Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump DOJ moves to dismiss Steve Bannon contempt of Congress case — The Department of Justice, under Trump, filed a motion on February 9, 2026, to dismiss the criminal case against Steve Bannon, Trump's former adviser who was convicted in 2022 of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the House January 6 committee and declining to produce requested documents. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a Trump appointee, requested dismissal "with prejudice," which would bar prosecutors from refiling. Bannon had served four months in federal prison in 2024 before his release.

Supporting reports

• DOJ established controlled in-person review system for congressional Epstein files access — The Department of Justice opened an in-person review facility in Washington on February 9, 2026, allowing members of Congress to search unredacted Epstein records under tight controls on access and note-taking. This was the sole mechanism established for congressional review of unredacted files following passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in late 2025, which required DOJ to release unclassified Epstein-related records. The DOJ controlled all variables of the review process, including which files could be accessed, how searches were conducted, and what records were kept of congressional activity.
• DOJ tracked congressional searches in Epstein files review system — Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared at a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on February 11, 2026, carrying a printed document labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" that detailed Rep. Pramila Jayapal's searches within the DOJ's controlled, members-only review system for unredacted Epstein records. A Reuters photographer captured the document. The DOJ had established the in-person review system on February 9, 2026, as the sole mechanism for congressional access to unredacted Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The revelation suggests the DOJ monitored lawmakers' investigative activity and used that intelligence during the oversight hearing itself.
• DOJ surveilled House member's access to Epstein files — During Attorney General Bondi's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, a photograph captured by Reuters showed a page of Bondi's briefing book with a printout titled "Jayapal Pramila Search History," appearing to be files showing what Representative Pramila Jayapal accessed after the DOJ made some Epstein files available at DOJ offices. This represents executive branch surveillance of a legislative branch member's document access. Representative Jamie Raskin, top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said he will ask for an investigation of this "outrageous abuse of power."
• Ranking Member Raskin requested DOJ Inspector General investigation into congressional surveillance — House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin formally requested that the DOJ Inspector General investigate the DOJ's apparent surveillance of lawmakers' searches in the Epstein files review system. Raskin stated he had "reason to believe that it was happening to everyone," not just Rep. Jayapal. He also called for the DOJ to immediately stop tracking member searches, open Epstein file review to senior congressional staff, and publicly release all remaining files with only survivor information properly redacted.
• Rep. Jayapal organized formal congressional letter demanding investigation into surveillance — Rep. Pramila Jayapal organized a formal congressional letter demanding an investigation into what she characterized as improper surveillance of Congress by the DOJ. Jayapal also raised the question of whether the DOJ's decision to open the Epstein files to congressional review two days early was intended to allow the DOJ to surveil members' searches and anticipate their questions for the oversight hearing.
• DOJ tracked congressional members' Epstein files research and displayed search records at hearing — During a House oversight hearing on Wednesday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi displayed a document titled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" showing which Epstein files Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal had accessed. The DOJ confirmed it monitors all Epstein file searches by lawmakers on its systems. Congressional members, including Jamie Raskin and Jayapal, alleged the tracking violates separation of powers and constitutes surveillance designed to anticipate questions and gather intelligence on their investigative activities.
• DOJ surveilled Congress members' search history of Epstein files — Multiple members of Congress confirmed that the Department of Justice tracked and monitored which Epstein documents members of Congress searched, opened, and reviewed, including timestamps. Rep. Pramila Jayapal reported that AG Bondi presented her with a printed search history of her email searches. Rep. Nancy Mace confirmed the DOJ was tagging all documents searched by members and that timestamps were associated with the tracking. Speaker Mike Johnson stated he was investigating the allegations.
• DOJ monitored congressional search history in Epstein files review system — Attorney General Pam Bondi carried a printed document labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" into a House Judiciary oversight hearing, revealing that the Department of Justice had tracked which Epstein-related files Rep. Pramila Jayapal searched within DOJ's controlled, members-only review system. The executive branch collected intelligence on the legislative branch's investigation of the executive branch. Rep. Jamie Raskin called the practice Orwellian and requested a DOJ Inspector General investigation; Rep. Jayapal is organizing a congressional letter demanding answers.
• Racist video of Obamas posted on Trump's Truth Social account — A racist video depicting the Obamas as apes appeared on President Trump's official Truth Social account. The video was removed, but Trump refused to apologize and claimed a staffer posted it without review. The incident occurred on an official presidential account.

Supporting reports

• Jamie Raskin accuses DOJ of improper redactions in Epstein files — Rep. Jamie Raskin, House Judiciary ranking member, reviewed unredacted Epstein files at a DOJ facility in Washington DC on February 9 and publicly accused the Justice Department of making "mysterious redactions" that obscured names of alleged abusers while failing to redact victims' identities. Raskin stated the redactions were either "spectacular incompetence" or a deliberate threat to survivors. He said he reviewed approximately 30–40 unredacted files and identified unnecessary redactions of public figures including Les Wexner and references to Trump. Raskin announced he would raise the issue with Attorney General Pam Bondi at her scheduled House Judiciary Committee testimony.
• House members reviewed unredacted Epstein documents revealing child victims as young as nine years old and multiple co-conspirators — Representatives including Jamie Raskin, Jared Moskowitz, and Jasmine Crockett reviewed previously redacted Epstein documents at the Department of Justice. The documents revealed evidence of victims as young as nine years old and identified numerous co-conspirators in the international child sex trafficking operation. Raskin noted unnecessary redactions beyond victim name protection and stated that a billion-dollar trafficking ring could not operate with only two perpetrators. The documents also contained references to Trump's relationship with Epstein at Mar-a-Lago that had been redacted.
• Rep. James Walkinshaw identified improperly redacted Epstein email involving Trump — Rep. James Walkinshaw reported that he reviewed Epstein file redactions and found an email from Epstein's attorneys recounting a 2009 conversation with Trump that contained no mention of victims and should not have been redacted. Walkinshaw noted there were many other inexplicable redactions in the files.
• Rep. Jamie Raskin documented severe restrictions on congressional access to Epstein files — Rep. Jamie Raskin stated that the DOJ is providing Congress with only four computers in a satellite office to review more than 3 million unredacted Epstein documents. Raskin calculated that working 40 hours per week on nothing else, it would take more than 7 years for the 217 House members who signed the discharge petition to read only the documents the DOJ has decided to release, with 3 million additional documents still being withheld.
• Rep. Ro Khanna criticized DOJ redactions of Epstein files — Rep. Ro Khanna stated on MSNBC that the Epstein files released by the DOJ had already been scrubbed by Trump's FBI in March 2025 before being provided to Congress. Khanna alleged that the DOJ is protecting powerful people by maintaining redactions and that the vast majority of documents containing survivor statements remain unredacted, preventing full accountability for crimes.
• Rep. Thomas Massie revealed DOJ unredacted co-conspirator identities in Epstein files — Rep. Thomas Massie reported that in response to his social media posts, the DOJ unredacted FBI files labeling two individuals as co-conspirators in child sex trafficking, unredacted files listing men who might be implicated, and tacitly admitted that Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem sent a torture video to Epstein. Massie noted that FBI's own 2019 document listed Wexner as a coconspirator, information not previously unredacted, and that no one knew the sender of the torture video until he obtained the unredacted email.
• Attorney General Bondi refused to release Epstein files to public as required by law — Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee but refused to release all Epstein files to the public as Congress required when it passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Bondi did not acknowledge survivors of Epstein's sexual assaults and sex trafficking who were present in the audience. When Representative Pramila Jayapal urged her to apologize to survivors for the sloppiness of the release that left many survivors' names, identifying information, and sexually explicit photos unredacted while covering perpetrators' names, Bondi accused Jayapal of theatrics and dragging the hearing "into the gutter."
• National Parks Foundation agreed to keep Freedom 250 donors anonymous — A representative for the National Parks Foundation, which is serving as the legal vehicle for Freedom 250, told a Congressional committee that it would keep donors anonymous upon request. This arrangement allows major corporations to fund partisan political advocacy through a nonprofit structure while maintaining donor confidentiality.

Supporting reports

• FBI ordered to halt civil rights investigation into fatal shooting — After an immigration agent fatally shot Renee Good, a senior federal prosecutor in Minnesota sought a warrant to search the vehicle for evidence in what he expected would be a standard civil rights investigation into the agent's use of force. However, FBI agents equipped with a signed warrant and prepared to document evidence were ordered to stop by senior officials, including Kash Patel, who worried that pursuing a civil rights investigation would contradict Trump's claim that Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer."

Supporting reports

• Trump officials approved Venezuelan oil deals worth $500 million — Trump administration officials approved Venezuelan oil deals worth $500 million involving trading houses with documented histories of bribery and corruption. Court records show those firms were previously prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. One senior trader connected to the deals donated $6 million to Trump's campaign. The oil sales routed money through foreign bank accounts, creating glaring conflicts of interest.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge summons ICE acting head Todd Lyons to court for alleged defiance of court orders — Minnesota's top federal judge summoned Todd Lyons, the acting head of ICE, to appear in court on Friday for allegedly defying court orders. The judge stated "The court's patience is at an end," signaling potential contempt of court proceedings against the ICE leader for failing to comply with judicial directives.
• Minnesota federal judge summons ICE acting director for contempt over defiance of court orders — Chief US District Judge Patrick Schiltz issued a three-page order summoning acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear before him on Friday, warning of potential contempt charges. Schiltz accused the Trump administration of deliberately delaying or ignoring judicial directives across Minnesota's federal courts during "Operation Metro Surge," an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign. The judge cited a specific case in which he had ordered a man released on January 15 who remained in custody as of Monday night, and noted that detained immigrants had been sent to Texas or released far from home without means to return, causing "significant hardship."
• Multiple Minnesota federal judges weigh legal challenges to Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement — Several Minnesota federal judges are considering broader legal challenges that could significantly restrict federal immigration enforcement in the state or halt Operation Metro Surge entirely. US District Judge Michael Davis accused the administration of attempting to "defy court orders" and "deny noncitizens their due process rights." Judge Kate Menendez ordered government lawyers to respond by Wednesday evening to claims the operation was designed to punish Minnesota for its sanctuary policies. Another federal judge is weighing whether the deployment of 3,000 immigration agents constitutes an unconstitutional occupation, a case that gained momentum following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal officers.
• Federal judge orders ICE director to appear in court and threatens contempt — Minnesota's chief federal judge, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz (appointed by President Bush), ordered the head of ICE, Todd Lyons, to appear in his courtroom on Friday and threatened to hold him in contempt for repeated defiance of judges' orders in the state. Judge Schiltz stated "The court's patience is at an end." The order came in response to the Trump administration's massive immigration enforcement action in the Twin Cities, which has flooded courts with emergency lawsuits. Schiltz noted that the administration has been slow-walking or outright defying directives of many Minnesota judges, including at least one of his own orders for release that was not complied with.
• Federal judge orders ICE director to appear in court for contempt of court — Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, to appear in court on Friday to explain why he was not in contempt of court after ICE officials apparently ignored Schiltz's order to permit a detainee to have a bond hearing or be released. On Tuesday, the government released the detainee. On Wednesday, Schiltz canceled the Friday hearing but identified "96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases" and warned that he would haul Lyons or other government officials into court if they continued ignoring court rulings.
• Minnesota federal judge issues scathing order documenting 96 ICE court order violations — Minnesota's Chief Federal Judge Schiltz issued an order that included an appendix identifying 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. The judge stated: "This list should give pause to anyone—no matter his or her political beliefs—who cares about the rule of law. ICE has likely violated more court orders in Jan 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence."

Supporting reports

• Federal prosecutors resign in protest over DOJ's refusal to investigate ICE shooting — A wave of federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington DC resigned in protest over the Justice Department's decision not to hold a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. The resignations reflect internal dissent within the DOJ over the politicization of the civil rights division and the selective application of investigative standards based on the political alignment of the officer involved.

Supporting reports

• DOJ investigates Renee Good's widow for allegedly impeding ICE agent — The Justice Department is investigating Becca Good, the widow of Renee Good, for allegedly impeding ICE agent Jonathan Ross by taunting him moments before he fatally shot her. Deputy Attorney General Blanche promised to "prosecute anyone attacking or obstructing" ICE officers. The investigation of the victim's widow occurs while the DOJ refuses to investigate the fatal shooting itself, creating an asymmetry in which the federal government pursues the family of the deceased but not the agent who killed her.

Supporting reports

• Deputy AG Todd Blanche declined to investigate ICE shooting — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Fox News that the FBI would not investigate the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, saying the incident had been reviewed by millions of Americans because it was recorded and that the DOJ would not "bow to pressure" to investigate.
• Attorney General Bondi issues warning to Minnesota protesters without addressing ICE shooting — Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a statement that made no mention of Renee Good's death but warned Minnesota protesters that "obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement is a federal crime." The statement came as federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington DC resigned in protest over the DOJ's decision not to investigate the fatal ICE shooting. The warning appears designed to chill protest and dissent while the department simultaneously investigates the victim's widow for allegedly impeding the ICE agent.
• DOJ declines to investigate ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Sunday that the Justice Department is "not investigating" the January 7, 2026 fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. Blanche stated the department does not investigate "every time an officer is forced to defend himself" and will not "bow to pressure from the media" or politicians. This contrasts sharply with the 2020 Trump DOJ's immediate criminal investigation into George Floyd's death by Minneapolis police, which led to four officers' federal convictions in 2022. Forensic analysis contradicts claims that Good "ran over" the agent.

Supporting reports

• Attorney General Pam Bondi fires six federal prosecutors over insufficient support for ICE — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Fox News that she had fired six federal prosecutors who resigned over DOJ pressure to investigate Renee Nicole Good's widow rather than the ICE agent's conduct. Bondi characterized the prosecutors' departure as a failure to "sufficiently support law enforcement," stating "We had six prosecutors who suddenly decided they didn't want to support the men and women of ICE. So, the breaking news tonight is I fired them all."

Supporting reports

• DOJ fired federal prosecutor who declined to prosecute Comey — MS NOW reported that the Justice Department fired a federal prosecutor who served as first assistant to the now-disqualified U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan after he declined to lead the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.
• Six DOJ Civil Rights Division leaders resigned in protest — At least six leaders of the criminal section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the DOJ decided not to investigate the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, a process that usually takes place after any fatal shooting by a law enforcement officer.
• Federal leadership responded to ICE killings with defensive messaging and threats toward critics — After Renee Good was killed by ICE, federal leadership responded with defensive messaging, threats toward critics, and rhetoric framing accountability as an attack on law enforcement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared publicly behind messaging stating "One of ours, all of yours," signaling protection from consequences rather than transparency or restraint.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division officials resigned after being ordered not to investigate ICE agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good — Four high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the Trump DOJ instructed them to investigate the victim, Renee Nicole Good, rather than the ICE agent who shot and killed her. The resignations follow a February wave of departures from the DOJ's Public Integrity Section, where prosecutors refused orders to dismiss a bribery case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The departures reflect broader institutional collapse within the DOJ, with thousands of career officials resigning or fired.
• Four leaders of DOJ Civil Rights Division criminal section resigned over ICE shooting decision — At least four leaders of the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ resigned to protest the decision by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon not to investigate the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good. The departures included the chief of the section, principal deputy chief, deputy chief, and acting deputy chief. This represents the most significant mass resignation at DOJ since February 2025, when five leaders of the Public Integrity Section resigned rather than comply with orders to dismiss the bribery case against former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
• Department of Justice declined to investigate shooting as civil rights violation — The Department of Justice declined to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross as a civil rights attack. Instead, the DOJ classified the incident as an assault on a federal officer and initiated an investigation into Good's ties to local activists rather than examining the shooting itself. This prosecutorial decision prompted the resignation of at least six career prosecutors from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
• DOJ declines civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Trump administration's Department of Justice leadership declined to open a civil-rights investigation into a Minneapolis ICE shooting incident, stating there was "no basis" for review while the FBI continues its investigation. In response, four senior supervisors in DOJ's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest, citing their exclusion from the case and objecting to the refusal to initiate civil-rights oversight. The resignations signal internal resistance to narrowing accountability mechanisms.
• Federal prosecutors resign from DOJ civil rights division over blocked investigation into ICE shooting — Six lawyers from the US attorney's office in Minnesota and four leaders of the DOJ civil rights division resigned in protest after the department, under assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon, declined to investigate the January 7 fatal shooting of unarmed civilian Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated there was "no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation" without elaboration. The resignations reflect broader purging of the civil rights division, which has lost roughly 70% of its staff since Trump's second term began.
• Federal prosecutors resign in protest over DOJ decision not to investigate killing of Renee Nicole Good — Several federal prosecutors resigned in protest after the Department of Justice declined to conduct a civil rights investigation into the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. The killing sparked widespread protests and prompted state and local legal challenges to the federal immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration has defended the agent's actions as self-defense, a characterization disputed by local officials and video evidence.
• Four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors resign over case exclusion — Four senior supervisors in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned after being told they would be sidelined from the Minnesota ICE shooting investigation. The resignations were framed as protest against both their exclusion from the case and the broader refusal to open civil-rights oversight into the use-of-force incident. The departures represent internal institutional resistance to the narrowing of accountability mechanisms.
• Six career prosecutors resigned from DOJ Civil Rights Division — At least six career prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest over the DOJ's decision not to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good as a civil rights violation and instead to investigate Good's ties to local activists.
• DOJ declines to open civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Department of Justice announced it found "no basis" to open a civil-rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The decision was made by DOJ leadership and signaled that civil-rights review would be granted only at the administration's discretion. The refusal to investigate followed the fatal incident and preceded the resignation of four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon declines to open investigation into ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good — Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, instructed federal prosecutors in the division's criminal section that she would not open an investigation into whether the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis violated federal law. The Civil Rights Division's criminal section normally handles investigations into law enforcement misconduct, but no probe was announced publicly or pursued internally.
• DOJ senior officials pressure federal prosecutors to investigate Renee Nicole Good's widow for criminality; six prosecutors resign — Senior DOJ officials pressed federal prosecutors to investigate Becca Good, widow of Renee Nicole Good, for possible criminality before the shooting. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.—including some who worked on fraud-related investigations—resigned in response to the pressure to pursue Good's family rather than investigate the ICE agent's conduct. The prosecutors' resignations were prompted by the DOJ's attempt to weaponize the fatal shooting and redirect the FBI's probe toward Good's family and their connections to local activist groups.
• DOJ civil rights division and federal prosecutors resign over handling of ICE shooting — At least four senior leaders of the DOJ Civil Rights Division and six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in response to how the Trump administration handled the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The resignations signal institutional breakdown and loss of confidence in federal accountability mechanisms.

Supporting reports

• DOJ opens criminal investigation into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell — The Trump administration's Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, rooted in his June 2025 Senate testimony about the Fed's headquarters renovation costs. Powell confirmed the subpoena on Sunday and characterized the investigation as part of a pressure campaign linked to the administration's frustration with the Fed's interest rate policy. Several Republican lawmakers, including Senator Thom Tillis, publicly opposed the investigation as an attack on Fed independence.
• DOJ Subpoenas Federal Reserve in Investigation — The Department of Justice has issued a subpoena to the Federal Reserve as part of an investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. This investigation is reportedly linked to Powell's testimony before the Senate regarding the costs of the Fed's headquarters renovation. The DOJ's actions have sparked criticism from several Republican lawmakers, who view the investigation as an attempt to undermine the Federal Reserve's independence. Powell has confirmed the subpoena and described the investigation as part of a broader pressure campaign by the Trump administration.
• US Attorney's office in DC opened criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — The US Attorney's office for the District of Columbia opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding the central bank's renovation of its Washington headquarters and whether Powell made false statements to Congress about the project's scope. The inquiry, approved in November by Jeanine Pirro (a Trump ally appointed to run the office), includes analysis of Powell's public statements and examination of spending records. Powell acknowledged receipt of grand jury subpoenas.
• DOJ threatens Federal Reserve with criminal indictment over interest rate policy — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly stated that the Department of Justice threatened criminal charges against the Fed related to a multi-year renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. Powell characterized the threat as retaliation for the Fed's decision to set interest rates based on economic conditions rather than presidential preference, stating the threat was "a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."

Supporting reports

• Senator Thom Tillis opposed confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee pending resolution of Powell investigation — On January 11, 2026, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, posted that there is no longer any doubt that "advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve" and stated that "it is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question." Tillis announced he would "oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved."
• Senator Thom Tillis vows to block all Federal Reserve nominations — Senator Thom Tillis announced he would block all Federal Reserve nominations, including the upcoming chair vacancy, until the DOJ investigation into Powell is "fully resolved." Tillis, a member of the banking committee overseeing Fed appointments, stated on X that the investigation demonstrates the Trump administration is "actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve" and questioned the DOJ's credibility.
• Rep. Bacon expressed concern about DOJ independence in Powell investigation — Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) stated that while he believes the justice system works in the end, the Powell investigation "on the surface, it does appears this is DOJ going after Powell" and emphasized that "the independence of the Fed is vitally important."
• Rep. Lawler opposed pressure on Federal Reserve independence — Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) stated that while he believes Powell was late in addressing inflation and slow in lowering interest rates, "the independence of the Federal Reserve is paramount and I oppose any effort to pressure them into action."
• Republican senators demanded investigation into DOJ weaponization of federal law enforcement — Republican lawmakers publicly demanded an investigation into Trump's Department of Justice for weaponizing federal law enforcement against Federal Reserve Chair Powell. Senator Lisa Murkowski stated the investigation was coercive and noted that cost overruns on federal projects do not constitute grounds for criminal prosecution. Senator Thom Tillis blocked Trump's nominees to the Federal Reserve and Department of Homeland Security until the DOJ's conduct is investigated, also noting that Kristi Noem refused to appear before Congress.
• Sen. Murkowski characterized Powell investigation as coercion attempt — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) stated that after speaking with Chair Powell, the administration's investigation is "nothing more than an attempt at coercion." She called for Congress to investigate DOJ if it believes project cost overruns warrant inquiry, and warned that loss of Federal Reserve independence would destabilize markets and the broader economy. She supported Sen. Tillis's position on blocking Fed nominees.
• Sen. Tillis announced opposition to any Fed nominees pending resolution of Powell investigation — Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Banking Committee where Republicans hold a one-seat majority, announced he will oppose confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy, until the DOJ investigation into Powell is fully resolved. Tillis stated the investigation demonstrates that Trump administration advisers are actively pushing to end Federal Reserve independence.
• Former Fed Chairs and economic officials issued joint statement on Powell investigation — All living former Federal Reserve Chairs (Bernanke, Greenspan, Yellen), bipartisan former Treasury Secretaries (Geithner, Paulson, and others), and bipartisan former Council of Economic Advisers Chairs (Hubbard, Mankiw, Romer, Furman) issued a joint statement characterizing the criminal inquiry into Chair Powell as "an unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine" Federal Reserve independence. They warned that such actions occur in emerging markets with weak institutions and have no place in the United States.

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• Oregon Attorney General opens investigation into Border Patrol shooting — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced a formal investigation into the shooting of two undocumented immigrants by federal Border Patrol agents in Portland. The investigation will examine whether "any federal officer acted outside the scope of their lawful authority." Rayfield stated his office had previously raised concerns about excessive use of force by federal agents in Portland and nationally.

Supporting reports

• Minnesota state officials initiate parallel investigation after FBI exclusion — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced a separate state investigation into the shooting after the FBI excluded them from the federal inquiry. They requested public submission of evidence and video footage. Moriarty stated the FBI had seized the vehicle and withheld forensic results, breaking prior agreements for a joint investigation.
• FBI assumes exclusive control of ICE shooting investigation, excludes Minnesota state authorities — The FBI took full control of the investigation into ICE agent Jonathan E Ross's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, reversing an initial agreement to allow Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to assist. Federal officials revoked the BCA's access to case materials, witnesses, and evidence, forcing the state agency to withdraw. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied the BCA was excluded, citing jurisdiction, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed concern about achieving a fair outcome given that federal officials had already publicly defended the shooting.
• FBI excludes state and local investigators from examination of ICE shooting death — Following the January 8 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, the FBI took control of the investigation and excluded Minnesota state and local investigators from examining the killing. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison publicly objected to this exclusion. The move prevented state oversight of federal law enforcement conduct and contributed to public demands for an independent investigation.
• FBI seizes exclusive control of ICE shooting investigation, excludes Minnesota state investigators — Following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis on January 8, the FBI took over the investigation and excluded Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from access to evidence, the vehicle, and forensic results. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and state officials demanded inclusion in the inquiry, citing concerns about impartiality. Vice President JD Vance claimed the agent enjoyed "absolute immunity" from prosecution without legal basis.
• FBI takes control of Minneapolis ICE shooting investigation — The FBI took control of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension stated its access to case materials, witnesses, and evidence had been revoked. This federalization of the investigation occurred one day before the Portland shooting and amid criticism of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement.
• Immigration agents shot at people 16 times under Trump's expanded enforcement crackdown — Under Trump's second-term immigration crackdown, federal immigration agents have been involved in 16 shootings as of January 9, 2026, according to data compiled by the Trace. The incidents coincide with expanded enforcement operations that began in June 2025 and have expanded to multiple cities including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis. Since July 2025, immigration agents have killed four people and injured seven more. The most recent shooting occurred in Minneapolis on January 8, where federal agents fatally shot a woman during a large-scale ICE enforcement action; another shooting occurred in Portland the following day.

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• Six Minnesota federal prosecutors resigned over DOJ's handling of ICE shooting investigation — Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota's U.S. Attorney's Office resigned on Tuesday in protest of the Department of Justice's approach to investigating the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Joseph Thompson, second in command at the office, and senior career prosecutors Harry Jacobs, Melinda Williams, and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez were among those who quit. The prosecutors objected to DOJ's decision to investigate Good's widow instead of examining whether the ICE officer's use of deadly force was lawful, and to DOJ's refusal to include state officials in the investigation.

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

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• Pam Bondi's letter to Governor Walz linking voter files to immigration enforcement — Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in January suggesting that if he turned over the state's voter files, violent attacks by federal immigration enforcement agencies could end. Legal experts characterized this as coercive and inappropriate, using the threat of continued violence to pressure a state official into surrendering voter data.

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• Justice Department files proposed consent decree against LivCor for algorithmic rent coordination — The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division filed a proposed consent decree on December 23, 2025, against LivCor LLC, a Blackstone portfolio company and major U.S. landlord, to resolve allegations of algorithmic coordination and anticompetitive information sharing in rental markets. The decree, filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, follows similar settlements with RealPage, Cortland Management, and Greystar Management Services. If approved, it would prohibit LivCor from using algorithms that incorporate competitors' pricing data, sharing competitively sensitive information, and attending RealPage-hosted landlord meetings.

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• ProPublica reports Deputy AG Blanche held crypto investments while ending investigations — ProPublica reported that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche held more than $150,000 in crypto investments when he issued a memo one month into his tenure to end investigations into crypto companies, dealers, and exchanges initiated during the Biden administration. A former White House ethics lawyer called the situation "an obvious conflict of interest."

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• US Justice Department temporarily removes then restores Trump photo from Epstein files release — The US Justice Department removed a photograph containing images of Donald Trump from the public Epstein investigative files on Saturday, citing potential victim exposure concerns flagged by federal prosecutors in New York. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the removal was precautionary and unrelated to Trump. After review, the department determined no Epstein victims were depicted and restored the image on Sunday without redaction. Democrats accused the administration of political interference, while the department defended the action as necessary to protect victims during ongoing document review.
• Deputy Attorney General Blanche provides inconsistent explanations for removal of Trump photographs from Epstein files — When NBC's Kristen Welker pressed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about photographs showing Trump in Epstein-related materials that were removed from the DOJ website, Blanche's explanations shifted repeatedly. He insisted the removal had nothing to do with Trump while conceding that no victim had been identified in the images that prompted their takedown, creating an apparent contradiction in his account.

Supporting reports

• Deputy Attorney General Blanche provides inconsistent explanations for removal of Trump photographs from Epstein files — When NBC's Kristen Welker pressed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about photographs showing Trump in Epstein-related materials that were removed from the DOJ website, Blanche's explanations shifted repeatedly. He insisted the removal had nothing to do with Trump while conceding that no victim had been identified in the images that prompted their takedown, creating an apparent contradiction in his account.

Supporting reports

• Democrats release new Epstein photos ahead of DoJ transparency deadline — Democrats on the House oversight committee released a new batch of photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate as the Department of Justice faces a deadline to release its files related to Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The images, which include undated photos of prominent figures and text from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel "Lolita" written on a woman's body, aim to maintain pressure on the Trump administration. The Justice Department has less than 48 hours to comply with the law, which was signed by Trump after bipartisan support ensured its passage.
• Ghislaine Maxwell files habeas petition to vacate conviction — Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for sex-trafficking crimes, filed a habeas petition in federal court to vacate her conviction, citing "substantial new evidence" from various sources that she claims supports her argument of an unfair trial. The petition alleges that exculpatory information was withheld and false testimony was presented during her trial. This filing is Maxwell's latest attempt to overturn her conviction following several unsuccessful appeals since her 2021 conviction.
• Trump administration faces Epstein Files Transparency Act deadline with incomplete DOJ redaction process — The Trump administration's Department of Justice faces a less-than-48-hour deadline to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law on November 19, 2025. Internal sources report that DOJ attorneys have been processing over 1,000 documents each since Thanksgiving with only four pages of redaction guidance, raising concerns about over-redaction, errors, and potential exposure of sensitive information. Legal experts warn the rushed review could compromise the transparency mandate.
• Senate Majority Leader Schumer called DOJ Epstein release a cover-up — Senator Chuck Schumer stated that the Trump administration violated the law by releasing only partial Epstein files instead of all documents within the 30-day statutory window. He accused the DOJ, Trump, and Bondi of hiding the truth and covering up Trump's past, and announced Senate Democrats are working with victim attorneys and legal experts to assess what documents are being withheld.
• DOJ released partial Epstein files in violation of federal law — Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche released only a portion of the Epstein documents on the statutory deadline, with heavy redactions, violating federal law requiring full release with minimal redactions to protect victim identity only. The law mandated all documents be released within 30 days of enactment; DOJ interpreted this as permission to release documents over several weeks. Senate Democrats and House Judiciary members announced they are examining legal options to compel full compliance.
• DOJ released Epstein files with initial photo removal and restoration — The Department of Justice met a court-ordered deadline on December 19 to release Jeffrey Epstein investigation materials, including a searchable photo database. Officials initially removed a widely-circulated photograph showing Trump with Epstein from the database; after immediate public criticism, the department restored the photo on Saturday, attributing the removal to technical issues. Documents were released with heavy redactions that victim advocates said protected prominent names inconsistently.
• DOJ Releases Redacted Epstein Files, Restores Trump Photo — The Department of Justice released heavily redacted materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, meeting a court-ordered deadline. Initially, a photograph of Trump with Epstein was removed from the database but was restored after public criticism, with officials citing technical issues. The redactions have been criticized for inconsistently protecting prominent names, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
• Department of Justice releases heavily redacted Epstein files under court-ordered deadline — The Department of Justice released a large tranche of documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, December 19, 2025, in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Trump on November 19. The release included photographs and investigative materials dating back to 2006, though significant portions were redacted, including identifying details of over 1,200 victims and family members. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged the redactions and indicated additional documents would be released on a rolling basis. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans criticized the release as failing to fully comply with the law's requirement to disclose all unclassified materials.
• Department of Justice releases partial Epstein files in violation of congressional mandate — The Department of Justice released several hundred thousand documents related to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, but Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release would not include the full set of files held by DOJ, contrary to the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law on November 19, 2025. The law required release of all unclassified materials within 30 days. Congressional Democrats and legal experts immediately threatened legal action, accusing the administration of violating federal law and obstructing transparency.
• DOJ partially releases Epstein investigative files, missing statutory deadline — The Department of Justice released investigative documents on Jeffrey Epstein on December 19, 2025, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated full disclosure by that date. However, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release was incomplete and stated additional documents would be released over subsequent weeks. Lawyers representing Epstein survivors condemned the partial release, arguing the DOJ had "dragged its feet" for 18 years and repeatedly failed victims, while some survivors expressed mixed emotions—validation that obstruction was now public, but also devastation over the incomplete accounting.
• House Democrats release Epstein estate photos ahead of DOJ transparency deadline — House Oversight Committee Democrats released a batch of photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate on Thursday, including images with Lolita passages written on women's bodies, photos of Bill Gates, Noam Chomsky, and other public figures. The release occurs as the Trump administration faces a 48-hour deadline under the Epstein Files Transparency Act to release DOJ files. The administration had initially refused to release additional files despite campaign promises, then reversed course when bipartisan support became evident.
• Justice Department misses congressionally mandated deadline for Epstein files release — The Trump administration's Justice Department failed to meet the December 19, 2025 deadline mandated by the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act to release all investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Although some files were disclosed by the deadline, subsequent releases represented only a fraction of the estimated 2+ million documents in the department's possession. Victims' advocates and the act's co-sponsors have called for a special master to oversee compliance; the Justice Department opposed the request in court filings.
• Trump administration fails to fully release Epstein files by congressional deadline — The Trump administration released only partial Epstein investigative documents on Friday, falling short of the congressionally mandated full release required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act deadline of December 19. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Ro Khanna criticized the incomplete release, with Khanna calling for impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The administration cited the need for additional victim-protection redactions, while Democrats argued the law required written explanation for withheld documents within 15 days.
• Trump DOJ fails to comply with Congressional deadline for Epstein Files Transparency Act — The Trump Department of Justice missed the December 19, 2025 statutory deadline mandated by Congress's Epstein Files Transparency Act to disclose all investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein. One month after the deadline, DOJ has released only approximately 12,285 documents (125,575 pages) while acknowledging over 2 million additional documents remain under review. Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie requested a federal judge appoint a special master to compel compliance; DOJ opposed the request.
• Trump justice department releases limited, heavily redacted Epstein files in apparent violation of transparency law — The Trump justice department released a limited, heavily redacted trove of Jeffrey Epstein investigative files on Friday, December 19, falling short of the Epstein Files Transparency Act's requirement for near-complete disclosure by that date. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the department would release documents in tranches over weeks rather than all at once. Subsequently, at least 16 files disappeared from the department's public webpage without explanation, including an image containing a photograph of Trump with Epstein. Lawmakers from both parties condemned the release as non-compliant with law.
• Trump's DOJ missed December 19 deadline for releasing Epstein files under EFTA — Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) in 2025, which Trump signed into law, mandating the Department of Justice release investigative files by December 19, 2025. The deadline passed with the DOJ releasing only a fraction of required disclosures. Legal experts including Mitchell Garabedian, Spencer Kuvin, and Neama Rahmani told the Guardian that enforcement mechanisms are weak, the special master route has failed, and future options include court intervention, FOIA litigation, and congressional oversight, though complications abound given the DOJ itself is the target of enforcement.
• Department of Justice released only a fraction of Epstein files required by law on December 19, 2025 — On December 19, 2025, the deadline established by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the Department of Justice released only a partial set of materials despite the law's requirement to release all unclassified records. Missing from the release were FBI interviews with survivors and internal Justice Department memos about charging decisions. The release was heavily redacted, with entire pages blacked out, and focused disproportionately on former President Bill Clinton rather than other named individuals.
• Trump administration fails to meet December 19 deadline for releasing Epstein files — The Trump administration failed to meet the legal deadline of December 19 established by Congress for releasing the Epstein files. The failure to comply with the congressional mandate represented a violation of the law and an assertion of executive power over legislative authority.
• Trump Justice Department fails to comply with Epstein Files Transparency Act deadline — The Trump Justice Department, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced it will not release all unclassified Epstein-related records by the statutory 30-day deadline mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Instead, officials stated they will release "several hundred thousand" documents today with additional materials possibly arriving weeks or months later. The statute explicitly requires all unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their trafficking operation be made publicly available in searchable and downloadable form within 30 days of enactment. The staggered disclosure approach violates the law's clear mandate.

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked vote on ACA subsidy extension — House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not call a vote to extend enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, effectively guaranteeing they will expire at the end of December. This will result in higher insurance premiums for millions of Americans receiving coverage through the ACA beginning in January. Johnson stated he "looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve, and it just was not to be." Multiple Republican members, including Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), criticized the decision as a failure of leadership and political malpractice.
• House Speaker Johnson adjourned House early to avoid ACA subsidy vote — House Speaker Mike Johnson, after suffering a humiliating defeat when four Republicans signed a Democratic discharge petition to extend ACA subsidies for three years, decided to adjourn the House early to avoid being forced to hold a vote within the required timeframe. Under House rules, a discharge petition must be brought to the floor for a vote within seven House working days. Johnson scrapped votes scheduled for Friday and adjourned the House on Thursday, keeping it out of session to delay the vote and allow ACA subsidies to lapse at the end of the month.
• Speaker Johnson refuses vote on ACA subsidy extension; House adjourned — Speaker Mike Johnson, aligned with the president, refused to allow a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. A discharge petition led by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reached the required 218 signatures, including four Republicans, to force a vote on a clean three-year extension. Rather than permit the vote, Johnson effectively shut down the House and sent members home until January. Between 22 and 24 million Americans rely on those subsidies to afford health insurance; letting them lapse will trigger sharp premium increases at the start of the new year.
• House discharge petition for ACA subsidy extension reached 218 signatures — A Democratic-led discharge petition to force a House vote on extending enhanced ACA subsidies reached 218 signatures after four Republicans joined, triggering a likely House vote in January. If enhanced subsidies expire, the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that subsidized enrollees' premium payments would more than double on average in 2026. The petition represents an effort to bypass normal legislative process to protect healthcare access for millions of civilians.
• Four House Republicans signed discharge petition for ACA subsidy extension — Four moderate House Republicans signed a Democratic-led discharge petition to force a vote on extending ACA subsidies for three years before they expire at the end of the month. The action represented a significant defeat for Speaker Johnson and a new low point for House Republican Conference infighting. The four Republicans defected despite pressure from the Freedom Caucus, with Rep. Eric Burlison warning them not to ask for political help in the future.
• Hakeem Jeffries secured Republican support for ACA extension discharge petition — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries successfully secured four Republican signatures on a discharge petition to extend ACA subsidies for three years, forcing Speaker Johnson into a humiliating defeat. Jeffries refused to compromise on the three-year extension when most observers believed it would not happen, demonstrating effective use of discharge petitions as a tool to overcome Speaker obstruction. On CNBC, Jeffries stated that every House Democrat and at least four House Republicans support the extension, and that Republicans had all year to address the issue but chose not to because they were focused on passing their "big ugly bill."
• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick reported quiet support for ACA extension among conservatives — Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), one of the four Republicans who signed the discharge petition for ACA subsidy extension, stated on MSNBC that colleagues from very conservative districts have quietly approached him on the floor thanking him for his action and expressing that they want leadership to head in that direction. He indicated that many conservative Republicans feel politically unable to publicly support the extension despite privately favoring it.
• Four House Republicans sign petition for ACA tax credit extension — Four House Republicans joined Democratic members of Congress to sign a petition forcing a vote on a three-year extension of tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire on December 31. It's unclear when Speaker Mike Johnson will bring the vote to the House floor.
• Four House Republicans signed discharge petition to force vote on ACA premium tax credit extension — Four vulnerable House Republicans—Mike Lawler (R-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), and Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)—signed a discharge petition alongside all House Democrats to force Speaker Mike Johnson to bring a bill extending premium tax credits for ACA marketplace insurance to the floor for a vote. The credits were permitted to lapse at year-end under the July budget reconciliation bill. Without extension, 24 million Americans purchasing ACA insurance face premium increases and potential coverage loss. The Republican-controlled House Rules Committee had blocked all Republican amendments proposing the extension.
• House passed Republican healthcare measure expected to die in Senate — The House passed a Republican healthcare package that the Congressional Budget Office projects will drop approximately 100,000 people per year off health insurance through 2035 while saving the government $35.6 billion. House leadership proposed this alternative to extending premium tax credits, which would cost approximately $350 billion over ten years. The measure is expected to fail in the Senate. The House is scheduled to vote separately on extending premium tax credits in January.
• Four Republicans sign discharge petition forcing House vote on ACA subsidy extension — Four Republican House members—Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Robert Bresnahan (PA), Ryan Mackenzie (PA), and Mike Lawler (NY)—joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition that reached the 218-signature threshold required to force a House floor vote on legislation extending premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans for three years. The petition was sponsored by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The move represents a significant breach in GOP unity, as Republican leadership and Trump have opposed the extension. The bill is expected to come to a vote in January after the congressional recess.

Supporting reports

• House Judiciary Committee expands investigation into Jack Smith — CNN reported that the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee is expanding its investigation into former Special Counsel Jack Smith by demanding interviews with four current and former Justice Department officials involved in subpoenaing phone records for several members of Congress around the January 6 insurrection.
• Jack Smith testifies to House Judiciary Committee on federal prosecutions of Trump — Former special counsel Jack Smith testified in a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2025, defending his federal cases against Donald Trump for classified-documents possession and election interference. Smith stated he had "proof beyond reasonable doubt" in both cases, denied any political motivation or interference from President Biden or Attorney General Merrick Garland, and warned that unpunished election meddling would become "the new norm" with "catastrophic" consequences for democracy. The testimony transcript was released on December 31, 2025.
• Jack Smith testified before House Judiciary Committee on Trump's 2020 election overturn scheme — Former special counsel Jack Smith testified behind closed doors before the House Judiciary Committee regarding his investigation into Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. According to Smith's opening statement obtained by NBC News, Smith stated he and his team found "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump engaged in a "criminal scheme" to overturn the election. Smith testified that phone records of nine congressional Republicans were "lawfully subpoenaed and were relevant to complete a comprehensive" investigation, and that Trump and his associates "tried to call Members of Congress in furtherance of their criminal scheme, urging them to further delay certification of the 2020 election." Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) had subpoenaed Smith and rejected his offer to testify publicly.
• Representative Ocasio-Cortez criticizes intelligence briefing as inadequate — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called the briefing "a joke," stating that no intelligence shared rose to the level of briefings on Ukraine or China, and characterized it as "a communication of an opinion" rather than a serious intelligence briefing.
• Senator Andy Kim states Trump's blockade contradicts military briefing — Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) noted that Trump's threatened military action directly contradicts what Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth told Senate colleagues that day about the mission and goals of operations in the Caribbean. Kim called it a dangerous escalation and stated the administration must come before Congress for public hearings to explain why they are risking pulling the nation into another forever war.
• Senator Chris Murphy states administration lacks legal justification for strikes — After the briefing, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) stated that the administration had no legal justification for the strikes and no national security justification. He noted that officers admitted the drugs transiting Venezuela were primarily cocaine headed for Europe, not fentanyl as the administration had suggested.
• Senator Schumer states administration came to briefing "empty handed" — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said after the briefing that the administration came "empty handed" and questioned how senators could trust the administration's transparency on other Caribbean issues if they could not be transparent on the strikes. He stated that every senator was entitled to see the video.
• Special Counsel Jack Smith offered to testify publicly before Congress without time limits; Republicans declined and opted for closed-door deposition instead. — Special Counsel Jack Smith offered to testify publicly before Congress without time limits to answer questions about investigations into Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his retention of classified documents. Republicans declined the public testimony offer and instead opted for a closed-door deposition while continuing to attack Smith on partisan media outlets. Smith's opening statement established that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the election and obstruct the lawful transfer of power, and willfully retained highly classified documents in unsecured locations.
• Jack Smith tells House Judiciary Committee Trump engaged in criminal scheme — Former Special Counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers during a closed-door hearing before the House Judiciary Committee that his team "developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump "engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power." He also said he would prosecute a former president again "based on the same facts today," no matter which party the president belongs to.
• Jack Smith testified under oath about Trump's criminal conduct in 2020 election and classified documents — On December 17, 2025, former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified under oath in a closed-door hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. Smith stated that his office had "developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power" and had developed "powerful evidence" that Trump "willfully retained highly classified documents after he left office in January of 2021, storing them at his social club, including in a ballroom and a bathroom," and "repeatedly tried to obstruct justice to conceal his continued retention of those documents."
• House Judiciary members announced legal action against DOJ over Epstein files — Ranking members Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin issued a joint statement announcing they are examining all legal options to compel the DOJ to comply with the federal law requiring full release of Epstein documents. They stated that survivors deserve justice, co-conspirators must be held accountable, and the American people deserve complete transparency.
• Jack Smith requested public hearing before House Judiciary Committee — Attorneys for former Special Counsel Jack Smith requested a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee to defend his prosecutorial decisions against Republican attacks. Smith had previously testified in a closed-door deposition spanning over 8 hours. His attorneys also requested release of the full videotape of his testimony so he could speak directly to the public rather than through second-hand accounts.
• Court Filing Claims Discrimination in Federal Grant Distribution — Lawyers for the government filed a court document asserting that it is legal to distribute federal funds only to Republican-led states, withholding them from Democratic-led states. This admission suggests a discriminatory policy based on political affiliation, which the government claims is constitutionally permissible.
• Jack Smith Testifies on Trump's Criminal Scheme to Overturn Election — Special counsel Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee, presenting evidence that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Smith's testimony included details about phone records of congressional Republicans related to the investigation.