
• Congress Criticizes Trump's Unilateral Military Action — Members of Congress, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Sean Casten, criticized President Trump's decision to bomb Iran without congressional approval, arguing it violated the Constitution. They emphasized that no imminent threat from Iran justified the military action and called for adherence to the War Powers Resolution.
• Representative Ronny Jackson rejected congressional notification requirement — Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX) told Fox News Channel host Maria Bartiromo that Trump did not have to notify Congress because "[w]e do not have trustworthy people in Congress especially on the left side of the aisle." He claimed that sharing information with Democrats and opposing Republicans would be equivalent to "put[ting] the [ayatollah] on the phone." The article notes there is no basis for this statement.
• Representative Sean Casten called bombing an impeachable offense — Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) posted on social media that the bombing constituted "an unambiguous impeachable offense" because no president has authority to bomb another country that does not pose an imminent threat without congressional approval. He stated: "I'm not saying we have the votes to impeach. I'm saying that you DO NOT do this without Congressional approval."
• House Democratic veterans announce support for War Powers Act resolution against Trump's Iran airstrikes — Twelve House Democratic military veterans, led by Representative Pat Ryan, issued a letter on Monday demanding congressional approval for Trump's airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The veterans, some with Iraq and Afghanistan service records, characterized the strikes as "preventive air strikes" conducted without congressional consent and drew parallels to pre-war Iraq and Afghanistan decisions. Multiple War Powers Act resolutions are gaining momentum on Capitol Hill, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushing for a vote as early as the week of June 23. The veterans demanded clear answers on military objectives, costs, and potential casualties before escalation.
• Trump attacked Rep. Thomas Massie for opposing Iran strikes — On June 23, Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, writing "GET THIS 'BUM' OUT OF OFFICE, ASAP!!!" after Massie introduced a War Powers Resolution and spoke out against Trump's military strikes on Iran.

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• Senate budget proposal includes public land sale mandate and cuts to social programs — The North Carolina Senate released a budget proposal that extends tax cuts for the wealthy, cuts SNAP food assistance, drastically reduces Medicaid, limits court power to challenge Trump administration policies, rolls back clean energy incentives, and mandates the sale of 40 percent of all public land. The article notes that cracks were forming among Republicans over the scope of Medicaid cuts within hours of the bill's release, but warns that backroom deals and reward-punishment structures will influence votes.
• Senate Republicans bypass filibuster to pass Trump tax cut extension via budget reconciliation manipulation — Senate Republicans voted 53–47 on June 24 to approve Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham's decision to manipulate the Congressional Budget Office's budget baseline calculation, allowing Trump's 2017 individual tax cuts to be included in a budget reconciliation bill without triggering the filibuster. Graham directed the CBO to assume the tax cuts would continue indefinitely even if the megabill did not pass, a fictional baseline that violates standard budget reconciliation rules. The Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough was not consulted, and Republicans avoided her formal determination that the provision would increase the deficit beyond the 10-year window and thus be ineligible for reconciliation.
• Senate parliamentarian ruled budget reconciliation provisions ineligible — Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled on June 26, 2025, that many provisions Republicans had included in their budget reconciliation bill do not qualify for inclusion under Senate rules. Specifically, MacDonough determined that major Medicaid cuts that Republicans had counted on to save $250 billion do not fit within budget reconciliation parameters. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) announced the Senate would not override the parliamentarian but would instead seek to revise the measure to comply with Senate rules.
• Republican senators called for firing the Senate parliamentarian — Several Republican senators, including Dan Crenshaw and Tommy Tuberville, called for Senate Majority Leader Thune to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough following her ruling that removed provisions from the reconciliation bill. Crenshaw claimed she had "failed to apply the rules of reconciliation accurately on multiple occasions." Tuberville attacked her as "woke" and appointed by Harry Reid. However, Senators Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, and Susan Collins declined to support firing or overruling the parliamentarian, with Murkowski stating the parliamentarian was "doing her job."
• Senate Majority Leader Thune declined to fire or overrule parliamentarian — Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated he would not fire the Senate Parliamentarian or call for a vote to overrule her decisions, saying "that would not be a good option for getting a bill done." Thune's position aligned with moderate Republicans who defended the parliamentarian's independence, suggesting the majority would proceed with removing the ruled-out provisions rather than attempting to override the parliamentarian.
• Senate parliamentarian ruled provisions improperly added to reconciliation bill — The Senate parliamentarian ruled that many provisions Republicans added to the budget reconciliation package were improperly included and must be removed. The ruled-out provisions included Medicaid provider tax cuts, ACA limits, a ban on transgender care in Medicaid, denial of Medicaid to green card holders, penalties for states providing care to undocumented immigrants, citizenship proof requirements, student loan repayment limits, expanded Pell Grants, and restrictions on cost-sharing for abortion-covering insurance. These provisions would not survive a filibuster as standalone bills.
• Republican lawmakers called for firing of Senate Parliamentarian — On June 26, Republican lawmakers called for the firing of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she declared that several measures in the GOP's tax and spending bill couldn't be passed via the reconciliation process, meaning they would need 60 votes to pass. The provisions include several restrictions on Medicaid, student aid, and other assistance for many immigrants who aren't US citizens, as well as a block on funding for gender-affirming care through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
• Senate Parliamentarian removed provision restricting court injunctions against federal government — On June 23, the Senate Parliamentarian removed a provision from the GOP's tax and spending bill that would have restricted the power of courts to issue injunctions or restraining orders against the federal government. The provision would have required plaintiffs seeking an injunction to pay a fee equal to "the costs and damages sustained by the federal government," a move legal experts said would deter people from filing lawsuits. The removal was based on a challenge by Democratic senators, finding it did not comply with the "Byrd rule."

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• Secretary of State Rubio dismisses intelligence assessment as irrelevant to Iran nuclear decision — On June 22, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on CBS Face the Nation and, when asked whether the United States had intelligence that the Supreme Leader had ordered weaponization of Iran's nuclear program, declared the question "irrelevant." When pressed by interviewer Margaret Brennan that this is "the key point in U.S. intelligence assessments," Rubio contradicted her, stating "No, it's not." This represents an explicit rejection of the foundational criterion—whether Iran's leadership has decided to weaponize—that defines the U.S. Intelligence Community's assessment of the nuclear threat.
• Vice President Vance mischaracterizes intelligence testimony to justify Iran strikes — On June 22, 2025, Vice President JD Vance appeared on Meet the Press and claimed that Director of National Intelligence Gabbard had said in March that Iran was "producing highly-enriched Uranium that was only consistent with them wanting to build a nuclear weapon." However, the transcript of Gabbard's Congressional hearing reveals this characterization is false and misleading. Gabbard stated that Iran was enriching uranium (a fact true for many years) and had a higher stockpile than other non-nuclear nations, but she was explicit that Iran had not taken steps to build a nuclear weapon nor had such a program been authorized. Vance's misrepresentation was used to justify military strikes.

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• Trump posted about potential Iranian regime change — After administration officials spent the day on Sunday talk shows assuring the public that the U.S. sought only to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions and not regime change, Trump posted on social media: "It's not politically correct to use the term 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" This contradicted Vice President Vance's explicit statement on ABC's This Week that "We don't want to achieve regime change."
• Trump endorses regime change in Iran after administration denies such goal — On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio repeatedly insisted on television that the Trump administration's goal was not regime change in Iran. Vance stated on Meet the Press: "[W]e don't want a regime change." However, on Sunday afternoon of the same day, President Trump publicly endorsed regime change in Iran. This reversal contradicts the administration's stated position and suggests the bombing campaign may have objectives beyond the stated nuclear justification.
• Trump called for illegal regime change in Iran — On June 22, Trump posted on Truth Social calling for an illegal "Regime Change" in Iran if the current government is "unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN," contradicting Vice President JD Vance's statement on Meet the Press that the US does not seek regime change in Iran.

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• ICE arrests at Ambiance Apparel warehouse; family members detained without due process — Federal immigration agents conducted a raid at Ambiance Apparel clothing warehouse in downtown Los Angeles's garment district, arresting multiple family members working at the facility. Detainees were held in a van for over eight hours without food, water, or restroom access before transfer to Adelanto detention center in California's high desert. Family members were unable to locate arrested relatives for days and reported unsanitary and unsafe conditions at the detention facility.
• ICE raids at Magnolia Car Wash and other regional car wash facilities — Immigration agents conducted raids at Magnolia Car Wash in Orange County and more than two dozen other car wash facilities across the region, arresting workers including a 61-year-old man. The raids disrupted family structures and forced relatives with legal status to assume caregiving and financial responsibilities for dependents and elderly family members.

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• DHS falsely claims U.S. citizen assaulted border patrol agents after being detained outside car repair shop — Border Patrol agents detained a 29-year-old U.S. citizen outside his car repair shop. In video footage, the man repeatedly stated he was an American citizen while an agent pushed him into a metal gate. He was eventually released. After the Los Angeles Times published a story documenting rising "fears of racial profiling," DHS issued a press release calling the reporting "fake news" and claiming the man "ASSAULTED US Customs and Border Protection Agents," contradicting the video evidence.

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• Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Charged with Trespassing at ICE Detention Center — Federal prosecutors charged Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka with trespassing and ignoring warnings from Homeland Security Investigations at an ICE detention center. Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba publicly commented on the ongoing investigation, violating Department of Justice policy, stating Baraka "has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state." Ten days later, Habba dropped the case against Baraka.

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• U.S. Attorney Habba Charges Congresswoman LaMonica McIver with Assault — After dropping charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba charged U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) with assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during Baraka's arrest at the ICE detention center.
• New Jersey Democratic representative LaMonica McIver pleads not guilty to federal charges — LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democratic representative, pleaded not guilty in federal court on Wednesday to three felony counts alleging she forcibly interfered with law enforcement during a May 9 confrontation at Delaney Hall federal immigration facility in Newark. Prosecutors claim McIver assaulted two federal officers and prevented the arrest of Newark mayor Ras Baraka during what the government characterizes as an unauthorized protest. McIver contends she was conducting a legitimate congressional oversight visit. If convicted, she faces up to 17 years in prison. The indictment was brought by Alina Habba, a US attorney who previously served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer.
• Rep. LaMonica McIver pleaded not guilty to charges related to ICE facility protest — On June 25, Rep. LaMonica McIver pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing her of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a detention facility in New Jersey while conducting an oversight visit. Outside the courthouse, McIver said, "They will not intimidate me. They will not stop me from doing my job."

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• ICE Director Claims Increased Assaults Against Officers — Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, justified the use of plainclothes, unidentified agents by citing a 413% increase in assaults against ICE officers. Philip Bump of the Washington Post investigated the claim and found ICE conflated "threatening to assault" with actual assault, avoided disclosing absolute numbers, and refused to provide evidence. Bump concluded ICE's representations should not be taken at face value. The Department of Homeland Security subsequently posted on social media claiming a 500% increase in assaults.
• Department of Homeland Security Attributes ICE Officer Assaults to Democratic Opposition — After Philip Bump's Washington Post article questioned ICE's assault statistics, the Department of Homeland Security posted on social media claiming a 500% increase in assaults and stating: "Make no mistake, sanctuary politicians are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE." The statement blamed Democratic legislators for violence against ICE officers.
• ICE Director Lyons defended masked agents and claimed doxxing threat — ICE Director Todd Lyons was asked on Newsmax about calls from Democrats for ICE agents to stop wearing masks. Lyons stated that ICE agents did not have to wear masks before or after January 20, that he personally does not want officers wearing masks because it is hot and dangerous, but that ICE agents are being doxxed at a horrible rate. The bulletin notes that there have not been any incidents of anyone going to the homes of ICE agents and threatening them or their families.

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• JD Vance misidentifies Senator Alex Padilla in public remarks — During his Los Angeles press conference, Vice-president Vance made a joke about "Jose Padilla" in response to a question about Democrats detained by federal officers. He was referring to California Senator Alex Padilla, who had been forcibly detained by the FBI the previous week. Vance conflated Padilla with Jose Padilla, an American citizen accused of planning a radioactive dirty bomb for al-Qaida in 2002. Padilla's spokesperson called the remark inappropriate and noted Vance and Padilla were former Senate colleagues.
• Vice President Vance Misidentifies Senator Padilla as Convicted Terrorist — At a news conference in Los Angeles, Vice President J.D. Vance was asked if Trump's administration is "cracking down on Democrats." Vance, who served with Alex Padilla in the Senate, called his former colleague by the wrong name, referring to him as "José Padilla," the name of a man convicted in 2007 of conspiring to commit murder and fund terrorism. Vance's press secretary stated the vice president "must have mixed up two people who have broken the law."

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• Trump attributed bombing success to God — Trump posted a statement thanking God for the bombing operation, stating "I just want to thank everyone—in particular, God. We love you God."
• Trump declared total victory on social media — Trump posted an all-caps message on Truth Social declaring the bombing a historic moment and demanding that Iran end the war, without acknowledging uncertainty about the operation's actual effectiveness or the diplomatic negotiations that had been underway.
• Trump declares Iran nuclear sites "completely and totally obliterated" after bombing campaign — President Trump addressed the nation on June 21, 2025, declaring the bombing of Iran a "spectacular military success" and claiming all key nuclear sites were "completely and totally obliterated." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed these claims, stating Iran's nuclear ambitions had been obliterated. However, within hours, senior military officials contradicted these assertions, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine stating it was "way too early" to assess the bombing's impact and that battle damage assessment was still ongoing.

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• Trump announced U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites — President Trump announced that the United States had bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan—using twelve 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) for the first time in history. Trump declared the strikes "a spectacular military success" and stated Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated." He called on Iran to "make peace." The announcement came one week after a military parade and amid five million Americans protesting his administration.
• Trump ordered military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites — On June 21, 2025, President Trump ordered U.S. military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities, deploying 12 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs. According to New York Times reporting, Trump initially warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking Iran but reversed course after observing Israel's military operation receive favorable television coverage, particularly on Fox News. Trump had decided on the strike by June 17, following a military parade that drew large protests. The actual damage and effectiveness of the strikes remain unclear despite Trump's claims of "obliteration."
• Trump administration conducts airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites — The U.S. military conducted surprise airstrikes on Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities on Saturday evening, targeting sites related to nuclear development. The strikes were announced by President Trump in a national address and were reportedly based on Israeli intelligence indicating Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. The administration stated the raids targeted only nuclear enrichment infrastructure and avoided population centers, economic assets, and oil terminals. Vice President JD Vance later praised the precision of the B-2 bombers involved.
• Trump announces U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — At 7:50 p.m. Eastern Time, President Trump posted on social media announcing that the U.S. military had completed attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. He stated all aircraft had exited Iranian airspace and a full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow. At 10:00 p.m., Trump addressed the nation from the White House, flanked by Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, and Defense Secretary Hegseth, declaring the strikes a "spectacular military success" and stating Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity had been "completely and totally obliterated." He warned of further attacks if Iran did not pursue peace.
• Trump administration bombs Iranian nuclear sites based on intelligence assessment contradicting U.S. Intelligence Community consensus — On June 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, justifying the action with claims that Iran is actively pursuing nuclear weapons. However, the U.S. Intelligence Community's official assessment, stated publicly by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on March 25, 2025, concluded that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized such a program. Trump publicly dismissed Gabbard's assessment, stating "my intelligence community is wrong" and "She's wrong." Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio mischaracterized or dismissed the March intelligence findings to justify the strikes, while Defense Secretary Hegseth avoided confirming whether intelligence had changed since March. Congressional briefings and the International Atomic Energy Agency corroborated the IC's March assessment that no decision to weaponize had been made.
• President Trump ordered coordinated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without congressional authorization — On June 21, 2025, President Trump ordered U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using B-2 stealth bombers and possibly bunker-buster ordnance. No congressional resolution, debate, or formal declaration of war preceded the action. Trump described the strikes as "very successful" and claimed all aircraft had exited Iranian airspace. The strikes followed rapid regional escalation beginning mid-June, including Israeli operations and Iranian missile responses. Trump stated diplomatic avenues had been exhausted and cited the goal of denying Iran nuclear capability.
• U.S. Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities Ordered by President Trump — On June 21, 2025, President Trump ordered airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This marks the first U.S. bombing of Iranian soil in decades. The strikes were carried out using B-2 stealth bombers and possibly GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators. The action was taken without a congressional resolution or debate, bypassing the War Powers Resolution, which requires legislative approval for military engagements of this magnitude. The decision has sparked a constitutional crisis, as it represents a unilateral escalation into a regional conflict without democratic oversight.
• Trump administration launched military strikes against Iran without congressional authorization — On June 21, the Trump administration conducted military strikes against Iran without seeking prior authorization from Congress or making a public case for the operation's necessity or timing. Trump subsequently claimed on Truth Social that "NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!" and warned that any Iranian retaliation would be met with "FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later admitted that congressional leaders were notified only after the planes had safely departed.
• Trump authorizes airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without congressional approval — President Trump authorized airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night without prior congressional approval or consultation. Congressional leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were not adequately informed before the operation commenced. Schumer received a call from Trump officials but was not told which country would be targeted; Jeffries could not be reached until after the strikes had begun. The action prompted immediate calls for impeachment from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and accusations of executive overreach and constitutional violation from Democratic leadership.
• U.S. conducts airstrikes on Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities — The United States bombed Iran's three nuclear enrichment facilities. President Trump announced the strikes on social media. The strikes targeted Iran's nuclear program narrowly after Israel had already degraded Iran's long-range strike capability. Iran responded with threats but had limited retaliatory capacity. The strikes did not trigger a broader military escalation or "boots on the ground" invasion, and Trump indicated he would back off after the nuclear facilities were destroyed, leaving further conflict to Israel.

Supporting reports

• Top Democrats kept in dark about bombing — CNN reported that top Democrats on the intelligence committees were kept in the dark about the bombing, while their Republican counterparts were briefed, even though all are members of the Gang of Eight who are usually notified before major US military engagements.