Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DHS launched "Operation Puppet Master" to surveil leftwing groups and anti-ICE protesters — The Department of Homeland Security conducted extensive surveillance of progressive organizations and anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis and New York City in early 2026. Internal DHS reports, disclosed in a criminal case against 15 Minneapolis protesters, reveal the agency sent undercover agents to community meetings, infiltrated encrypted Signal chats, obtained financial records of unions and nonprofits including AFL-CIO and SEIU, and made audio recordings of activist gatherings. The operation, titled "Operation Puppet Master," targeted groups opposing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Supporting reports

• Federal immigration agents fatally shoot US citizens in Minneapolis — Federal immigration agents fatally shot two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti (both 37), in separate incidents on the streets of Minneapolis in January. These shootings prompted Senate Democrats to refuse DHS funding without immigration enforcement reforms, triggering the current budget standoff and shutdown.
• ICE agents kill Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good during enforcement operations in Minneapolis — Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents killed two people—Alex Pretti, 37, and Renee Nicole Good—while conducting deportation operations in Minneapolis in January 2026. Pretti was fatally shot while filming ICE agents. The killings sparked widespread outrage, prompted the removal of border patrol agent Gregory Bovino from his post, and triggered a Department of Justice civil rights investigation into Pretti's death. Despite these developments, deportations and detentions have continued in suburbs and rural areas.
• Immigration officers kill two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis ICE raids — In January 2026, during intensified immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, federal immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens: 37-year-old Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. Both victims had been protesting ICE raids. DHS Secretary Noem defended the officers and accused the two killed Americans of "domestic terrorism," remarks that drew immediate bipartisan backlash. Independent analyses and state officials stated the footage did not support Noem's characterization.

Supporting reports

• Former JAGs declare alleged orders constitute war crimes — The Former JAGs Working Group, composed of former military judge advocate generals, issued a statement unanimously declaring that the giving and execution of the alleged orders to kill survivors "constitute war crimes, murder, or both" and called for prosecution of anyone who issues or follows such orders. The group noted that the military's legal guardrails, which Hegseth had systematically dismantled after purging JAGs from the Army and Air Force in February 2025, would have prevented these alleged crimes had they remained in place.
• Hegseth defended strikes as legal and justified on social media — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted on X that the strikes are "specifically intended to be 'lethal, kinetic strikes'" designed to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill narco-terrorists. He stated "We have only just begun to kill narco-terrorists" but did not directly deny the allegation that he ordered killing of crew members in the water.
• Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered killing of crew members on suspected drug-smuggling vessel — The Washington Post reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave a spoken order to kill all crew members aboard a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea. The report triggered bipartisan congressional scrutiny, with Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Roger Wicker and Jack Reed and House Armed Services Committee leaders Mike Rogers and Adam Smith announcing investigations into the alleged strikes.
• White House claimed September 2 boat strike was lawful self-defense — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration believes the September 2 strike on a boat off Venezuela was lawful because it "was conducted in self defense to protect Americans and vital United States interests." This justification would permit the president or those acting in his name to be judge, jury, and executioner without regard to law. Leavitt attributed the orders to Admiral Bradley rather than Defense Secretary Hegseth.
• Senator Angus King stated boat strike would be war crime if facts alleged are true — Senator Angus King, a lawyer who sits on both the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN that if the facts alleged about the September 2 boat strike are accurate—specifically that there was a second strike to kill survivors in the water—"that's a stone cold war crime. It's also murder." King stated that Congress would investigate who gave which orders and when.
• Senator Angus King stated September 2 strike was war crime if facts alleged — Senator Angus King (I-ME), a lawyer on the Senate Intelligence Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN that if the facts alleged are true—that a second strike was specifically conducted to kill survivors in the water—"that's a stone cold war crime. It's also murder." King stated the law is clear and Congress will investigate who gave which orders and when.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth posted mocking AI image about boat strike — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted an AI-generated fake cover of a children's book featuring Franklin the Turtle in military gear firing a rocket launcher at a burning boat with survivors, titled "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists" with the caption "For your Christmas wish list…" The post appeared to mock concerns about a September 2 strike on survivors of a boat attack off Venezuela that has been characterized as a potential war crime.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth posted support for Admiral Bradley — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted that "Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made—on the September 2 mission and all others since." The post appeared to shift responsibility for the September 2 boat strike to the admiral while maintaining public support, a tactic commentators characterized as "underbussing."
• U.S. military strike on Venezuelan fishing boat alleged as war crime — A U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan fishing boat is characterized as potentially constituting a war crime. Reports indicate a second strike may have been ordered after survivors were observed clinging to life. MAGA Congressman Carlos Gimenez dismissed calls for investigation, insisting that Pete Hegseth and Trump's denial of wrongdoing should be accepted without further inquiry.
• White House Press Secretary contradicts Trump on deadly second strike in military operation — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a press conference addressing a controversial second military strike that killed survivors of an initial boat strike. Leavitt admitted the second strike occurred but claimed neither Trump nor Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered it, attributing the decision to Admiral Bradley. She characterized the strike as lawful self-defense. Trump had denied knowledge of the incident the previous night on Air Force One. The contradiction raised questions about command responsibility and adherence to international law and the Geneva Convention.
• Hegseth ordered lethal September 2 Caribbean boat strike — The New York Times reported that five US officials confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the lethal September 2 attack on a vessel in the Caribbean, though officials also claimed that Special Operations commander Admiral Frank Bradley directed the initial missile strike, followed by additional strikes that killed survivors and sank the boat. The narrative matched White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's briefing statement.
• Pentagon and Congressional officials expressed concern about scapegoating of Admiral Mitch Bradley. — Officials in Congress and the Pentagon stated they are increasingly concerned that the Trump administration intends to scapegoat Admiral Mitch Bradley, the military officer who directed U.S. forces to kill two survivors of a targeted strike on suspected drug smugglers in Latin America. Lawmakers made initial moves to investigate whether the attack constituted a war crime. Pentagon officials described feeling angry at uncertainty over whether Hegseth would take responsibility for his alleged role or leave military and civilian staff to face consequences.
• Rep. Carlos Gimenez changed position on legality of killing survivors. — After initially stating that the story about a second strike killing survivors must be fake news because Hegseth would never do such a thing, Rep. Carlos Gimenez appeared on CNN and changed his position. When asked "If there were survivors clinging for their lives on that boat, was it legal to go ahead and kill them?" Gimenez responded "If the mission was just to have a second strike to kill the survivors, that's questionable."
• Sen. Markwayne Mullin defended the second strike as necessary. — Senator Markwayne Mullin appeared on Fox News and stated "If there was a second strike, it wouldn't be to just simply take out the survivors. It's because there was still a threat or opportunity for them to run." This represents a Republican senator's defense of the lethal strike on survivors.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined to evaluate Hegseth's leadership. — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, when asked about Hegseth's leadership at the Department of Defense, stated "I don't have, at this point, I guess, an evaluation of the secretary. Others can make those evaluations." This represents a refusal to comment on the Defense Secretary's fitness for office during an ongoing investigation into potential war crimes.
• Inspector General report finds Hegseth sent classified information over Signal — Acting Inspector General Steven A. Stebbins released a report on December 2 concluding that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent sensitive, nonpublic, operational information over the non-secure messaging app Signal on his personal cell phone, violating Department of Defense policy. The report detailed that U.S. Central Command sent Hegseth seven emails classified as SECRET/NOFORN before and during strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen on March 14 and 15. Hegseth transmitted information including details about targets, weapons packages, aircraft, and strike times to people on a Signal chat. The report noted that if the information had fallen into adversaries' hands, Houthi forces might have been able to counter U.S. forces or reposition to avoid strikes, creating a risk to operational security and potential harm to U.S. pilots.
• Coast Guard records revealed that 21% of boats interdicted prior to new Trump policy contained no drugs. — Senator Rand Paul requested records from the Coast Guard on boat interdictions for the 12-month period before the Trump/Hegseth policy of striking suspected drug-smuggling vessels went into effect. The Coast Guard responded with data showing that of 212 total vessels interdicted in the year prior to the new policy who were suspected of trafficking drugs, only 55 actually had drugs on board. Additionally, 21% of boats stopped off the coast of Venezuela possessed no drugs at all, indicating a significant false-positive rate in targeting decisions.
• Trump administration lawyers warned of criminal behavior in boat strike — Zeteo reported that Trump administration lawyers have been warning senior colleagues that if the Washington Post's reporting on the second strike is true, it would be blatantly illegal, with one administration official saying, "There's defending the homeland, and then there's criminal behavior."
• CNN National Security Correspondent Barbara Starr responded to Pete Hegseth's criticism of the press. — CNN National Security Correspondent Barbara Starr responded to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement that reporters "sit in your air conditioned offices" and plant "fake stories." Starr stated "How dare you sir. Close to every member of the press corps you despise has made multiple reporting trips to combat zones, been under fire, some reporters wounded, some killed. Some today still with PTS. Mr. Hegseth should we indeed finally accept it's just not possible for you to show any basic respect?" This represents a direct rebuke of the Defense Secretary's attack on the press.
• George Will published opinion piece titled "A Sickening Moral Slum of an Administration." — Conservative columnist George Will published an opinion piece in the Washington Post with the title "A Sickening Moral Slum of an Administration." In the piece, Will wrote "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to be a war criminal. Without a war. An interesting achievement." This represents significant criticism from a prominent conservative voice.
• Pete Hegseth posted unauthorized mock children's book cover depicting Franklin the Turtle as a military combatant. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media a mock cover of the children's book series "Franklin the Turtle" titled "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists," showing the character dressed in military gear, standing in a helicopter, and firing a weapon at boats. Hegseth captioned the image "For your Christmas wish list." The publisher, Kids Can Press, issued a statement condemning the unauthorized use, stating that Franklin the Turtle "stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity" and that the depiction "directly contradicts these values."
• White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Hegseth had authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct the strikes. — White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made scripted remarks at a news briefing acknowledging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had authorized Admiral Mitch Bradley to conduct the strikes. She stated that Bradley "worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed." The remarks triggered backlash within the Department of Defense, with officials expressing anger at the uncertainty over whether Hegseth would take responsibility for his role or leave military and civilian staff to face consequences.
• White House Press Secretary defended legality of second strike without substantiation — On Monday following the Washington Post report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the second strike during the September 2 operation, stating that everything was within the military's legal authority. Leavitt provided no details, evidence, or legal reasoning to substantiate the claim that killing survivors clinging to wreckage complies with law.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied knowledge of a second military strike that killed survivors of a targeted operation. — During the Cabinet meeting, Hegseth stated that he did not know about a second strike that killed survivors in the water following an initial strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat. He claimed he relied on military commanders for information and had not been involved in the second strike, while simultaneously defending the decision as correct and stating "we have his back" regarding the commander who authorized it. He also attacked the press, claiming reporters sit in "air conditioned offices" and plant "fake stories."
• Pete Hegseth posted statement of support for Admiral Mitch Bradley regarding combat decisions in the September 2 strike. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X that Admiral Mitch Bradley is "an American hero, a true professional" and stated "I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made - on the Sept 2 mission and all others since." The post came amid reporting that Pentagon officials and Congress were investigating whether the strike that killed survivors constituted a war crime and that military officials believed Hegseth was attempting to scapegoat Bradley.
• Hegseth distanced himself from second boat strike — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued to distance himself from the second strike carried out on a boat in the Caribbean to kill two survivors in September, saying he watched the first strike he authorized live but "a couple of hours passed" before he was informed of the follow-up strike. Hegseth claimed he "did not personally see survivors" because the vessel was "on fire and was exploded," and attributed the action to "the fog of war."
• Classified Inspector General report shows Pete Hegseth shared sensitive war plans over Signal app — A classified Inspector General report set for public release on Thursday documents that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked endangering troops' lives by sharing sensitive war plans over the Signal messaging app, a security breach that violated protocols for handling classified information.
• Hegseth claims declassification authority and denies wrongdoing — On Wednesday, December 3, the day after the inspector general report was released, Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed he had declassified the information he shared and therefore had not acted inappropriately. He stated on social media that the report had cleared him, writing "No classified information. Total exoneration." Hegseth asserted that he determined the material he shared did not need to be classified because "there were no details that would endanger our troops or the mission." However, the inspector general's report acknowledged that while Hegseth had the authority to declassify information, his actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed mission objectives and harm to U.S. pilots.
• Secretary Hegseth claimed total exoneration in IG report response — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded to the Pentagon Inspector General's report by claiming "total exoneration" and stating "case closed," asserting that no classified information was shared. His spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed the claim of total exoneration. However, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) contradicted this characterization on CNN, stating that "no one can rationalize that as an exoneration."
• Congressional briefing on boat strike held in closed session — On December 4, Admiral Frank Bradley and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine appeared before House and Senate armed services and intelligence committees in a closed briefing to discuss the September 2 boat strike. Bradley denied receiving a "kill them all" order from Defense Secretary Hegseth, though lawmakers disagreed sharply on what the video showed. Democratic lawmakers expressed deep concern about potential war crimes; Republican lawmakers defended the strikes as justified.
• Representative Himes characterized boat strike video as deeply troubling — Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, described a video of the U.S. strike against two survivors of the September 2 boat strike as "one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service." Himes stated the video showed "two individuals in clear distress without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel,... killed by the United States."
• Admiral Bradley briefed Congress on September 2 boat strike — Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the September 2 missile strike on a boat that killed 11 people, met with lawmakers on Thursday to discuss the operation. He is expected to tell them that he considered the survivors viable targets rather than shipwrecked, defenseless mariners. Bradley is expected to testify that U.S. personnel observing the operation believed the survivors possessed communications equipment and may have been capable of calling other drug smugglers for help recovering cargo, though it is unclear if they made contact with anyone.
• Rep. Adam Smith questioned legality of strikes on survivors — Representative Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, characterized the decision to strike two survivors on an incapacitated vessel as "highly questionable." Smith stated that the military's assumption that the survivors were still "in the fight" was based on an "unbelievably broad definition" of what constitutes active combat, given that the vessel was destroyed and the survivors had no means of locomotion.
• Rep. Jim Himes called briefing one of most troubling experiences — Representative Jim Himes, House Intelligence Committee ranking Democrat, stated that the briefing on the boat strikes was "one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service." Himes characterized the killing of two individuals in clear distress, without means of locomotion and with a destroyed vessel, as deeply problematic.
• Rep. Mike Turner expressed concerns about accuracy of military intelligence — Representative Mike Turner (R-OH), who was chair of the House Intelligence Committee until Trump ordered Speaker Mike Johnson to remove him, expressed concerns about whether the accuracy of information being used in military operations meets the standard for informed congressional oversight. Turner stated that members have "very much concerns" about the level of accuracy and noted that if the individuals targeted were captured, tried, and convicted, they would not be subject to capital punishment, yet they are being killed without due process.
• Senator Tom Cotton endorsed boat strikes as lawful — Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, emerging from the briefing on the September 2 boat strikes, characterized all four strikes that day as "righteous," "entirely lawful and needful," and exactly what military commanders should do. Cotton stated he saw two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs back over to stay in the fight.
• Inspector General report finds Hegseth violated Pentagon policies on classified information handling — The Department of Defense inspector general released a report concluding that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated Pentagon policies by using the Signal messaging app to share classified details about upcoming airstrikes in Yemen, including aircraft types and strike times, two to four hours before missions on 15 March. The report determined his actions created operational security risks that could have resulted in failed missions and harm to pilots. Hegseth also failed to retain associated messages, violating federal record-keeping requirements.
• Messages from Hegseth's Signal account contained specific strike timing details — CNN reported that messages sent from Secretary Hegseth's Signal account to a group chat offered specific, real-time updates about planned military strikes, including one message that read "This is DEFINITELY when the first bombs will drop." The messages were so specific that they identified exact timing of operations. It remains unclear whether Hegseth properly declassified the information before sharing it with other top Trump officials and a reporter from The Atlantic who was accidentally added to the chat.
• Pentagon may not turn over Strike Bridge communications logs to Congress — The New York Times reported that military officials had used a written texting system known as "Strike Bridge" to communicate during planning and execution of military operations, including communications between Admiral Bradley and SEAL Team 6 operators directing drone strikes. The system automatically saves messages. Several congressional officials stated that lawmakers had requested to review logs related to the operation, along with written documentation including Hegseth's "execute order" and rules of engagement. It remains unclear whether the Pentagon will turn over these records to Congress.
• Senator Jack Reed demanded complete release of strike footage — Senator Jack Reed, ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that the Department of Defense has no choice but to release the complete, unedited footage of the strike, given that the President has agreed to do so. Reed stated that the briefing confirmed his "worst fears" about the nature of the Trump administration's military activities and demonstrated why the Senate Armed Services Committee has repeatedly requested and been denied fundamental information, documents, and facts about the operation.
• Senator Rand Paul called for public release of strike video — Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) stated that the video of distressed, shipwrecked, or incapacitated people on boats being bombed should be shown to every American, calling for public disclosure of the controversial military operation.
• Trump agreed to release video of second strike — When asked whether he would release video of the second strike to the public, President Trump stated: "Whatever they have, we'd certainly release. No problem." This represents a commitment to public disclosure of the controversial military operation.
• Admiral Bradley briefed Congress on September 2 boat strike in Caribbean — Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley, Special Operations commander, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine conducted a closed-door briefing for congressional members regarding a U.S. military strike on September 2 against a small boat in the Caribbean. The strike killed nine of eleven people aboard; a second strike 41 minutes later killed the two survivors. Bradley stated the vessel appeared to be afloat due to cocaine packages and survivors could have floated to safety to continue drug trafficking, contradicting earlier claims that survivors were communicating with other vessels. The administration claims the operation targets drug cartels under a formal armed conflict determination, but has not provided legal authority and has ignored War Powers Resolution requirements for congressional approval beyond 60 days.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth responded to social media post about boat strikes — Andrew Kolvet of Turning Point USA posted on social media: "Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth quoted Kolvet's post and responded: "Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat." U.S. Southern Command confirmed a strike against a small boat in the eastern Pacific, stating that intelligence confirmed the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and four male individuals aboard were killed.
• U.S. military conducted more than 20 strikes on small boats with at least 87 deaths — As of the date of the article, the U.S. military had carried out more than 20 strikes on small boats that the Trump administration claims are run by "narco-terrorists," resulting in at least 87 deaths. These operations began in September 2025 following the initial September 2 strike and have continued without formal congressional authorization beyond the initial War Powers Resolution notification.
• CNN reports boat was not headed for U.S., contradicting administration claim — CNN reported that the boat struck on September 2 was not headed for the United States, contradicting a claim made by President Trump. Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley, overseeing Special Operations that day, told Congress the intelligence indicated the boat was headed to meet a larger vessel bound for Suriname to transfer drugs. Bradley confirmed the military could not locate the second vessel. U.S. drug enforcement officials stated that drugs trafficked through Suriname are generally bound for Europe. Bradley also confirmed that after the people on the boat appeared to see American aircraft, they turned the boat back toward land.
• New York Times reports survivors of first strike were waving before second strike — Journalists Julian E. Barnes and Charlie Savage reported that survivors of the first strike on the boat were waving to something overhead before a second strike killed them. The report notes that the administration had not announced its new policy of striking alleged drug traffickers rather than arresting them, so the men had no way of knowing they were under attack. Some observers believed the men were waving to be rescued; others supporting the administration's position speculated they were signaling other alleged traffickers, though no other vessels or aircraft were in visual range.
• Pentagon announced 22nd airstrike against suspected drug smuggling vessel in eastern Pacific — The Pentagon announced a lethal strike on a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics in the eastern Pacific Ocean on 4 December, killing four men. The US Southern Command described the strike as a "lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization" and stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics. This was the 22nd attack in the campaign against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, bringing the death toll to at least 87 people. The strike was the first publicly announced operation in nearly three weeks.
• Pentagon announces lethal strike on boat in eastern Pacific, killing four men — The US military, at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four men described as narco-terrorists. The strike, the 22nd such operation since September, was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and targeted a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics. The operation brings the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people. The strike occurs amid mounting congressional scrutiny over the legal basis for the attacks.
• TPUSA operations head Kolvet called for drug boat destruction; Hegseth confirmed action — Andrew Kolvet, now running operations at The America First PAC (TPUSA) after Charlie Kirk's death, posted on social media: "Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded: "Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat," and posted a video of what he described as a homicide committed by the Department of Defense.

Supporting reports

• Judge Sara Ellis reprimands Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino for throwing gas canister at protesters — U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis reprimanded Gregory Bovino, the Trump-appointed Border Patrol chief leading Chicago's ICE crackdown, for lying about an incident in which he was caught on video throwing a gas canister at protesters without warning. The reprimand followed Bovino's false statements regarding the incident, establishing a pattern of dishonesty by the official overseeing Operation Midway Blitz enforcement.

Supporting reports

• Border Patrol Chief Bovino falsely claims agents came under fire in Chicago — Gregory Bovino, U.S. Border Patrol chief, claimed on social media and via DHS statement that agents conducting immigration enforcement near 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago came under gunfire from an unknown male in a black Jeep. Chicago Police Department found no evidence of anyone struck by gunfire at the scene. The claim came two days after a federal judge found Bovino had lied about being struck by a rock during an earlier October confrontation with protesters in the same neighborhood.

Supporting reports

• Federal Judge Ellis finds Border Patrol Chief Bovino lied under oath about assault by protester — U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in Chicago ruled that Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol chief, lied when he and the Department of Homeland Security claimed he had been struck in the head by a rock before throwing a tear gas canister at protesters on October 28. Video evidence showed Bovino was not hit until after he threw the tear gas, violating her earlier temporary restraining order limiting use of force. Bovino ultimately admitted he was not hit until after deploying the tear gas.

Supporting reports

• Federal ICE agents shot and killed Chicago resident Silverio Villegas González — Federal ICE agents shot and killed Chicago resident Silverio Villegas González during enforcement operations in the city. The administration initially claimed the agents were under attack, but subsequent information indicated the federal agents were the aggressors in the incident.
• Federal ICE agents shot unarmed woman Marimar Martinez in Chicago — Federal ICE agents shot an unarmed woman, Marimar Martinez, during enforcement operations in Chicago. The administration initially claimed agents were under attack, but subsequent information showed the federal agents were the aggressors.

Supporting reports

• Federal agents conducted raid on Chicago apartment complex claiming gang membership — On September 30, federal agents conducted a raid on an apartment complex in Chicago using a helicopter and military-style vehicles, breaking into apartments and removing individuals while claiming they were Tren de Aragua gang members. The agents filmed the individuals for a video the administration circulated portraying them as criminals. Of 37 people arrested, only two were claimed to be gang members; one of those had no criminal record. Federal prosecutors did not file criminal charges against anyone arrested. In immigration court, government lawyers never mentioned criminal charges or gang membership, and judges simply ordered deportations or voluntary departures.
• Federal agents conducted massive late-night raid in Chicago — Federal agents conducted a massive late-night raid on September 30 at a Chicago apartment building that resulted in the arrests of 37 people. The Chicago Sun Times reported that armed federal agents in military fatigues busted down doors, pulling residents, including women and children, some of them naked, from their apartments. After the raid, toys, shoes, and food remained in piles in the building's hallways, and property managers were seen throwing mattresses and broken doors into dumpsters.
• Federal agents raided Chicago apartment building using military tactics and equipment — At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, federal agents from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF conducted a raid on a five-story apartment building on Chicago's South Shore Drive. Agents used helicopters, large vehicles, flash-bang grenades, and military fatigues to break down doors and detain residents in zip ties, some naked. Approximately 37 people were arrested while others were released after hours of detention. The Department of Homeland Security claimed detainees were involved in drug trafficking, weapons crimes, immigration violations, or were associated with Tren de Aragua, but provided no evidence. Some detainees were U.S. citizens. Residents' apartments were left damaged.
• Federal agents conduct raid in Chicago — On October 1, 2025, federal agents from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF raided an apartment building in Chicago, using military tactics and equipment. Residents were forcibly removed from their homes, some in zip ties, and left outside for hours. The Department of Homeland Security claimed that some detainees were involved in drug trafficking and immigration violations, but did not provide evidence. Eyewitnesses reported distress among the residents, including children.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces planned executive order to dismantle "domestic terrorism networks" in response to ICE facility shooting — Following the Dallas ICE facility shooting, President Trump posted on social media characterizing the incident as an attack by "Radical Left Terrorists" and blamed "radical left Democrats" for anti-ICE rhetoric. Trump announced he would sign an executive order "this week to dismantle these Domestic Terrorism Networks," referencing ANTIFA, which he stated had already been declared a terrorist organization. Law enforcement officials stated there was no indication the shooter had any connection to any organizations, including antifa.
• ICE facility shooting in Dallas; political responses diverge on cause and victims — A shooting at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas killed one detainee and wounded two others. The shooter died by self-inflicted gunshot. The DHS confirmed detainees were the victims. Trump, Vance, Noem, and Abbott blamed the "radical left" and anti-ICE rhetoric for the attack, while Democrats focused on the victims being detainees, called for gun control, and accused Republicans of politicizing the incident for partisan gain. The FBI recovered shell casings with "anti-ICE messaging" but said the investigation was ongoing and the motive had not been confirmed.
• Shooting at Dallas ICE facility kills one detainee, injures two others; shooter dies by self-inflicted gunshot — A suspect opened fire at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas on the morning of September 24, killing one detainee and injuring two others who were in critical condition. The shooter, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Shell casings recovered at the scene bore anti-ICE messaging. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of targeted violence. No law enforcement officers were injured.
• Shooting at ICE detention facility in Dallas; suspect killed one detainee and wounded two others — On September 24, 2025, a 29-year-old suspect, Joshua Jahn, opened fire from a rooftop at an ICE detention facility in Dallas, Texas, killing one ICE detainee inside a transportation van and critically wounding two others. Authorities found detailed planning notes at his residence expressing anti-ICE sentiment and intent to maximize lethality against ICE personnel. The suspect used ICE tracking apps to monitor federal agents and legally obtained his firearm in August. He died by suicide at the scene. The FBI characterized the attack as involving "high degree of planning."
• Shooting death of detainee at ICE facility in Dallas; widow speaks out — Miguel García-Hernández, 31, an undocumented immigrant detained by ICE in Dallas on 24 September 2025, was shot and killed when a gunman opened fire outside the ICE field office where he was awaiting intake in a government van. He died on 29 September from his gunshot wounds. His widow, Stephany Gauffeny, reported he was restrained to a hospital bed with handcuffs on his feet as he lay dying. She attributes the shooting to rising political violence and anti-immigration rhetoric under the Trump administration. García-Hernández had been seeking legal status through a Biden-era family reunification program that was blocked by a federal judge.
• Shooting at Dallas ICE facility kills one detainee, wounds two others — A gunman fired at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas on September 24, killing one detainee and critically wounding two others before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Law enforcement recovered shell casings with "anti-ICE messaging" near the shooter, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn. No federal agents were injured. The incident occurred at a facility used for short-term processing of people in custody along Interstate 35 East.
• ICE reports 700% increase in assaults from "activists masquerading as immigrant advocates" — ICE officials claim a 700% increase in assaults from what they characterize as "activists masquerading as immigrant advocates," citing incidents including vehicle ramming (July 2), armed attack on Prairieland detention center (July 4), and shooting at CBP facility in McAllen (July). The FBI offered a $25,000 reward for Benjamin Hanil Song, a former marine reservist, in connection with the Alvarado attack. However, counter-narratives document ICE and CBP agents engaging in rough and sometimes violent tactics against detainees and protesters, including masked agents smashing car windows and detaining US citizens based on appearance.
• Shooting at ICE detention facility in Dallas; detainee killed, two wounded, shooter deceased — An unidentified shooter fired on an ICE detention center near Dallas Love Field airport from a nearby roof on Wednesday, killing one detainee and wounding two others before taking his own life. An "anti-ICE" message was found on a bullet at the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel and Trump administration officials quickly attributed the attack to "radical left terrorists," while the incident occurred amid a documented spike in violence targeting immigration enforcement facilities and reported aggressive ICE tactics against detainees and protesters.
• Trump and NRCC attribute ICE shooting to "radical left terrorists" and Democratic rhetoric — Following the Dallas ICE facility shooting, President Trump and the National Republican Congressional Committee issued statements attributing the attack to "radical left terrorists" and blaming Democratic rhetoric for demonizing ICE agents. NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella claimed "radical Democrats" have been escalating rhetoric against law enforcement, drawing a parallel to recent violence against rightwing figures despite senior Democrats condemning political violence generally.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to deploy National Guard to Chicago and Baltimore, claims Chicago is "world's most dangerous city" — Donald Trump announced plans to deploy National Guard units to Chicago and Baltimore to address violent crime, calling Chicago "the most dangerous city in the world" and citing 20 killings over 2.5 weeks and 75 shootings. He also discussed sending troops to New Orleans. The claims are contradicted by FBI crime data showing Chicago ranks 14th among cities over 100,000 residents in homicide rate (17.5 per 100,000), while the four highest-murder-rate cities—Jackson, Birmingham, St. Louis, and Memphis—are all in Republican-led states with rates ranging from 40.6 to 78.7 per 100,000.
• Texas National Guard preparation to deploy to Chicago reported — According to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, the Texas National Guard is preparing to deploy to Chicago. Texas Governor Greg Abbott denied the claim. The deployment threat occurs despite Chicago experiencing declining violent crime, with 2025 showing fewer shootings than any year since the mid-1960s according to crime data expert Jeff Asher. Five major Texas cities—Houston, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Dallas, and San Antonio—had higher violent crime rates per 100,000 people than Chicago in 2024.
• Trump pledges military deployment to Chicago and Baltimore amid false crime claims — President Trump pledged on Truth Social to deploy the military to Chicago and Baltimore, characterizing both cities as exceptionally dangerous. Trump called Chicago "the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far" and a "killing field," and described Baltimore as "so far gone," a "hellhole," and a "horrible deathbed." However, FBI data shows Chicago ranked 55th in violent crime among major U.S. cities in 2024 (540 per 100,000), with multiple red-state cities including Memphis, Kansas City, Tulsa, and Louisville recording significantly higher rates. Baltimore is experiencing a historic crime decline, with August 2025 recording the lowest homicide count for that month on record and 91 homicides through September 1—the fewest in over 50 years for that period.
• Trump threatens national guard deployment to Chicago; advance ICE team training underway — President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to deploying federal troops to Chicago to address crime and homelessness, calling the city a "hellhole" and stating deployment would proceed regardless of local leadership consent. An advance team of at least 30 agents is undergoing crowd control and flash grenade training at Naval Station Great Lakes; 230 Customs and Border Protection agents are being transferred from Los Angeles. Chicago would become the second city to receive national guard troops after Washington DC (August) and Los Angeles (June). Local officials and community groups are organizing resistance, including legal preparation and "know your rights" campaigns.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive order declaring crime emergency in Washington DC — In August 2025, Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington DC, despite the Department of Justice reporting that violent crime in the district was at a 30-year low. Within a month, more than 2,300 national guard troops from eight states and the district were deployed to patrol under the army secretary's command, with hundreds of federal agents also deployed to assist them.
• Trump administration deploys National Guard to clear Washington DC homeless camps — In August 2025, the Trump administration sent the National Guard into Washington DC, in part to clear homeless encampments as part of a broader crackdown on visible homelessness. Local reports indicate unhoused people are being moved around rather than housed, at an estimated cost of $1 million per day, with no tracking of outcomes.
• Trump declares public safety emergency in Washington DC and deploys National Guard — Trump held a press conference flanked by cabinet members to declare a "public safety emergency" in Washington DC, despite data showing violent crime in the capital was at a 30-year low. He placed DC police under temporary federal control and deployed 800 National Guard troops to the city, contradicting factual crime statistics.

Supporting reports

• Mass detention and covert deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador without notification or due process — Federal immigration agents detained scores of Venezuelan migrants in the US without informing families of their whereabouts or charges. At least 252 Venezuelans, including Neiyerver Rengel (detained March 13 in Irving, Texas) and Ricardo Prada Vásquez (detained January in Detroit), were secretly flown to El Salvador's "terrorism confinement" prison on allegations of gang affiliation, with no public registry of names, charges, or conditions. Families learned of detainees' locations only through news reports weeks later. The Department of Homeland Security has refused to publish a register of prisoners' names or provide due-process information.

Supporting reports

• DHS revokes student visas and conducts searches — Following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the student visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, a Columbia PhD student, leading to her self-deportation on March 11, 2025. Additionally, DHS presented warrants and searched the dorm rooms of two students on March 13, 2025. These actions have heightened fears among international students at Columbia University, who feel they are being targeted for their political views and are concerned about their safety and visa status.
• Homeland Security searches Columbia University students' rooms — On Thursday night, agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted searches in two Columbia University students' rooms. The searches were authorized by judicial search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge. No arrests were made, and no items were removed during the searches. The university's public safety team was present throughout the operation. This action is part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on American universities, particularly in response to student protests at Columbia over Israel's military actions in Gaza.
• ICE obtained search warrant for Columbia University dorm rooms using false pretenses to arrest pro-Palestinian activist students — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a search warrant application on March 13, 2025, claiming to investigate Columbia University for "harboring aliens," but attorneys argue the warrant was a pretext to arrest and deport two students—Yunseo Chung (a green card holder) and Ranjani Srinivasan (on a student visa)—for their pro-Palestinian activism. A federal judge granted the warrant; agents subsequently searched two dorm residences. Chung sued to block her deportation, claiming the warrant was obtained under false pretenses. She has since been granted temporary protection from deportation.
• DHS revokes visa of Columbia University student — DHS announced that a Columbia University student from India had her visa revoked and was subsequently self-deported. The agency claimed, without evidence, that she was involved in activities supporting Hamas.