Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Magistrate judge orders release of Kilmar Ábrego García from criminal custody pending trial — Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes issued an order on Friday allowing Kilmar Ábrego García, a 30-year-old father of two, to be released from criminal custody in Tennessee so he can rejoin his family in Maryland while awaiting trial on human smuggling charges. Ábrego had been wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March by federal immigration officials (later admitted as an "administrative error"), detained and tortured at El Salvador's Cecot facility, and returned to the US in June only to be charged with crimes his lawyers call "preposterous." The release follows a Supreme Court order directing federal officials to facilitate his return.

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• Trump administration halts Revolution Wind offshore project via BOEM stop-work order — The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), under Trump administration direction, issued a stop-work order on Friday halting construction of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm off Rhode Island and Connecticut coasts. The project was approximately 80% complete with 45 of 65 turbines installed. BOEM acting director Matt Giacona cited national security concerns and Trump's first-day executive order to reconsider wind energy leases. The order prevents Ørsted from resuming work pending agency review. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont vowed to fight the decision; Senator Chris Murphy alleged the move reflected oil industry demands made in exchange for campaign donations.
• Trump administration halts Revolution Wind offshore project via stop-work order — On August 22, 2025, the Trump administration's Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop-work order halting the Revolution Wind offshore electricity project off the northeast U.S. coast, which was 80% complete. The order cited unspecified "concerns" without identifying legal violations or safety threats. Rhode Island and Connecticut filed suit on September 5, 2025, challenging the order as unlawful; the project developers (Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables) separately filed in federal court seeking preliminary injunction. The project, expected to power 350,000 homes and reduce Rhode Island emissions by 11 million metric tons annually, has already cost $5 billion with another $1 billion in potential losses.
• Interior Department halted Revolution Wind offshore project construction — On August 22, the Interior Department suddenly stopped construction of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm off Connecticut and Rhode Island without stated explanation. The project was 80 percent complete and scheduled for completion in early 2026. Revolution Wind was designed to power over 350,000 homes, employ more than 1,000 local union workers, and support Rhode Island's goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2033. The halt disrupted a $20 billion multinational investment in American energy infrastructure and manufacturing across 40 states.

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• FEMA implements mandatory email requirement for disaster aid applications — The Trump administration's FEMA agency has implemented a new rule requiring disaster victims to provide an email address to apply for federal emergency assistance. The policy eliminates email as optional and makes it mandatory, following a March executive order discontinuing federal paper-based payments. Current and former FEMA officials warn the change will create barriers for approximately 12% of Americans without internet access, elderly people, disabled individuals, and those in disaster zones where internet access is compromised. The requirement is compounded by concurrent FEMA cuts to door-to-door canvassing and field office closures.

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• New York appeals court dismisses $515m civil fraud penalty against Trump — A divided panel of five judges in New York's appellate division ruled Thursday that the $515m civil fraud penalty imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron against Donald Trump was "excessive" and violated the Eighth Amendment. The court upheld the injunctive relief barring Trump from corporate leadership but struck down the financial penalty, leaving room for further appeal to New York's highest court. Trump called the ruling a "great win for America" while New York Attorney General Letitia James announced she would seek an appeal.

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• Federal judge blocks Trump administration from defunding 34 sanctuary cities and counties — US District Judge William Orrick issued an order on Friday blocking the Trump administration from cutting federal funding to 34 "sanctuary cities" and counties that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ruling expands a previous April decision finding the administration's funding freeze unconstitutional. Cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, Denver, and Albuquerque are now protected from defunding. The administration had signed executive orders in January and February threatening to withhold funds from Democratic-led cities refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

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• Illinois governor Pritzker opposed federal takeover threat — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker posted on social media opposing Trump's threatened takeover of Chicago, characterizing it as "an authoritarian power grab of major cities." Pritzker contrasted the administration's priorities with what he stated people actually want, including cheaper groceries and protection of Medicaid and SNAP benefits.
• Chicago Mayor Johnson declared Trump's threat illegal — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Trump's threat to take over the city an illegal abuse of power, rejecting the president's assertion of authority to deploy federal forces to govern a major American city.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker rejected Trump's power grab — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker posted on social media that people are not begging for "an authoritarian power grab of major cities," directly rejecting Trump's threats to deploy federal forces to take over Chicago and other cities. Pritzker contrasted Trump's threats with actual public concerns: cheaper groceries, protection of Medicaid and SNAP, and release of the Epstein files.

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• DOJ releases redacted Maxwell interview transcripts; Trump distancing from Epstein — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for involvement in Epstein's abuse, in July 2025. On August 22, the DOJ published redacted transcripts of these interviews. Maxwell's statements largely supported Trump's efforts to distance himself from Epstein, stating she never witnessed them as close friends and never saw Trump in "massage settings." The transcripts also contained extensive questioning about Bill and Hillary Clinton's connections to Epstein, though Maxwell provided limited incriminating information about either political figure.
• Proffer interview recording of Ghislaine Maxwell released by DOJ — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, conducted and released a proffer interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In the recording, Maxwell stated Trump "was never inappropriate with anybody" and claimed she was innocent of all charges and victims were lying. Following the interview, Maxwell was transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp and placed atop the presidential pardon list.
• Administration released Ghislaine Maxwell interview transcripts — The Trump administration released portions of transcripts from Todd Blanche's interview with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In the transcripts, Maxwell praised Trump, stating he was "always very cordial and very kind" to her and expressing admiration for his presidency. Maxwell is currently serving a sentence for sex trafficking convictions and is reportedly seeking a pardon.

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• Trump dismissed Epstein documents as "Democrat hoax" — When asked about the DOJ's transmission of Epstein documents to the House Oversight Committee, Trump characterized the entire matter as a "Democrat hoax," stating: "The whole Epstein thing is a Democrat hoax." He also noted that many people mentioned in the files "don't deserve to be" named because Epstein "knew everybody in Palm Beach."

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• Trump threatened federal takeover of Chicago — Trump warned that he would take over Chicago "with the federal government," calling the city a "mess." He stated that "African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, 'Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please.'" The threat followed similar rhetoric about controlling Washington, D.C., and represents an escalation of threats to deploy federal forces in major cities.

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• Trump stated no deadline for keeping troops in DC — When asked if there is a limit to how long he will keep troops in the nation's capital, Trump responded: "I don't know if there is a deadline. If I have a national emergency, I can keep the troops there as long as I want. People aren't going to want to have the troops out in 30 days." The statement indicates indefinite military occupation of the capital.
• Trump suggested Gaza-like depopulation of DC — During the same press conference, Trump suggested a potential Gaza-like depopulation strategy for Washington, D.C., stating: "We could take everybody out and you have a great capital" and warning visitors "they're not going to go home in a body bag." The statement implied forced removal of DC residents as a crime-reduction strategy.

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• Trump acknowledged potential involvement in Bolton raid — When asked whether he knew about the FBI raid on John Bolton ahead of time or had involvement, Trump stated: "I could know about it. I could be the one starting it. I'm actually the chief law enforcement officer." The statement suggests potential presidential direction or knowledge of law enforcement action against a political critic.

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• Texas representative Nicole Collier threatened with felony charges for phone call — Texas state representative Nicole Collier, a Black woman, was threatened with felony charges for talking on the phone from a bathroom to Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin, Senator Cory Booker, and California governor Gavin Newsom. The threat was issued by state authorities enforcing the House speaker's directive to prevent Democratic members from leaving the chamber.

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• Texas redistricting maps dilute minority voting power — New Texas redistricting maps were drawn such that people of color, who make up 60% of Texas's population, would be placed in districts where white voters control at least 26 of the state's 38 congressional districts. The maps require approximately 445,000 white residents to elect a member of Congress, compared to 1.4 million Latino residents or 2 million Black residents.

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• CBP and ICE agents conduct workplace raid detaining dozens of immigrant workers in Edison, New Jersey — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided a warehouse in Edison, New Jersey on Wednesday, August 21, 2025, detaining dozens of immigrant workers. Agents arrived at 9am, led workers away in zip ties, and gave yellow wristbands to those deemed to have legal status. The operation lasted hours; some workers were injured and others hid in the warehouse rafters. CBP characterized it as a "surprise inspection" for customs and employment verification, but labor advocates alleged ICE conducted immigration enforcement without proper judicial warrants.

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• Trump administration announces "continuous vetting" review of 55 million US visa holders for potential rule violations — The Trump administration, through the State Department, announced a policy of "continuous vetting" for all 55 million current US visa holders, including those already admitted into the country. The policy permits revocation of visas and deportation if any indication of ineligibility emerges, including social media activity deemed "anti-American." This expands earlier guidance requiring vetting for "antisemitic ideologies" and views against US foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel. The administration has already revoked 6,000 student visas since January for overstays and alleged violations.

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• ICE seeks millions for customized vehicles without open bidding — ICE proposed spending more than $2.4 million on customized vehicles, including $2.25 million for 25 Chevrolet Tahoes from Hendrick Motorsports and approximately $174,000 for custom wrapping with gold-detailed "DEFEND THE HOMELAND" emblems. The agency selected the companies without an open bidding process, as revealed in government contracting documents made public this week.

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• Federal judge rules Trump-appointed US attorney unlawfully serving without Senate confirmation — Chief US District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Alina Habba, Trump's former lawyer appointed as interim US attorney for New Jersey in March 2025, has been unlawfully serving in the role. The judge found that her four-month temporary appointment ended in July and that the Trump administration's legal maneuvers to retain her without Senate confirmation violated federal law. Brann disqualified Habba from prosecuting three defendants who challenged her appointment and placed his order on hold pending appeal.
• Federal judge rules Alina Habba illegally serving as acting US attorney for New Jersey — District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Alina Habba is not lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of US Attorney for New Jersey and must be disqualified from participating in any ongoing cases. The judge concluded she is not currently qualified to exercise the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity, effectively removing her from the role.

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• Attorney General Bondi retaliates by firing career prosecutor and reinstalling Habba as acting US attorney — After federal judges in New Jersey exercised their statutory power to replace Alina Habba with a career prosecutor when her temporary appointment lapsed in late July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi retaliated by firing that prosecutor and moved to reinstall Habba as acting US attorney. This action directly contradicted the judicial order and the statutory succession mechanism designed to fill the vacancy.

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• Federal judge rejects Trump administration's motion to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts — Federal Judge Richard Berman in New York denied the Trump administration's request to unseal 70 pages of grand jury transcripts, exhibits, call logs, and victim letters from 2019 Epstein proceedings. Berman ruled that the government already possesses approximately 100,000 pages of Epstein materials, making the grand jury documents redundant, and that disclosure could harm victims' safety and privacy. The ruling follows a similar rejection by another judge in the parallel Ghislaine Maxwell case.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge orders closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility in Florida Everglades — Miami district court judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction ordering the closure of "Alligator Alcatraz," a tent-based immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades, within 60 days. The judge found that state and federal authorities violated environmental laws in constructing and operating the facility. Despite arguments that the facility was state-operated independently of ICE, the judge determined it was a federal project built to federal standards, staffed by deputized federal officers, and operated solely for federal immigration enforcement. The state of Florida filed a notice of appeal to the 11th Circuit Court on Thursday night.
• Federal judge orders closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility; DeSantis administration appeals but signals compliance — Federal judge Kathleen Williams ordered the closure of Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention camp in the Everglades within 60 days, citing environmental damage and civil rights violations. The facility, opened in July 2025 to hold up to 3,000 undocumented immigrants, faced lawsuits from environmental groups, the Miccosukee Tribe, and civil rights organizations over harsh conditions, lack of due process, and ecological harm. Despite DeSantis's appeal, a state official's email indicated the facility would be emptied within days, with detainees transferred to other facilities.
• Florida files appeal of judge's closure order for immigration detention facility — The state of Florida filed a notice of appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Thursday night, within one hour of Judge Williams's preliminary injunction. Attorneys for the defendants—including the Florida emergency management department and the federal Department of Homeland Security—will seek to stay the closure order while legal arguments continue. They plan to argue that federal environmental laws do not apply because the facility was established, managed, and operated by the state using state taxpayer funds independently of ICE.
• Federal judge prohibited further detainee transfers to Everglades immigration facility — U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida issued an order prohibiting Florida officials from incarcerating additional detainees at an immigrant detention center in the Everglades, commonly referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz." The judge ordered that after 60 days, officials must begin dismantling parts of the facility due to environmental damage to the protected Everglades ecosystem. The judge noted that every Florida governor, senator, and numerous national political figures, including presidents, have publicly pledged support for Everglades restoration and protection since 1947.
• Federal judge orders closure of Trump's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami issued an 82-page order on Thursday, August 22, 2025, mandating the closure of the Trump administration's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration jail within 60 days. The ruling prohibits further detainee transfers to the facility and halts all construction. Williams determined the hastily constructed tented camp at a disused airfield in the Florida Everglades caused severe and irreparable environmental damage to protected wetlands and endangered species. The decision upheld environmental protection laws and rejected the administration's detention expansion agenda.

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• White House issues release criticizing Smithsonian Institution exhibitions and programming — The White House published a release titled "President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian" cataloging and criticizing specific exhibitions, displays, and programming across multiple Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Portrait Gallery, American History Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of the American Latino, and Museum of American Art. The release characterizes these exhibitions as promoting "woke" ideology, critical race theory, and progressive political messaging. No direct executive action or policy directive is stated in the document itself.

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• Fox News personalities knew 2020 election was not stolen, newly unredacted filings reveal — Newly unredacted filings in the lawsuit Smartmatic brought against Fox News included text messages showing that Fox News Channel personalities knew the 2020 election was not stolen. Jesse Watters mused to Greg Gutfeld about ratings if Fox went "ALL in on STOP THE STEAL," and Jeanine Pirro boasted of working hard for Trump and Republicans.

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• Trump visits DC police station and touts federal takeover of Metropolitan Police Department — President Trump visited the Anacostia park police station in Washington DC on August 21, 2025, to tout his administration's takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department as a crime-fighting success. Flanked by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Interior Secretary Doug Bergum, Trump declared the takeover successful despite restaurants reporting drops in reservations. He also announced plans to re-grass DC parks to resemble his golf courses and referenced his recent legal victory in the New York civil fraud case.

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• Attorney General Bondi orders DC police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order compelling the DC Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal officials focused on immigration and homeless enforcement. This directive tied the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda to its crime-reduction efforts in DC, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed on local patrols to detain immigrants in traffic stops. The surge in federal law enforcement has resulted in higher daily arrest numbers.

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• Trump calls for release of imprisoned Colorado election clerk Tina Peters, threatens "harsh measures" — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social demanding the immediate release of Tina Peters, a former Colorado election clerk serving a nine-year sentence for breaching election data and allowing unauthorized access to voting equipment. Trump called her a "brave and innocent Patriot" and threatened unspecified "harsh measures" if she was not released. Peters was convicted in 2024 by a jury on seven counts including felony misconduct and conspiracy; the judge noted she showed no remorse. Trump cannot pardon her as she was convicted of state crimes, though his DOJ previously filed a court notice indicating it would review the case for potential "abuses."
• Trump demanded release of convicted election officer Tina Peters — Trump demanded that Colorado officials release former election officer Tina Peters, whom a jury found guilty of four felonies for breaching election equipment to support Trump's false claims about election fraud. Trump posted on social media that Peters "did nothing wrong" and threatened "harsh measures" if she was not released.