Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Minnesota AG Keith Ellison characterized federal response as dictatorship. — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told Meidas that the federal government's response to the church protest represents "the essence of dictatorship" and warned that people must stop assuming such actions "couldn't happen here," stating "Not only could it happen here—it's happening here."

Supporting reports

• Federal magistrate judge rejects DOJ charges against journalist Don Lemon — A federal magistrate judge rejected the Justice Department's initial attempt to bring charges against journalist Don Lemon following the threatened prosecution by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon.
• Federal magistrate judge declines to approve charges against Don Lemon for Minnesota church protest — A federal magistrate judge refused to sign off on charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon in connection with a protest at Cities church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators interrupted a service over the church pastor's role as an ICE field director. The decision reportedly angered Attorney General Pam Bondi. Federal prosecutors typically seek magistrate approval to establish probable cause before grand jury indictment; legal experts noted such refusals are "extremely rare" and suggest skepticism about the government's case.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Wright v. Noem, DHS, and Doe (D.D.C.) — Brandon Wright, a former DHS civil servant, filed suit in D.D.C. District Court alleging unlawful termination in retaliation for protected speech. Wright was fired on January 8, 2026, after recordings of him criticizing DHS leadership spread online; the agency cited statements deemed "disrespectful and unprofessional." Wright claims First Amendment retaliation and Fifth Amendment due-process violations, arguing the Merit Systems Protection Board cannot provide objective review. He also names an unknown woman ("Doe") as defendant, alleging she recorded him without consent in coordination with a conservative media group and violated federal wiretap laws.

Supporting reports

• White House press secretary threatens CBS with lawsuit over Trump interview editing — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was recorded telling CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil that President Trump demanded the network broadcast a new interview in full and without edits, warning "we'll sue your ass off" if it was cut. The threat followed CBS's parent company Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over editing of a 2024 Kamala Harris interview. CBS subsequently aired the full 13-minute Trump interview unedited on Tuesday, stating this was their original intention.

Supporting reports

• Deputy AG Todd Blanche declined to investigate ICE shooting — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Fox News that the FBI would not investigate the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, saying the incident had been reviewed by millions of Americans because it was recorded and that the DOJ would not "bow to pressure" to investigate.
• Attorney General Bondi issues warning to Minnesota protesters without addressing ICE shooting — Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a statement that made no mention of Renee Good's death but warned Minnesota protesters that "obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement is a federal crime." The statement came as federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington DC resigned in protest over the DOJ's decision not to investigate the fatal ICE shooting. The warning appears designed to chill protest and dissent while the department simultaneously investigates the victim's widow for allegedly impeding the ICE agent.
• DOJ declines to investigate ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Sunday that the Justice Department is "not investigating" the January 7, 2026 fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. Blanche stated the department does not investigate "every time an officer is forced to defend himself" and will not "bow to pressure from the media" or politicians. This contrasts sharply with the 2020 Trump DOJ's immediate criminal investigation into George Floyd's death by Minneapolis police, which led to four officers' federal convictions in 2022. Forensic analysis contradicts claims that Good "ran over" the agent.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents conduct racial profiling stops of US citizens and legal residents across multiple states — Following the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICE and US Customs and Border Protection agents have conducted stops and surveillance of US citizens and lawful permanent residents in California, Nebraska, Florida, Minnesota, and other states, with multiple individuals reporting that the encounters were based on racial profiling. Incidents include stops in parks, traffic stops, and sustained surveillance. The administration deployed approximately 2,000 ICE officers and 800 CBP agents to Minneapolis, focused enforcement on Somali communities, and announced plans to end temporary protected status for Somalis. A September 2025 Supreme Court ruling permitted agents to consider race or ethnicity as a factor in enforcement decisions.
• Racial profiling stop of Joaquin and Gloria Espinoza by ICE agents in Minneapolis suburbs — On Monday, January 20, 2026, ICE agents stopped a vehicle driven by Joaquin with passenger Gloria Espinoza on a quiet street in Minneapolis suburbs. Both are U.S. citizens for more than 30 years. Espinoza reported that agents appeared to have no cause for the stop other than the color of their skin and that officers taunted them while conducting background checks. Civilian observers arrived in seven vehicles, honking horns and documenting the interaction on video. The agents eventually released the couple without arrest.

Supporting reports

• DOJ indicts 39 protesters and journalists under FACE Act for church disruption in St. Paul — The Trump administration's Department of Justice indicted 39 people, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon (covering as a reporter), on conspiracy and first-amendment-interference charges following a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Protesters had interrupted a service to demand the resignation of a pastor leading a local ICE field office. Legal scholars argue the administration misapplied the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act—originally designed to protect abortion clinics—to prosecute political protesters and journalists at houses of worship, marking a novel and expansive use of the statute.
• Demonstrators disrupt service at Cities Church to protest pastor's alleged ICE role — On January 18, demonstrators disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul to draw attention to Pastor David Easterwood, who was allegedly serving as acting field director of the St. Paul ICE office. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong stated the protest aimed to inform congregants that their pastor was "doubling as the director for the ICE field office in Minnesota." The demonstration occurred amid sweeping immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota that resulted in deaths of at least two people, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by federal agents.
• Protest at St. Paul church disrupts service; pastor reportedly works for ICE — Dozens of protesters entered St. Paul's Cities church on January 18 during services to draw attention to a pastor who reportedly serves as an acting field director for ICE. Organizers including Nekima Levy Armstrong chanted "ICE out" and explained their presence was in response to ICE enforcement actions in the Twin Cities. The protest disrupted the service; the church asked protesters to leave but they remained. Journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon covered the event. The government later charged nearly 40 people involved in the protest under the FACE Act and conspiracy statutes.

Supporting reports

• Kristi Noem accused journalists of "doxxing" law enforcement officer who killed Renee Good — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lashed out at journalists for naming the officer who killed Renee Good, accusing them of "doxxing" law enforcement while the victim's widow remains under federal investigation and the officer himself faces none. The officer's name is Jonathan Ross.
• Kristi Noem disputed detention statistics on CBS — During a CBS interview, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that 70% of people in ICE custody had committed criminal offenses. When the host cited reporting showing 47% based on her agency's own numbers, Noem denied the discrepancy. The exchange highlighted conflicting claims about the criminal status of detained immigrants.
• Noem objected to naming ICE officer in media — During the CBS interview, when the host mentioned ICE officer Jonathan Ross who was struck and hospitalized during unrest, Noem interrupted and objected to the officer's name being stated publicly, characterizing it as "doxxing" law enforcement despite the name having been previously published.

Supporting reports

• Trump sent letter to Norway PM demanding control of Greenland, citing NATO obligations and dismissing Denmark's sovereignty. — President Trump sent a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stating that because Norway did not award him the Nobel Peace Prize, he no longer feels obligated to prioritize peace and can now focus on U.S. interests, including asserting "Complete and Total Control of Greenland." Trump argued Denmark cannot protect Greenland from Russia or China and questioned Denmark's historical claim. He asserted he has done more for NATO than any other person since its founding and that NATO should reciprocate by supporting U.S. control of the territory. The letter was shared with other NATO leaders.

Supporting reports

• Noem objected to naming ICE officer in media — During the CBS interview, when the host mentioned ICE officer Jonathan Ross who was struck and hospitalized during unrest, Noem interrupted and objected to the officer's name being stated publicly, characterizing it as "doxxing" law enforcement despite the name having been previously published.
• Trump threatens lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase over alleged debanking — President Trump announced on social media his intention to sue JPMorgan Chase within two weeks, alleging the bank improperly cut off his banking access following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Trump tied the threat to criticism of a Wall Street Journal report claiming he had offered CEO Jamie Dimon the Federal Reserve chair position—an offer Dimon and the bank deny occurred. JPMorgan Chase stated it does not close accounts based on political beliefs and supports administration efforts against political debanking.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota — The Pentagon ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the Army's 11th Airborne Division to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota after Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to unrest there. The soldiers are assigned to two infantry battalions specializing in cold-weather operations. Invoking the Insurrection Act would mark the first time a commander in chief has done so since President Bush during the 1992 LA riots.
• Pentagon orders 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for Minnesota deployment — The Pentagon ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota, days after Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces to the state. The Trump administration had already sent 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota as part of what the Department of Homeland Security described as its "largest enforcement operation" ever.
• Pentagon orders 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for potential Minnesota deployment

Supporting reports

• Trump intensified ICE and Border Patrol actions across Minnesota — The Trump administration intensified ICE and Border Patrol enforcement actions across Minnesota, stoking chaos rather than deescalating the situation. The intensified enforcement occurred amid threats to further militarize federal operations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents arrest and pepper-spray peaceful protesters in Minnesota — Federal ICE agents arrested and pepper-sprayed peaceful protesters in Minnesota on January 17, 2026, prompting Judge Katherine Menendez to issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting such tactics. The enforcement actions followed the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, by a federal agent, which sparked large-scale protests statewide and nationally. DHS defended the tactics as constitutional measures to uphold law and order, while state officials condemned the deployment as an unconstitutional "federal invasion" and retaliatory campaign.

Supporting reports

• ICE deported man in vegetative state who died shortly after — The Guardian reported that ICE deported a man in a vegetative state after his health deteriorated rapidly while in custody. Randall Gamboa Esquivel, a 52-year-old from Costa Rica, was deported in an air ambulance after spending nearly 10 months in detention and died in October 2025 after arriving in his home country.

Supporting reports

• Missouri Secretary of State claims new congressional map is already in effect despite pending referendum — Secretary of State Denny Hoskins claimed that the new GOP-drawn congressional map is already in effect, despite the pending referendum that could veto it. This position contradicts Missouri Republicans' own precedent of suspending challenged legislation until voters had a chance to hold a referendum. The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri filed a separate lawsuit challenging Hoskins' decision to implement the map before the referendum process concludes.
• Missouri Secretary of State issues ballot language characterizing map as reflecting statewide voting patterns — Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' office prepared a ballot summary for the redistricting referendum that characterizes the new map as one that "better reflects statewide voting patterns." People Not Politicians is challenging the ballot language in court, and Hoskins' office has admitted the language would likely prejudice voters against the measure. The biased language violates neutral ballot summary standards.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and Wall Street Journal — President Trump attacked the Wall Street Journal and threatened to sue JPMorgan Chase over its decision to stop banking him after January 6. Trump falsely claimed he had been vindicated by the insurrection and ranted about supposed job offers to Jamie Dimon that never happened, presenting himself as a victim while attacking the bank and media outlet.
• Trump announced lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase — Trump announced he will sue JPMorgan Chase over the next two weeks, claiming the Wall Street Journal falsely reported that he offered CEO Jamie Dimon the position of Federal Reserve Chairman. Trump stated the offer was never made and characterized the Journal's reporting as lacking verification. He also stated he will sue JPMorgan Chase for "debanking" him after January 6.
• Trump threatens lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase over alleged debanking — President Trump announced on social media his intention to sue JPMorgan Chase within two weeks, alleging the bank improperly cut off his banking access following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Trump tied the threat to criticism of a Wall Street Journal report claiming he had offered CEO Jamie Dimon the Federal Reserve chair position—an offer Dimon and the bank deny occurred. JPMorgan Chase stated it does not close accounts based on political beliefs and supports administration efforts against political debanking.
• Trump sued JPMorgan Chase and Jamie Dimon for account closure — Trump filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming the bank broke the law by closing his accounts in April 2021 after two months' notice, following the January 6 Capitol attack. The lawsuit alleges the bank placed the Trump family on a "blacklist" and "debanked" them for "political and social motivations," seeking at least $5 billion in damages plus attorney fees. JPMorgan Chase responded that it closes accounts for legal or regulatory risk, not political reasons.
• Trump sues JPMorgan Chase and Jamie Dimon for $5 billion over alleged debanking — Donald Trump, as US president, filed a lawsuit in Miami against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon, seeking at least $5 billion in damages. Trump alleges the bank "debanked" him—stopped offering banking services—in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot. The lawsuit, filed by Trump's personal lawyer Alejandro Brito, claims the bank placed Trump, the Trump Organization, affiliated entities, and family members on a blacklist for political and ideological reasons. JPMorgan denied the allegations, stating it closes accounts due to legal or regulatory risk, not political beliefs.

Supporting reports

• Democratic Congress members hold field hearing on ICE enforcement surge and deadly use of force in Minnesota — On Friday, January 17, Democratic Congress members, senators, and state officials held an "accountability" field hearing in St Paul, Minnesota, titled "Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's deadly assault on Minnesota," condemning ICE enforcement actions and federal agents' use of force. The hearing followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer on January 8, ongoing protests, and escalating ICE raids and traffic stops. Congresswoman Betty McCollum warned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to preserve records for future investigation and subpoena.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge orders ICE to cease pepper spray use against Minneapolis protesters — U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued an order on Friday directing federal law enforcement to stop using pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minneapolis. The judge found that ICE agents had deployed "chemical irritants" against demonstrators exercising "protected first amendment rights to assemble and to observe and protest ICE operations." The ruling came amid escalating tensions surrounding Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's intensive immigration enforcement operation in the city.

Supporting reports

• Trump Justice Department argues Epstein Files Transparency Act cannot be enforced by courts — The Trump Justice Department filed arguments in federal court asserting that the Epstein Files Transparency Act cannot be enforced by any judge because the law does not explicitly provide a private right of action. According to the administration's legal position, courts are powerless to compel the release of the Epstein files. The administration is effectively asserting that no court can force it to comply with the law, placing itself beyond judicial oversight.

Supporting reports

• Trump expressed regret over not seizing voting machines in 2020 — In an interview with the New York Times, Trump said he regretted not ordering the National Guard to seize voting machines in swing states after losing the 2020 election to search for evidence of fraud. He also claimed that "white people were very badly treated" due to civil rights-era protections and characterized this as "reverse discrimination."

Supporting reports

• Trump calls Somali immigrants "garbage" and threatens to strip citizenship — In December, after a cabinet meeting, President Trump called Somali immigrants "garbage" and denounced a fraud scandal in Minneapolis involving social services run by Somalis. Subsequently, he stated his administration intended to strip some naturalized Somali Americans of their US citizenship.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland acquisition demand — President Trump announced via social media that he is imposing 10% tariffs on all goods from countries currently protecting Greenland (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom), effective after February 1, with increases to 25% on June 1. The tariffs will remain in effect until those countries agree to sell Greenland to the United States. Trump's post also suggested the U.S. might provide protection to Canada. The announcement explicitly uses tariffs as economic coercion rather than addressing claimed economic emergency, a practice currently under Supreme Court review.
• Trump threatens tariffs on allied nations over Greenland — President Trump posted a series of social media attacks targeting Greenland and nations supporting its sovereignty, including Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. Trump threatened tariffs beginning February 1 and escalating to 25 percent by June unless these countries "allow" the United States to take Greenland. He asserted tariffs would remain in place "until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland" and falsely claimed the U.S. has been trying to buy Greenland for over 150 years.
• Trump threatened tariffs against NATO allies over Greenland — Trump announced on Truth Social that he would impose 10% tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland effective February 1, 2026, escalating to 25% on June 1, 2026, unless the United States acquires Greenland. Trump characterized the situation as a national security threat and claimed China and Russia want Greenland.

Supporting reports

• ICE agent kills Renee Good, a US citizen, in Minneapolis — An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a US citizen, in Minneapolis in early January 2026. The killing prompted widespread protests throughout Minnesota. In response, President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy US troops to suppress demonstrators, and the Department of Justice opened an investigation into Minnesota officials including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging they conspired to impede federal immigration agents.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration deploys 3,000 federal ICE agents to Minnesota — The Trump administration mobilized approximately 3,000 federal ICE agents to Minnesota, a force that outnumbers the Minneapolis police department five to one. Armed, masked agents have been arresting people at morning commutes, grocery stores, churches, and schools. The Department of Homeland Security called it the largest operation in the agency's history. Agents have been operating since early December, with a major surge in January following fraud investigations and the killing of Renee Good.

Supporting reports

• ICE agent shoves Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne — On Monday, Elliott Payne, president of the Minneapolis City Council, was shoved by an ICE agent while observing and documenting ICE enforcement activity on Central Avenue. Payne had identified himself as council president and attempted to engage the agent in conversation. He later stated at a press conference that this reckless behavior exemplified the unfolding assault on the city.