Tracking retaliatory use of arrests, prosecutions, and investigations by the Trump administration

After watching footage of the protest, but before a criminal complaint was filed, President Trump asserted that “these people are professionals” that are “highly trained to scream, rant, and rave, like lunatics, in a certain manner, just like they are doing” before saying that “they are troublemakers who should be thrown in jail, or thrown out of the Country.” Trump has repeatedly referred to Don Lemon as “the dumbest man on television.”

The White House also digitally manipulated an image of Armstrong’s arrest, altering her appearance and falsely suggesting she was crying during her arrest, and posted the picture on their social media accounts.

Nekima Armstrong claimed that, prior to the protest, she worked with her attorney to prepare to turn herself in should an arrest warrant later be issued. Armstrong’s attorney reported that Justice Department officials refused to allow Armstrong to turn herself in, instead demanding an arrest in a public setting. Don Lemon also stated that his lawyer reached out to federal authorities with a customary offer to turn himself in but that he “never heard back from them” before being publicly arrested. Standard procedure for nonviolent crimes that do not involve a known flight risk is to issue a summons unless there is an urgent threat, but Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Lemon were not afforded that standard courtesy and instead were publicly arrested.

Upon the judge’s issuance of routine release orders, prosecutors appealed, an unusual move typically reserved for defendants who are accused of violent or other serious crimes or pose a risk of fleeing prosecution.

Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were present at the church in a journalist capacity, a status which is typically protected by the First Amendment’s freedom of the press.

During an initial appearance for Armstrong, Allen, and Kelly, the judge noted after reading the warrants that the government failed to show probable cause for one of the charges listed in its initial charging documents that had accused the defendants of violating the FACE Act. The judge further refused to sign off on five additional arrest warrants presented to him due to lack of sufficient probable cause, including for Don Lemon. The Eighth Circuit affirmed this ruling, denying the government’s’ emergency writ of mandamus.

Before the investigation even began, President Trump threatened Minnesota Democrats with a “DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION” and Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, publicly accused Mr. Frey and Mr. Walz of “encouraging violence against law enforcement” and referred to their actions as “terrorism.”

After the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, Minneapolis became a symbol pushing back on the administration’s immigration enforcement. Each of the subpoenaed individuals have been outspoken against the administration’s tactics. The Minnesota officials sued the administration to block the Department of Homeland Security from executing a planned surge of federal immigration officers to the Twin Cities. Federal investigators did not cooperate with local officials when investigating the shooting, prejudged Ms. Good’s actions, and ultimately decided to not investigate the shooter, Jonathan Ross, despite a longstanding practice of comprehensive DOJ reviews of death-resulting uses of force by law enforcement officers.

Rather than announcing charges against Jonathan Ross, the DOJ reportedly pushed internally for an investigation into Renee Good’s wife. Once this was announced internally, six Minnesota prosecutors resigned from their position.

In addition to Mark Kelly, these four other Democratic members of Congress who had either served in the military or worked in the intelligence community appeared in a video. The video advises military members that they are not required to follow unlawful orders. President Trump responded to the video by suggesting that the people in it had engaged in “sedition” and that they should be jailed or possibly executed. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand,” Trump wrote. He also re-posted a call to “Hang them.” Defense Secretary Hegseth called the video “despicable, reckless, and false,” and referred to the lawmakers as “the Seditious Six.”

Military Justice experts have advised that retired servicemembers are not typically recalled to face punishment for actions committed after their retirement. Furthermore, their comments mirror information active duty soldiers are given in training.

President Trump has made many public statements about Jerome Powell, saying that he has “mental problems” and that he would love to “fire his ass” for refusing to heed the president’s demand to lower interest rates. However, the president does not have the power to fire a member of the board of an independent federal agency except “for cause.”

Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly attempted to target leaders of independent agencies who he disagrees with, including leaders at the Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board, and Lisa Cook of the Federal Reserve Board.

Top bipartisan leaders are speaking out against the investigation into Mr. Powell, with one saying that it “could undermine this and future administrations’ ability to make sound monetary policy decisions.” Republican Senator Dave McCormick stated that “the Federal Reserve renovation may well have wasted taxpayer dollars, but the proper place to fix this is through Congressional oversight.” Thom Tillis, Republican member of the Senate Banking Committee even went as far to say “if there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.” Tillis further stated that he “will oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed — including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy — until this legal matter is fully resolved.” In his opinion to quash the subpoenas against the Federal Reserve, Judge Boasberg opined that “there is abundant evidence that the subpoenas’ dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the President or to resign and make way for a Fed Chair who will.”

Kelly, a Democratic Senator from Arizona, appeared in a video with other Democratic members of Congress who had either served in the military or worked in the intelligence community. The video advises military members that they are not required to follow unlawful orders. Kelly had previously expressed concern about legal exposure for troops involved in strikes on boats in the Caribbean. President Trump responded to the video by suggesting that the people in it had engaged in “sedition” and that they should be jailed or possibly executed. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand,” Trump wrote. He also re-posted a call to “Hang them.” Defense Secretary Hegseth called the video “despicable, reckless, and false,” and referred to the lawmakers as “the Seditious Six.”

Military Justice experts have advised that retired servicemembers are not typically recalled to face punishment for actions committed after their retirement. Furthermore, Kelly’s comments mirror information active duty soldiers are given in training.

On September 25, 2025, President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, intended to address domestic terrorism and organized political violence. DOJ reportedly “began establishing an internal architecture to prosecute protesters with left-leaning views” in response.

Ms. Abughazaleh had been frequently protesting at the Broadview ICE facility and was filmed being pushed by federal agents. She used that footage in her ad campaign and has continuously spoken out against the Trump administration. The indictment also charged five other people, including two other political candidates and a local community trustee who have all been outspoken protesters.

On February 26, 2026 the federal prosecutors in Chicago announced in court that they intend to narrow the conspiracy charges against the six defendants. On March 12, 2026, prosecutors dropped the charges against two of the six defendants.

Mr. Bolton has been an outspoken critic of President Trump since he served in the first Trump Administration and wrote a book documenting his time in the White House. Mr. Bolton was included in Kash Patel’s “enemies list.” Both President Trump and Vice President Vance made public comments about the investigation phase while acknowledging there was no actual reason known for the investigation.

President Trump posted on Truth Social calling for Ms. Cook’s resignation, before the Justice Department had even started an investigation. Ms. Cook is one of three Biden appointees on the Fed, an agency that Trump has been publicly targeting. The Trump administration has attempted to fire Ms. Cook while the investigation is ongoing. A district court judge reinstated Ms. Cook. The administration appealed the case to the Supreme Court, which declined to stay the decision, and allowed Ms. Cook to remain in her position at least until a hearing in January 2026. Ms. Cook remains in her position while the Supreme Court deliberates.

Before the investigation even began, President Trump posted on Truth Social alleging fraud. He later posted on Truth Social an apparent demand that Pam Bondi prosecute Sen. Schiff, saying he was “guilty as hell.” It has been reported that prosecutors “have been hesitant to proceed with charges against” Sen. Schiff because the investigation has “not produced enough evidence to bring charges.” When asked about this new report Trump replied that he was “not going to comment on that” but stated that “Adam Schiff is one of the lowest forms of scum I’ve ever dealt with in politics” and that “He’s a horrible human being, very dishonest person.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has made statements about being glad to see the investigation into “corruption at the highest level” and “the deep state” attacks on Trump, with no evidence to support these statements. Trump made statements about them being “dishonest people.” President Trump posted on Truth Social seemingly demanding that Pam Bondi prosecute Comey and saying Comey was “guilty as hell.” Just after Comey’s indictment was announced, President Trump took to Truth Social to state that Comey is “one of the worst human beings the Country has ever been exposed to” calling him “James ‘Dirty Cop’ Comey” while loudly alleging that “HE LIED!” During an interview with 60 Minutes President Trump once again called Comey a “dirty cop” and when asked about his Truth Social post that seemingly called for Pam Bondi to prosecute he said he did not “have to instruct [Pam Bondi and Kash Patel], because [Comey and Letitia James] were so dirty, they were so crooked, they were so corrupt” that prosecutors did it on their own.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has made statements about being glad to see the investigation into “corruption at the highest level” and “the deep state” attacks on Trump, with no evidence to support these statements. Trump made statements about them being “dishonest people.”

Senator Padilla was asking a question of a government official while identifying himself as a U.S. Senator, and there is no allegation of violence.

Mr. Huerta is being prosecuted by acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli’s office which has been forced to dismiss numerous cases because of faulty or fabricated allegations. Four different colleagues reported hearing Essayli shout “F*** the Justice Manual”– the rulebook used to preserve the integrity of investigations. On October 28, 2025 a federal judge disqualified Mr. Essayli from acting as the U.S. Attorney for unlawfully assuming the role of Acting United States Attorney based on several factors that culminated in the illegality of his purported appointment.

Ed Martin, special attorney and director of the Weaponization Working Group sent Ms. James’ attorney a letter stating he would take Ms. James’ resignation “as an act of good faith,” even though she has yet to be indicted on any charges. Ms. James prosecuted and won a case against Trump for defrauding banks and lenders, resulting in a significant judgment. President Trump has accused Ms. James of political motivation in her prosecutions. Donald Trump posted on Truth Social seemingly demanding Pam Bondi to prosecute Ms. James and saying she was “guilty as hell.” Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. Attorney on the case, reportedly reached out to a journalist to criticize press coverage of the indictment and may have improperly revealed internal government information. During an interview of President Trump on 60 minutes, when asked about his Truth Social post that seemingly called for Pam Bondi to prosecute Trump said he did not “have to instruct [Pam Bondi and Kash Patel], because [Comey and Letitia James] were so dirty, they were so crooked, they were so corrupt” that prosecutors did it on their own.

Charged by former senior advisor and legal spokesperson to President Trump and current interim U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba, who was reprimanded by a federal judge for the hasty arrest of Ras Baraka. President Trump publicly commented on the evidence, describing the Congresswoman’s conduct as “shoving,” “out of control,” and the “kind of crap” that is “over in this country.” DHS put out several statements about Rep. McIver’s arrest, one accusing her of being a “gutter politician.” Rep. McIver’s legal team alleges that these statements are inappropriate “extrajudicial statements.” DHS has removed many of the posts in question after the Judge in her case asked prosecutors to remove statements out of concern they would taint a jury pool.

Newly released body camera evidence submitted in LaMonica McIver’s federal court case reveals a special agent saying “We are arresting the mayor right now, per the deputy attorney general of the United States. Anyone that gets in our way, I need you guys to give me a perimeter so I can cuff him.”

Outspoken critic of conditions in ICE detention facility as part of campaign. Upon hearing the prosecutors’ decision to drop the federal trespassing charge, U.S. Magistrate Judge André Espinosa, assigned to Mr. Baraka’s case, told the prosecutor “an arrest, particularly of a public figure, is not a preliminary investigative tool. It is a severe action, carrying significant reputational and personal consequences, and it should only be undertaken after a thorough, dispassionate evaluation of credible evidence.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel both issued public statements suggesting that this arrest serves as a threat towards anyone protecting immigrants and that “[the U.S. DOJ] will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you.”

As CISA Director, Mr. Krebs played a role in correcting disinformation about 2020 election fraud alleged by President Trump. President Trump fired Mr. Krebs via twitter. Mr. Krebs has since been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his administration.

Miles Taylor was the anonymous author of a statement warning the public about President Trump’s official behavior during his first term. He has since come forward as an outspoken critic of President Trump and his administration. Miles Taylor was subsequently named on Kash Patel’s “enemy list.”

President Trump made numerous false public statements about Mr. Abrego Garcia’s criminality. Abrego Garcia has been used as the face of Trump’s deportation policy and public opposition to it. Erez Reuveni, then the career Director of the Office of Immigration Litigation, acknowledged in a court hearing that deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador was an error. He was then fired. Reuveni later told the Senate Judiciary Committee that senior DOJ leadership had purposely deceived the courts and expected career staff to do the same – or else.