Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DOJ moves to dismiss charges against David Hearn — The Department of Justice filed to dismiss criminal charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The DOJ's filing stated that the damage was due to flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than vandalism. This move follows a series of events where the Trump administration blamed Hearn for the pool's issues, despite evidence suggesting the problems stemmed from the renovation process itself.
• Dismissal of DOJ Case Against David Hearn — The Department of Justice case against David Hearn for vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was dismissed after his lawyers argued that the government's witness testified the pool was already damaged before Hearn approached it. They claimed irregularities in the grand jury's proceedings, suggesting that the indictment may have been influenced by misconduct. This dismissal raises concerns about the integrity of the DOJ's handling of grand jury processes.
• Trump Administration Drops Charges Against Lincoln Memorial Vandalism Defendants — Federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office, led by Jeanine Pirro, moved to dismiss misdemeanor charges against three defendants accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This follows a previous decision to drop felony charges against former Olympian David Hearn for similar accusations. The decision has reportedly caused tension within the Trump administration.
• DOJ dismisses felony charge against David Hearn in reflecting pool case — The Trump administration's Department of Justice moved to dismiss a felony property destruction charge against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn on Friday, citing newly obtained Interior Department documents showing the pool liner damage resulted from faulty contractor installation, not vandalism. Hearn had been arrested on June 19 and faced up to 10 years in prison. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office filed a 20-page motion stating the damage stemmed from a "rushed and flawed installation process." President Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision, saying she "choked" and "folded like an umbrella," sparking speculation about her job security.
• Charges Dropped Against Three Accused of Vandalism — Charges have been dropped against three individuals who were falsely accused of destroying the reflecting pool. This development comes amid political tensions and accusations of misinformation.

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• Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office. — After the Blanche vote was canceled, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would "temporarily withdraw" Blanche's nomination if Cornyn and Tillis did not "do the right thing," with the intention to resubmit it after the two senators leave office. Trump attacked both senators, claiming his prior refusal to endorse them had "ended" their political careers. He praised Blanche as a potential "Greatest AG of All Time" and stated Blanche would "remain, in any event, as Acting." The post signaled Trump's intent to circumvent Senate opposition through procedural delay and attrition.
• Trump threatens to withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination — Trump threatened to withdraw his nomination of Todd Blanche as attorney general after Senators Cornyn and Tillis refused to confirm him without a written revocation of Trump's tax audit immunity and January 6th slush fund. The senators' conditional refusal to confirm created a standoff over Trump's demand to retain immunity protections and control of discretionary funds related to January 6th.
• Trump refuses to narrow tax immunity agreement despite Republican senators' written limits request — Donald Trump declined a request from Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to formally limit the scope of a controversial tax immunity agreement that grants him, his family, and related entities broad protection from IRS audits. The agreement, part of a settlement ending a lawsuit over unauthorized disclosure of Trump's tax records, includes a $1.8 billion slush fund. Trump's refusal to narrow the deal jeopardized confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general, though Blanche can continue serving as acting AG indefinitely under federal law.
• Trump reverses position on $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and vows to revive it despite Senate opposition — Donald Trump, after initially declaring a controversial $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund "dead," reversed course and promised to revive it through legislation or executive action. The fund, part of a legal settlement with the DOJ over Trump's IRS lawsuit, is intended to compensate individuals Trump claims were wrongfully targeted by government. Senate Republicans John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are blocking Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination over the fund dispute, demanding written assurance the DOJ will not establish it. Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination, keep him as acting attorney general, and "push hard" for the fund anyway.
• Trump threatens to withdraw Blanche AG nomination temporarily, keep him as acting attorney general — Donald Trump announced he may "temporarily" withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general to circumvent Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who are blocking confirmation over objections to a $1.8 billion political-weaponization compensation fund and tax immunity provisions. Trump stated he would keep Blanche as acting attorney general indefinitely under federal law until the two senators leave office in January 2027. The Senate Judiciary Committee canceled a scheduled confirmation vote on Thursday.

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• White House conducted leak investigation with FBI director and chief of staff — White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel personally orchestrated a sprawling investigation aimed at identifying who leaked information about security deficiencies in a Qatari-gifted airplane intended as Air Force One. Investigators asked officials to turn over their phones on White House grounds. Patel was diverted from travel to Chicago to take a hands-on role, establishing a "war room" with Wiles in the West Wing for approximately seven hours. The investigation reflects significant breach of DOJ's historic independence.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration directs DOJ investigation of California Governor Newsom and his wife — Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Federal agents have contacted family friends and former employees, demanding records and allegedly abusing the grand jury process. A source confirmed the administration has conducted multiple investigations for roughly a year, including one regarding his wife's taxes and one related to his former chief of staff. Newsom filed a Freedom of Information Act request demanding disclosure of who ordered the investigation.
• Trump Justice Department investigates California Governor Gavin Newsom — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in a video that Trump's Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, noting that the couple have been placed on the president's political "hit list." Newsom posted on X that federal agents are on a "fishing expedition" to find a crime to indict him as he prepares a possible run for president in 2028. The investigation appears politically motivated and timed to Newsom's potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

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• FBI raid of Ohio Organizing Collaborative, voting rights group — FBI agents raided the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a grassroots voter registration organization, seizing computers and phones. Agents also visited homes of affiliated individuals throughout Ohio and conducted interviews. The raid appeared to examine accusations related to the 2024 election, though specifics were unclear. The action occurred amid a broader pattern of federal voter fraud investigations and came approximately one month after the acting attorney general's office instructed prosecutors to prioritize voter fraud cases.
• FBI raids voter registration organization office in Ohio — The FBI raided the office of a voter registration promotion group in Ohio and visited the homes of individuals associated with the organization.

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• Vice President Vance referred Minnesota Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison to DOJ for fraud investigation — Vice President J.D. Vance announced he would refer Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to the Department of Justice for investigation of criminal fraud. The referral was based on claims that Somali immigrants in Minnesota are engaging in social services fraud while Democrats overlook it. Governor Walz characterized Vance's attacks as a "campaign of retribution" meant to punish blue states, while Attorney General Ellison called the allegations "unfounded" and a "political stunt," stating that diverting official powers and public resources to pursue political adversaries "diminishes public trust in our institutions."

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• DOJ sends federal prosecutor to observe California ballot processing — The US Department of Justice sent a federal prosecutor to observe ballot processing in Los Angeles County during the ongoing count of California's gubernatorial primary. A Trump-appointed assistant US attorney stated that his office was conducting "multiple election fraud investigations" related to the primary.
• DOJ sends federal prosecutor to observe California ballot processing amid Trump election-fraud claims — The U.S. Justice Department deployed a federal prosecutor to Los Angeles County's Ballot Processing Center on Friday to observe ballot-counting operations, as President Trump made baseless claims that California Democrats were "rigging" primary election results. Bill Essayli, the Trump-appointed first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, simultaneously announced "multiple election fraud investigations" and alleged "serious structural vulnerabilities" in the state's election systems. State officials rejected the allegations, and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber affirmed the integrity of the counting process.

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• DOJ opens criminal inquiry into E Jean Carroll for alleged perjury — The Trump administration's Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll, the writer who accused President Trump of sexual assault, examining whether she committed perjury in a 2022 deposition during civil lawsuits against him. Carroll had stated she received no outside financial support for her legal battles, but later disclosed that a non-profit funded by billionaire Reid Hoffman had paid some legal fees. A federal appeals court dismissed perjury claims in 2024. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself due to his prior representation of Trump in Carroll's civil case.
• DOJ launched criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll — The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the woman who successfully sued Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The reported focus is alleged perjury related to funding for her lawsuits against Trump. The investigation was characterized as naked retaliation and revictimization of a sexual assault survivor by the man who assaulted her, using federal law enforcement as a weapon.
• DOJ opens inquiry into Reid Hoffman entity that funded E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit against Trump — The Department of Justice, led by US Attorney Andrew Boutros (Northern District of Illinois), opened an investigation into American Future Republic, a nonprofit backed by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman that helped fund E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuits against Donald Trump. Carroll is not the subject but the investigation focuses on potential money-laundering conspiracy and obstruction related to her 2022 deposition in which she stated she received no outside funding, later contradicted when Hoffman's support was disclosed. The investigation follows similar DOJ actions against other liberal-aligned nonprofits.
• Department of Justice launches criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll — The Department of Justice under President Trump initiated a criminal investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll, the journalist who successfully sued Trump for defamation and sexual assault, committed perjury in her testimony. Carroll had stated she was not being paid to launch the lawsuit; the investigation centers on whether this was false, given that billionaire Reid Hoffman later paid some of her legal fees and expenses.

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• Department of Justice sues four states over undercover license plate policies — The Department of Justice filed lawsuits against Maine, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts on May 28, 2026, challenging state policies that deny confidential license plates to federal law enforcement agents. The DOJ alleged the policies are unconstitutional, threaten agent safety, and undermine federal operations including immigration enforcement. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the policies are discriminatory and obstructionist. The Civil Division was instructed to identify additional state and local laws impeding federal operations.

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• Judge dismisses Trump's IRS lawsuit — Judge Kathleen Williams dismissed Donald Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, noting that the withdrawal of the case did not reference any settlement and that there was no legal basis for the claims. The judge emphasized the importance of transparency and the public's interest in government conduct, highlighting the lack of settlement documents submitted by the Department of Justice.
• Judge Kathleen Williams dismisses Trump's IRS lawsuit, finding no legal settlement — Judge Kathleen Williams issued an order dismissing Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, ruling that because Trump's withdrawal of the suit "does not reference any settlement or include a stipulation of settlement, there is no settlement of record." The judge noted that federal agencies represented by the DOJ neither submitted settlement documents nor filed documents ensuring settlement was appropriate where an outstanding question existed as to whether an actual case or controversy existed. The judge emphasized the public's strong interest in knowing about government conduct and fair administration of justice.

Supporting reports

• Stanley Woodward Jr. signs settlement agreement on behalf of the United States — Stanley E. Woodward Jr., a defense attorney who has represented Trump associates including FBI Director Kash Patel, Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro, Walt Nauta, and numerous January 6 defendants, signed the settlement agreement on behalf of the United States rather than Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Woodward's representation of Trump's orbit creates a conflict of interest in negotiating an agreement purportedly on behalf of the government.
• Treasury Department's top lawyer Brian Morrissey resigns — Brian Morrissey, the Treasury Department's top lawyer, resigned following the announcement of the Trump administration's agreement with the IRS regarding the $1.776 billion fund.
• Treasury Department general counsel resigned amid Trump settlement announcement — Brian Morrissey, the Treasury Department's general counsel and a former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, resigned as the government announced a controversial settlement with Trump. Morrissey, who joined the Trump administration last year as the president's pick for the position after previously serving at the agency and DOJ during Trump's first term, did not respond to requests for comment. The Treasury Department holds responsibility for approving use of the government's judgment fund, an uncapped pot of money used to settle lawsuits.

Supporting reports

• DOJ issued order permanently barring federal government from pursuing tax claims against Trump and affiliated entities — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order stating that the federal government is permanently barred from pursuing tax-related claims, reviews, examinations, and appeals against Trump, his family members, and affiliated companies. The order uses language stating the US "RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES" Trump and is "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED" from pursuing monetary relief or other actions against Trump and related individuals, including family members, trusts, and subsidiaries.
• Trump granted permanent immunity from IRS tax investigations and prosecution — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed off on a provision in Trump's settlement that permanently prohibits the IRS from investigating or prosecuting the president, his family, or his businesses for pending tax claims, including a current audit that could have cost Trump more than $100 million. Former IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel stated he was unaware of any precedent where the IRS agreed in advance to permanently forgo examination of previously filed tax returns for a specific person or business.
• Department of Justice amends agreement to release Trump from all IRS prosecution and audits — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an amended agreement that declares the United States "RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES" Trump, his sons, the Trump Organization, and "related or affiliated individuals" or companies from all IRS claims. The amendment asserts a blanket promise to cease all IRS audits of Trump's taxes and not to prosecute any crimes Trump, his family, businesses, or associates may have committed involving the IRS. This effectively grants Trump immunity from tax prosecution.
• Justice Department amends settlement agreement to permanently bar IRS from auditing Trump's tax returns — The Department of Justice, through acting attorney general Todd Blanche, added an addendum to a settlement agreement on May 20, 2026, permanently barring the IRS from auditing Donald Trump's past tax returns, as well as those of his family, company, and related entities for all filings prior to the agreement. This amendment was appended to a controversial $1.776 billion compensation fund created to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other government claims. The provision was posted quietly to the DOJ website the day after the fund's announcement and drew immediate criticism from Senate Democrats during Blanche's testimony.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration considers settling $10bn IRS lawsuit with $1.7bn compensation fund for allies including January 6 rioters — The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating to settle Trump's $10bn lawsuit against the IRS by establishing a $1.7bn compensation fund using the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The fund would compensate individuals Trump claims were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration, including over 1,500 January 6 rioters. The settlement would also include a public IRS apology and waiver of audits on Trump, his family, and businesses. A federal judge has appointed attorneys to examine whether a genuine legal controversy exists, raising concerns about self-dealing and potential DOJ manipulation.
• Trump withdrew IRS lawsuit; DOJ established $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" from Judgment Fund — Attorneys for President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization filed notice voluntarily dismissing a $10 billion IRS lawsuit in federal court in Miami with prejudice. In exchange, the Justice Department announced creation of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" drawn from the federal Judgment Fund to issue apologies and monetary relief to people claiming government "weaponization" or "lawfare." A five-member commission appointed by the Attorney General will decide beneficiaries; the President can remove any member. Quarterly reports go to the Attorney General, not the public. The fund must cease processing claims by December 2028.
• Trump settles IRS lawsuit and establishes $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund — Trump settled his lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax information by a whistleblower, abandoning his $10bn damages claim in exchange for a financial agreement that allowed him to establish a $1.776bn "anti-weaponization fund." Federal Judge Kathleen Williams approved the settlement on May 18. Critics and Democrats argue the fund functions as a "slush fund" designed to distribute taxpayer dollars to Trump's political allies, including those convicted of violence during the January 6 Capitol riot, whom Trump subsequently pardoned.
• Justice Department announces Anti-Weaponization Fund settlement with Trump entities — The Department of Justice announced establishment of "The Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement agreement in President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service. The fund, capitalized at $1.776 billion from the judgment fund, will process claims from individuals alleging weaponization or lawfare by government. Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization agreed to drop their lawsuit with prejudice and withdraw administrative claims related to tax-return leaks, the Mar-a-Lago raid, and Russia-collusion investigations in exchange for a formal apology (but no monetary damages to them personally) and creation of the fund. The fund will cease operations by December 1, 2028.
• DOJ establishes $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" for January 6 defendants and MAGA loyalists — The Department of Justice created a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded "Anti-Weaponization Fund" designated to provide financial support to January 6th insurrectionists and MAGA loyalists. The fund represents a direct allocation of federal resources to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the Capitol attack, effectively using public money to benefit political allies and those involved in the assault on the Capitol.
• DOJ establishes $1.776 billion fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund designated "for victims of lawfare and weaponization" to provide monetary relief and formal apologies to claimants. The fund will be administered by a five-member Commission appointed by the Attorney General, with one member chosen in consultation with congressional leadership. The President retains authority to remove any Commission member. The fund is expected to provide payouts to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol breach and Trump administration officials.
• DOJ announced Anti-Weaponization Fund eligibility may include January 6 defendants — ABC News and TIME reported before the fund announcement that the proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund could include people charged in connection with January 6. Reuters notes that "weaponization" and "lawfare" are terms the President and allies have used to describe criminal cases arising from the Capitol attack. The Hill reports that several convicted January 6 defendants have pending civil suits. DOJ has not publicly released eligibility criteria or named beneficiaries.
• DOJ announces $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as Trump settlement — Trump's Justice Department officially announced the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of a settlement with Trump in his lawsuit against the Treasury Department and IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. The fund will be overseen by a commission appointed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose members Trump can fire without cause, and will be made available in secret to those claiming wrongful government targeting, potentially including those Trump pardoned for January 6 involvement.
• Trump administration dismisses $10bn IRS lawsuit and establishes $1.776bn secretive compensation fund — The Justice Department announced creation of a $1.776bn "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as part of an agreement in which Trump and his sons dropped a $10bn lawsuit against the IRS. The fund, overseen by five commissioners (four appointed by the attorney general and removable by Trump), will compensate Trump allies with minimal transparency—quarterly reports go only to the attorney general and are confidential. Trump and his sons receive formal apologies but no monetary compensation. Democrats and watchdog groups condemned the arrangement as a slush fund funneling taxpayer dollars to political allies.
• Department of Justice announces $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to compensate Trump and associates — The Department of Justice, under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund purportedly to compensate victims of alleged "weaponization" of the Justice Department under former President Biden. The fund was established following Trump's withdrawal of a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS after a contractor leaked his tax information. Judge Kathleen Williams dismissed the suit, noting no legal settlement existed. The fund is controlled by five administrators, four chosen by Blanche and one in consultation with Congress, all removable by Trump without cause. Distributions are confidential and overseen only by the DOJ. Remaining funds after December 2028 revert to Trump's chosen federal account.
• Creation of $1.776 billion compensation fund for Trump allies with minimal oversight — The Department of Justice announced creation of a $1.776 billion compensation fund on May 19–20, 2026, to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other government claims. The fund is administered by five officials subject to at-will removal by the president, operates with minimal transparency requirements, and is not obligated to publicly disclose recipients or justifications for awards. Senate Democrats criticized the arrangement as an "outrageous, unprecedented slush fund." Acting attorney general Blanche testified that no limitations exist on who may seek compensation, including those convicted of assaulting police on January 6, though he stated Trump and his sons would not receive direct compensation.
• DOJ announces creation of Anti-Weaponization Fund — The Department of Justice announced the establishment of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" aimed at compensating individuals it describes as victims of lawfare under former President Joe Biden. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the fund is a lawful process for victims to seek redress. However, the fund is not a legal settlement related to Trump's dropped lawsuit against the IRS, and it grants Trump significant control over the distribution of taxpayer money without oversight.
• Justice Department announced $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund from Trump IRS lawsuit settlement — The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" created as part of a settlement of President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization dropped the suit and received a formal apology but no direct monetary payment. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal defense attorney, established the fund and will handpick the five-member commission deciding eligibility and payouts. The process is largely shielded from court review, and eligibility criteria remain undefined, with Blanche stating "anybody can apply."

Supporting reports

• Colorado governor commutes election denier Tina Peters' sentence under White House pressure — Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted the prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former Mesa County election clerk convicted in 2024 of three felonies related to unauthorized access to voting equipment in 2020. Peters' original nine-year sentence was reduced to four and a half years, with release scheduled for June 1, 2026. The commutation followed months of pressure from Donald Trump and conservative allies, including Trump's issuance of a federal pardon (which had no legal effect on her state conviction) and threats to withhold federal funds from Colorado.
• Colorado governor commutes sentence of election denier Tina Peters — Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted the nearly nine-year prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former Mesa County clerk convicted in 2024 of four felonies and three misdemeanors for allowing unauthorized access to county voting systems in 2021. Peters, who allowed pro-surfer Conan Hayes (affiliated with Mike Lindell) to access and copy voting equipment, will be released on parole June 1 after her sentence was reduced from eight and a half years to approximately four and a half years. The commutation drew sharp criticism from Colorado's Secretary of State Jena Griswold and election officials nationwide, who warned it signals tolerance for election tampering.

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• Trump negotiates $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies for alleged DOJ weaponization — Trump is in talks to drop his $10 billion IRS lawsuit in exchange for the government establishing a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded account to compensate Trump's allies who claim they were harmed by the Biden administration's alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice. Eligible recipients would include nearly 1,600 people convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, whom Trump pardoned or commuted shortly after taking office in January 2025. While Trump himself will likely be barred from direct payments, entities associated with him will not be.
• Trump DOJ creates $1.7 billion compensation fund for January 6 defendants and Trump allies — The Trump administration is expected to settle Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS by creating a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund to pay individuals and entities claiming wrongful targeting by the Biden administration. The fund would compensate approximately 1,600 January 6 Capitol attack defendants and potentially Trump-associated entities. Trump would retain authority to remove commission members without cause, and the commission would operate with minimal disclosure requirements or oversight of its decision-making process for distributing over $1 billion in public funds.
• Trump administration considers $1.7 billion compensation fund for allies investigated under Biden — The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $1.7 billion fund to compensate President Trump's allies and others who claim they were harmed by Justice Department investigations during the Biden administration. The fund could cover legal costs for people in Trump's orbit and potentially extend to some of the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. The administration has discussed modeling the program on past federal settlement funds, with possible payments through the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund. The proposal has not been finalized or approved.
• White House and DOJ explore settlement of Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit — The New York Times reported that the White House and Justice Department are exploring a settlement in Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for releasing his tax returns. ABC News reported that Trump is expected to settle in exchange for launching a $1.7 billion compensation fund for his allies, including those pardoned for Jan. 6 involvement, with a Trump-controlled commission overseeing distribution and recipient identities potentially kept private. The settlement would use taxpayer funds to reward political allies.

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• Trump administration restricts congressional access to immigration detention centers — Officials in the Trump administration have systematically restricted members of Congress from accessing detention centers, despite lawmakers' constitutional oversight duty and court rulings affirming their authority to conduct unannounced visits. On May 11, 2026, acting ICE director Todd Lyons issued a memo declaring congressional visits "disruptive" and requiring lawmakers to identify specific detainees in advance, provide proof of consent, and give two days' notice. This follows the May 2025 arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for trespassing at Delaney Hall detention center and subsequent charges against Representative LaMonica McIver.

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• Fired judges file suit challenging terminations; Merit Systems Protection Board denies jurisdiction — A group of fired immigration judges filed suit against the Department of Justice challenging the administration's authority to terminate immigration judges without cause or explanation. The Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent federal agency created to protect federal employees from political termination, ruled it had no jurisdiction to review the removals. The fired judges are appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, arguing the decision departs from more than a century of civil service precedent protecting judges from at-will removal.

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• Fired judges file suit challenging terminations; Merit Systems Protection Board denies jurisdiction — A group of fired immigration judges filed suit against the Department of Justice challenging the administration's authority to terminate immigration judges without cause or explanation. The Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent federal agency created to protect federal employees from political termination, ruled it had no jurisdiction to review the removals. The fired judges are appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, arguing the decision departs from more than a century of civil service precedent protecting judges from at-will removal.

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• DOJ prosecutors demoted after Comey indictment push — The Washington Post reported that prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia have been demoted or pushed out following the push to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey. The fallout has disrupted major cases, including one involving a deadly attack in Afghanistan. The action reflects apparent retaliation against prosecutors perceived as insufficiently loyal to the Trump administration's priorities.

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• Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on fraud and money laundering charges — The Southern Poverty Law Center, an Alabama-based non-profit focused on dismantling white supremacy, was indicted on May 7, 2026, on charges of conspiracy to launder money and commit fraud. The DOJ alleged the SPLC defrauded donors by using funds to pay informants inside white supremacist groups. The SPLC pleaded not guilty. Legal experts characterized the indictment as weak, noting that paying informants to dismantle extremist organizations is a standard law enforcement tactic.
• Southern Poverty Law Center pleads not guilty to federal fraud and money laundering charges — The Southern Poverty Law Center entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to an 11-count federal indictment alleging fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors claim SPLC funneled over $3 million to confidential sources within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023, and lied to donors and banks about the use of funds. SPLC leadership denies the charges, stating the informant program successfully prevented threats and attacks. Legal experts have characterized the case as weak.

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• U.S. Attorney's Office (Northern District of Texas) subpoenas NYU Langone Health for transgender youth healthcare records — The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Texas issued a subpoena on May 7, 2026, to NYU Langone Health, a major New York City hospital network, demanding information about minor patients who received gender-affirming care between 2020 and 2026, including names of medical providers involved. NYU Langone must notify affected patients and the New York Attorney General within 30 days before disclosing protected health information under state shield law. The subpoena is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to track and regulate gender-affirming care for minors nationwide.

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• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asked Supreme Court to intervene in E. Jean Carroll case — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice would ask the Supreme Court to permit the DOJ to intervene in the defamation case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll, who won an $83.3 million jury verdict against Trump for defamation after he falsely denied sexually assaulting her. If the Supreme Court allows the DOJ to substitute itself for Trump as defendant, the case would be dismissed because plaintiffs cannot sue the federal government for defamation. Appeals court judges had already refused to permit such a substitution.

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• Justice Department sued Colorado over firearms magazine restrictions — The Department of Justice, through its Civil Rights Division, filed suit against Colorado alleging that a state statute banning certain "large-capacity magazines" violates the Second Amendment. The complaint contends that the banned magazines are standard equipment on popular firearms including AR-15-style rifles and are owned by hundreds of millions of Americans. The department characterized the law as "political virtue signaling" infringing on constitutional rights to keep and bear arms in common use.

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• Federal prosecutor issues subpoena for Fulton County poll worker contact information — Dan Bishop, interim US attorney for North Carolina's middle district, issued a subpoena in April 2026 demanding Fulton County provide rosters of 2020 election workers including names, positions, residential addresses, email addresses, and personal phone numbers. Fulton County filed a motion to quash the subpoena in Georgia federal court, arguing it constitutes politically motivated harassment, exceeds the statute of limitations, and will chill election worker participation. The subpoena directs submission to Bishop's office rather than a grand jury, bypassing standard legal protections.

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• Justice Department sued Denver over municipal weapons ordinance — The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division, filed suit against the City of Denver alleging that Denver's ordinance banning certain semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15-style weapons, violates the Second Amendment. The complaint asserts that the banned rifles are in common use and that the ordinance unconstitutionally infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon characterized the action as defending constitutional liberties.