Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• California Supreme Court orders sheriff to return confiscated ballots — California's Supreme Court ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco unlawfully confiscated over 650,000 ballots during an inquiry into unsubstantiated fraud claims following a November 2025 special election. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero found the seizure violated election law and created substantial risk to election integrity. Attorney General Rob Bonta had ordered Bianco to return the ballots; Bianco refused. The court rejected Bianco's argument that the AG could not direct a sheriff's investigation, affirming state authority over election materials. Governor Newsom signed legislation preventing future ballot seizures.
• California Supreme Court ordered sheriff to return confiscated ballots — The California Supreme Court ordered Sheriff Chad Bianco to return the confiscated ballots, ruling that it was Bianco, not voters, who was endangering elections. The court stated: "Allowing law enforcement unfettered access to ballots, or the ability to handle and count them in secret, based on unregulated protocols, itself creates a substantial risk to election integrity."

Supporting reports

• DHS whistleblower alleges voter impersonation by federal agents — A Department of Homeland Security whistleblower alleged that DHS, as part of its "Unlawful Voter Initiative," directed federal agents to impersonate voters in violation of state laws, using Social Security numbers and other information to look up voter history on state websites. The allegation prompted US Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to request an investigation by California's attorney general, citing concerns about how DHS obtained and used voter data and whether it complied with law.

Supporting reports

• DHS investigated left-wing groups after Alex Pretti's killing — The New York Times reported that the Department of Homeland Security quietly launched an investigation into several left-leaning political organizations in the wake of Alex Pretti's killing by federal immigration agents. The probe targeted many groups and individuals not connected to any criminal activity and involved expansive surveillance efforts, including infiltrating Signal group chats and obtaining financial records of organizations.
• Mayor Ginther ordered Columbus police to restrict Flock data sharing — Following an audit revealing 15,577 searches of Columbus's Flock network potentially related to immigration enforcement, Mayor Andrew Ginther issued an order directing Columbus police to stop statewide sharing of the city's Flock license plate data. Police had already restricted broader nationwide sharing. The order came after council members and residents questioned the use of the surveillance technology and its connection to federal immigration enforcement operations.
• Federal operation "Operation Puppet Master" targeted progressive organizations and anti-ICE activists — Court documents filed on Thursday reveal a federal operation called "Operation Puppet Master" that targeted progressive organizations, labor unions, and groups protesting the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The Justice Department charged 15 defendants in June with crimes including conspiracy to impede federal officers, assault, threats, stalking, and destruction of government property. DHS officers entered meetings in churches, schools, and parks while working undercover, monitored activist chat groups, and used license plate numbers to identify people who attended gatherings. A DHS page titled "The Conspiracy" listed 18 organizations ranging from a Minneapolis bicycle repair collective to the AFL-CIO. At a January 31 meeting in Minneapolis, an undercover DHS officer listened as Sunrise Movement supporters discussed sit-ins, de-escalation, safety marshals, and police liaisons at events; the officer's report noted the group focused on peaceful protests.
• Columbus city council held six-hour hearing on Flock camera surveillance and immigration enforcement — Columbus residents and city officials spent approximately six hours on Monday debating the city's use of Flock Safety cameras. Council members questioned Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant and public safety officials about privacy, data sharing, and whether the city should continue using the technology. A recent audit found the Columbus Flock network had been searched 15,577 times for reasons potentially involving immigration enforcement, including searches by DHS, U.S. Border Patrol, and law enforcement participating in ICE's 287g program. Following the audit, Mayor Andrew Ginther ordered Columbus police to stop statewide sharing of Flock data.
• Flock Safety announced policy changes to address surveillance concerns — After months of backlash, Flock Safety announced new changes to its license plate reader policies. The company will reduce its standard data retention period from 30 days to 7 days, require law enforcement to use an auditing feature to identify abnormal searches, and require officers to connect searches to case codes from their records management systems. Flock will also give cities and police departments more control over the types of investigations outside agencies can conduct using the data, allowing jurisdictions to block outside searches tied to immigration enforcement. More than 50 agencies or jurisdictions have canceled, suspended, rejected, or deactivated Flock systems since the beginning of 2026.

Supporting reports

• ICE and TSA expand airport immigration enforcement targeting visa overstayers and asylum seekers — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have dramatically expanded collaboration at US airports, conducting as many as three dozen daily arrests in July with a stated goal of 2,000 daily immigration arrests. Targets include people with pending visa, asylum, and green card applications, former au pairs, and asylum seekers with serious medical conditions. Airline workers have reportedly declined to assist federal agents, and Southwest Airlines gate agents refused to allow an ICE officer to board a plane without a judicial warrant. The airline industry has expressed workplace safety and legal concerns.

Supporting reports

• DHS/ICE sought court orders to force-feed at least 10 hunger strikers in immigration detention — Between 2025 and 2026, Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials obtained court orders to subject at least 10 detained immigrants to involuntary medical procedures, including force-feeding via nasogastric tubes, intravenous forced hydration, and involuntary blood draws. Court records show procedures were definitely performed on at least three detainees and probably on two more; five others ended their hunger strikes before procedures began. Cases span facilities in Texas, Florida, Washington, and Arizona. Many detainees lacked legal representation during proceedings.
• ICE force-feeding of detained hunger strikers revealed in at least 10 cases — Since Trump's return to office in January 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has subjected at least 10 detained immigrants to involuntary force-feeding procedures, including an Afghan man force-fed for nearly six months, a Ukrainian man whose force-feeding was stopped by legal intervention, and a Saudi woman who broke her strike under threat of the procedure. ICE obtained emergency court orders, often without the detainee's legal representation, to restrain hunger strikers and insert nasogastric tubes. Medical experts and human rights organizations characterize the practice as torture.
• ICE force-fed at least 10 detained hunger strikers — A Guardian investigation of court records identified at least 10 cases in which ICE sought to subject detained hunger strikers to involuntary medical procedures, with at least three and possibly five individuals force-fed. A Kurdish asylum seeker at Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Texas was force-fed for nearly eight months; another endured six months. The procedure involves guards restraining detainees while medical staff insert a tube through the nose into the stomach and pump liquid nutrition. Human rights organizations classify force-feeding of competent hunger strikers as torture.

Supporting reports

• Police deploy teargas and arrest protesters outside Delaney Hall detention facility — Following the announcement of the women's strike on June 12, law enforcement responded to ongoing protests outside Delaney Hall. New Jersey state police and Newark local police deployed teargas and arrested dozens of protesters in an effort to disperse crowds gathered in support of striking detainees. This escalation followed earlier ICE use of pepper spray, tasers, and batons against protesters supporting the May 22 strike.

Supporting reports

• Newark Mayor imposes indefinite overnight curfew at Delaney Hall area — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka imposed an indefinite overnight curfew from 9pm to 6am in the area surrounding Delaney Hall immigration detention center, effective immediately following Saturday night clashes between state police and protesters. The curfew order threatened arrest or legal action against those who did not disperse during the restricted hours. The curfew was announced after violent confrontations in which state police on horseback and in riot gear used teargas, aggressive shoving, and arrests against demonstrators.

Supporting reports

• New Jersey state police deploy at Delaney Hall ICE facility; dozens of protesters arrested for curfew violations — On Sunday night, New Jersey state police in riot gear enforced a curfew at Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, resulting in arrests of at least 20–46 protesters who defied dispersal orders. Governor Mikie Sherrill had announced Friday that state law enforcement would take over policing duties from federal ICE officers following eight days of confrontations. The rapid deployment—less than 15 minutes after issuing a dispersal order—drew criticism from protesters, elected officials, and journalists, who alleged excessive force and attacks on press documenting the scene.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice files charges against protester at ICE detention center — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice filed criminal charges against a protester who allegedly kicked and bit an ICE officer outside Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The filing occurred amid escalating clashes between federal agents and demonstrators protesting conditions inside the facility and supporting detained immigrants engaged in a hunger and labor strike.

Supporting reports

• ICE Pepper-Sprays Senator Andy Kim and Protesters at Newark Detention Facility — Federal agents deployed pepper spray against anti-ICE protesters outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, where detainees were conducting a hunger strike over poor conditions and denial of medical care. Senator Andy Kim, who had been denied entry despite claiming ICE approval for a congressional oversight visit, was among those pepper-sprayed. Kim reported that detainees had been threatened with retaliation for their protest activities.
• Federal agents pepper-spray US senator and protesters at ICE detention facility in Newark — US Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) joined Governor Mikie Sherrill at a protest outside Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark on May 25, where detainees were staging a hunger strike over poor conditions and denied medical care. ICE agents used batons, pepper spray, and pepper balls against protesters and attempted to move vehicles through the crowd. Kim said he positioned himself between protesters and agents to de-escalate but was pepper-sprayed. The DHS later denied the hunger strike and claimed agents used minimum force against "rioters."

Supporting reports

• ICE agents deploy pepper spray and batons against protesters at New Jersey detention center — On May 24, 2026, ICE agents used pepper spray and batons to disperse approximately 70 protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey. Protesters had assembled to block the transfer of Martin Soto, a detainee who had announced a hunger and work strike demanding release of elderly, young, and medically vulnerable detainees. Despite the demonstration, ICE successfully transferred Soto to Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility. At least one protester was pepper-sprayed and another suffered a leg injury. Visitation at the facility was subsequently suspended.
• Law enforcement pepper-spray, tase, and arrest protesters at Delaney Hall during congressional oversight visit and detainee transfer — On May 24, during a congressional oversight visit to Delaney Hall, ICE officers pepper-sprayed protesters attempting to prevent the transfer of detainee Martin Soto, including U.S. Senator Andy Kim. The incident drew additional protesters to the facility. Government officials—ICE, New Jersey state police, and Newark police—have responded to ongoing demonstrations with pepper spray, tasers, tear gas, beatings, and arrests of dozens of protesters over the preceding two weeks.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge bans ICE arrests at Manhattan immigration courts except in rare cases — US District Judge P Kevin Castel issued a 15-page order on Monday prohibiting ICE agents from arresting immigrants at three federal courthouses in lower Manhattan (26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway) except under exceptional circumstances or when public safety is threatened. The ruling responded to a lawsuit by the ACLU, New York Civil Liberties Union, Make the Road NY, and other groups. Castel found a strong governmental interest in immigration enforcement must be balanced against individuals' right to attend removal proceedings and pursue asylum claims without fear of arrest. The judge noted the Trump administration had recently reversed its position on whether 2025 policies applied to immigration courts, and he corrected what he called a "clear error" after prosecutors apologized for material misstatements to the court.

Supporting reports

• Veterans arrested during Iran war protest in Washington DC — Sixty-six veterans, including elderly and disabled participants, were arrested during a protest against the ongoing Iran war in Washington DC. Mike Prysner, Executive Director of the Center on Conscience and War, was among those arrested. Prysner stated that the war has claimed thousands of American lives and over a million Iraqi lives, and called on active service members to refuse deployment. The protest occurred as the U.S. continues military operations in Iran at an estimated cost of $1–2 billion per day.

Supporting reports

• DHS agent shoots USC student with less-lethal projectile at No Kings march, causing permanent eye loss — On 28 March, Tucker Collins, 18, an 18-year-old USC freshman and photographer, was struck in the right eye by a "less-lethal" projectile fired by a Department of Homeland Security agent during a No Kings protest outside the Metropolitan detention center in downtown Los Angeles. The impact fractured the bones in his eye socket; the eye was subsequently surgically removed. Collins's attorney states he was documenting the protest, posed no threat, and was shot in violation of a September federal court injunction prohibiting DHS use of force against journalists and legal observers exercising First Amendment rights. DHS claims officers followed training and used minimum necessary force after seven warnings.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Surveillance and pretrial detention used as punishment without conviction in Mazurek case — Over three years, John Mazurek endured two months of jail detention, 24-hour house arrest with ankle monitoring for six months, continued ankle monitoring for an additional 12 months, and a hidden surveillance camera placed on a utility pole outside his house. These measures were imposed during the pretrial period without any conviction. Mazurek characterized the experience as "the process was the punishment," noting that authorities used pretrial detention and surveillance as a de facto sentence despite his lack of conviction. The hidden camera was removed only after The Guardian reported on it and raised Fourth Amendment concerns.

Supporting reports

• ICE arrests approximately 100 clergy members during Minneapolis airport protest — During a demonstration at Minneapolis-St Paul international airport organized by clergy opposing ICE operations, federal immigration agents arrested approximately 100 faith leaders who were engaged in prayer and civil disobedience. The arrests occurred as 250 clergy members led roughly 2,000 participants in the protest against federal immigration enforcement in the city.
• Minneapolis mayor reaffirms sanctuary policy and clergy conduct mass protest against ICE operations — In response to Trump sending thousands of federal troops to Minneapolis in January 2026, the city's mayor emphasized the municipality's sanctuary policy refusing cooperation with ICE. Hundreds of clergy members from inside and outside the city organized protests, with 250 clergy leading approximately 2,000 participants in a demonstration at Minneapolis-St Paul international airport. ICE arrested about 100 clergy members during the action as faith leaders engaged in prayer and civil disobedience.

Supporting reports

• Federal lawsuit alleges DHS agents labeled observers "domestic terrorists" — Legal nonprofit Protect Democracy filed a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that DHS agents are retaliating against people who lawfully observe and record federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit references a viral video from Portland, Maine, in which an agent told an observer: "Cause we have a nice little database. And now you're considered a domestic terrorist." DHS denied the database exists but acknowledged it "monitors and investigates" threats. In Minnesota, dozens of people submitted sworn declarations to the ACLU stating federal agents told them filming enforcement operations was illegal or constituted interference.
• Federal judge documented immigration agents disregarding judicial directives — A Bush-appointed federal judge compiled nearly one hundred documented instances in which immigration agents disregarded judicial directives within a single month, noting the list was almost certainly incomplete. A separate judge stated publicly that the vast majority of people brought before his court had lawful status. A government attorney was held in civil contempt, and another described arriving with no training and no guidance. Hundreds of agents remain in operation, with on-the-ground observers reporting operations shifting toward communities with less visibility.
• Legal observers classified using language associated with violent extremism — A new federal lawsuit alleges that legal observers monitoring immigration enforcement operations are being classified using language associated with violent extremism. A former agency attorney testified that officer training was cut by over 40%, including constitutional law and use-of-force instruction.

Supporting reports

• Capitol Police arrest disabled woman for standing during State of the Union — Capitol Police forcibly removed and arrested Aliya Rahman, a disabled woman and guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar, during Trump's State of the Union address. Rahman was charged with "unlawful conduct" for standing silently in the gallery for a brief period, despite warning officers about her injured shoulders. The arrest followed her viral appearance in a video of being dragged from her car by ICE agents the previous month.
• Capitol Police arrest Ilhan Omar's guest Aliya Rahman for standing during Trump's State of the Union address — Aliya Rahman, a Minneapolis resident and guest of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, was arrested by Capitol Police during President Trump's State of the Union address on February 25, 2026. Rahman stood silently in the gallery; police ordered her to sit, she refused, and she was removed and arrested for unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress. Rahman had previously been dragged from her car by immigration agents in January while seeking medical care. Omar called for an investigation, characterizing the arrest as a heavy-handed response to peaceful protest that sends a chilling message about democracy.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Broadway dancers performed choreographed memorial at Lincoln Memorial for two people killed by ICE agents — On President's Day, twenty-two dancers from Broadway productions (Hamilton, MJ: The Musical, Wicked) and former Kennedy Center performers staged a choreographed performance at the Lincoln Memorial memorializing Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two people killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The piece was directed by Bryan Buckley and choreographed by Matthew Steffens. The Lincoln Memorial performance completed without interruption. The dancers then moved to the Kennedy Center, where twenty-three law enforcement officers stopped them partway through the routine, citing federal property restrictions.

Supporting reports

• Broadway dancers' memorial performance interrupted by police at Kennedy Center — On President's Day, February 16, 2026, twenty-two dancers from Broadway casts including Hamilton, MJ, and Wicked performed a choreographed memorial for Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti at the Lincoln Memorial. The performance played in full at that location. When the group moved to the Kennedy Center, twenty-three officers stopped them partway through their performance. The White House Communications Director publicly criticized the memorial as "weak, corny, and lame."
• Broadway dancers performed choreographed memorial at Lincoln Memorial for two people killed by ICE agents — On President's Day, twenty-two dancers from Broadway productions (Hamilton, MJ: The Musical, Wicked) and former Kennedy Center performers staged a choreographed performance at the Lincoln Memorial memorializing Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two people killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The piece was directed by Bryan Buckley and choreographed by Matthew Steffens. The Lincoln Memorial performance completed without interruption. The dancers then moved to the Kennedy Center, where twenty-three law enforcement officers stopped them partway through the routine, citing federal property restrictions.

Supporting reports

• Federal officers use force against protesters in immigration crackdown — The Washington Post reported that federal officers carrying out Trump's immigration crackdown in cities across the country have shot 13 people with guns. Far more frequently, they have used harsh tactics including rubber bullets, pepper spray, tear gas, explosive flash-bangs, vehicle ramming, and pointing guns at peaceful protesters and people obstructing them. Officers masked and equipped with military-grade armor and rifles have injured hundreds of people. Courts in at least four states have found that officers used force inappropriately and indiscriminately.

Supporting reports

• Deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations — Two people, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal immigration agents during "Operation Metro Surge" enforcement actions in Minneapolis. The killings occurred while the individuals were protesting immigration enforcement. These deaths exemplify the violent conduct of federal agents during the surge and have intensified fear within immigrant communities and among those opposing the enforcement operation.
• Secretary Noem contradicted by ICE and CBP on domestic terrorism designation — During Senate hearings, Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott and ICE Director Lyons both denied that they had provided Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem with an assessment that Alex Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism. However, Noem had repeatedly stated publicly that she only referred to Pretti as a domestic terrorist because that is what ICE and CBP told her. The contradiction suggests Noem may have misrepresented the basis for her characterization.
• Sen. Gary Peters questioned whether Noem was told Pretti was domestic terrorist — Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott and ICE Director Lyons whether they had provided Secretary Noem with an assessment that Alex Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism. Both officials answered no. Peters then asked how Noem could possibly have come to that conclusion to tell the American public, and Scott responded that he could not speculate on what someone else would say or why.
• Senate hearing on Minneapolis federal occupation and ICE deployment — Two heated Senate hearings took place: one with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and another with ICE and Border Patrol officials. Ellison testified that Minneapolis felt occupied by the federal government, comparing the experience to the Boston Massacre. He reported being stonewalled by federal authorities in two cases (Alex Pretti and Renee Good) and stated the feds were not investigating the Renee Good matter and had not provided access to evidence.
• VA Secretary Collins refuses to correct false claims about VA nurse Alex Pretti's killing — During a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, VA Secretary Doug Collins declined to correct Trump administration officials' characterization of Alex Pretti—a VA nurse shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24—as a "terrorist." Democratic lawmakers pressed Collins on the killing and his agency's restructuring plans. Collins expressed sympathy but refused further comment, citing an ongoing investigation. The hearing also revealed the VA has lost over 30,000 employees and closed 1,000 hospital beds while posting a $1 trillion contract encouraging private insurers to bid on veteran care.