Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DOJ claimed ICE no longer required to accommodate congressional oversight visits — Politico reported that Justice Department lawyers said in court that ICE is no longer required to accommodate oversight visits from lawmakers to its facilities, arguing that the requirement was part of government funding laws that expired when the federal government shutdown began in September, and that ICE is now operating with appropriations made in Trump's tax and spending bill, which does not require congressional access to ICE facilities.
• Congress denied entry to ICE holding facilities for oversight inspections — According to a lawsuit filed in Washington DC, members of Congress have been denied entry to ICE field offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Washington for congressionally mandated oversight inspections of holding facilities. ICE claims these are not traditional detention centers and therefore not subject to congressional inspection. Additionally, the government shutdown has been cited by the Trump administration to override oversight rules preventing congressional inspection of holding and detention centers.
• ICE claims shutdown eliminates congressional oversight obligation — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asserted that the government shutdown eliminates its legal obligation to permit congressional oversight visits to its detention facilities. This claim emerged despite ICE receiving an injection of $75 billion into its budget from July's budget reconciliation bill, allowing law enforcement agents to continue receiving paychecks including overtime. The assertion represents a unilateral claim of exemption from congressional oversight authority during the shutdown.
• ICE Claims Shutdown Limits Congressional Oversight — On October 28, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that the government shutdown means it no longer has a legal obligation to allow congressional oversight visits to its detention facilities. This statement raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the agency during the shutdown.

Supporting reports

• Trump fired National Capital Planning Commission board members and installed loyalists — Trump fired board members of the National Capital Planning Commission and replaced them with his own loyalists, giving Republicans control of the little-known body that has outsized influence over the White House complex. The NCPC raised no public objections to his plans to remodel the White House, allowing Trump to proceed with his ballroom construction project by circumventing normal zoning, permitting, and regulatory structures that govern most real-estate projects in the country.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration demolishes White House East Wing without National Capital Planning Commission approval — The Trump administration completed demolition of the historic White House East Wing to make way for a $300 million privately funded ballroom. The demolition reversed Trump's July promise that no existing infrastructure would be torn down. Construction began without approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency with jurisdiction over such projects. The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, designed to accommodate 999 people, is funded by major tech companies, defense contractors, and other corporations seeking government access.
• Trump plans to bulldoze East Wing of the White House for personal use — Trump reportedly plans to bulldoze the East Wing of the White House to construct a personal ballroom, a decision defended by Bessent as a "judgment call" by the president.
• White House demolishes East Wing to construct ballroom — The Trump administration demolished the East Wing of the White House to construct a ballroom. The action was cited as an example of constitutional violations and institutional degradation occurring during the administration's tenure.

Supporting reports

• House Democrats accuse Trump of orchestrating illegal scheme to direct $230m in Treasury funds to himself — Representatives Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia sent a letter to President Trump on Thursday condemning his plan to use a confidential Department of Justice administrative process to direct Treasury funds to himself personally. Trump claimed the government owes him "a lot of money" for past DOJ investigations, including the Mar-a-Lago search and the 2016 Russian interference probe. The arrangement would allow Trump as president to decide whether Trump as claimant receives taxpayer funds, with potential months of delay before public disclosure.

Supporting reports

• Trump appointed White House Staff Secretary to chair National Capital Planning Commission — President Trump appointed Will Scharf, his White House Staff Secretary, to chair the National Capital Planning Commission, the independent federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving major construction and renovation projects on federal property in Washington, D.C. This appointment placed a direct presidential subordinate in a position statutorily designed to provide independent oversight of executive branch projects. At a September meeting, Scharf argued that the Commission's jurisdiction covers only new construction, not demolition, thereby creating a procedural rationale for demolishing the East Wing without Commission review.

Supporting reports

• Trump authorizes Defense Department to redirect research and development funds to pay military personnel — President Trump authorized the Department of Defense to pay US military personnel using funds originally allocated for research and development, circumventing the appropriations process during the government shutdown. Budget experts consulted by the Guardian characterized the move as likely illegal, as it reallocates congressionally approved funds without legislative authorization. This action occurred as hundreds of thousands of federal employees and military personnel faced unpaid status during the shutdown.

Supporting reports

• White House demolition of East Wing began without National Capital Planning Commission approval — Demolition of the White House East Wing commenced on October 20, 2025, without formal submission to or approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal agency statutorily required to review major construction and renovation projects on federal property in Washington, D.C. The East Wing, which housed First Lady offices for 48 years and served as a workspace for policy initiatives by multiple First Ladies, is being demolished to make way for a privately funded ballroom estimated at $250–$300 million. President Trump appointed Will Scharf, his White House Staff Secretary, to chair the Commission; Scharf argued the Commission has jurisdiction only over construction, not demolition, creating a procedural loophole.
• National Nuclear Security Administration furloughs 80% of workforce during government shutdown — The National Nuclear Security Administration announced it will furlough approximately 1,400 employees (80% of its workforce) starting Monday, October 20, 2025, due to exhausted carryover funding during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Only 375 essential staff will remain to handle critical safety operations including nuclear material monitoring, equipment maintenance, and reactor safety. The shutdown has now become the longest complete government-wide funding lapse in U.S. history, surpassing the 16-day 2013 shutdown. Most scientific research, stockpile maintenance, and global security programs will be suspended.
• Trump administration begins demolition of White House East Wing for $250 million ballroom construction — Construction crews began demolishing part of the White House East Wing to make way for a $250 million ballroom project announced by Trump in July. Trump announced on Truth Social that "ground has been broken on the White House" and stated the project would be privately funded with zero cost to taxpayers, though it involves unnamed donors and corporate representatives including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin. The project is expected to be completed by January 2029. Democratic congressman Mark Takano proposed legislation to prohibit federal funds for White House construction during government shutdowns.
• Trump administration begins demolition of White House East Wing without approval — Demolition crews began tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make way for Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction of federal buildings, has not signed off on the destruction. In September, the Trump-appointed head of the commission, Will Scharf, claimed the board has no jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation. As of the time of reporting, the White House had not submitted building plans to the National Capital Planning Commission.
• Trump bulldozes East Wing of the White House on October 20 — On Monday, October 20, President Trump began to bulldoze the East Wing of the White House, the People's House. The demolition of a historic structure symbolized the administration's disregard for institutional continuity and public property.
• Trump ordered physical destruction of White House East Wing to construct ballroom — Trump began demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make room for a ballroom styled after his Mar-a-Lago property. The work commenced on the date reported, representing a significant alteration to the historic structure. No congressional authorization or public process was described in the source material.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens use of Insurrection Act against American cities — On the morning of October 19, 2025, President Trump told Fox News Channel host Maria Bartiromo that he could invoke the Insurrection Act, stating "Don't forget I can use the Insurrection Act. Fifty percent of the presidents almost have used that. And that's unquestioned power. I choose not to, I'd rather do this, but I'm met constantly by fake politicians." He framed the threat in terms of ensuring "safety" in cities, implying military or federal force could be deployed against American civilians and local governments.
• Trump falsely claimed presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act 28 times and threatened to use it to deploy troops to cities — Trump stated he can "always use the Insurrection Act" to send more troops to U.S. cities and falsely claimed that one president invoked it 28 times. In reality, the Insurrection Act has been invoked only 30 times in over 230 years, with President Ulysses S. Grant invoking it six times. Trump specifically threatened to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco and other Democratic-run cities, claiming they are "unsafe" and "disasters."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration seeks Supreme Court override of Illinois National Guard deployment block — The Trump administration's Justice Department filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday requesting permission to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, after lower courts halted the deployment. The administration claimed federal agents faced threats and assaults in Chicago and Broadview. A federal appeals court had upheld the lower court's injunction on Thursday. The administration has already deployed Guard units to multiple Democratic-led cities including Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington DC, framing military intervention as necessary for immigration enforcement and public order.
• Trump administration petitions Supreme Court to override Chicago ruling — Following the Seventh Circuit's affirmation of Judge Perry's block on national guard deployment to Chicago, the Trump administration filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court requesting that the Court pause the lower court rulings and permit national guard deployment to Chicago streets.

Supporting reports

• Trump proclamation imposes 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and parts, 10% on buses, effective November 1, 2025, citing national security under Section 232. — President Trump issued Proclamation 10984 imposing a 25 percent ad valorem duty on imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) and specified MHDV parts, and a 10 percent duty on buses, effective November 1, 2025. The proclamation invokes Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security threats from import penetration (43 percent for Class 4–8 vehicles, 50 percent for Class 8 trucks). The Secretary of Commerce recommended the tariffs to stabilize U.S.-produced market share at approximately 80 percent. The proclamation includes provisions for import adjustment offsets for U.S. manufacturers, USMCA preferential treatment adjustments, and authorizes the Secretary to add additional parts to the tariff scope.
• Trump administration issues proclamation imposing tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle imports under Section 232 — The White House issued a fact sheet on October 17, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed a proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose tariffs on imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, parts, and buses. The proclamation imposes a 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty trucks and truck parts (with USMCA-compliant vehicles subject to tariffs only on non-U.S. content) and a 10% tariff on buses. The administration states the tariffs are justified on national security grounds and include offset programs for domestic manufacturers through 2030.
• Trump issued proclamation imposing 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and parts, 10% on buses — President Trump signed Proclamation 10926 on October 17, 2025, imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) and specified MHDV parts, and a 10 percent tariff on buses, effective November 1, 2025. The proclamation invokes Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security grounds. It establishes an import adjustment offset program for U.S.-assembled vehicles, allows tariff reductions for USMCA-qualifying goods based on U.S. content, and directs the Secretary of Commerce to monitor imports and potentially add additional parts to the tariff scope.

Supporting reports

• Case update — Illinois v. Trump (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12174 — The administration filed an emergency appeal of the district court's order to the Supreme Court of the United States, asking for the order enjoining the deployment to be stayed and requesting an immediate administrative stay (Case No. 25A443 ). Describing the protests in Chicago as “prolonged, coordinated, violent resistance”, the administration argued that the lower court decision “improperly impinges on the president's authority and needlessly endangers federal personnel and property.” The filing contends that only the President can determine whether the conditions for federalizing troops has been met and that the Seventh Circuit had placed itself “in the untenable position of controlling the military chain of command and judicially micromanaging the exercise of the President's Commander-in-Chief powers.” The Supreme Court instructed the State of Illinois and City of Chicago to file their responses by 5pm on Monday, Oct. 20.
• Trump administration appeals to Supreme Court for immediate deployment of National Guard in Chicago — On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court requesting an immediate order to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago. The administration claimed a "pressing risk of violence" in the city and argued that preventing deployment "improperly impinges on the President's authority." Four judges—two appointed by Democrats and two by Republicans—had previously rejected the administration's arguments for military deployment. The DOJ sought a decision on the shadow docket, which would bypass hearings and explanation.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration withheld over $27 billion in funds from Democratic districts during government shutdown — During the government shutdown, Trump told reporters his administration was using the shutdown to withhold funds Congress appropriated from Democratic districts. The New York Times estimated the administration cancelled more than $27.24 billion in funds for Democratic districts and states while cutting only $738.7 million from Republican districts and states. Speaker Johnson said such withholding was lawful and constitutional but did not explain his reasoning. Republican representatives, including Senator Susan Collins (chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee), reported they were not consulted about the cuts.
• Trump claims administration is selectively closing Democratic programs — President Trump told reporters that the administration is deliberately closing government programs it disagrees with, framing the cuts as targeting Democratic priorities. Trump stated: "We're not closing up Republican programs because we think they work. So the Democrats are getting killed, but they're not telling the people about that…. So we are closing up Democrat programs that we think that we disagree with, and they're never going to open again."

Supporting reports

• Trump directs Republican senators to boycott negotiations on government shutdown — President Trump instructed Republican senators to refuse to negotiate with Democrats on ending the government shutdown. Senator Chris Murphy reported that Trump told Republican senators to "boycott negotiating," and they are "following orders," preventing the normal legislative negotiation process that would typically resolve such impasses.

Supporting reports

• Trump confirms authorization of CIA covert action in Venezuela — Trump confirmed on October 15 that he had authorized "covert action" by the CIA in Venezuela as part of the administration's broader military campaign against drug cartels and efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government. The Guardian reported that the CIA has been providing bulk intelligence used in the airstrikes. The authorization occurred without public disclosure of scope, legal basis, or congressional notification at the time of announcement.
• Trump administration authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela including lethal force for regime change — The New York Times reported that the United States authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela, including lethal force, to force regime change. The authorization represented a significant escalation of U.S. intervention in Venezuelan affairs.
• Trump administration escalates covert operations against Venezuelan government — The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, is conducting covert operations against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro authorized by a presidential finding. The administration previously declared Venezuelan drug cartels "nonstate armed groups" whose actions constitute an armed attack on the United States, providing legal cover for military strikes on Venezuelan vessels. Multiple administration officials disclosed the classified directive to the New York Times, suggesting deliberate leaking to justify ongoing operations.
• Trump authorized CIA covert action campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — The New York Times reported that Trump has secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela aimed at driving President Nicolás Maduro from power. Trump acknowledged the authorization and stated the U.S. is considering strikes on Venezuelan territory. The military buildup includes 10,000 U.S. troops in the region, 8 surface warships, and a submarine in the Caribbean.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Motion granted — Illinois v. Trump (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12174 — The Seventh Circuit denied the request for an administrative stay as to the deployment of the federalized National Guard to Chicago. However, the appeals court granted an administrative stay for the part of the lower court order blocking the federalization of the Guard. “Members of the National Guard do not need to return to their home states unless further ordered by a court to do so,” the appellate court said in its brief order.
• Federal appeals court temporarily paused part of lower court order on National Guard federalization in Chicago — A federal appeals court temporarily paused part of a lower judge's order prohibiting the Trump administration from federalizing National Guard troops in Chicago, but left in place a block on their active deployment in the city. The court wrote that troops "do not need to return to their home states unless further ordered by a court to do so," allowing a partial continuation of the federalization process while maintaining restrictions on active deployment.
• A federal appeals court blocked deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. — The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Saturday blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area in response to protests at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. The court upheld a ruling from U.S. District Judge April Perry earlier in the week denying the White House's request to deploy National Guard troops on the streets of Chicago. The Trump administration had vowed to crack down on the protests, but the court found the deployment request lacked legal justification.
• Federal appeals court halts national guard deployment in Illinois while allowing troops to remain — An appeals court ruled Saturday that national guard troops sent by Trump to Illinois may remain in the state under federal control but cannot be deployed, pausing the case pending further arguments. This followed federal judge April Perry's Thursday ruling temporarily blocking the deployment for two weeks, finding no evidence of "danger of rebellion" in Illinois. The decision upholds constitutional protections against military involvement in domestic policing and state sovereignty under the 10th and 14th Amendments.
• Federal court blocks National Guard deployment to Illinois — A federal court ruling this week prevented the Trump administration from deploying federalized National Guard troops to Chicago, despite the administration's push to use military forces for immigration enforcement. The deployment was opposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who argued it violated state sovereignty and was unnecessary.
• Case update — Illinois v. Trump (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12174 — The Seventh Circuit issued a per curiam opinion denying the administration's request to stay a district court order that blocked deployment of the Illinois National Guard under 10 U.S.C. § 12406. The court agreed with the lower court that the President's Oct. 4 federalization order , issued to suppress protests against “Operation Midway Blitz,” lacked statutory justification finding that the demonstrations at an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, did not constitute a “rebellion or danger of rebellion” nor did they show the President was “unable with the regular forces to execute the laws.” The panel rejected the claim of unreviewable presidential discretion and found the administration unlikely to prevail under § 12406 or the Tenth Amendment. While allowing Guard troops to remain temporarily under federal control, the court kept in force the injunction barring their deployment in Illinois pending appeal.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocked National Guard deployment to Portland — The White House justified a proposed National Guard deployment to Portland by characterizing the city as "war-ravaged." The Portland police chief publicly contradicted this characterization, stating "I would not say Portland's war-ravaged." A federal judge blocked the deployment, finding the justification insufficient. The article notes that Portland residents responded by appearing in the city in costume and character, treating the "war zone" designation as unfounded.
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration's National Guard deployment to Illinois — U.S. District Judge April Perry, appointed by President Biden, issued a temporary injunction on October 9 blocking the Trump administration's order to deploy 300 federalized Illinois National Guard members to the state. The judge raised doubts about the administration's justification for the deployment, questioning its explanation in light of local conditions. Illinois and Chicago had jointly sued to stop the deployment. A federal appeals court later upheld Perry's decision on Thursday, October 17, keeping the deployment blocked while legal challenges proceed.

Supporting reports

• Trump ordered a military strike on a Colombian boat — President Donald Trump ordered a military strike on a boat identified as Colombian, which has sparked an international incident. Colombia's president stated that Colombian citizens were on board the vessel. The White House dismissed the accusation as "baseless," but U.S. officials privately believe the boat was likely Colombian.
• Trump announces 100% tariffs on Chinese products effective November 1 — After the stock market closed, President Trump posted on social media announcing 100% tariffs on products from China beginning November 1, 2025. This levy is in addition to existing tariffs. The announcement sent stocks falling further in after-market trading. The tariff authority constitutionally belongs to Congress, not the President.
• Trump announced 100% tariff on Chinese goods — Trump announced a new 100% tariff on all goods from China in addition to previously imposed tariffs, following his earlier Truth Social posts claiming China was becoming "very hostile" and attempting to impose export controls on rare earths and other materials. Trump stated he had not spoken to President Xi and canceled plans to meet him at APEC in South Korea in two weeks. The announcement caused significant stock market decline, with the Dow falling nearly 900 points and the NASDAQ dropping 3.56%.
• Trump threatens massive new tariffs on China — Trump announced threats of massive new tariffs on China, causing the stock market to decline rapidly in response.
• Trump posts social media threats against China regarding rare earth minerals — President Trump posted on social media claiming "[s]ome very strange things are happening in China!" in response to Chinese restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. Rare earth minerals are essential for manufacturing robotics, electric vehicles, and electronics. Trump threatened retaliation against China and suggested canceling an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The post sent stock prices tumbling.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge allows Texas National Guard deployment to Chicago to proceed while Illinois lawsuit pending — U.S. District Judge April Perry declined to immediately block the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Chicago in response to a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul against the Trump administration. The judge allowed the federal government to continue the deployment while it responds to Illinois's suit, setting a midnight Wednesday deadline for the government's reply. Texas Guard members departed Fort Bliss on Monday evening; Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated the administration had not consulted him and called it "Trump's invasion."
• Federal judge declines to block National Guard deployment to Chicago — U.S. District Judge April Perry declined to immediately block Texas National Guard troops from entering Chicago on October 7, 2025, despite a pending lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the city of Chicago seeking to stop the deployment. The judge's refusal to grant an injunction allowed the Trump administration to proceed with mobilizing troops to the city.
• Federal judge holds hearing on legality of Chicago national guard deployment — U.S. District Judge April Perry held a hearing in downtown Chicago on the constitutionality of the national guard deployment after Illinois and Chicago officials filed to declare it illegal. State and city attorneys argued the deployment violates the Constitution and represents a "constitutional crisis," while a Department of Justice lawyer defended it as necessary due to "tragic lawlessness." The hearing drew heavy public turnout requiring an overflow room.
• Judge Ellis restricts federal agents' use of force in northern Illinois — US District Judge Sara Ellis issued a preliminary injunction restricting federal agents' use of force against protesters and journalists in northern Illinois who do not pose a serious threat. The order prohibits pepper balls, rubber bullets, and physical force such as pulling, shoving, or tackling. Ellis also required federal agents to wear visible identification such as badges, addressing concerns about masked plainclothes officers conducting immigration enforcement operations.
• Judge Perry temporarily blocks Trump's national guard deployment in Chicago — US District Judge April Perry issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from federalizing or deploying the national guard in Illinois. The order, effective Thursday and lasting two weeks, came after the state of Illinois sued over Trump's directive to send hundreds of troops to Chicago for immigration enforcement and crime reduction. Perry found no credible evidence of rebellion in Illinois and criticized the Department of Homeland Security's characterization of events as "simply unreliable." The White House stated it would appeal.
• U.S. District Judge April M. Perry blocks federal National Guard deployment in Chicago for two weeks — U.S. District Judge April M. Perry issued a temporary restraining order halting the federal deployment of 200 National Guard troops from Texas and 300 from Illinois in and around Chicago for two weeks. Perry stated: "I have found no credible evidence that there is a danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois." She cited grand jury refusals to indict protesters accused of assaulting law enforcement and questioned the Department of Homeland Security's credibility and assessment of conditions in Chicago.
• Grand juries refuse to indict Chicago protesters accused of assaulting law enforcement — Grand juries in Chicago, including one on Tuesday night, refused to indict protesters accused of assaulting law enforcement. Judge Perry cited these refusals in her decision to block the federal National Guard deployment, stating they cast doubt on the Department of Homeland Security's credibility and assessment of conditions in Chicago. The grand jury refusals suggest local juries do not view the alleged assaults as warranting criminal charges.

Supporting reports

• DOJ Office of Legal Counsel justified lethal strikes on drug boats — CNN reported that the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel's classified memo justifying the Trump administration's lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats argues that the president has the power to designate drug traffickers as enemy combatants and have them summarily killed without legal review. One former associate general counsel at the Defense Department noted that if the opinion is as broad as it seems, "it would mean the DOJ has interpreted the president to have such extraordinary powers that he alone can decide to prosecute a war far broader than what Congress authorized after the attacks on 9/11."

Supporting reports

• Stephen Miller announced alternative federal deployment options — Stephen Miller stated that the administration would abide by the court ruling insofar as it affects the covered parties, but asserted that the president has "many options" to deploy federal resources and U.S. military to Portland. This statement suggested the administration would seek alternative legal pathways to deploy military or federal forces despite the court order.
• Trump officials discussed invoking Insurrection Act — NBC News reported that Trump administration officials have engaged in increasingly serious discussions about the president invoking the Insurrection Act, though a decision to do so wasn't expected to happen imminently.
• Stephen Miller claims president has plenary authority to use military against citizens — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller stated in a CNN interview that the president possesses "plenary authority"—complete, unchecked power—to use the military to suppress what he characterized as an "insurrection." Miller abruptly stopped speaking mid-sentence after making this claim. The statement echoes arguments that exceptions to the rule of law reveal where true power rests in a society, a concept central to Carl Schmitt's political philosophy.
• Trump declared at least eight national emergencies since January 2025 — Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has declared at least eight national emergencies, which it has used to justify the invocation of emergency powers for various policy objectives.
• White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller asserted "plenary" presidential authority under Title 10 — White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller claimed that the president's power under Title 10 to federalize National Guard troops is "plenary," or absolute. This assertion of unlimited executive authority was made in the context of the National Guard deployment to Illinois for ICE enforcement operations.
• White House officials discussed invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops — White House officials, led by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have been having increasingly serious discussions about having Trump invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops to suppress domestic unrest. The Insurrection Act permits the president to deploy troops to suppress insurrection, domestic violence, or unlawful combinations that obstruct the execution of federal law.
• Senate authorized executive deadly-force authority against drug cartels without congressional approval — The U.S. Senate voted 48–51 to permit the president to order deadly force against drug cartels without requiring congressional authorization. Two Republicans (Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski) opposed; one Democrat (John Fetterman) voted in favor. The article notes the authority has already been used in Caribbean boat strikes resulting in at least 21 deaths, and Congress has not been provided evidence that the targeted boats carried narcotics. The vote grants this power to all future presidents regardless of party.

Supporting reports

• Trump said he would consider invoking Insurrection Act — Trump told reporters he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy the military to US cities, saying, "If I had to enact it, I'd do it, if people were being killed and courts were holding us up, or governors or mayors were holding us up."
• Trump threatens Insurrection Act invocation against Portland anti-ICE protesters — Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act against anti-ICE protesters in Portland, signaling willingness to use federal military or emergency powers to suppress domestic dissent against immigration enforcement operations.
• Trump again suggested invoking Insurrection Act — Trump once again suggested he would invoke the Insurrection Act, saying, "It's been invoked before," and adding, "Chicago is a great city where there's a lot of crime, and if the governor can't do the job, we'll do the job." The last time the Insurrection Act was invoked was more than three decades ago, and it hasn't been used against a state's wishes since the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.