Trump Action Archive

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• Trump posted on Truth Social accusing media of "virtual treason" for reporting on Iranian military performance — Trump posted on Truth Social while en route to China: "When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, Militarily, against us, it's virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement. They are aiding and abetting the enemy!" He characterized journalists as "American cowards that are rooting against our Country" and "Losers, Ingrates, and Fools."
• Trump posted AI images of U.S. military destroying Iran and labeled media coverage of Iran as treason — The president posted AI-generated images depicting the U.S. military destroying the Iranian military, then posted that media reports characterizing Iran as doing well militarily against the U.S. constituted "virtual TREASON" because such statements were "aiding and abetting the enemy." He also posted an image of a map with Venezuela overlaid with the U.S. flag captioned "51st State."
• Trump attacked reporter aboard Air Force One — Trump called a reporter "treasonous" for reporting accurately about Iran during the Air Force One press conference, using the accusation as a response to critical questioning.
• Trump accuses New York Times reporter of treason — Trump lashed out at New York Times reporter David Sanger after Sanger pointed out that Trump's military actions have not resulted in political change in Iran. Trump declared that Sanger's reporting was "sort of treasonous," using inflammatory language to attack a journalist for factual criticism. The statement represents an attempt to intimidate the press through accusations of disloyalty.

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• Trump called for Hakeem Jeffries' impeachment and posted about his own impeachments — Trump posted that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was "a Low IQ individual" and called for his impeachment, despite the fact that neither senators nor representatives can be impeached. Trump's post went on to express his own grievances, stating "I got impeached for A PERFECT PHONE CALL. Where are you Republicans? Why not get it started? They'll be doing this to me!"

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• Trump accused Eric Holder of "treasonous" conduct on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump without evidence accused President Barack Obama's former Attorney General Eric Holder, now chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, of committing "treasonous" conduct. The accusation came days after Holder was named to a task force announced by Chuck Schumer to combat threats to democracy and fair elections by Republicans. Trump's baseless invocation of treason language against a political opponent represents an escalation in rhetoric targeting those working to protect voting rights.

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• White House press secretary blamed Democrats and media for White House Correspondents' Dinner security incident — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement blaming Democrats and the media for a security incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 26, 2026, when Secret Service agents apprehended an armed intruder carrying a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives on a floor above the dinner venue. Leavitt characterized opponents of Trump as a "left-wing cult of hatred" and blamed "the entire Democrat party" for the event, despite the incident involving an individual actor and occurring in a secure area separate from attendees.

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• Trump attributes assassination attempt to No Kings protest movement — President Trump, in a CBS News '60 Minutes' interview on Sunday, blamed the "No Kings" protest movement for an assassination attempt against him. Cole Tomas Allen, a California educator, was charged by the Department of Justice on Monday for attempting to assassinate Trump outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. Law enforcement indicated Allen had attended a No Kings protest and left a note expressing anger at the administration. Trump stated: "The reason you have people like that is you have people doing No Kings."
• Trump blamed No Kings protests for assassination attempt — In a CBS News "60 Minutes" interview on Sunday, President Trump attributed the latest assassination attempt against him to No Kings protests. However, according to Popular Information, No Kings rallies have been among the most peaceful protest movements in history, making Trump's attribution factually inaccurate and potentially inflammatory toward a nonviolent movement.

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• Rep. Jamie Raskin questioned on heated Democratic rhetoric; CNN host suggests Democrats bear responsibility for shooting. — Rep. Jamie Raskin appeared on CNN where host Dana Bash asked: "You and your fellow Democrats have used some heated rhetoric against the president. Do you think twice about that when something like that happens?" When Raskin asked what rhetoric she was referring to, Bash responded: "That he's terrible for this country and so on and so forth." The exchange suggested that Democratic criticism of the President bore responsibility for the shooting.
• Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers blamed Democrats for political violence — Multiple Trump administration officials and Republican members of Congress made public statements blaming Democrats and Democratic rhetoric for inspiring political violence and assassination attempts against Trump. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that "the entire Democrat Party has made their pitch to voters across the country that Trump poses an existential threat to democracy" and that "the left-wing cult of hatred against the president... has gotten multiple people hurt and killed." Senator Rick Scott claimed "Democrats want Trump and Republicans murdered all across this country." Representative Scott Perry attributed violence to "rhetoric from the left, the Democrat Party in particular, that calls Trump a threat to democracy."

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• Federal grand jury indicts Southern Poverty Law Center for wire fraud, false statements, and money laundering conspiracy — A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals associated with violent extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Socialist Party of America, while publicly claiming to oppose those groups. The DOJ alleges the organization used fictitious bank accounts to conceal the scheme and made false statements to financial institutions.
• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces 11-count indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center — Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference announcing an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights organization with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to launder money. The charges relate to a now-defunct program in which the SPLC paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing. The indictment was widely viewed as an effort by Blanche to demonstrate to Trump his willingness to use the DOJ against political rivals.
• DOJ pressured prosecutors to indict Southern Poverty Law Center despite case-strength concerns, whistleblower alleges — A Department of Justice lawyer, Aakash Singh, reportedly pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center despite serious concerns about the case's strength, according to a whistleblower account shared with House Democrats. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on April 21, accusing the civil rights organization of wire fraud and money laundering related to an informant program. Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon opened an investigation into the matter, citing Singh's directive to prosecutors to expedite charges. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing.
• Justice Department indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — Trump's Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges, alleging the civil rights organization defrauded donors by secretly paying informants more than $3 million to infiltrate white supremacist and extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. The tactic of using paid informants has been used by the FBI and other federal agencies for decades. Critics characterized the indictment as "nakedly political."
• DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — The Department of Justice, through Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) by an Alabama grand jury. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, alleging the SPLC funneled over $3 million to confidential informants within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023 using fictitious entities, and misrepresented to donors and banks how funds were being used. The SPLC's CEO Bryan Fair disputed the allegations and stated the informant program "saved lives."
• Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges by Trump administration DOJ — The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on federal fraud charges by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, alleging the organization improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing payments to donors. The indictment claims at least $3 million went to informants affiliated with the KKK, Aryan Nations, and other groups between 2014 and 2023. SPLC CEO Bryan Fair stated the payments were necessary to monitor violence threats and that information was shared with the FBI and law enforcement. Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• DOJ indicted Southern Poverty Law Center for fraud — The Department of Justice indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging that SPLC used donor money to pay informants to infiltrate right-wing hate groups, but claiming the purpose was to create false flags to instigate violence and racist demonstrations. The indictment has refueled conspiracy theories that the January 6 insurrection was instigated by infiltrators paid by left-wing groups. Rep. Dan Goldman criticized the indictment as legally baseless, comparing it to prosecuting the FBI for funding drug trafficking through informants.

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• Trump attacked multiple media figures and political allies on Truth Social — President Trump posted a lengthy tirade on Truth Social personally attacking Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Alex Jones, and Marjorie Greene, calling them "stupid," "NUT JOBS," and "LOSERS." He criticized their media presence, questioned their intelligence, and suggested they were disloyal to MAGA. The post came hours after Melania's Epstein statement and Trump's claim he was unaware of it beforehand.
• Trump attacked former allies over Iran war opposition — At 4:28 p.m., President Trump's social media account posted attacks on former allies Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, who do not support Trump's war in Iran. Trump called them "stupid people" and claimed their families and everyone else knows it. He reiterated his false claim of winning in a "LANDSLIDE" and suggested MAGA voters love him, while characterizing those opposing his Iran adventure as "not 'MAGA'" and "losers, just trying to latch on to MAGA."

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• Nine activists convicted on terrorism charges in Texas ICE protest case — Nine activists were convicted in Texas federal court on terrorism and related charges stemming from a March 2025 protest outside an ICE facility near Fort Worth. Eight were convicted of riot, explosives, and material support to terrorists; one (Benjamin Song) was convicted of attempted murder after shooting a police officer; a ninth was convicted for moving zines days after the protest. The Trump administration framed the verdict as vindication of its campaign against "antifa," though legal experts and the trial judge noted the charges had no organizational nexus and the terrorism label was legally irrelevant to the convictions.

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• Sen. Ron Johnson claimed Democrats conspired to get ICE protesters killed for political leverage. — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) alleged on Fox News that Democrats engaged in a conspiracy to cause deaths among ICE protesters for political advantage, claiming they "trained activists to obstruct justice, encouraged them to put themselves in harm's way" to create "martyrs" and justify defunding law enforcement. The statement followed fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal agents in January during immigration enforcement operations.

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• Nine activists convicted on terrorism charges in Texas ICE protest case — Nine activists were convicted in Texas federal court on terrorism and related charges stemming from a March 2025 protest outside an ICE facility near Fort Worth. Eight were convicted of riot, explosives, and material support to terrorists; one (Benjamin Song) was convicted of attempted murder after shooting a police officer; a ninth was convicted for moving zines days after the protest. The Trump administration framed the verdict as vindication of its campaign against "antifa," though legal experts and the trial judge noted the charges had no organizational nexus and the terrorism label was legally irrelevant to the convictions.

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• FBI Director Kash Patel pressed to release decade-old investigative file on Rep. Eric Swalwell. — FBI Director Kash Patel directed agents in the San Francisco office to quickly redact and prepare for public release a decade-old investigative file involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, despite no evidence of wrongdoing by Swalwell. The file concerns Christine Fang (Fang Fang), who courted Swalwell and other California politicians from 2011–2015. When FBI agents conveyed concerns about Fang to Swalwell around 2015, he cut off ties and cooperated with investigators. Swalwell was not accused of wrongdoing in the original investigation, and the Republican-led House Ethics Committee closed a two-year investigation in 2023 with no action. Patel has reassigned multiple agents to work on bringing a criminal case against Swalwell, a vocal Trump critic and leading Democratic candidate for California governor.
• Trump FBI director Kash Patel pushes for release of Eric Swalwell investigative records — FBI Director Kash Patel, under the Trump administration, is reportedly pushing to release records from a decade-old FBI investigation into Eric Swalwell's alleged links to a Chinese agent. Swalwell, a Democratic congressman and California gubernatorial candidate, was found cooperative and not suspected of wrongdoing. The move occurs as Swalwell gains traction in the governor's race. Democrats characterize the effort as weaponized retaliation against a political opponent. Swalwell's attorneys issued a cease-and-desist letter on Monday.

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• Conspiracy charges filed against anti-ICE protesters in multiple jurisdictions — Following the Spokane protest, federal prosecutors filed conspiracy charges against demonstrators in Chicago and investigated Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for the same alleged crime. Journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were also charged with conspiracy to violate religious freedom stemming from coverage of a protest inside a Minnesota church. Both journalists have pleaded not guilty and await trial. Governor Walz condemned the probe as an "authoritarian tactic."

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• Trump endorses FCC chair's threat to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social expressing he was "thrilled" that FCC Chair Brendan Carr was "looking at the licenses" of news organizations reporting unfavorably on the Iran war. Carr had stated on X that broadcasters running "hoaxes and news distortions" should "correct course before their license renewals come up" or "lose their licenses." In a Reuters interview, Carr said license revocations were "on the table" and accelerated reviews were possible. Trump claimed news outlets "knowingly" disseminated false information and should face treason charges, while Defense Secretary Hegseth barred press photographers and singled out CNN.
• Trump posted social media attacks on New York Times and Wall Street Journal — President Trump posted on social media that the New York Times and Wall Street Journal "actually want us to lose the War" and that their "terrible reporting is the exact opposite of the actual facts." Trump called the outlets "Lowlife 'Papers' and Media" and characterized journalists as "truly sick and demented people that have no idea the damage they cause the United States of America," citing his 2024 election victory as proof that Americans understand events better than "Fake News Media."
• Trump posted that media outlets should face treason charges for false reporting — President Trump posted on social media that media outlets generating stories he characterized as "FAKE" "should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information." Trump reiterated support for FCC Chair Brendan Carr's attack on the media and insisted he won the presidential election "IN A LANDSLIDE."

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• Nine anti-ICE protesters convicted on terrorism support charges in Texas — Nine protesters were found guilty of providing material support to terrorists and related charges following a July 4, 2025 demonstration at Prairieland detention center near Fort Worth. Prosecutors alleged the defendants were part of an antifa cell and coordinated an ambush on law enforcement; the defendants maintained they planned a peaceful protest and brought firearms for self-defense. The case marked the first federal prosecution alleging individuals were part of an antifa terrorist cell. Sentencing ranges from 10 to life in prison.

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• Senator Tim Sheehy physically confronts protester at Senate hearing — Senator Tim Sheehy joined Capitol Police officers in ejecting a protester opposed to the Iran War from a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. During the confrontation, Sheehy's arm became stuck behind a door as he threw his weight against it, resulting in an audible crack of Brian McGinnis's arm breaking. McGinnis is a Marine Corps veteran wearing his dress uniform. When a spectator called Sheehy a coward, the senator appeared to respond with profanity. Sheehy later claimed he was attempting to "de-escalate the situation" and blamed McGinnis for "causing…violence."
• Senator Tim Sheehy Involved in Controversial Incident — Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) faced backlash after physically confronting a protester during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, resulting in the protester's arm breaking. Sheehy later claimed he was attempting to de-escalate the situation, but his actions raised questions about his conduct and the treatment of dissent in legislative settings.

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• Kristi Noem refuses to retract "domestic terrorist" claim about unarmed protesters — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before Congress on March 3, 2026, and refused to retract her statements labeling two unarmed protesters killed by ICE and CBP officers as "domestic terrorists." Senator Dick Durbin challenged her to withdraw the claim, noting that ICE and CBP officials had testified they did not provide information supporting the terrorism allegation. Noem cited "reports from the ground" but offered no evidence.
• Kristi Noem refuses to retract false statements calling killed Minnesotans "domestic terrorists" at Senate oversight hearing — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3 and refused to retract her characterization of two U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis as "domestic terrorists." Senator Dick Durbin pressed Noem to acknowledge the false accusation against Renee Good and Alex Pretti, but she deflected, citing "chaotic" reports from agents at the scene. The hearing also addressed concerns about arrest quotas, a $220 million advertising contract awarded to a firm run by Noem's former spokesperson, and inspector general complaints of obstruction.

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• Rep. Al Green removed from House chamber for holding protest sign during SOTU — Rep. Al Green of Texas stood and held up a sign reading "Black People Aren't Apes" during the State of the Union address and was escorted out by the Sergeant at Arms. Multiple Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Markwayne Mullin, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Rep. Troy Nehls, physically attempted to grab and pull the sign from Green's hands. The sign was a direct response to a video Trump had shared on social media earlier in February depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. This was the second consecutive year Green had been removed during a Trump address to Congress.
• Rep. Al Green ejected from State of the Union for protest sign — During Trump's State of the Union address on February 24, Democratic Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber for holding a sign reading "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES" in protest of Trump's remarks. The ejection occurred as Trump made false claims about election fraud and border security.
• Al Green ejected from State of the Union for holding protest sign — During President Trump's State of the Union address on February 25, 2026, Texas Democratic Congressman Al Green was removed from the House chamber by Speaker Mike Johnson after holding a sign reading "Black people aren't apes!" — a reference to Trump sharing racist video depictions of Barack and Michelle Obama. Green was escorted out as Republican representatives attempted to block the sign from cameras. This marked the second consecutive year Green has been ejected from the annual event.
• Representative Al Green escorted out of State of the Union for protest sign — Representative Al Green (D-TX) was escorted out of the State of the Union address after holding up a sign reading "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES" in reference to Trump's posting of an image depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The removal occurred during the address.
• Representative Al Green physically removed from State of the Union after displaying sign — During the State of the Union, Rep. Al Green displayed a sign responding to a video the President had shared depicting the Obamas as primates. Multiple lawmakers attempted to seize the sign from his hands, and Green was physically removed from the chamber. The sign conveyed a message affirming basic human dignity and stating that Black people are not apes.
• Representative Al Green escorted out during State of the Union — Representative Al Green was escorted out of the State of the Union address after holding up a sign that read "BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES," referencing President Trump's past derogatory comments about the Obamas. This incident highlighted tensions and protests against Trump's rhetoric during the event.

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• Judge considers temporary restraining order on federal agents' use of force at Portland ICE protests — A federal judge is weighing whether to issue a temporary restraining order restricting federal officers' ability to use force during protests in Portland, Oregon, following weekend demonstrations at an ICE facility. Federal agents deployed teargas, pepper balls, and flash-bang grenades on crowds that included children and elderly people. The ACLU of Oregon filed a class-action lawsuit in November alleging sustained retaliatory violence by federal officers. A judge indicated a ruling would come on Tuesday.
• Federal judge temporarily restricts ICE use of teargas and projectiles against Portland protesters — U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting ICE officers from using chemical or projectile munitions against protesters outside the ICE building in Portland, Oregon, unless the targeted person poses an imminent threat of physical harm. The ruling followed a weekend protest on January 31 in which federal agents fired teargas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets at a crowd including children, which local officials described as peaceful. The order also restricts munitions targeting the head, neck, or torso unless deadly force is legally justified. The restraining order remains in effect for 14 days.

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• Federal agents shot Alex Pretti repeatedly and government labeled him terrorist without evidence — Federal agents shot Alex Pretti repeatedly. The government subsequently labeled him a terrorist without providing evidence to support the designation. The killing and labeling prompted growing outrage over state violence and abuse of power, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noting the incident was galvanizing Americans across party lines.
• Two federal agents identified in fatal shooting of Alex Pretti — Government documents identified Jesus Ochoa (border patrol agent) and Raymundo Gutierrez (CBP officer) as the federal agents who fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during a confrontation in Minneapolis on an unspecified date in late January 2026. The shooting occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative. CBP initially withheld the agents' names; the Department of Homeland Security placed both on leave. The Justice Department's civil rights division opened an investigation following days of protests and congressional pressure.

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• Three women arrested in Los Angeles for livestreaming ICE agent pursuit and posting address — Federal law enforcement arrested three women in Los Angeles for allegedly livestreaming their pursuit of an ICE agent to his home and posting his address online. The women were charged with publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent under a statute requiring prosecutors to prove intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite violence. The women have pleaded not guilty and are expected to argue they were simply identifying a taxpayer-funded state employee.

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• White House backtracks characterizations of Alex Pretti shooting after video evidence emerges — White House officials initially characterized Alex Pretti, fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota, as a "domestic terrorist" and gunman. After video footage showed Pretti was shot in the back roughly 10 times while disarmed and on the ground, the administration rapidly distanced itself from those claims. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the administration would not comment pending investigations, while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche backpedaled on Fox News. Trump announced a call with Governor Walz agreeing to allow state investigation and reduce federal agents in Minnesota, and said he would replace the Border Patrol official in charge.
• White House press secretary declines to endorse Stephen Miller's characterization of Alex Pretti as "would-be assassin" — Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, addressed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal ICE agents in Minneapolis. Rather than engaging in victim-blaming rhetoric typical of the Trump administration, Leavitt called Pretti's death a "tragedy," said the president wanted the investigation to proceed, and notably refused to endorse Stephen Miller's characterization of Pretti as a "would-be assassin." She also indicated potential withdrawal of border patrol agents from Minnesota following a "constructive" conversation between Trump and Governor Tim Walz.
• Trump administration walks back characterization of Alex Pretti as assassin — Following intense backlash over the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents, the Trump administration reversed its initial narrative. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller had called Pretti "an assassin," but Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Pretti was not acting like an assassin, acknowledging it was "a very unfortunate incident." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Pretti's death a "tragedy" and walked back Miller's earlier "would-be assassin" characterization.

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• FBI Director Kash Patel launches investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters — FBI Director Kash Patel announced on January 26 that he launched an investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters in Minnesota to share information about federal immigration agents, including their locations and license plate numbers. The move targets legally obtained information and the act of recording law enforcement officials, both protected by the First Amendment.
• Justice Department appeals to Eighth Circuit after judge declines to issue arrest warrants for CNN anchor and protesters — Federal prosecutors sought Chief Judge Schiltz's assistance in arresting former CNN anchor Don Lemon and others linked to an anti-ICE church protest. After Schiltz declined to overturn a magistrate's denial of arrest warrants, the Justice Department appealed directly to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The circuit court rejected the government's request, prompting Schiltz to write letters criticizing the Justice Department's approach and highlighting the flood of "illegal" detention cases overwhelming Minnesota courts.
• FBI director announced investigation of Signal chats of Minneapolis observers — FBI Director Kash Patel told a right-wing podcaster that the FBI will investigate Signal chats of those organized in Minneapolis to observe and record federal agents, to determine if they endangered federal agents. Podcaster Benny Johnson suggested the chats were "coordinated infrastructure" and asked the FBI to "take a crack at trying to get rid of this infrastructure the way they approach the mob or cartels or other terrorist networks."
• TikTok suppresses anti-ICE videos following Oracle acquisition — Following TikTok's acquisition by an Oracle-led consortium in late January 2026, users reported inability to upload videos critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Law professor Stephen Vladeck reported his anti-ICE video remained "under review" for nine hours; comedian Megan Stalter and California State Sen. Scott Wiener also reported suppression. TikTok attributed the issue to a data center outage, but the timing coincided with Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's known Trump loyalty, raising concerns about state influence over the platform's content moderation.
• Federal agents arrested journalist Don Lemon on FACE Act and civil rights conspiracy charges — More than two dozen federal agents arrested independent journalist Don Lemon late on January 29, charging him with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and conspiring to hurt the exercise of rights—a Reconstruction-era law originally used against the Ku Klux Klan. Lemon had filmed protesters disrupting a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18 at a white nationalist church with ties to the Trump administration. A magistrate judge and federal judge had both refused to issue warrants; the administration then sought indictment via federal grand jury. Lemon stated he would plead not guilty and continue his journalism.
• Federal agents arrest Don Lemon and three journalists — On January 29, federal agents arrested Don Lemon and three other journalists in relation to their coverage of an anti-ICE protest inside a St. Paul, Minnesota church. Lemon has been charged with conspiring to deprive others of their civil rights and violating the FACE Act by allegedly obstructing access to a house of worship. The arrests come one week after a federal magistrate judge rejected the Justice Department's initial request to bring charges. Lemon's lawyer Abbe Lowell called the move an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment" and a "transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration."
• Federal magistrate and district judge refused to issue arrest warrants for Don Lemon — A federal magistrate judge refused to issue a warrant for Don Lemon and his producer, stating prosecutors had not shown evidence justifying arrest. When the administration asked a federal judge to overturn that decision, the judge also refused, calling the request "unprecedented." The administration then escalated the case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which also refused to intervene.
• DOJ charges Don Lemon and three others with civil rights crimes related to Minnesota church protest — The Department of Justice charged former CNN anchor Don Lemon and three others with federal civil rights crimes, alleging they interfered with religious freedom at a church in Minnesota earlier in January. Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday while covering the Grammy Awards and released Friday. The charges also invoked the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. A federal magistrate judge had previously declined to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon, but the DOJ proceeded with charges anyway. The White House celebrated the arrest on social media.
• Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest — Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon, 59, was arrested on charges related to a Minnesota church protest. Lemon, who was terminated by CNN in 2023 following allegations of problematic behavior toward female colleagues and controversial on-air remarks, has since worked as an independent journalist on YouTube. The arrest marks a significant development in his career trajectory following his departure from mainstream media.
• Federal agents arrest journalist Georgia Fort for covering ICE protest at Minnesota church — Georgia Fort, an independent Minnesota journalist, was arrested at her home on January 30 after covering a January 18 protest at St. Paul's Cities church, where a pastor reportedly works for ICE. Fort was charged alongside Don Lemon under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) and conspiracy statutes—charges experts call unprecedented against journalists. The DOJ pursued the case aggressively after a federal judge and appeals court initially refused to charge the journalists; a grand jury eventually secured an indictment. Fort livestreamed her arrest and has since been unable to cover related stories due to legal and safety concerns.
• Federal agents conduct search of Fort's home and question her children — When federal agents arrested Georgia Fort at her home on January 30, approximately two dozen agents remained outside for hours after her arrest. As Fort's family attempted to leave, agents stopped them in the driveway and questioned her children about whether they possessed her laptop or cellphone. Fort's daughters, aged 17, 8, and 7, were terrified by the encounter. The youngest daughter now discusses ICE daily; the oldest has experienced nightmares. Fort stated agents could have waited until children left for school and questioned why so many agents were needed to arrest a journalist.
• Journalist Don Lemon arrested by Trump administration after covering anti-ICE protest — Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested on January 30, 2026, by federal agents at a Los Angeles hotel while covering the Grammy Awards. The Trump administration obtained a federal grand jury indictment against Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with worshippers' constitutional rights during an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church on January 18. A federal magistrate judge had previously refused to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon. On February 8, Lemon spoke publicly about the arrest, characterizing it as an attack on press freedom and warning that democracy becomes "hollow" when the First Amendment is threatened.
• Federal agents arrested journalist Georgia Fort and two protest participants — Federal agents arrested independent journalist Georgia Fort of Minnesota, along with two protest participants, Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the January 18 church protest in St. Paul. All four people arrested in the past 24 hours are Black.
• Don Lemon arrested on federal civil rights charges — Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities and charged with federal civil rights crimes in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church service earlier in January. The Department of Homeland Security stated Lemon was charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers. His attorney Abbe Lowell stated Lemon's "constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done" and characterized the arrest as "an unprecedented attack on the first amendment." Career DOJ prosecutors in Minnesota and Louisiana refused to be involved in charging Lemon and other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests, believing the evidence does not support the charges.

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• Border Patrol commander claimed federal agents were victims of shooting — U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino appeared on CNN's State of the Union and claimed that the true victims of the previous day's shooting were the federal agents involved, not Alex Pretti. Bovino confirmed that the agents who killed Pretti remain on duty, though reassigned elsewhere.
• FBI director claimed Pretti's weapon proved intent to cause trouble — FBI director Kash Patel appeared on Fox News Channel and claimed that the fact Alex Pretti was carrying a weapon proved he was planning trouble, despite Pretti having a legal permit and carrying the weapon as part of his participation in a community-led first-responder network.
• Border Patrol official claims recording police is violence — Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino was pressed on Sunday morning television about claims that Alex Pretti intended to "massacre law enforcement." When asked directly what evidence supported the accusation, Bovino praised law enforcement for preventing something that video evidence does not show was ever going to happen, and characterized Border Patrol agents as "the victims," implying that recording police constitutes violence justifying lethal response.
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on NBC and characterized Pretti's presence at the scene as "not a peaceful protest" and questioned whether he was disarmed. — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on NBC and stated that Pretti "was not protesting peacefully" because "He was screaming in the face of ICE. He had a phone up right in ICE's face." When asked if video shows an officer removing a gun before shots were fired, Blanche stated "I do not know and nobody else knows either, which is why we're doing an investigation." When pressed on whether Pretti brandished a gun, Blanche deflected: "We don't know what ICE saw." Blanche also reframed the issue, stating "Every American should be bothered. But they should be bothered that ICE is going to arrest a criminal and they have zero support from local law enforcement."
• FBI Director Kash Patel stated on Fox News that people "do not get to attack law enforcement officials in this country without any repercussions" and declined to address whether Pretti brandished a weapon. — FBI Director Kash Patel appeared on Maria Bartiromo's Fox News show and stated "You do not get to attack law enforcement officials in this country without any repercussions. We not messing around." When Bartiromo asked how Pretti was threatening Border Patrol or using a gun to threaten, Patel deferred to DHS, saying "That's something I'll let DHS because they are investigating that case." When asked if Pretti brandished a gun, Patel responded "We don't know what ICE saw," avoiding a direct answer despite video evidence showing Pretti holding a phone.
• FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Governor Walz's rhetoric encouraging people to film ICE agents "is exactly what's leading to violence" and should be "examined thoroughly." — FBI Director Kash Patel was asked to respond to a video of Governor Tim Walz telling people to film ICE agents. Patel stated "I think that type of rhetoric is exactly what's leading to violence - it should be examined thoroughly as to anyone who's involved in inciting this type of violence."
• Pete Hegseth posted support for ICE agents and criticism of Minnesota leadership. — Pete Hegseth posted "Thank God for the patriots of ICE - we have your back 100%. You are SAVING the country. Shame on the leadership of Minnesota - and the lunatics in the street. ICE > MN."
• President Trump posted a statement mischaracterizing Pretti's actions and calling for local police to be removed from ICE operations. — President Trump posted on social media hours after the shooting, stating Pretti had a "loaded" gun "with two additional full magazines" and asking "Where are the local Police? Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE Officers?" Trump claimed the Mayor and Governor "called them off" and asserted that "many of these Police were not allowed to do their job." He concluded by urging "LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!" The post echoed false DHS characterizations and contradicted video evidence showing Pretti holding a phone, not a gun.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Pretti "brought a semiautomatic weapon to what was supposed to be a peaceful protest" despite no evidence of brandishing. — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on ABC and stated "I'm sorry he is dead, but he did bring a semiautomatic weapon to what was supposed to be a peaceful protest." When the host noted there is no evidence Pretti brandished the gun, Bessent responded "But he brought a gun!" The host countered "We do have a second amendment in this country," highlighting the constitutional right to carry a lawfully permitted firearm.
• Vice President JD Vance posted that the ICE situation in Minneapolis is the result of "far left agitators, working with local authorities" and blamed local leadership for refusing to cooperate with ICE. — Vice President JD Vance posted on social media that "This level of engineered chaos is unique to Minneapolis. It is the direct consequence of far left agitators, working with local authorities." He also stated "When I visited Minnesota, what the ICE agents wanted more than anything was to work with local law enforcement so that situations on the ground didn't get out of hand. The local leadership in MN has so far refused to answer those requests." Vance retweeted a post from Stephen Miller characterizing Pretti as "An assassin tried to murder federal agents."
• Kash Patel declares firearms prohibited at protests — White House official Kash Patel declared on a Sunday morning show that individuals cannot bring loaded firearms with multiple magazines to any protest, effectively redefining the scope of First and Second Amendment protections. He simultaneously claimed the administration protects First Amendment speech while redefining peaceful protest to exclude those who record law enforcement or stand near demonstrations.
• Rep. Scalise redefines lawful firearm possession as crime at protests — Republican Rep. Steve Scalise appeared on a Sunday morning show and attempted to reconcile support for concealed carry with a claim that no one may carry a firearm while committing another crime. He implied that Alex Pretti, who was lawfully armed and filming law enforcement at a protest, had committed a crime, despite video evidence showing no criminal conduct and Minnesota authorities confirming lawful carry.
• Republican Senator Mike Lee called for the National Guard to be sent to Minneapolis. — Republican Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) posted "Send in the National Guard" in response to the Pretti shooting and the broader ICE operations in Minneapolis.
• Secretary Noem misrepresents Minnesota law on concealed carry at protests — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared on a Sunday morning show and misstated Minnesota concealed carry law, implying that permit holders should leave firearms behind if they intend to protest. When confronted with evidence that Alex Pretti was legally permitted to carry, she defaulted to claims about impeding law enforcement operations and consequences, without addressing the lawfulness of his conduct.
• Treasury Secretary Bessent defends use of lethal force against armed protester — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on a Sunday morning television show and defended the killing of Alex Pretti, a legally armed protester in Minneapolis, by stating that Pretti's lawful possession of a loaded nine-millimeter semi-automatic weapon with two cartridges at a protest justified the use of force. Bessent characterized protesters as "paid agitators" and blamed state leaders while ignoring that lawful concealed carry is constitutionally protected.

Supporting reports

• Trump accuses local leaders of inciting insurrection — President Trump posted on Truth Social accusing Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz of "inciting insurrection" for their calls to end the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis. Trump stated federal agents were present to make the city safer, contradicting local leaders' assertion that agents were instilling fear and behaving violently.
• Trump administration disputes Pretti shooting narrative — Trump administration officials, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, disputed the video evidence and witness accounts of Alex Pretti's fatal shooting. Bovino claimed Pretti was armed and interfered with a lawful arrest, contradicting video analysis showing agents removed Pretti's gun before shooting. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti brandished a gun, which no video evidence supports. Trump accused Governor Walz and Mayor Frey of "inciting Insurrection."
• Trump blamed Democrats for federal enforcement chaos — Trump's social media account posted a statement that repeated Trump's false claim that he had won the 2024 election in a historic landslide (in reality, he won less than 50% of the vote) and blamed Democrats for the chaos caused by ICE and CBP agents in Democratic-led cities. The account demanded that every Democratic mayor and governor cooperate with the administration to "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"