Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Grand jury declines to indict Sean Charles Dunn in sandwich-throwing case — A federal grand jury refused to approve an indictment against Sean Charles Dunn, 37, a former DOJ paralegal accused of throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection officer during a protest against Trump's deployment of armed troops in Washington DC on August 13. The incident occurred as Dunn confronted the officer, called him and colleagues "fascists," and shouted "I don't want you in my city" before throwing the sandwich and fleeing. The grand jury's refusal to indict signals public objection to the troop deployment and represents a rare rebuke of federal prosecutors.
• Protester not indicted for throwing sandwich at federal troops in DC — A protester who threw a sandwich at federal troops occupying Washington DC was not indicted. The author notes this outcome as "enormously cheering," suggesting it represents a legal or prosecutorial decision not to pursue charges against the individual for the minor act of protest.

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• Louisiana asks Supreme Court to overturn Voting Rights Act provision — Louisiana asked the Supreme Court to overturn a key provision of the Voting Rights Act and prohibit the use of race in redistricting.

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• Transportation Secretary announced federal takeover of Union Station — On August 27, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Trump administration will take over Union Station in Washington, D.C., from which Amtrak and the city's commuter rail lines operate. Duffy characterized the takeover as part of Trump's "beautification" program. Amtrak had taken control of the station in July 2024, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law had provided $22 billion to Amtrak for modernization. The administration had cut a $120 million federal grant to Amtrak in April. The takeover will place the administration in charge of key transportation lines into and out of the capital and create a federal presence in an area where veterans have been protesting.
• DHS limits international student and visitor stays — The Department of Homeland Security said it plans to introduce a proposed rule to limit the length of time international students, visitors on cultural exchange programs, and members of the media on visas can stay in the US by requiring them to be regularly assessed by the department.
• Trump administration plans Union Station takeover — Trump's Transportation Department said it's planning to take over the management of and revitalize DC's Union Station, which the agency already owns but is currently run by Amtrak. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Reuters, "We are going to make investments to make sure this station isn't dirty and we don't have homelessness in Union Station."
• Transportation Secretary announced takeover of Union Station — On August 27, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Trump administration would take control of Union Station in Washington, D.C., as part of a "beautification" program. This move follows Amtrak's control of the station in July 2024 and is seen as a way to increase federal presence in the area.
• Trump administration announced takeover of Union Station — On August 27, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Trump administration would take control of Union Station in Washington, D.C., as part of a "beautification" program. This move follows Amtrak's control of the station in July 2024 and is seen as a way to increase federal presence in the city.

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• Department of Homeland Security posted mocking social media message about Abrego Garcia — The official social media account of the Department of Homeland Security, a cabinet-level department of the U.S. government, posted a mocking message about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, referring to him as "Uganda Man" in reference to threatened deportation to Uganda, after media outlets had identified him as a "Maryland man."

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• Trump accuses Soros of funding violent protests — On Truth Social, Trump said George Soros and his "Radical Left" son should face RICO charges, baselessly accusing them of funding "Violent Protests" across the country and adding, "Be careful, we're watching you!"

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• National Guard troops deployed to perform beautification projects in Washington, D.C. — National Guard troops were deployed in Washington, D.C., to pick up trash and work on dozens of "beautification and restoration" projects. This deployment occurred amid the administration's stated focus on using military forces to address crime in American cities.

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• Trump threatens tariffs and export restrictions on countries with digital services taxes — President Trump issued a threat via Truth Social to impose substantial tariffs and export restrictions on countries whose taxes, legislation, or regulations target US technology companies. The threat specifically targets the UK's digital services tax (raising £800m annually at 2% on tech revenues) and EU member states including France, Italy, and Spain with similar measures. Trump claimed such taxes "discriminate" against American tech firms while giving "a complete pass to China." He stated: "Unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I will impose substantial additional tariffs on that country's exports to the USA, and institute export restrictions on our highly protected technology and chips."

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• Trump administration announced government equity stake in Intel and discussed nationalizing defense contractors — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the Trump administration took an ownership stake in Intel and discussed potentially taking equity positions in major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which derives 97% of revenue from U.S. government contracts. Lutnick justified the policy as necessary for the government to benefit from taxpayer-funded research and patents. The announcement drew criticism from labor analysts and economists who noted the government received no governance rights or board seats despite taking equity.
• Commerce Secretary discusses equity stakes in defense contractors — On CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that Pentagon officials are considering whether the US should acquire equity stakes in defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which he called "basically an arm of the US government."

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• Trump demands $500 million from Harvard — During a Cabinet meeting, Trump said his administration wants "nothing less than $500 million" from Harvard University in a settlement to restore its federal funding, telling Education Secretary Linda McMahon, "Don't negotiate" with the school.

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• League of United Latin American Citizens files suit against Texas redistricting — The League of United Latin American Citizens, representing 13 Texas voters, filed suit challenging the redrawn congressional maps within hours of the redistricting bill's passage. The filing alleges the map "eviscerates minorities' opportunity to elect their candidates of choice in four key areas of the state." This represents a second major legal challenge to the redistricting effort alongside the NAACP lawsuit.
• NAACP files lawsuit challenging Texas congressional redistricting as racial gerrymander — The NAACP, joined by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Secretary of State Jane Nelson, challenging redrawn congressional maps as a racial gerrymander that strips Black voters of political power. The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction and argues the maps violate the U.S. Constitution and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Texas Republicans passed the redistricting on Saturday, expected to increase Republican representation by five seats, while the state's population is 40% white but white voters control over 73% of congressional seats.

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• Complaint filed — Woodmere Art Museum v. Trump (E.D. Pa.) — The Woodmere Art Museum in Pennsylvania filed a federal complaint challenging the Trump administration's termination of a $750,000 federal grant awarded in 2024 under the Save America's Treasures Historic Preservation Fund. The museum alleges the grant termination, following the announced dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), violates the Administrative Procedure Act as arbitrary and capricious, the Appropriations Clause, the Take Care Clause, and principles of separation of powers.

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• Trump administration officials justified military occupation of Washington, D.C. — Trump administration officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller, publicly justified the military occupation of Washington, D.C., claiming residents were living under "oppression" and are now "feeling freedom again." Miller stated residents can now "wear watches again" and visit parks and restaurants. Trump claimed "half the restaurants closed" due to safety concerns and are now reopening due to his "crackdown on crime." Chef José Andrés contradicted these claims, stating he has lived in D.C. for 33 years and that the safety claims are "a flat out lie," and that military presence and federal agents are actually making people afraid to go out.

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• Trump intervened in Cracker Barrel corporate dispute — Trump posted on social media directing Cracker Barrel to revert to its old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response, and hold a major news conference. The post characterized the situation as an opportunity for the company to become a "winner again." The bulletin notes this is part of an "elaborate scam to extort companies for money" using MAGA influencer networks to organize boycotts over contrived culture war issues, with coordination involving government officials like Stephen Miller.
• Trump publicly pressures Cracker Barrel to reverse logo rebrand; company complies within hours — On Tuesday, August 27, 2025, Donald Trump posted on social media demanding that Cracker Barrel revert to its old logo, calling the modernized rebrand a mistake. Within hours, Cracker Barrel executives called the White House to inform the administration they would restore the original logo. By Wednesday, Trump celebrated the reversal as a political victory. The incident exemplifies the Trump administration's use of presidential influence to pressure corporations to abandon diversity and modernization efforts, with the company's stock rebounding 8% after the reversal.

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• Trump pressured Illinois Governor Pritzker to request federal troops for Chicago — President Trump complained in the Oval Office that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker was not requesting federal troops to be deployed in Chicago and called Pritzker "an incompetent Governor" on social media, urging him to call for help. Pritzker had previously taken a stand against the deployment of troops in Chicago. The administration has been discussing dispatching soldiers to combat crime.

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• ICE detains Kilmar Ábrego García after voluntary reporting to Baltimore field office — Kilmar Ábrego García reported to ICE agents in Baltimore on Monday as required and was immediately taken into detention. His attorney characterized the detention as punitive retaliation for exercising constitutional rights. Ábrego had been released from criminal custody in Tennessee only three days prior and was facing charges related to human smuggling, which his legal team contests as baseless.
• ICE detains Ábrego during scheduled immigration check-in — On Monday 25 August, Kilmar Ábrego García was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a scheduled immigration check-in in Baltimore, which was a condition of his release from criminal custody. He was subsequently held in a detention center in Virginia. His legal team filed a lawsuit the same day challenging both his detention and planned deportation, arguing the government was retaliating against him for exercising constitutional rights.
• Kilmar Abrego Garcia arrested at ICE facility after mandatory check-in — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant previously unlawfully deported to El Salvador and later returned to the U.S. by court order, was arrested on August 25 at an ICE facility in Baltimore, Maryland, during a mandatory check-in. He faces charges in Tennessee stemming from a 2022 traffic stop for which he was not originally charged. The government has offered to send him to Costa Rica if he pleads guilty to human trafficking, but threatened to deport him to Uganda if he does not. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis issued a temporary bar on his deportation.
• Homeland Security Secretary Noem announces ICE arrest and deportation processing of Ábrego — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on social media that ICE had arrested Kilmar Ábrego García and was processing him for deportation. Noem characterized Ábrego as an "illegal alien," MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator, stating that President Trump would not allow him to "terrorize American citizens any longer."
• Trump administration attempted deportation of El Salvador prison victim to Uganda — The Trump administration initiated deportation proceedings against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who had been illegally sent to a prison in El Salvador and subsequently returned to the United States. The administration attempted to deport him to Uganda, a country with no documented connection to Garcia. A federal judge blocked the deportation.
• Department of Homeland Security posted mocking social media message about Abrego Garcia — The official social media account of the Department of Homeland Security, a cabinet-level department of the U.S. government, posted a mocking message about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, referring to him as "Uganda Man" in reference to threatened deportation to Uganda, after media outlets had identified him as a "Maryland man."

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• Trump signs executive order directing prosecution of flag burning as incitement or fighting words — President Trump signed Executive Order 14341 on August 25, 2025, directing the Attorney General to prioritize enforcement of federal, state, and local criminal laws against flag desecration, framing such acts as potential incitement to violence or fighting words. The order instructs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to deny or revoke immigration benefits for foreign nationals engaged in flag desecration. The order acknowledges Supreme Court precedent (Texas v. Johnson) protecting flag burning as speech but asserts the administration will prosecute flag desecration under content-neutral laws and pursue litigation to clarify First Amendment exceptions.
• Trump ordered DOJ to prosecute flag burning — Trump ordered the Department of Justice to prosecute anyone who burns an American flag, claiming such individuals would automatically face one year in prison. This order contradicts the 1989 Supreme Court ruling in Texas v. Johnson, which established flag burning as protected First Amendment speech.
• Trump announced executive order directing DOJ to prosecute flag burning — Trump held a press event in the Oval Office and announced an executive order instructing the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute instances of flag burning. Trump claimed burning a flag would result in one year in jail and a criminal record. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf clarified that the order directs DOJ to prosecute flag burning only where it constitutes criminal activity (such as burning someone else's property) and does not violate First Amendment protections, since the Supreme Court previously ruled flag burning as political speech is constitutionally protected.
• Trump issues executive order directing prosecution of flag burning — President Trump issued an executive order on August 25, 2025, directing the Attorney General to prioritize enforcement of federal, state, and local laws against flag desecration. The order instructs the DOJ to prosecute flag burning as a crime where it violates content-neutral laws (disorderly conduct, open burning, property destruction) and authorizes the State Department, Attorney General, and DHS to deny or revoke visas, residence permits, and immigration benefits for foreign nationals engaged in flag desecration. The order acknowledges Supreme Court precedent in Texas v. Johnson but asserts authority to prosecute flag burning that incites imminent lawless action or constitutes "fighting words."
• White House signed executive order directing prosecution of flag desecration — The White House signed Executive Order 14341 on August 25, 2025, directing the Attorney General to prioritize enforcement of criminal and civil laws against flag desecration, including violent crimes, hate crimes, and property crimes. The order instructs the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Secretary of Homeland Security to deny or revoke visas, residence permits, and immigration benefits for foreign nationals engaged in flag desecration. The order acknowledges Supreme Court precedent in Texas v. Johnson but asserts authority to prosecute flag burning that incites imminent lawless action or constitutes "fighting words."
• Trump signs flag-burning criminalization order — Trump signed an executive order to criminalize the burning of a US flag, an action the Supreme Court ruled was protected under the First Amendment in 1989. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to prioritize prosecuting flag desecration cases and allows officials to deny or revoke visas and residence permits for immigrants who burn flags.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order prosecuting flag desecration — The White House published a fact sheet on August 25, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Attorney General to prosecute flag desecration "to the fullest extent permissible" and to "pursue litigation to clarify the scope of First Amendment in this area." The order also directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security and the Attorney General to deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits for foreign nationals determined to have desecrated the flag, or to seek their removal from the United States.
• Trump signs executive order directing prosecution of flag burning as protest — On Monday, August 26, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue criminal charges against individuals who burn American flags during protests. The order directs prosecutors to explore alternative charges such as disturbing the peace or environmental violations. This action attempts to circumvent the 1989 Supreme Court ruling in Texas v. Johnson, which established that flag burning constitutes protected political speech under the First Amendment.
• Trump signed executive order banning flag burning — Trump issued an executive order criminalizing flag burning. The order drew immediate criticism from conservative legal scholars and right-wing media figures who noted that the Supreme Court had settled in Texas v. Johnson that flag burning constitutes protected free speech under the First Amendment. Multiple conservative commentators, including Justice Antonin Scalia's son, cited the constitutional prohibition on such restrictions.
• Trump issued executive order criminalizing flag burning — President Trump issued an executive order directing arrest and prosecution of Americans for burning the American flag, despite a standing Supreme Court ruling protecting flag-burning as free speech under the First Amendment. Although Trump's order acknowledged the SCOTUS ruling, the Secret Service arrested one man who burned a flag near the White House in protest of the order.

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• Trump signed Executive Order 14340 directing federal agencies to end cashless bail policies in D.C. and detain criminal suspects in federal custody to prevent release under D.C.'s pretrial release policies. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14340 on August 25, 2025, declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., and directing federal law enforcement and the Attorney General to end cashless bail policies. The order mandates that federal agencies work to hold arrestees in federal custody whenever possible, pursue federal charges for pretrial detention, and instructs the Attorney General to review D.C. police policies and request the Mayor modify orders to address the emergency. Federal agencies must identify actions—including funding decisions—to pressure D.C. to change its cashless bail policies.
• Trump signs executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funds from jurisdictions with cashless bail policies — President Trump signed Executive Order 14342 on August 25, 2025, directing the Attorney General to identify states and local jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail requirements for crimes involving violence, sexual offenses, burglary, looting, or vandalism. The order instructs all executive departments and agencies to identify and suspend or terminate federal funds—including grants and contracts—provided to those jurisdictions, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The stated rationale is public safety and preventing repeat offenses.
• Trump issued executive order directing federal agencies to end cashless bail policies in Washington, D.C. — President Trump signed an executive order on August 25, 2025, directing federal law enforcement and the Attorney General to work toward ending cashless bail in the District of Columbia and ensuring pretrial detention of criminal suspects deemed threats to public safety. The order invokes a previously declared crime emergency and instructs the Attorney General to review D.C. Metropolitan Police Department policies and request the Mayor modify practices that result in pretrial release. Federal agencies are directed to identify actions—including funding decisions and service provisions—to pressure D.C. to change its cashless bail policies.
• Trump issues executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funds from jurisdictions with cashless bail policies — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 25, 2025, directing the Attorney General to identify state and local jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail requirements and to list federal funds—including grants and contracts—that may be suspended or terminated to those jurisdictions. The order frames cashless bail as a public safety threat, asserting that releasing individuals without bail endangers law-abiding citizens and wastes law enforcement resources. Federal agencies must coordinate with the Office of Management and Budget to identify applicable funding streams within 30 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14342 directing federal agencies to identify and suspend funding to jurisdictions with cashless bail policies. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14342 on August 25, 2025, directing the Attorney General to identify within 30 days all states and local jurisdictions that have "substantially eliminated cash bail" for crimes involving violence, sexual offenses, burglary, looting, or vandalism. The order instructs all executive departments and agencies to identify federal funds—including grants and contracts—provided to those jurisdictions that may be suspended or terminated. The order states that cashless bail policies permit dangerous individuals to "further endanger law-abiding, hard-working Americans" and characterizes the practice as a "waste of public resources and a threat to public safety."
• White House issued fact sheet on executive order directing elimination of cashless bail in Washington, D.C. — The White House published a fact sheet on August 25, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing law enforcement agencies and the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force to eliminate cashless bail in Washington, D.C. The order tasks officials to hold arrestees in federal custody to the fullest extent permissible and pursue federal charges and pretrial detention. The Attorney General is directed to determine whether D.C.'s cashless bail policy remains in place for serious crimes, and if so, the administration may take actions including withholding federal funding or services.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order directing federal action against cashless bail policies — The White House published a fact sheet on August 25, 2025, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump that day. The order directs the Attorney General to identify states and local jurisdictions with cashless bail policies and instructs the administration to identify federal funds provided to such jurisdictions that may be suspended or terminated. The fact sheet asserts that cashless bail policies result in increased crime and cites specific cases of individuals released without bail who were later rearrested or charged with additional crimes.
• Trump signs orders to end cashless bail — Trump signed two executive orders in an effort to end cashless bail, a policy that saves families millions and reduces crime rates. The orders threaten to rescind federal funding, including grants and contracts, to jurisdictions that fail to terminate cashless bail policies within 30 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14340 directing federal agencies to end cashless bail policies in Washington, D.C., and to hold arrestees in federal custody and pursue federal charges to prevent pretrial release. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14340 on August 25, 2025, invoking a declared crime emergency in Washington, D.C., to direct federal law enforcement and the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force to hold arrestees in federal custody to the fullest extent permissible and pursue federal charges to prevent pretrial release. The order directs the Attorney General to review Metropolitan Police Department policies and request the Mayor modify them to end cashless bail practices, and authorizes all executive agencies to identify actions—including federal funding decisions—to pressure the District to change its bail policies.
• White House issued release on cashless bail policy — The White House published a release titled "Cashless Bail" Is a Government-Backed Crime Spree on August 25, 2025. The document frames cashless bail as a failed policy and presents a series of criminal cases from New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., where individuals were released without bail and subsequently committed additional crimes. The release states that President Trump's administration is undertaking an "aggressive crackdown to end the failed experiment known as 'cashless bail'" and references related executive orders and fact sheets issued the same day.
• Trump signs executive orders eliminating cashless bail in Washington DC and directing federal defunding of jurisdictions with cashless bail policies — On Monday, August 26, 2025, President Trump signed two executive orders targeting cashless bail programs. One order directs Washington DC and other localities to end cashless bail, threatening to reconsider federal funding if they do not comply. A second order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify all US jurisdictions with cashless bail policies and revoke their federal funds and grants. Trump claimed cashless bail "kills people" despite data showing crime does not increase significantly in jurisdictions with such programs.

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• Republican-led House Oversight Committee subpoenas Epstein estate documents — Congressman James Comer, Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, signed and issued a subpoena to the estate of Jeffrey Epstein (registered in the US Virgin Islands) demanding production of documents including Epstein's birthday book, will, prosecutor agreements, contacts "Black Book," non-disclosure agreements, and financial records. The committee stated it is reviewing possible mismanagement of the federal investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, circumstances of Epstein's death, sex-trafficking operations, and potential ethics violations by elected officials.
• House Oversight Committee announces Acosta interview — The House Oversight Committee announced that Trump's former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who in 2008 was the top prosecutor responsible for Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, would appear voluntarily for an interview investigating the Epstein case. The committee also subpoenaed Epstein's estate for documents.

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• Representative Biggs introduced bill to extend D.C. police takeover — Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced legislation on Friday to extend Trump's takeover of Washington, D.C., police from the statutory 30-day limit to approximately six months and to establish that extended duration as the default for all future emergency takeovers under the Home Rule Act.

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• August 2025 state court ruling strikes down 2021 Utah congressional maps and reinstates Proposition 4 — On August 25, 2025, third district judge Dianna Gibson ruled that Utah lawmakers had unconstitutionally overridden Proposition 4, the 2018 voter-approved initiative that created an independent redistricting commission. Gibson sided with the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, striking down the state's 2021 congressional maps and reinstating Proposition 4 as binding law. The ruling allowed independent bodies to redraw districts.
• Utah judge orders congressional map redraw — A judge in Utah ruled that the state must redraw its congressional maps that carved up the Democratic stronghold of Salt Lake City before the 2026 midterms, using an independent commission. The move could make one of the state's four congressional districts competitive for Democrats. Trump later called the ruling "absolutely Unconstitutional" and questioned how the state could "end up with so many Radical Left Judges," despite the judge being appointed by a Republican governor in 2018.
• Utah district court orders redraw of congressional map for 2026 elections — District court judge Dianna Gibson ruled Monday that Utah's 2021 congressional map is unlawful because the Republican-controlled legislature circumvented a voter-approved independent redistricting commission. The legislature had repealed the 2018 ballot initiative creating the commission, replaced it with an advisory board, and ignored the commission's proposals in 2021. Gibson ordered lawmakers to adopt a compliant map by September 24, 2025. The new boundaries could create a competitive Democratic district in Salt Lake City.
• Utah judge struck down Republican-drawn congressional maps — Utah District Judge Dianna Gibson struck down the state's Republican-drawn congressional maps and ordered the Legislature to redraw boundaries before the 2026 midterm elections. Judge Gibson ruled that the 2021 redistricting plan violated a 2018 ballot initiative that established an independent commission to curb partisan influence. The current map splits Salt Lake City, Utah's Democratic stronghold, across all four congressional districts, diluting its influence and ensuring Republican control of all four seats. The Legislature has until September 24 to adopt new maps.
• Federal appeals court blocks Pennsylvania mail-in ballot law — A federal appeals court ruled that a law to toss out mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania if they arrive in envelopes with a missing or wrong date violates the Constitution, noting that "only in the exceedingly rare circumstance does it contribute to the prosecution of voter fraud."

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• Judge Brann ruled Alina Habba's appointment unlawful — U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Alina Habba was not lawfully holding the position of U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Habba had been appointed acting U.S. attorney by Trump but was not confirmed by the Senate. After her 120-day interim period expired, a judicial panel appointed her assistant, Desiree Leigh Grace, to the position. Attorney General Pam Bondi then fired Grace, and Trump reappointed Habba, prompting Brann's ruling that the reappointment violated law.
• Grassley announces Habba nomination withdrawal — On Twitter, Senator Grassley said the nomination of Trump's former lawyer, Alina Habba, to serve as the US attorney for New Jersey was withdrawn on July 24, following a federal judge's ruling that Habba didn't have the legal authority to be the state's acting US attorney.

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• Governor Pritzker declared Trump's Chicago military deployment unconstitutional and illegal — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker held a press conference at the Chicago waterfront flanked by community leaders and declared Trump's planned military deployment to Chicago "unprecedented and unwarranted," "illegal," "unconstitutional," and "un-American." Pritzker characterized the action as a political power grab targeting a Democratic city and state, not a genuine public safety measure.
• Pritzker announced Illinois will pursue legal action against Trump administration — Governor Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois will challenge the Trump administration's military deployment plan in court and will deploy "every lever" at its disposal to protect Illinois residents and their constitutional rights, including potential legal action against federal officials involved in the deployment scheme.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker rejected federal military deployment — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stated that the state had received no requests from the federal government for assistance and had made no requests for federal intervention. He declared there was no emergency warranting federalization of the Illinois National Guard, deployment of National Guard from other states, or active-duty military within state borders. Pritzker accused Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis and abuse his power.
• Pentagon planned National Guard deployment to Chicago — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has been planning for weeks a military deployment of National Guard members and possibly active-duty troops to Chicago. The president lacks authority to deploy National Guard troops without a governor's request, but Trump has justified deployments by claiming soldiers protect federal buildings and personnel—a rationale potentially applicable to any location where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operate.

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• Ábrego files lawsuit challenging deportation to Uganda and detention conditions — Kilmar Ábrego García's legal team filed a new lawsuit on Monday morning challenging both his potential deportation to Uganda and his current confinement. The lawsuit seeks an order prohibiting removal from the United States unless and until Ábrego receives full due process. The filing also raises concerns about government coercion, specifically the use of Costa Rica as an incentive and Uganda as a threat to pressure a guilty plea.
• Federal judge blocks Abrego Garcia deportation — A federal judge temporarily blocked Kilmar Abrego Garcia from being deported after he was taken into ICE custody following an immigration check-in. His lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition and motion to reassert his asylum claim. The judge later blocked the Trump administration from deporting Abrego Garcia until at least early October.
• Judge halts Trump administration deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García pending evidentiary hearing — Kilmar Ábrego García, a 30-year-old Maryland resident previously wrongly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, was detained by ICE on Monday after reporting to a Baltimore field office. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis issued a temporary restraining order halting his deportation to Uganda pending a Friday evidentiary hearing. The judge expressed concern that the government may be weaponizing the immigration system by threatening Uganda deportation to coerce a guilty plea to human smuggling charges.
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration from re-deporting Kilmar Ábrego García — US District Judge Paula Xinis issued a ruling on Wednesday blocking the Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Ábrego García until at least early October. Xinis scheduled an evidentiary hearing for 6 October and stated she intends to have Trump administration officials testify about government efforts to re-deport Ábrego. The ruling came after Ábrego's legal team filed a lawsuit Monday challenging his detention and planned deportation to Uganda, arguing the government was retaliating against him for challenging his prior wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March 2025.
• U.S. District Judge Xinis barred government from deporting Abrego Garcia — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, whose earlier order to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. the government had ignored for months, issued a temporary bar on the administration from deporting Abrego Garcia. She required a Department of Justice lawyer to confirm understanding that the government was "absolutely forbidden" from removing Abrego Garcia from the continental United States.
• Trump administration announces plan to deport Ábrego to Uganda — Over the weekend preceding Monday 25 August, the Trump administration announced new plans to deport Kilmar Ábrego García to Uganda. This announcement came after Ábrego had been returned to the US in June following his wrongful March deportation to El Salvador. Ábrego's legal team characterized the announcement as retaliation for his challenging the prior deportation and exercising constitutional rights.

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• Federal judge orders Kari Lake to answer questions — A federal judge ordered senior adviser to the US Agency for Global Media Kari Lake to answer questions under oath about her efforts to effectively dismantle Voice of America (VOA), giving her "one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial, to provide such explanation" after failing to comply with orders seeking information about whether the Trump administration violated an April ruling to restore VOA programming.
• Federal judge ordered Kari Lake to submit to questioning on Voice of America — U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered Trump administration official Kari Lake to submit to questioning under oath regarding her efforts to dismantle Voice of America despite Congressional mandates that it be maintained. Judge Lamberth stated Lake was "verging on contempt of court" for failing to comply with repeated orders to make information available about her intentions for Voice of America and its federal parent, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Lake and two aides were ordered to testify by September 15 and provide detailed information previously withheld about Voice of America. Lake responded by claiming district court judges are overstepping their authority.
• Federal judge blocks removal of VOA director and orders compliance demonstration — US District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake cannot remove Michael Abramowitz as VOA director without approval from the International Broadcasting Advisory Board, finding such removal would be "plainly contrary to law." Lamberth also ruled separately that the Trump administration had failed to demonstrate compliance with his prior orders to restore VOA operations, giving the administration "one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial" and ordering Lake to sit for deposition by 15 September.

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• Trump signs Executive Order 14339 establishing specialized federal law enforcement and National Guard units for District of Columbia crime emergency response. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14339 on August 25, 2025, directing federal agencies to deploy additional resources to address crime in Washington, D.C. The order mandates hiring of U.S. Park Police and federal prosecutors, establishes an online recruitment portal for law enforcement applicants, creates specialized federal and D.C. National Guard units for public safety enforcement, directs HUD to investigate housing authority compliance with safety requirements, and instructs the Attorney General to review and recommend changes to Metropolitan Police Department General Orders. The order references prior emergency declarations and authorizes potential deployment of state National Guard units nationwide.
• Trump executive order on National Guard civil disturbance response — On August 25, President Trump signed an executive order directing the secretary of defense to ensure that each state's Army National Guard and Air National Guard are resourced, trained, organized, and available to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring public safety and order. The order also mandates establishment of a standing National Guard quick reaction force resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment.
• Trump issued executive order directing federal law enforcement expansion and National Guard mobilization in Washington, D.C. — President Trump signed an executive order on August 25, 2025, directing the National Park Service to hire additional U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. to hire prosecutors focused on violent and property crimes, and the Department of Defense to create and train a specialized National Guard unit in D.C. dedicated to public safety. The order also directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure all state National Guard units are resourced and available for rapid deployment to assist law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances nationwide, and instructs HUD to investigate housing authority non-compliance with safety requirements.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14339 directing federal law enforcement expansion and National Guard mobilization in Washington, D.C. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14339 on August 25, 2025, directing the National Park Service to hire additional U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. to hire prosecutors focused on violent crime, and the Department of Defense to create and train a specialized D.C. National Guard unit under Title 32 activation. The order also directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure all state National Guard units are resourced and available for rapid nationwide deployment to quell civil disturbances, establishes a standing National Guard quick reaction force, and instructs HUD to investigate housing authority compliance with crime-prevention requirements. The order references a prior crime emergency declaration (Executive Order 14333 of August 11, 2025).
• Trump expands law enforcement takeover in DC — Trump signed a fourth executive order expanding his takeover of law enforcement in DC, directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "ensure the availability of a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment."
• Trump signs executive order priming National Guard for rapid mobilization — President Trump signed an executive order on an unspecified date that primes the National Guard "for rapid mobilization" across the country. The order follows Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and signals potential deployment to Chicago. Trump justified the moves by claiming he has authority to act when he believes the country is in danger, stating "I have the right to do anything I want to do. I'm the President of the United States of America."