Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• New York City Council votes to ban horse-drawn carriage rides by 2028 — The New York City Council voted to pass Romanch's Law, legislation banning horse-drawn carriage rides citywide by June 2028, named after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan who died after being ejected from a runaway carriage in Central Park. The measure includes a plan to help affected workers and business owners transition out of the industry in 2027. The vote followed a committee approval and occurred amid protests from the Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers and disputes the adequacy of worker protections and transition support.

Supporting reports

• House Republicans open investigation into labor unions' political spending — House Republicans on the education and workforce committee launched an investigation this summer into six major labor unions (AFT, UAW, United Steelworkers, Smart-TD, BLET, BMWED), alleging they illegally use member dues to fund Democratic causes. The inquiry was prompted by reports from conservative nonprofits including the American Accountability Foundation and Freedom Foundation. Investigators also targeted AFT president Randi Weingarten over claims union dues funded her 2025 book. Union representatives deny wrongdoing and cite strict legal disclosure requirements.

Supporting reports

• Judge Wilson rules California oil pipeline can continue operating under Trump's Defense Production Act order — Federal Judge Stephen Wilson ruled that the Sable offshore oil pipeline off Santa Barbara can continue operating, overriding California state opposition. The Trump administration invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) in March 2026 to order the pipeline's reopening, citing national security and energy supply needs during the Iran war. Wilson found the DPA order pre-empts conflicting state law, including California's trespass claims. The judge fined Sable $1.5 million for violating a consent decree but allowed operations to proceed under federal oversight rather than state authority.
• Federal court upholds Defense Production Act order requiring Santa Ynez Pipeline operation against California state obstruction — The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that a Defense Production Act order issued by the Secretary of Energy preempts California state law and environmental challenges to the Santa Ynez Pipeline's operation. The court rejected California's motion for a preliminary injunction, held that federal law bars state trespass claims against pipeline operations, modified an existing consent decree to place pipeline safety oversight under federal rather than state authority, and clarified that state courts cannot enforce injunctions conflicting with federal directives. The Department of Justice announced the ruling as a victory for national energy security.

Supporting reports

• House Republicans prepared to fund Iran war without spending offsets — Punchbowl News reported that House Republicans were preparing to send the Pentagon tens of billions of dollars in new funding for an "seemingly endless Iran war" that was "bottoming out in public opinion polls." The new Pentagon money may not be offset by spending cuts elsewhere, representing a departure from fiscal constraints typically applied to other spending categories.
• House Republicans released $95 billion budget framework for military, farm, and voter suppression funding — House Republicans released a $95 billion budget framework on July 15 to fund $73 billion in additional military spending for the Iran war, $12 billion in farm bailouts related to Trump's tariff wars, and $10 billion for aspects of the SAVE America voter suppression measure. The package was designed to pass through budget reconciliation, requiring no Democratic votes. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA) opposed the measure as an "America Last" budget that would fund an unpopular war and voter suppression while adding to the national debt.
• House Republicans release $95 billion budget framework — House Republicans unveiled a $95 billion budget framework that includes $73 billion for military funding related to the war on Iran, $12 billion in aid for farmers affected by tariffs, and $10 billion for aspects of the SAVE America measure. The proposal is expected to be passed through budget reconciliation, which does not require Democratic votes. However, it faces opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans who are concerned about the funding priorities.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — American Federation of Government Employees Local 1410 v. Department of Defense — On July 2, 2026, 23 locals and councils of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland challenging a Department of Defense memorandum issued April 9, 2026, by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that terminated all collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) at DOD within 24 hours. Plaintiffs allege the terminations violated the Administrative Procedure Act as arbitrary and capricious and in excess of statutory authority, halted grievance processing, eliminated union official time and office space, and threatened union viability through membership losses. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief setting aside the memorandum and reinstating the terminated CBAs.

Supporting reports

• US Postal Service proposes rule requiring states to surrender voter mail-ballot lists — The US Postal Service, under Postmaster General David Steiner, issued a proposed rule requiring states to hand over lists of voters who requested mail-in ballots and associated barcodes to the postal service. Steiner stated that the postal service would refuse to deliver mailed ballots in states that declined to comply. All 47 Democratic senators sent a letter warning the rule would disenfranchise millions of voters and risked abuse and inaccuracies that would prevent eligible voters from casting ballots.
• Postmaster General announces USPS will not deliver election mail in states refusing to surrender voter rolls — Postmaster General David Steiner testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee that under a new Trump administration rule, the United States Postal Service will not deliver election mail in states that refuse to surrender their voting lists to the federal government. Senator Gary Peters clarified that the proposed rule coerces states to comply with federal voting requirements or lose mail-in voting access.
• USPS proposes rule to withhold election mail — The Postmaster General testified that under a new proposed rule, the United States Postal Service will not deliver election mail in states that refuse to provide their voting lists to the federal government. This rule is seen as a coercive measure to enforce compliance with federal demands.

Supporting reports

• United States Postal Service proposed mail-in ballot restriction — The United States Postal Service proposed a rule that would send mail-in ballots only to voters registered with the federal government. The proposal would represent a massive expansion of federal control over voting without congressional authorization. The proposal reflects the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to gain control over state voter lists and election administration, efforts that have been repeatedly rejected by courts on the grounds that the Constitution establishes that states run elections.
• Federal judge in Massachusetts blocks USPS mail ballot restriction — A federal judge in Massachusetts issued an order in June 2026 blocking the Trump administration's directive to the USPS to restrict mail ballot delivery to voters on federal pre-approved lists. The block applies to the 23 blue states and Washington, D.C. that challenged the order.
• Trump orders DOJ to investigate California elections — Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate California elections after his preferred candidate trailed in the state's June gubernatorial primary. The order relied on conspiracy theories to justify the investigation.

Supporting reports

• New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill denied entry to Delaney Hall — On Monday, May 26, 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, was denied entry to Delaney Hall by facility management. Sherrill stated that the refusal raised "serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view." A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson characterized Sherrill's visit as "nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside in the facility."
• New Jersey state police assume policing functions outside Delaney Hall ICE detention facility — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that state police will take over "public safety operations" from federal immigration officers outside Delaney Hall, a privately run ICE detention center in Newark. The state will establish a "peaceful protected zone" for demonstrators. The announcement coincides with reports of an influx of federal agents arriving to defend the facility and investigate protesters. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced DOJ charges against a protester accused of assaulting an ICE officer.

Supporting reports

• Virginia Governor Spanberger vetoes collective bargaining restoration bill — Virginia Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation on Thursday that would have restored collective bargaining rights to approximately 500,000 public sector workers. The bill had passed both chambers of the state assembly. Spanberger had previously introduced an amended version that weakened protections, which the assembly rejected. Union leaders, including SEIU and AFSCME officials, condemned the veto as a betrayal of campaign promises made during her election. The governor stated she believes additional amendments are needed.

Supporting reports

• House approved two-month DHS spending stopgap; Senate vote uncertain. — The House approved a two-month stopgap spending plan for the Department of Homeland Security late Friday night. The bill heads to the Senate on Monday morning for a vote. A Republican senator is expected to seek unanimous consent to take up the bill, but if any senator objects, the House bill dies and the DHS shutdown continues. If the Senate blocks the bill, it is unlikely the shutdown will end until after both bodies return in mid-April following the Easter/Passover recess.
• Department of Homeland Security shutdown continued with TSA workers unpaid — The Department of Homeland Security shutdown continued, with TSA workers having gone weeks without pay. Back pay was beginning to arrive, allowing workers to afford food, gas, medication, and catch up on rent. Many TSA agents reported receiving only a fraction of what they were actually owed. The shutdown resulted from Trump and House Republicans refusing a bipartisan Senate bill that would have funded DHS except for ICE and Border Patrol, demanding additional funding for ICE instead.
• House and Senate Republicans publicly blamed each other for DHS shutdown impasse — During the 44-day DHS funding shutdown, House and Senate Republicans engaged in public recriminations over responsibility for the impasse. House Speaker Johnson rejected Senate Majority Leader Thune's negotiating approach, ensuring continued shutdown. Senate Republicans, led by Thune, attempted to negotiate with Senate Democrats while House Republicans maintained their position. Trump remained silent on the Senate proposal initially, then sided with House Republicans when rejection became clear, leaving House Republicans with ownership of the impasse.
• Senate Democrats rejected House Republican DHS funding proposal — Senate Democrats, through Schumer's office, rejected the House Republican DHS continuing resolution, stating they would not accept anything less than what was passed unanimously by the Senate. A Schumer spokesperson attributed the shutdown to Republican division and intransigence, stating that Johnson and House Republicans "needlessly extended this DHS shutdown" and that Republicans should not expect Senate Democrats to resolve Republican internal caucus problems.
• Trump endorses Republican plan to fund ICE and CBP via reconciliation — President Trump endorsed a plan by Republican leaders Mike Johnson and John Thune to pass the Senate's DHS compromise bill, then separately fund ICE and CBP through the budget reconciliation process, which bypasses the Senate filibuster. Trump also directed that the reconciliation measure be completed by June 1 and signaled it may include funding for Iran conflict operations and voter identification requirements from the Save America Act.
• Senate passes DHS funding bill excluding ICE and CBP — The Senate passed a compromise measure funding most of the Department of Homeland Security while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and elements of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The deal emerged after weeks of deadlock between Democrats, who demanded guardrails on federal immigration enforcement agents, and Republicans. The measure represents a negotiated settlement but was rejected by House Republicans, who sought full DHS funding including ICE and CBP.
• Senate Republicans plan reconciliation bill to fund ICE and border enforcement outside Democratic reach — Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham initiated a budget resolution to fund ICE and immigration enforcement using the reconciliation procedure, which requires only Republican votes and cannot be filibustered by Democrats. This move circumvents Democratic demands for conduct reforms on immigration arrests, including mask-wearing bans and warrant requirements for residential entry. The reconciliation bill is also expected to include funding for conflict with Iran and voter identification requirements from the Save America Act.

Supporting reports

• Senate Republicans propose DHS funding compromise excluding immigration reforms — Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a Republican compromise proposal to restart DHS funding that would partially fund ICE and Customs and Border Protection but excludes the immigration enforcement reforms Democrats have demanded. Democrats had insisted on guardrails following federal agents' killing of two US citizens in Minneapolis. Thune stated Democrats were "not interested in reforms" and made any future reform discussion contingent on funding ICE. The proposal emerged after a White House meeting where Trump initially demanded Democratic support for the Save America voter ID act before any deal, but later appeared to back down from that condition.
• Senate Democrats block Republican DHS funding proposal; standoff continues over immigration enforcement reforms — Senate Republicans proposed legislation to restart Department of Homeland Security operations while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation operations. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, rejected the proposal and countered with a measure coupling DHS funding to new guardrails on immigration enforcement, citing deaths of two US citizens at the hands of federal agents. The GOP rejected the Democratic counteroffer. The partial government shutdown, which began in mid-February, persists, causing TSA staffing shortages and airport congestion. Republicans signaled plans for a reconciliation bill to fund ICE operations and Trump's military campaign against Iran.
• Senate Republicans announce plans for second reconciliation bill including Iran war funding and voter ID requirements — Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham announced that Senate Republicans would begin work on a second reconciliation bill to fund components of ICE excluded from ongoing DHS negotiations, Trump's military campaign against Iran (potentially $200 billion), and portions of the Save America Act imposing new voter identification requirements. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine reported that a classified briefing discussed $200 billion in Iran war funding, though the Pentagon has not made a formal request. Republican Senator Mike Lee acknowledged that the Save America Act cannot pass through reconciliation due to procedural constraints.
• House Republicans reject Senate DHS funding bill, demand ICE funding inclusion — The Republican-controlled House rejected a Senate-passed bill that would have funded most Department of Homeland Security agencies (TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA) while withholding funds from ICE and parts of Customs and Border Protection. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced instead a short-term continuing resolution through May 22, backed by Trump. The move prolongs a 42-day partial shutdown affecting thousands of DHS employees and airport security operations. Senate Democrats declared the House proposal "dead on arrival," blocking a path to the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
• Senate fails seventh time to advance DHS funding bill — The US Senate voted 53-47 to reject a Republican-drafted bill to partially fund the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for nearly six weeks. The vote fell short of the 60 needed to advance. Hours earlier, Trump announced he would sign an executive order directing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay TSA agents during the shutdown. Democrats demanded stronger guardrails on immigration enforcement; Republicans sought to fund most DHS agencies while withholding ICE enforcement money. Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a motion to reconsider.
• Senate Republicans plan reconciliation bill for ICE and voter integrity funding — Senate Republicans, led by Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, announced plans to advance ICE funding, military funding, and voter integrity measures through budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple Senate majority rather than the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Graham stated he would "proceed quickly and efficiently" to make these measures "Democrat-resistance proof," signaling intent to bypass normal legislative processes and Democratic input on immigration enforcement and election administration.
• Trump requests congressional ban on state-issued driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants — At the State of the Union address, President Trump asked lawmakers to ban states from granting new driving licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. This legislative request seeks to expand federal restrictions beyond commercial licenses to all state-issued driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, further limiting mobility and work capacity.
• House Republicans rejected Senate-passed DHS funding deal, blocking vote and extending shutdown — House Republicans rejected a Department of Homeland Security funding deal passed by the Senate on March 26, 2026, and announced plans to pass their own alternative. Senate Majority Leader John Thune had recessed the Senate for two weeks, making immediate reconciliation impossible. House Speaker Mike Johnson held an emergency conference call with members and pitched a clean 60-day continuing resolution that would fund all of DHS, including ICE and CBP. Senate Democrats stated they would not support the House Republican alternative, and any House-passed bill would face a filibuster upon return to the Senate. The shutdown continued indefinitely as a result.
• Senate Democrats and House Democrats prepared to support DHS funding deal; House Republicans blocked passage — Senate Democrats voted for the DHS funding deal on March 26, 2026, and House Democrats were prepared to vote for it on March 27. House Republicans rejected the bill, preventing its passage and extending the shutdown. Democratic leaders stated that House Republicans were solely responsible for the continuation of the shutdown.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune recessed Senate for two weeks without coordination with House leadership — Senate Majority Leader John Thune recessed the Senate for two weeks on March 26, 2026, without communicating with House leadership about the timing or the DHS funding deal. During an emergency conference call, Speaker Mike Johnson told members that "The Senate went dark and did not communicate with us." House GOP leaders expressed fury at Thune's maneuver and stated they did not want to put the Senate bill on the floor.
• Senate passes DHS funding deal; House Republicans reject it — The Senate passed a Department of Homeland Security funding deal at approximately 2 a.m. However, House Republicans rejected the agreement. Senators had already left town for recess, leaving the House to unilaterally reject the bipartisan Senate compromise.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: State of Michigan v. United States Department of Homeland Security — The State of Michigan and City of Romulus filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan challenging DHS's purchase of a 249,090-square-foot warehouse in Romulus for $34.7 million to convert into a 500-bed immigration detention center. The plaintiffs allege seven counts under the Administrative Procedure Act, claiming DHS violated federal law by failing to conduct environmental review despite the property's location in a floodplain, failing to consult state and local officials, and failing to consider existing detention facilities before constructing a new one. The complaint names DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons as defendants and seeks declaratory relief, vacatur of the purchase decision, and injunctive relief barring conversion of the warehouse into a detention facility.

Supporting reports

• State of Minnesota v. U.S. Department of Justice, complaint filed — The State of Minnesota, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans filed a complaint in federal district court against the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Attorney General Bondi, and DHS Secretary Noem. The suit challenges a federal policy of refusing to share evidence with state investigators regarding three fatal or injurious shootings by federal agents during "Operation Metro Surge" in January 2026. Plaintiffs allege the categorical refusal violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Tenth Amendment, and seek declaratory relief, vacatur of the noncooperation policy, and a court order compelling production of evidence.
• Minnesota sued Trump administration for federal officer shooting records — Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration seeking access to information about shootings by federal officers, including shootings that resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The lawsuit was filed as part of state-level efforts to defend ordinary Americans and expand protections under law.

Supporting reports

• Iowa Republican lawmakers moved to limit gubernatorial power — Marissa Payne of the Des Moines Register reported that in Iowa, Republican state lawmakers are working to rein in the power of the state governor before the 2026 elections. This action is a sure sign that they are worried that a Democrat is going to win the election.

Supporting reports

• Became Law: Disapproving D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity Amendment — Congress enacted H.J. Res. 142, disapproving the District of Columbia Council's approval of the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025. The resolution became Public Law 119-78, exercising federal legislative veto authority over local D.C. tax policy. This reflects Congress's constitutional power to review D.C. Council actions.
• Became Law: Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act — Congress enacted Public Law 119-79, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, on February 18, 2026. The legislation authorizes creation and curation of a time capsule commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, to be deposited in the Capitol or designated federal repository. The act directs Congress to select historical documents, artifacts, and records reflecting the nation's democratic heritage for preservation and future public access.

Supporting reports

• Democratic lawmakers demand Trump administration accounting on immigration enforcement impacts on childcare workforce — Forty-eight Democratic lawmakers, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth and Representative Mike Quigley, sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services demanding answers about how Trump's immigration policies are exacerbating childcare shortages and costs. The letter cites terminations of temporary protected status (TPS), elimination of lawful immigration pathways, and ICE raids at childcare facilities. About 20% of the US childcare workforce are immigrants—as high as 70% in some regions—and Trump's policies could reduce the workforce by an estimated 15%. The letter documents specific cases of childcare workers detained or losing work authorization, and notes Trump revoked protections for childcare facilities from ICE raids.
• Congress members demand accountability for Palestinian-American teen's detention in Israel — Fifteen members of Congress, led by Senator Peter Welch, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding accountability for the nine-month detention of Mohammed Ibrahim, a Palestinian-American teenager arrested in the West Bank in February 2025. Ibrahim was released in November 2025 after a guilty plea; he reported severe mistreatment including beatings, pepper-spraying, and inadequate food and medical care. The lawmakers posed three questions to Rubio about State Department engagement, investigation requests, and accountability for Israeli personnel.
• Congressional letter to DHS and ICE seeking release of detained double amputee — Representative Pramila Jayapal and 20 members of Congress sent a two-page letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons on February 17, 2026, requesting the release of Rodney Taylor from Stewart detention center in Georgia. Taylor, a 47-year-old double amputee barber, has been detained since January 2025 on the basis of a burglary conviction from his teenage years for which Georgia pardoned him in 2010. The letter cites deteriorating health conditions, inadequate prosthetic care, and inhumane detention conditions including moldy showers and forced meal retrieval despite mobility limitations.

Supporting reports

• Democrats blocked Republican funding proposals to demand enforcement reforms — On Thursday, February 13, Democratic lawmakers blocked Republican attempts to pass either full-year DHS funding or a two-week extension without including immigration enforcement reforms. The blocked proposals would have funded the department without addressing Democratic demands for body cameras, visible identification numbers, warrant requirements for arrests on private property, and tightened use-of-force policies. Congress then recessed until February 23, leaving the impasse unresolved.
• Department of Homeland Security partial shutdown begins after Senate fails to pass appropriations bill — The Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown after the Senate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to pass the DHS appropriations bill on Thursday, February 13. Democrats blocked funding, demanding new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations following the fatal shooting of two civilians in Minneapolis. The shutdown affects TSA, Secret Service, and FEMA operations, with TSA workers expected to continue without pay and many FEMA workers furloughed. ICE and CBP operations are expected to continue due to existing funding.
• Senate Democrats block DHS funding bill over ICE reform demands — Senate Democrats voted 52-47 on February 13 to block a House-passed Department of Homeland Security funding package, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster. The blockade was triggered by the Trump administration's refusal to implement ICE reforms demanded by Democrats, including mandatory body cameras, agent identification, and restrictions on operations near schools, courts, and polling places. The shutdown will affect TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard but leave ICE largely unaffected due to prior $75 billion appropriation. Democrats cited recent shooting deaths of two Minneapolis residents by federal agents as catalyst for their stance.
• Senate rejects DHS appropriations bill in party-line vote — The Senate voted 52-47 along party lines to reject the DHS appropriations bill on Thursday, February 13, with only Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania supporting it. Democrats blocked the measure and rejected a Republican proposal for a two-week temporary funding extension, demanding new restrictions on ICE and CBP operations in response to the fatal shooting of civilians in Minneapolis. Republicans resisted key Democratic proposals, including requirements for judicial warrants before agents enter private property, though they agreed to body cameras for agents.
• Senate Democrats block DHS funding over ICE and Border Patrol reform demands — Senate Democrats, in the minority, used the filibuster to block a DHS funding measure passed by the House, demanding reforms to ICE and Border Patrol operations. Their demands include requiring judicial warrants for home entries, visible agent identification, an end to racial profiling and raids of sensitive sites, use-of-force policies, coordination with state and local authorities, detention facility standards, body camera restrictions, and standardized uniforms. The partial shutdown will defund most DHS agencies except ICE and Border Patrol, which received dedicated funding in the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill.
• DHS funding lapsed at midnight with no legislative action — DHS funding expired at midnight with no eleventh-hour legislative action. Both the House and Senate left town without voting on a DHS funding bill, with senators departing for pre-planned travel including the Munich Security Conference and not scheduled to return for 10 days. This left 260,000 DHS employees without funding. Senate Democrats remained united in their demands regarding ICE, with only Sen. John Fetterman joining Republicans on a failed procedural vote.

Supporting reports

• US government partial shutdown over DHS funding and immigration enforcement restrictions — On January 31, 2026, a partial US government shutdown took effect after Democratic senators blocked a Department of Homeland Security funding bill in response to federal agents killing two US citizens (Alex Pretti and Renee Good) during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Democrats demanded new restrictions on federal agents—including mask bans, body camera requirements, code of conduct provisions, independent investigation of violations, and prohibition of roving patrols. The Senate passed a broader five-department funding package and a two-week DHS extension, but House passage remained uncertain due to Republican demands to couple appropriations with voter ID requirements.
• US Senate approves government funding package with ICE restrictions negotiations — The US Senate voted 71-29 on Friday to approve a major government funding package after two US citizens were killed by federal ICE agents in Minneapolis. The deal includes five spending bills funding defense, labor, and health departments through September, while DHS funding is addressed via a two-week stopgap to allow negotiations on Democratic demands for ICE reforms including body cameras, conduct codes, and restrictions on masked agents and roving patrols. A partial government shutdown was expected to begin at midnight Friday pending House approval.
• Partial government shutdown began affecting federal workforce — A partial government shutdown commenced as Congress remained deadlocked over funding and immigration enforcement restrictions. Federal employees began experiencing immediate impacts including delayed paychecks and service disruptions while lawmakers negotiated shutdown resolution.

Supporting reports

• US District Judge Kate Menendez heard lawsuit challenging federal immigration surge in Minnesota — US District Judge Kate Menendez heard a lawsuit seeking to halt the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, with lawyers for the state arguing that the operation violates the 10th Amendment by coercing state compliance with federal demands. The judge repeatedly cited Trump's social media threats of "a day of reckoning and retribution" against Minnesota and Attorney General Pam Bondi's letter to Governor Walz (described by state lawyers as a "shakedown" and "ransom note") as evidence that the operation may be intended to strongarm state officials rather than solely enforce immigration law. The judge declined to rule immediately.
• Federal judge hears arguments on ending ICE surge in Minneapolis — A federal judge heard arguments on Monday regarding whether to end the federal officer surge in Minneapolis known as Operation Metro Surge. No ruling was expected imminently. The hearing follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and represents judicial review of the legality and scope of the federal immigration enforcement deployment.
• Minneapolis federal court hears constitutional challenge to Trump's "Operation Metro Surge" ICE deployment — A federal court in Minneapolis heard arguments on whether the Trump administration's deployment of 3,000 ICE agents to Minnesota violates the 10th Amendment by functioning as an illegal occupation of the state. Judge Kate Menendez ordered the Trump administration to respond to claims that Operation Metro Surge was designed to punish sanctuary jurisdictions. The case was filed after a fatal shooting of a Minneapolis nurse by federal agents and involves allegations that the surge uses coercion and racial profiling to force policy changes unrelated to immigration enforcement.
• Federal judge denies Minnesota's request to halt ICE Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis — Minnesota's state government, along with Minneapolis and St Paul, sued to end the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge after ICE agents killed two people—Renee Good and Alex Pretti—sparking weeks of protests. The plaintiffs argued the operation violated the 10th Amendment by exceeding federal authority. On Saturday, federal judge Kate Menendez denied the request, ruling the state failed to demonstrate a constitutional violation, though she acknowledged the operation's "profound and heartbreaking" impact and evidence of racial profiling and excessive force by ICE and CBP agents.

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• Complaint filed: AFL-CIO v. HHS over $10 billion social services funding freeze — On January 6, 2026, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams froze $10 billion in federal funding for social services and child care programs in New York, Illinois, California, Colorado, and Minnesota. On January 23, 2026, the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and allied labor unions filed a federal complaint in the Northern District of California challenging the freeze as unauthorized, arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment retaliation, and a Fifth Amendment equal protection violation. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief vacating the freeze and barring similar actions.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: State of Illinois v. Department of Homeland Security — The State of Illinois and City of Chicago filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Department of Homeland Security, challenging a Border Patrol deployment to Chicago beginning in September 2025 as part of "Operation Midway Blitz." The complaint alleges unlawful immigration enforcement involving warrantless arrests, chemical weapons deployment, and roving patrols, and contends the deployment violates the Tenth Amendment by interfering with state sovereign functions and the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding statutory authority. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief vacating the policies and enjoining further enforcement.
• Minnesota and Illinois sued Trump administration over immigration enforcement — Minnesota and Illinois filed separate lawsuits against the Trump administration arguing that the president's immigrant crackdown operations in the Minneapolis and Chicago areas violated state sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. Illinois's lawsuit urged a judge to block U.S. Customs and Border Protection from "conducting civil immigration enforcement" in the state without "express congressional authorization."
• Illinois files federal lawsuit against Trump administration over DHS enforcement tactics — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's administration filed a federal lawsuit on January 13, 2026, against the Trump administration challenging the Department of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement operations. The suit seeks to block U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting civil immigration enforcement in Illinois and to curb tactics including use of teargas, trespassing on private property, and concealing license plates during operations.

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• DOJ sues Hawaii and Michigan to block climate accountability litigation — The Department of Justice took the unusual step of suing Hawaii and Michigan over their plans to file climate accountability litigation against fossil fuel companies. Hawaii filed its case just hours after the DOJ action, characterizing the federal suit as intimidation. The action represented a direct federal effort to prevent states from pursuing legal remedies against the oil industry.

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• Federal judge blocks Trump administration's conditional cuts to homeland security funding for states — US District Judge Mary McElroy of Rhode Island ruled on December 23, 2025, that the Trump administration's cuts of over $230 million in federal homeland security and FEMA grants to seven states and DC were unlawful. The administration had reduced funding for Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and DC as punishment for non-compliance with immigration enforcement policies. McElroy's 48-page decision found the cuts violated administrative law and held vital counterterrorism and law enforcement programs hostage to political demands. The Department of Homeland Security indicated it would appeal.

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• Supreme Court rejected Trump administration's argument to deploy federalized National Guard in Chicago — On December 23, 2025, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's legal argument that it possessed the power to deploy federalized National Guard troops in and around Chicago. The decision limited Trump's authority to use military forces within the United States without explicit congressional authorization or state consent.
• Supreme Court rejected Trump administration's National Guard deployment authority in Chicago — On December 23, 2025, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's argument that it possessed the power to deploy federalized National Guard troops in and around Chicago. The 6-3 decision blocked the administration's attempt to militarize American cities without state consent.
• Supreme Court rejects Trump's National Guard deployment in Illinois as unlawful — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 preliminary ruling that President Trump's deployment of federalized National Guard troops in the Chicago area beginning in October violated the Posse Comitatus Act. The majority held that a president must first attempt to execute laws using regular U.S. military forces and may deploy the National Guard only if unable to do so with regular forces. The Court found the Government failed to identify statutory or constitutional authority permitting military enforcement of laws in Illinois.
• Supreme Court rejected Trump's National Guard deployment for immigration enforcement in Illinois — The Supreme Court rejected Trump's deployment of the National Guard to aid immigration enforcement in Illinois, ruling that federal law limits use of the National Guard to situations where regular military forces are insufficient. The majority found that the President does not have inherent authority to deploy the military to protect ICE property. Three justices (Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch) dissented.
• Supreme Court blocks Trump administration from deploying National Guard in Illinois — The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Illinois as part of his mass immigration crackdown, ruling that the government "failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois." The decision represents a rare judicial check on executive power in the Trump administration.
• Supreme Court Denies Stay in Trump v. Illinois — On December 23, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Trump v. Illinois. This decision upheld a lower court's order that barred the Trump administration from deploying the federalized National Guard in Illinois for immigration enforcement actions. The case arose after the Trump administration federalized the Texas and Illinois National Guard to assist with immigration enforcement in Chicago, which was challenged by the state of Illinois. The Supreme Court's denial means the federal government cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois pending further legal proceedings. Justices Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch dissented from the decision.
• US Supreme Court blocks Trump national guard deployment to Chicago — The US Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's emergency request to lift a lower court order blocking the deployment of national guard troops to the Chicago area. In a 6-3 decision, the majority ruled that the government failed to meet the legal burden required to show it could not enforce immigration laws without federal military intervention. The decision upholds a ruling by US District Judge April Perry from October and signals potential impact on similar deployments in other Democratic-led cities.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department sues District of Columbia over semi-automatic firearm registration ban — The Department of Justice, through its Civil Rights Division and newly established Second Amendment Section, filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia and its Metropolitan Police Department, alleging that D.C.'s ban on AR-15 and other semi-automatic firearms violates the Second Amendment. The suit challenges the District's registration requirement and pattern of refusing to register protected firearms, claiming the policy unconstitutionally restricts law-abiding citizens' rights to own commonly used weapons for lawful purposes including self-defense.
• Justice Department sues DC over AR-15 ban — The Justice Department sued Washington, DC and its Metropolitan Police Department, arguing that DC's gun laws banning AR-15 style weapons—which have been used in the deadliest mass shootings in the US—are "unconstitutional" and violate the Second Amendment. The suit represents federal intervention to overturn local gun safety measures.