Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• CFTC regulatory gap permits insider trading in prediction markets — Unlike the SEC, which prohibits insider trading and deploys sophisticated detection and prosecution systems, the CFTC does not prohibit the use of inside information in markets it regulates, including Kalshi. The CFTC has rules against market manipulation but lacks the resources, mechanisms, or experience to monitor the large and diffuse networks of people who could use inside information to manipulate Kalshi's thousands of markets. Kalshi's own rules prohibit trading on material non-public information, but enforcement resources are unclear.

Supporting reports

• CNN and CNBC announce partnerships integrating Kalshi prediction market data into news coverage — CNN announced immediate integration of Kalshi prediction market data across its programming, including a real-time news ticker displaying Kalshi data during relevant segments. CNBC announced a similar partnership beginning in 2026, incorporating real-time prediction data into editorial coverage across TV, digital, and subscription channels, plus a dedicated Kalshi page on CNBC's site. The economic terms were not disclosed. Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated online prediction market, has grown to an expected $50 billion in annual trading volume in 2025, up from $300 million in 2024, following a successful lawsuit against the CFTC.
• Prediction market structure creates guaranteed aggregate losses for retail users — Prediction markets on Kalshi are zero-sum: for every outcome, one bettor wins and the other loses. Because Kalshi collects fees on all trades, users are mathematically guaranteed to lose money in aggregate. Academic research found that Kalshi users lost an average of 20 percent even before fees, indicating that sophisticated bettors have a structural advantage over typical users. The CNN and CNBC partnerships will promote Kalshi to new audiences unaware of these dynamics, potentially driving retail participation in a system designed to extract wealth.
• Kalshi markets enable profitable speculation on humanitarian crises — Kalshi offered betting markets on specific humanitarian outcomes, including whether a famine would be declared in Gaza in 2025. After the IPC declared a famine in Gaza in August 2025, individuals profited from bets placed on that outcome, effectively monetizing human suffering and starvation. The article notes this exemplifies how prediction markets trivialize even the most severe events by framing tragedies as money-making opportunities.

Supporting reports

• Attorney General Bondi claims special attorney title allows U.S. attorney functions — In sworn court testimony, Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that because she appointed Lindsey Halligan as a "special attorney," Halligan should be able to perform all the same functions as a U.S. attorney. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this argument, ruling that Bondi's maneuver was "plainly prohibited" by federal law and would allow officials to "avoid the gauntlet of presidential appointment and Senate confirmation and serve as the de facto U.S. Attorney indefinitely."

Supporting reports

• Bondi fires or ousts judges' selected U.S. attorney replacements — Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired or helped oust the officials that federal judges in New Jersey and eastern Virginia selected to lead U.S. attorney's offices under vacancy statutes. This action undermines the judicial authority established by courts that determined Habba and Halligan were unlawfully appointed and that vacancy statutes grant judges the power to select who will lead these offices.
• DOJ lists Lindsey Halligan as permanent U.S. attorney despite disqualification — The Department of Justice's official website describes Lindsey Halligan as leading the Eastern District of Virginia U.S. attorney's office, omitting the word "acting" or "interim" from her title. This assertion suggests she is a permanent U.S. attorney despite never being confirmed by the Senate or appointed by judges under vacancy statutes. Halligan herself has claimed the title of full U.S. attorney in court documents filed after her disqualification.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge dismisses charges against Comey and James, finding Lindsey Halligan unlawfully appointed — A federal judge dismissed charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who brought the charges, was unlawfully appointed. Halligan, a former Trump personal attorney with no prosecutorial experience, was appointed without Senate confirmation or judicial selection under vacancy statutes. Despite the disqualification, the DOJ continues to list her as leading the office.

Supporting reports

• Judge to hear arguments on validity of subpoenas issued by John Sarcone — A federal judge is set to hear oral arguments on whether two subpoenas issued by John Sarcone, Trump's acting U.S. attorney in the northern district of New York, are invalid because of the way he was appointed to his temporary position. The hearing will determine whether Sarcone's unlawful appointment renders his prosecutorial actions void.

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• Supreme Court oral arguments on Trump's FTC firing and presidential removal power — The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether President Trump lawfully fired FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter in March 2025. The case challenges the 90-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent that has protected independent agency heads from at-will presidential removal. Conservative justices signaled support for Trump's "unitary executive" theory, suggesting they may overturn the New Deal-era protection. The ruling could expand presidential power over more than two dozen independent agencies. A decision is expected by June 2026.
• Supreme Court oral arguments on presidential removal power over independent agencies — The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Trump's assertion that he has complete control over officers in independent agencies established by Congress. Solicitor General John Sauer argued the president must have removal power because "the President must have the power to control and…the one who has the power to remove is the one who…is the person that they have to fear and obey." Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned that allowing a president to fire all scientists, doctors, economists, and PhDs and replace them with loyalists would harm the country. The Court is expected to rule in June, with the right-wing majority appearing poised to grant Trump broad removal authority.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Aaron v. Bondi (D.D.C. 1:25-cv-04250) — Creators of ICEBlock, an app allowing users to report Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent sightings, filed suit in federal court challenging the Trump administration's removal of the app from Apple's App Store. Plaintiffs allege that Attorney General Pam Bondi and other government officials unlawfully threatened criminal prosecution of the app's creator, Joshua Aaron, and pressured Apple to remove the app, violating First Amendment rights. The suit seeks declaratory relief and a permanent injunction barring the administration from demanding Apple cease distribution or investigating or prosecuting Aaron.
• Developer of ICEBlock app sued Trump administration over App Store removal — The developer of the app ICEBlock, which tracks ICE agents and alerts people when they are in their area, sued the Trump administration on December 8 over its removal from Apple's App Store, arguing that the government violated the First Amendment by threatening the company. The lawsuit challenges the government's ability to suppress tools that enable citizens to monitor law enforcement.

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• Alina Habba resigned as US Attorney for New Jersey following Third Circuit ruling — Alina Habba, who held the position of US Attorney for New Jersey through an illegal appointment, announced her resignation following a Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. In her statement, Habba said she was stepping down "to protect the stability and integrity of the office" but framed her compliance as not a surrender of her position or principles.
• Alina Habba stepped down as top federal prosecutor in New Jersey — On December 8, Alina Habba, Trump's former personal lawyer whom he maneuvered to keep as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, announced she would step down from her post after an appeals court ruled she was disqualified from the position. Habba said she would continue at the Justice Department as a senior adviser to the attorney general for US attorneys. Attorney General Pam Bondi tweeted that the DOJ "will seek further review" of the decision and that Habba "intends to return" if the ruling is overturned.
• Alina Habba resigns as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey after courts rule her appointment unlawful — Alina Habba, Trump's former personal lawyer appointed U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, resigned after federal courts ruled her interim appointment unlawful and she lacked Senate confirmation. The Trump administration had attempted to keep her in place by reappointing her as a "special attorney" after her 120-day interim term expired in July. Habba announced her resignation on social media but stated she would serve as a senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who indicated the DOJ would seek further review of the ruling.

Supporting reports

• Senator Kelly announces plan to subpoena video footage — Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who sits on both the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, told MSNBC that he has already discussed with the chairs of both committees the possibility of using a subpoena to obtain the September 2 video. This represents a congressional effort to compel the executive branch to release footage the administration appears reluctant to make public.

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• Marjorie Taylor Greene describes Republican fear of Trump retaliation via social media — In a 60 Minutes interview, outgoing GOP House member Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that Republican colleagues privately mocked Trump before his 2024 primary win but switched to public support afterward out of fear. Greene said Republicans are "terrified to step out of line and get a nasty Truth Social post" from Trump. She also reported receiving hundreds of threats to Capitol Police, including death threats to her son after she opposed Trump's handling of Epstein-related matters, and claimed Trump responded with "harsh accusatory replies and zero sympathy."

Supporting reports

• Trump pressured Supreme Court on tariff authority via social media — Trump posted on social media framing tariffs as a national security matter and asserting that the president has inherent constitutional authority to impose them. He claimed to have "settled 8 Wars in 10 months" based on presidential rights and urged the Court to uphold his tariff policy. The post came as the Supreme Court prepared to rule on whether Trump's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs was constitutional, with justices' questioning suggesting skepticism of his authority.
• Trump Pressures Supreme Court on Tariffs — President Donald J. Trump pressured the Supreme Court to uphold his tariffs, claiming authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act after declaring a national economic emergency. Observers expect a decision on the constitutionality of these tariffs soon, with indications that the justices may not support Trump's expansive interpretation of presidential power. Trump's administration has also indicated it will continue its tariff agenda regardless of the Court's decision.

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• ICE halted naturalization ceremonies for citizens from 19 countries — WGBH (Boston) reported that immigrants approved for naturalization were told by ICE officials at Faneuil Hall that they could not proceed with oath ceremonies due to their countries of origin. USCIS directed employees to halt adjudicating all immigration pathways for people from 19 countries deemed "high risk." Project Citizenship executive director Gail Breslow reported that people were "plucked out of line" and told their oath ceremonies were canceled, with individuals asking "what did I do wrong?"

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• Federal judge blocks prosecutors from accessing Richman materials in Comey case — Federal District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a temporary order on Saturday blocking prosecutors from accessing materials obtained from Daniel Richman, a Columbia Law professor and Comey ally, ruling that the government's warrantless search of previously obtained computer materials probably violated Fourth Amendment protections. The government had retained all information from Richman's computer despite the underlying investigation closing in 2021, then conducted a warrantless search this year without obtaining a new warrant. The order remains in effect until December 12.

Supporting reports

• Mike Johnson strips IVF coverage from military defense bill — House Speaker Mike Johnson worked behind the scenes to remove a bipartisan-approved provision providing in vitro fertilization (IVF) healthcare coverage for active-duty military members from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), despite both chambers previously approving it as an amendment. The exclusion contradicts Trump's campaign pledge to expand IVF access. The revised NDAA was revealed Sunday and may face a congressional vote as early as the following week.
• Republicans removed IVF funding from military families from NDAA — Republicans removed funding for in vitro fertilization treatments for military families from the National Defense Authorization Act. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) stated the removal reflected a clash within the Republican conference that they could not resolve, and that they chose not to have that fight. The objections had nothing to do with funding but were rooted in religious opposition to IVF.

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• Trump attacked Rep. Henry Cuellar for seeking re-election as Democrat — On December 7, Trump lashed out on Truth Social at Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, whom he had pardoned the previous week, for announcing he would seek re-election as a Democrat rather than switching parties. Trump called the move "such a lack of LOYALTY" and threatened, "next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!" The attack illustrates Trump's expectation of partisan loyalty in exchange for clemency.

Supporting reports

• Trump pardoned David Gentile, architect of 1.6 billion dollar Ponzi scheme — Trump issued a presidential pardon for David Gentile, the architect of a 1.6 billion dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of regular investors. The pardon received minimal national media coverage compared to the scale of the fraud and harm to victims.

Supporting reports

• Trump pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and later attacked him for not switching parties — Trump pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife Imelda, who faced 15-year prison sentences. Trump posted that he made the pardon "in the interest of justice" after reading a letter from Cuellar's daughters. However, after Cuellar announced he would run for Congress again as a Democrat, Trump posted: "Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry's daughters, will not like. Oh' well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!" effectively admitting he expected Cuellar to switch parties in exchange for the pardon.
• Trump publicly demanded party switch from pardoned congressman Henry Cuellar in exchange for pardon — Trump posted on social media attacking pardoned Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar for refusing to switch to the Republican Party after receiving a presidential pardon. Trump claimed Cuellar's daughters "wrote me a letter" and that he "saved" the family, implying the pardon was conditional on party loyalty. Trump characterized Cuellar's refusal as a "lack of LOYALTY" and berated his daughters. The incident was characterized as an open admission of a quid pro quo bribery scheme linking official acts to private political allegiance.
• Trump attacked Rep. Henry Cuellar for seeking re-election as Democrat — On December 7, Trump lashed out on Truth Social at Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, whom he had pardoned the previous week, for announcing he would seek re-election as a Democrat rather than switching parties. Trump called the move "such a lack of LOYALTY" and threatened, "next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!" The attack illustrates Trump's expectation of partisan loyalty in exchange for clemency.

Supporting reports

• Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, former Honduran president convicted of cocaine trafficking — Trump issued a presidential pardon for Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras who was convicted at federal trial of trafficking more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. Trial testimony linked Hernández directly to the Sinaloa Cartel, with statements such as "Stuff the drugs right up the noses of the gringos." Republican senators questioned about the pardon claimed ignorance of the facts and circumstances, despite national security being part of their oversight responsibilities.
• Trump pardoned former president of Honduras convicted of drug trafficking — In a new interview with Politico, Trump stated that he pardoned the former president of Honduras who was convicted in a massive international drug trafficking scheme. When asked how this aligns with his zero-tolerance drug trafficking policy, Trump responded that he does not know the individual and knows very little about him other than that people said it was like an "Obama-Biden type set up where he was set up."

Supporting reports

• Trump signals potential approval of Paramount's hostile bid while warning against Netflix acquisition — On Sunday, the day before Paramount's hostile takeover bid was announced, President Trump stated that Netflix's planned $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery "could be a problem" due to market concentration concerns, while emphasizing he would personally be involved in the regulatory decision. Trump also stated he had not spoken with Kushner about the competing Paramount bid. The timing and Trump's antitrust framing created conditions favorable to Paramount's counter-offer, which is backed by Kushner's firm and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.
• Trump stated he would be involved in DOJ's decision on Netflix-Warner Bros merger — When asked whether Netflix should be allowed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, Trump stated "That's a question. They have a very big market share. I'll be involved in that decision." This public declaration of involvement in an antitrust matter traditionally left to the DOJ broke with precedent of presidents avoiding public statements about merger decisions. White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett later defended the statement, saying it is not rare for presidents to have opinions about "big society changing mergers."

Supporting reports

• Administration announces increased ICE operations in Minnesota — Administration officials announced that there will be an "increase" in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Minnesota, targeting the state's large Somali population following Trump's inflammatory rhetoric about Somali immigrants. The announcement follows the president's repeated attacks on Somali residents and comes amid reports of panic and fear in the community.

Supporting reports

• ICE arrested mostly non-criminal immigrants in Chicago — The Washington Post reported that of the more than 4,000 people arrested by immigration officers in Chicago over the past two months, only roughly 120 had a criminal record. Additionally, of more than 600 people arrested who had their detentions reviewed by a court, ICE identified fewer than 70 as posing a "high public safety risk."

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• Illinois warned rental car companies about ICE license plate switching — NBC News reported that officials in Illinois told national rental car companies that federal immigration agents using their vehicles for enforcement operations are prohibited from switching out the license plate in an effort to disguise the vehicle, and warned that the companies could be held liable if agents do so.

Supporting reports

• Costco sued Trump administration over tariffs — Costco Wholesale sued the Trump administration before the Court of International Trade seeking a "full refund" of all tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, arguing the tariffs are unlawful. The lawsuit challenges the legal basis for the tariff regime.

Supporting reports

• Indiana legislature enacts court-restriction provisions to expedite redistricting litigation — Indiana lawmakers enacted legislation accompanying the redistricting plan that restricts lower state courts from issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) to block the new map and channels all challenges directly to the Indiana Supreme Court on an expedited, priority basis. The provisions eliminate the ability of lower courts to delay implementation and are designed to prevent meaningful judicial review by accelerating the process past the point where courts would typically intervene due to proximity to elections.