Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court declines to dismiss criminal charges against congresswoman McIver — A federal appeals court (Third Circuit) ruled 2-1 that criminal charges against U.S. Congresswoman LaMonica McIver should not be dismissed. McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, was charged in May 2025 with interfering with an arrest at Delaney Hall immigration detention facility during a congressional oversight visit. The court ruled her actions were "non-legislative" and thus not protected by the speech and debate clause. McIver faces up to 17 years in prison and claims selective prosecution by the Trump administration.

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• DOJ official encouraged prosecutors to "go big" and "go loud" in prosecuting protesters — A top Justice Department official encouraged prosecutors to "go big" and "go loud" when pursuing criminal charges against people who protested against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, according to reporting. The Minneapolis case is one of several the DOJ has brought across the U.S. leveling charges against wide swaths of protesters, including cases in Texas where prosecutors secured decades-long sentences for nine people protesting outside an ICE facility.
• Law enforcement provided false information in criminal case against journalist Georgia Fort — Federal law enforcement officials, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), provided false information to federal judges in at least 15 search warrant applications and to a grand jury in the case against independent journalist Georgia Fort, who was charged alongside nearly 40 others after interrupting a Minnesota church service to protest an ICE official serving as a pastor. The Justice Department later conceded the false claims. Fort's lawyers filed motions on Thursday seeking dismissal, arguing the prosecution violates the First Amendment, fails to state an actual crime, and is vindictive retaliation against her journalism.
• Prosecutors charged journalist Georgia Fort with conspiracy to interfere with religious rights for documenting anti-ICE protest — Journalist Georgia Fort was charged with conspiracy to interfere with the religious rights of parishioners after she entered and documented a protest at Cities church in St Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators interrupted a service upon learning an ICE official was a pastor. Fort's lawyers argue the prosecution is vindictive retaliation targeting her for her journalism and for amplifying a message the government opposes, violating the First Amendment.
• Prosecutors made false claims in search warrant applications regarding protest conduct — In search warrant applications, prosecutors claimed a congregant had broken her arm during the protest when she had not, and made other false characterizations of Fort's conduct, including claims she conspired with others in advance when evidence showed she arrived late and was not present for planning discussions. Prosecutors also claimed Fort blocked a van from leaving when her own livestream showed the van left easily.
• Journalist Georgia Fort indicted for covering anti-ICE protest; seeks dismissal on First Amendment grounds — Attorneys for Twin Cities journalist Georgia Fort asked a federal judge to dismiss charges against her for covering an anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul church, arguing the indictment violates her First Amendment rights. Fort was indicted alongside former CNN host Don Lemon and dozens of protesters on charges of conspiring against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship. Her attorneys argue the 19-page indictment contains no allegation of physical force, threats, or blocking the church entrance, and that her role was to observe and document. Magistrate Judge John Docherty twice refused to sign search warrants for Fort's and Lemon's YouTube accounts, finding they violated the Privacy Protection Act of 1980. A government attorney acknowledged a mischaracterization in an affidavit at a July hearing.

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• Pentagon and DOJ establish joint taskforce to identify and prosecute press leaks — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a joint Pentagon-DOJ taskforce to identify and prosecute unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information to the press. Hegseth delegated tasking authority to the Pentagon's Office of General Counsel to request records and support across the department for media leak investigations. The announcement follows the Trump administration's issuance of subpoenas to New York Times journalists who reported on security concerns regarding Trump's new Qatari-gifted aircraft. The taskforce represents an escalation in the administration's crackdown on leaks and press freedom.

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• Complaint filed — Streever v. Mullin (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02356) — David Streever, an author and journalist, filed a First Amendment complaint in federal court challenging an ICE "Warning Notice" issued after he emailed then-Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons criticizing the agency's defense of agents involved in the Alex Pretti shooting. The notice, allegedly delivered to his home and followed by agent surveillance and voicemails, asserted his email may violate federal criminal statutes and demanded he cease the conduct. Streever, represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), alleges the notice and agents' conduct constitute unconstitutional coercion, prior restraint, and First Amendment retaliation, and seeks declarations that his speech is protected and injunctions barring further coercive or retaliatory action.

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

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• Board of Immigration Appeals issues removal order for Palestinian-rights activist — The Board of Immigration Appeals, which Trump has cut in half and stacked with his own appointees, issued a final order of removal for Mahmoud Khalil. In a statement, Khalil called the ruling "biased and politically motivated," stating "The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine – and this administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it."

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• DOJ civil rights division investigates Jan. 6 witness Cassidy Hutchinson — The New York Times reported that the civil rights division of Trump's Justice Department is investigating former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified before Congress in 2022 implicating Trump in the January 6 insurrection. The investigation focuses on whether Hutchinson lied to Congress. The Times described the assignment to the civil rights division—which typically enforces federal anti-discrimination statutes—as "highly unusual."

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

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• Rep. Tony Gonzales faced resignation calls over harassment of staffer — Three Republican women—Representatives Anna Paulina Luna, Nancy Mace, and Lauren Boebert—called for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to resign following revelations that he had sexually harassed a married staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, by requesting explicit photos and pressing her on sexual positions via text messages. Santos-Aviles died by suicide. Speaker Mike Johnson declined to call for Gonzales's resignation, stating that accusations alone should not be the litmus test for resignation and that investigations should be allowed to play out.
• Representative Tony Gonzales faces resignation calls over sexual misconduct allegations — Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) is facing calls to resign following allegations that he pressured a staff member into a sexual relationship. Gonzales, who is married with six children, has denied the allegations, but published text messages show explicit content and the staffer warning him he was "going too far." The woman later died by suicide. House Speaker Johnson has endorsed Gonzales for reelection despite the pressure for resignation.
• Multiple House Republicans called for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign — Several House Republicans publicly called for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to resign immediately following the release of texts showing he pressured an aide who later committed suicide for sexually explicit photos. However, some Republicans privately expressed frustration with Speaker Johnson's handling of the matter, with one Republican characterizing Johnson's leadership as "feckless" and accusing Johnson and senior Republicans of trying to "brush this under the rug" to protect their majority.
• Rep. Nancy Mace criticized handling of Rep. Tony Gonzales matter — Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) stated that the matter involving Rep. Tony Gonzales would "probably just [be swept] under the rug like they always do," characterizing the conduct as "disgusting" and "shameful," and stating it is "why so many women feel like second class citizens." Mace called for Gonzales to resign.
• Rep. Thomas Massie called for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign — Rep. Thomas Massie (R-WI) called for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign. When asked about Speaker Johnson's comments defending Gonzales, Massie stated that Johnson and other Republicans were "looking past his egregious transgressions to keep us in the majority" and that the party was "not well-served by the damage this is going to the GOP's reputation, particularly after the way they handled the Epstein" matter.
• Rep. Tony Gonzales refused to resign following sexual harassment allegations — Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), following a meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, stated that he was not resigning despite the release of texts showing he pressured an aide who later committed suicide for sexually explicit photos.
• Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Congressional boycott of State of the Union — Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the Congressional boycott of Trump's State of the Union address, calling it "shameful" and arguing that members of Congress represent over 750,000 people each and are obligated to fulfill their role and responsibility by attending.
• Speaker Mike Johnson met with Rep. Tony Gonzales amid resignation calls — Following the release of texts showing Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) pressured an aide who later committed suicide for sexually explicit photos, Speaker Mike Johnson met with Gonzales in his office. Johnson made clear to reporters that he would not call for Gonzales's resignation, citing the need to maintain the House Republican majority. Gonzales stated after the meeting that he was not resigning. Johnson did not call for a House Ethics Committee investigation, did not reach out to Gonzales's staff to inquire about the allegations, and did not encourage Gonzales not to run again. The National Republican Congressional Committee continued to support Gonzales, and Trump endorsed him in December 2025.
• US congressman Tony Gonzales refuses resignation calls over alleged affair and sexual coercion of staffer — Republican congressman Tony Gonzales refused calls from fellow Republicans to resign following allegations that he sexually coerced a senior staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, through explicit text messages and pressure. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025. Gonzales denied the affair, claimed blackmail, and stated facts would emerge. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the investigation must play out but stopped short of demanding resignation. Multiple Republican colleagues, including Thomas Massie and Lauren Boebert, called for his immediate removal.
• Rep. Nehls states personal politics supersede ethical standards — Rep. Troy Nehls (R-NE) was asked by CNN whether Rep. Gonzales should resign given the circumstances of a staffer's suicide. When asked "Aren't some things bigger than politics?", Nehls replied: "No. Not up here, not the way we do what we do in the House." The statement reflects an explicit rejection of ethical standards in favor of partisan advantage.
• Speaker Johnson refuses to call for Rep. Gonzales resignation — Speaker Mike Johnson declined to call for Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign following the disclosure of his alleged coercion of a staffer into an affair that ended in her suicide. Johnson's stated reason was that Gonzales's departure would reduce the House GOP to a one-seat majority, compounded by Rep. Thomas Massie's frequent votes with Democrats. This decision prioritizes partisan control over institutional accountability.
• Regina Santos-Aviles suicide following alleged coercion by Rep. Tony Gonzales into affair — Adrian Aviles, husband of Regina Santos-Aviles, a congressional staffer, disclosed that his wife died by suicide after being pressured by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) into an affair. Aviles stated he possesses messages documenting Gonzales's conduct and appeared on CNN describing the impact on their son. Speaker Mike Johnson has declined to call for Gonzales's resignation, citing the narrow House GOP majority and the unpredictability of Rep. Thomas Massie's votes. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-NE) stated that resignation would be inadvisable given the razor-thin majority, asserting "Not up here, not the way we do what we do in the House" when asked if some things are bigger than politics.

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• Senator Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for military censure in retaliation for protected speech — Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Department, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and the Navy Department, alleging violations of his First Amendment rights, the Speech and Debate Clause, separation of powers, due process, federal law governing retired officer ranks (10 USC 1370), and the Administrative Procedure Act. The suit challenges Hegseth's January 5 formal censure of Kelly, which followed Kelly's November 18 participation in a video with five other Democratic veterans in Congress warning military and intelligence personnel that they have a legal duty to refuse unlawful orders. The lawsuit seeks to declare the censure and related actions unlawful and unconstitutional, vacate them, and enjoin their enforcement.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Kelly v. Hegseth (D.D.C.) 1:26-cv-00081 — Plaintiff moved for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
• Sen. Kelly sued Secretary Hegseth to block reduction of his Navy rank and retirement pay for protected speech — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) filed a lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seeking an injunction to prevent unilateral reduction of Kelly's Navy rank and retirement pay in retaliation for a video urging service members not to follow unlawful orders. Kelly's complaint alleges First Amendment violation, retaliation for protected legislative speech, and an unprecedented executive attack on congressional independence and military oversight authority.
• Senator Kelly sued Defense Secretary Hegseth over military retaliation — Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon to block their efforts to punish him for a video he participated in last year with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders, asking a federal judge to find the move "unlawful and unconstitutional."
• Mark Kelly sues Hegseth over military rank reduction and pension censure — Democratic Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit in Washington DC federal court challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's formal censure and threatened demotion/pension reduction. The censure targeted Kelly and five other military-veteran lawmakers for a November video urging service members to resist unlawful orders. Kelly argues the action violates free speech, legislative independence, and separation of powers. The lawsuit names Hegseth, the Department of Defense, the Navy, and Navy Secretary John Phelan as defendants and seeks to vacate the censure and all related actions.
• Senator Mark Kelly files lawsuit against Defense Secretary Hegseth over retaliation for protected speech — Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's attempt to reduce his rank and pension as punishment for the video urging troops to refuse illegal orders. Kelly characterized Hegseth's actions as an "unconstitutional crusade" that sends a chilling message to retired military members that speaking against the administration will result in loss of rank and pay. Kelly argued that such retaliation violates constitutional protections and sets a dangerous precedent for suppressing military veterans' free speech.
• Pentagon censures Senator Mark Kelly and launches administrative proceedings — Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth formally censured Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, in January and initiated administrative proceedings that could result in rank reduction and pension cuts. Kelly participated in the same November video about military duty to illegal orders. Kelly has responded with litigation arguing the Pentagon's actions violate constitutional protections.

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• Senator Slotkin said she is under federal investigation — Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said in an interview that federal prosecutors are investigating her for participating in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• DOJ threatens Federal Reserve with criminal indictment over interest rate policy — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly stated that the Department of Justice threatened criminal charges against the Fed related to a multi-year renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. Powell characterized the threat as retaliation for the Fed's decision to set interest rates based on economic conditions rather than presidential preference, stating the threat was "a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."
• Federal investigation opened against Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin for video urging troops to refuse illegal orders — Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin announced she is under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for her participation in a video released in 2025 in which she and five other Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds urged U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders. The video's message aligns with established military law and constitutional principle. President Trump called the video "seditious behavior by traitors" punishable by death; the White House later clarified he did not seek execution but wanted them "held accountable." Slotkin characterized the investigation as weaponization of federal government to intimidate political opponents.
• Senator Elissa Slotkin faces federal criminal investigation for oath video — Senator Elissa Slotkin is now under federal criminal investigation for appearing in a video urging service members to remember their oath and refuse illegal orders. The investigation represents potential criminalization of speech encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations and refuse unlawful commands.
• Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are under investigation — Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are being investigated by the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia over their participation in a viral video calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• Trump DOJ investigates Democratic lawmakers over military video on illegal orders — Three House Democrats—Jason Crow (Colorado), Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), and Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania)—confirmed that the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C., led by Jeanine Pirro, requested interviews regarding their participation in a November video instructing troops they need not comply with illegal orders. The investigation expands to five lawmakers total; the Pentagon also formally censured Senator Mark Kelly and launched administrative proceedings. Trump called the video "seditious" and threatened capital punishment, later walking back but maintaining the lawmakers face "serious jeopardy."

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• Senate Democrats sent letter on Pentagon investigation of Senator Kelly — On December 9, Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Navy Secretary John Phelan calling the Pentagon's investigation into Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) over a viral video where he and other Democratic lawmakers urged military members to refuse illegal orders "an outright, brazen abuse of power," and added that the review "amount[s] to a purely political exercise seeking to threaten legitimate and lawful actions…and politicize our military justice system."

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• Democratic congressional candidate indicted for ICE facility protest — Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian American progressive running for Illinois's ninth congressional district, was indicted on federal charges related to September protests outside a Chicago-area ICE processing facility. The indictment alleges she and five others conspired to forcibly impede a federal agent, banging on the agent's vehicle, damaging it, and blocking its movement. Abughazaleh characterized the charges as political prosecution and a "gross attempt at silencing dissent," asserting the indictment criminalizes First Amendment protest rights.

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• Stephen Miller calls Immergut ruling "legal insurrection" — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller denounced Judge Immergut's ruling as "legal insurrection," using inflammatory language that analysts worry could incite violence against the judiciary.
• Trump attacks Judge Immergut and misidentifies her sex — After Judge Immergut's ruling blocking national guard deployment, Trump publicly attacked her, telling reporters "I wasn't served well by the people who pick judges" (despite having nominated her himself), and misidentified her sex, saying "That judge ought to be ashamed of himself." Trump falsely claimed Portland was "burning to the ground."

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• House Republicans held press conference dismissing No Kings protests as un-American — Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and Rep. Chip Roy held a press conference during a shutdown to attack the No Kings Day protests held the previous weekend. They characterized the demonstrations as a "hate America rally," claimed protesters were celebrating the death of Republicans, and accused Democrats of promoting Marxists and Islamists. The statements were made despite the protests being peaceful and drawing an estimated 5.5 million participants.

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• Sen. Ted Cruz introduced legislation to prosecute funding sources of No Kings protests using RICO statutes — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced on Fox News that he has introduced legislation authorizing the Department of Justice to use RICO statutes to prosecute entities funding the No Kings rallies, claiming without evidence that George Soros and his network are behind the funding. The statement conflates protest funding with potential riot activity and proposes using organized-crime prosecution tools against political opposition groups.

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• Federal judge blocks national guard deployment to Portland — US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a restraining order on Saturday blocking the Trump administration from deploying federalized national guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The judge, nominated by Trump, agreed with Oregon's assertion that deploying national guard troops would likely inflame rather than calm protests, similar to effects observed in 2020.
• Judge Immergut blocks Oregon National Guard deployment — U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a ruling blocking the deployment of federalized Oregon National Guard troops to Portland. She declared that "the President's determination" that law enforcement could not execute the laws of the United States "was simply untethered to the facts." Immergut wrote that the nation is "a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law" and warned that the administration's arguments "risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation."
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Oregon v. Trump (D. Or.) 3:25-cv-01756 — District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Sept. 28 memorandum ordering the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard service members to Portland. In granting the TRO, the court found that the administration likely exceeded its authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406 and violated the Tenth Amendment. On Oct. 5, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the State of California and moved for a second temporary restraining order after the administration ordered the deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon under the same authority, seeking to circumvent the initial order. Judge Immergut quickly granted the second TRO, extending her order to prohibit the deployment of any federalized members of the National Guard in Oregon, regardless of their state origin. The administration has announced it intends to appeal both decisions.
• Federal judge temporarily blocked National Guard deployment to Oregon — Federal Judge Karin Immergut temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Oregon, writing that the president and his officials "have made a range of arguments that, if accepted, risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation." In response, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller tweeted that the decision amounted to "legal insurrection" and claimed that the refusal of Portland and Oregon law enforcement to cooperate with ICE officials is "an organized terrorist attack on the federal government and its officers."
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration national guard deployment to Portland — US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying 200 federalized Oregon National Guard members to Portland. Trump had announced the deployment on September 27, citing unrest at an ICE office. Oregon's attorney general filed suit, arguing the deployment would violate the Constitution and federal law prohibiting military enforcement of domestic law. The judge agreed the deployment would likely inflame rather than calm protests, contradicting the administration's characterization of Portland as a war zone when recent protests had been "sedate" with fewer than a dozen participants.
• Judge Immergut issues emergency order blocking federalized National Guard deployment — Both California and Oregon requested that Judge Immergut stop the Trump administration from circumventing her initial ruling by deploying California National Guard troops to Oregon. On Sunday evening, Judge Immergut held an emergency hearing on the deployment and issued an order forbidding the deployment of any federalized National Guard troops from any state to Oregon for 14 days.
• Federal judge blocked military deployment to Portland — U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled that the Trump administration failed to satisfy legal requirements to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon. The judge wrote that the order was necessary to preserve America's "longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs." The judge found the President's determination "simply untethered to the facts" and "not conceived in good faith," noting the administration risked blurring the line between civil and military federal power.
• Judge Immergut broadened order blocking National Guard deployments nationwide — Judge Immergut broadened her order to block the Trump administration from sending National Guard troops from any state or DC to Oregon, and told Justice Department lawyers that Trump's effort to do so was "in direct contravention" of her decision. The ruling came after Trump tried to send hundreds of California National Guard troops to Oregon, and another 400 members of the Texas National Guard to cities including Portland and Chicago.
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration deployment of national guard to Oregon — US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying federalized California national guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The order, effective until at least October 19, came hours after California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he would sue President Trump over the planned deployment. The judge found no evidence that recent protests necessitated the deployment and questioned how federalizing out-of-state guard units would not violate her prior day's order blocking Oregon's own guard deployment to Portland.
• — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an administrative stay of District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut's Oct. 4 Temporary Restraining Order blocking the Sept. 28 memorandum authorizing the federalization of the Oregon National Guard. Because the Oregon National Guard had already been federalized, the court said, the “administrative stay will best preserve the status quo” while the appeal is pending. Today's order does not address the underlying merits or Judge Immergut's further Oct. 5 order , which prevents the deployment of out-of-state National Guard troops to Oregon.

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• Prosecutor Halligan obtains grand jury indictment of James Comey — Days after her appointment, prosecutor Lindsay Halligan obtained a grand jury indictment against former FBI Director James Comey for obstruction of justice and making false statements to Congress. Comey pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers arguing that the charges constitute vindictive prosecution by the president.
• DOJ announced indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on obstruction and false-statement charges — The Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of obstructing a congressional investigation into disclosure of sensitive information (18 USC 1505) and making a false statement (18 USC 1001). The indictment alleges Comey falsely stated he did not authorize an FBI employee to be an anonymous source. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel issued statements characterizing the indictment as reflecting DOJ's commitment to accountability and the FBI's effort to restore public trust.
• U.S. Attorney Halligan secured indictment against former FBI Director James Comey — Lindsey Halligan, a Trump-installed temporary U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia with minimal prosecutorial experience, secured an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey on charges of making false statements to a Senate committee in September 2020 and obstructing a congressional investigation. The indictment came over the objections of career prosecutors in the district and was presented by Halligan alone before a grand jury—a highly unusual procedure for such a high-profile, politically charged case. Comey is scheduled for arraignment on October 9, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia.
• Federal grand jury indicts James Comey on false statement and obstruction charges — A federal grand jury in the eastern district of Virginia indicted former FBI director James Comey on September 25, 2025, on charges of making a false statement and obstructing a congressional investigation. The indictment relates to Comey's September 2020 testimony to Congress regarding whether he authorized FBI personnel to be anonymous sources in news stories. The indictment was presented by Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide with no prosecutorial experience who replaced a career prosecutor fired after refusing to bring charges against New York attorney general Letitia James.
• Indictment of James Comey on charges of lying to Congress — Former FBI director James Comey was indicted Thursday in the Eastern District of Virginia on one count of making a false statement to Congress and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding, related to testimony given five years prior during a hearing on the FBI's Russia investigation. The indictment followed the forced removal of US Attorney Erik Siebert, who reportedly found no grounds to indict Comey, and his replacement with Trump loyalist Lindsey Halligan with limited prosecutorial experience. Democrats and legal experts characterized the action as weaponization of the justice system for political retribution.
• James Comey indicted on false statements and obstruction charges — Former FBI director James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday on two felony counts: making false statements to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. The charges relate to Comey's September 2020 testimony about the Russia investigation, specifically allegations that he falsely claimed he had never authorized FBI leaks to the media. The indictment followed Trump's directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi to "move now" against Comey and came after Trump fired the previous federal prosecutor who had declined to bring charges due to insufficient evidence.
• DOJ expected to indict James Comey before statute of limitations expires — Three sources told MSNBC that Lindsey Halligan is expected to attempt to get a grand jury to indict former FBI Director James Comey before the five-year statute of limitations on lying to Congress expires in six days. Bloomberg reported the Department of Justice is also pushing forward with the case against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
• Federal grand jury indicts former FBI director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing investigation — A federal grand jury indicted former FBI director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing an investigation. The indictment came days after Trump demanded that the Department of Justice prosecute those he perceives as enemies, and after Trump replaced acting U.S. attorney Erik Siebert—who had concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge Comey—with White House aide and Trump's former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan. Sources indicated Halligan was expected to pursue the indictment before the five-year statute of limitations expired.
• Indictment of James Comey allegedly based on false evidence presented to grand jury — Ken Dilanian reported that the indictment of James Comey appears to attribute words to Comey that he never uttered. Comey testified to Senator Ted Cruz that he stood by his 2017 testimony but did not state in a 2020 hearing that he had not "authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports." Legal analysts including Andrew McCarthy stated the indictment appears premised on a false claim that Andrew McCabe said Comey authorized him to leak to the Wall Street Journal, which McCabe never said.
• DOJ indicts former FBI director James Comey on false statement charges — The Justice Department indicted former FBI director James Comey in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on two counts of making false statements to Congress in September 2020. Prosecutors alleged Comey misled lawmakers by claiming he had never authorized anyone at the FBI to leak to reporters, when he had in fact authorized Columbia law professor Dan Richman to leak information about an investigation into Hillary Clinton. The case was considered weak by prosecutors and observers; the grand jury barely met the threshold to approve charges, with only 14 of 23 jurors voting for the false statement count.
• Trump-ordered indictment of former FBI Director James Comey filed by newly appointed US Attorney — Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on two felony counts by a grand jury presented by newly appointed US Attorney Lindsey Halligan. Trump posted on Truth Social celebrating the indictment, calling Comey "one of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to." Multiple legal analysts, including Fox contributors Andrew McCarthy and Kim Strassel, expressed skepticism that the charges would survive judicial scrutiny, with McCarthy stating he did not believe the case would reach trial. Ken Dilanian reported DOJ sources characterizing the indictment as "among the worst abuses in DOJ history."

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• California governor files preliminary injunction to block extended national guard deployment — Following Judge Breyer's ruling, California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a preliminary injunction on September 2 seeking to block the Trump administration's extension of national guard troops' deployment in Los Angeles through the November election. Newsom argued there was no justification for continued military presence against communities. Approximately 300 troops remained deployed at the time, down from thousands sent in June.
• Federal judge rules Trump administration illegally deployed national guard in Los Angeles — Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court ruled that the Trump administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act (1878) by deploying thousands of national guard troops to accompany federal immigration agents on raids in Los Angeles in June 2025. The ruling, effective September 12, barred troops from conducting arrests, searches, crowd control, and other law-enforcement functions. California Governor Gavin Newsom had filed suit in June, arguing the deployment constituted militarization of domestic streets. The Trump administration vowed to appeal.
• Judge Breyer ruled Trump administration's use of military in Los Angeles violated Posse Comitatus Act — Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense acted illegally when they deployed the Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles. The judge found that armed soldiers set up protective perimeters, traffic blockages, and engaged in crowd control, directly violating the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of U.S. military to execute domestic law. The judge noted that 300 troops remain in Los Angeles and warned that Trump and Hegseth have stated their intention to deploy National Guard troops in other cities, "thus creating a national police force with the President as its chief." Breyer prohibited the defendants from deploying or using military or National Guard troops to execute laws and stayed the order until noon September 12 to allow appeal.
• Federal judge ruled Trump's LA military deployment violated Posse Comitatus Act — A federal judge ruled that Trump's deployment of the military to Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the army from performing domestic law enforcement actions without authorization from Congress. While the judge noted that it's legal to deploy the officials to protect federal property, he said that Trump is using the military as a "national police force with the President as its chief."
• Judge Blocks Military Deployment for Law Enforcement in Los Angeles — On September 2, 2025, Judge Charles Breyer issued a ruling that prohibited the Trump administration from using military troops for law enforcement in Los Angeles, citing violations of the Posse Comitatus Act. The judge's order prevents the deployment of National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement activities, emphasizing the need to uphold legal boundaries between military and civilian roles.
• Judge Rules Against Trump's Use of Military for Domestic Law Enforcement — On September 2, 2025, Judge Charles Breyer ruled that President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense acted illegally by deploying the Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles to enforce domestic law, violating the Posse Comitatus Act. The judge prohibited the use of military troops for law enforcement activities and warned against creating a national police force under presidential control.
• Judge rules Trump violated federal law in Los Angeles national guard deployment — A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that President Trump violated federal law when he deployed thousands of national guard troops to Los Angeles earlier in the summer during protests against ICE operations. The ruling represents a legal challenge to Trump's authority to unilaterally deploy military forces domestically without proper statutory authorization or state consent.
• Federal judge rules Trump's military deployment to Los Angeles unlawful — A federal judge found that Trump illegally deployed thousands of military troops to Los Angeles in June and barred the Pentagon from using National Guard and Marines for police functions such as arrests and crowd control. The order takes effect September 12. The ruling upheld California Governor Gavin Newsom's lawsuit challenging the deployment as a violation of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits military use in domestic law enforcement.

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• California Republicans file suit to block Newsom's fast-track redistricting plan — Republican state legislators in California filed an emergency petition on Tuesday to block Governor Gavin Newsom's mid-year redistricting plan, which aims to counter Texas's redrawn congressional maps. The suit argues the legislative process violates a 30-day introduction-to-vote requirement and bypasses the state's independent citizens redistricting commission. Newsom announced the plan to use California's voting power to counteract Republican gains expected from Texas redistricting, framing it as a response to Trump's influence over mapmaking in Republican-led states.
• Texas House Republicans impose surveillance protocols and "permission slips" on Democratic lawmakers — Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows ordered around-the-clock police escorts and mandatory "permission slip" forms for Democratic representatives who had left the state to break quorum on redistricting votes. Democrats, who had fled to California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York to delay Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts favoring Donald Trump, returned to Austin on Monday. Upon return, they faced surveillance including plainclothes officers following them to homes and grocery stores. On Tuesday, Democrats tore up the permission slips and occupied the House floor in protest, calling the protocol "demeaning" and an attack on their dignity and freedom of movement.
• Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows demanded Democratic representatives sign commitment statements and assigned state troopers to monitor their movements to ensure attendance at redistricting vote. — After 51 Democratic Texas state representatives returned from a quorum-breaking absence on August 19, House Speaker Dustin Burrows required them to sign statements committing to appear for a Wednesday vote on congressional redistricting maps. Refusal to sign risked arrest. Burrows also assigned state troopers to monitor the Democrats' movements around the clock until the final vote. The measure would convert five Democratic congressional seats to Republican-dominated districts at President Trump's direction.
• Texas House speaker assigned state troopers to police Democratic members — The Republican Texas House speaker assigned state troopers to police Democratic members to ensure they show up and provide enough lawmakers present to conduct business. This enforcement mechanism was used to compel attendance during legislative sessions, including redistricting votes.

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• DOJ issues subpoenas to New York attorney general Letitia James — The Department of Justice issued two subpoenas to New York Attorney General Letitia James. One subpoena relates to the civil fraud case James's office brought against Trump, which resulted in a $500 million judgment against the president. The second concerns James's investigation into the National Rifle Association. NBC News reported the government's cases focus on whether James deprived Trump and the NRA of legal rights in civil lawsuits. James's lawyer characterized the action as political retaliation and weaponization of the DOJ.

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• Ed Martin appointed special counsel to investigate Letitia James — Ed Martin, whose nomination for DC U.S. Attorney was withdrawn due to lack of Senate confirmation prospects, was appointed as special counsel to lead a criminal investigation of New York Attorney General Letitia James for allegedly depriving Trump and NRA President Wayne LaPierre of civil rights in separate prosecutions, and to investigate Senator Adam Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud.
• Federal prosecutors investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James — Federal prosecutors opened an investigation into the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, focusing on whether her civil suits against Trump, his businesses, and the National Rifle Association constituted deprivation of legal rights under color of law. James's office responded that any weaponization of the justice system should concern all Americans and reaffirmed confidence in its litigation.

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• Texas Governor Abbott requests expulsion of House Democratic leader from legislature — Texas Governor Greg Abbott asked the Texas Supreme Court to allow him to expel Representative Gene Wu, the leader of the House Democrats, from the legislature, claiming Wu had abandoned his office by leaving the state to break quorum on the redistricting vote. Legal experts disagreed with the characterization, with constitutional law expert Charles Rhodes stating there is "absolutely no authority that says breaking quorum is the same as the intent to abandon a seat."
• Texas Governor Abbott filed emergency appeal to remove Democratic caucus chair — Texas Governor Abbott filed an emergency appeal with the state Supreme Court to remove Democratic caucus chair Rep. Gene Wu from office, calling him "the ringleader" of lawmakers who left the state in recent days, and arguing the move constitutes "abandonment of their office." In response, Wu said, "I took an oath to the Constitution, not a politician's agenda, and I will not be the one to break that oath."
• Texas governor files petition to remove Democratic state representative from office — Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition with the state supreme court seeking to remove state representative Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic caucus, from office for leaving the state to prevent a quorum on redistricting legislation. Abbott stated that Democratic lawmakers "abandoned their duty to Texans" and must face consequences. Wu responded that denying quorum was a constitutional duty and moral obligation to prevent what he characterized as Trump's demand for additional congressional seats through gerrymandering.

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• Texas senator requests FBI assistance to locate and arrest Democratic state lawmakers who left state — U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas requested that FBI Director Kash Patel assist Texas law enforcement in locating and arresting Democratic state legislators who departed the state to prevent a quorum on redistricting votes. The request escalates a confrontation between Texas Republicans (backed by Trump) seeking aggressive congressional redistricting and Democratic lawmakers who fled to Illinois. Governor Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition to remove state representative Gene Wu from office, and state troopers were ordered to arrest and return absent members. The FBI declined to comment on the request.
• Senator John Cornyn requests FBI arrest of Democratic legislators — Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas asked the FBI to find and arrest the Democratic legislators who left the state to break quorum on the redistricting vote. Trump told reporters the FBI might have to get involved. The request represents a significant overreach of federal power to enforce state legislative quorum requirements.
• Senator Cornyn claims FBI agreed to assist in locating Texas Democratic lawmakers — Senator John Cornyn claimed the FBI had agreed to help locate Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a Republican-backed gerrymandered congressional map. Democrats condemned the claim as authoritarian overreach and weaponization of federal law enforcement. The FBI declined to comment; an administration official and federal law enforcement source told NBC News the government did not plan to arrest the lawmakers and had not assisted in locating them. No lawmakers have been charged with a crime.
• Sen. John Cornyn requested FBI assistance to locate Texas House Democrats who fled the state — Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) issued a statement that Kash Patel, head of the FBI, approved his request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating House Democrats who left Texas to avoid a legislative session. Cornyn characterized the absent legislators as "rogue" and stated they cannot avoid their constitutional responsibilities. Legal experts questioned the legal basis for FBI involvement in locating state legislators.

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• DOJ impanels grand jury to investigate Obama officials on conspiracy charges — The Justice Department impaneled a grand jury in August to investigate a conspiracy charge by Trump's Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that Obama and his aides engaged in "treasonous conspiracy" by launching inquiries into Russian election interference in 2016. The investigation proceeds despite bipartisan Senate findings confirming Russian efforts to boost Trump and despite Gabbard's release of classified materials that did not support the allegations.