Take Care LedgerA dated, sourced record of the second Trump administration

Conflicts Between the Executive and the Courts

Updated2026-11-09 Covers2025-01 (early) to 2026-11-09

Summary

Trump, Elon Musk and several House Republicans called for federal judges to be impeached after the judges ruled against the administration.1,14,23 Impeachment is how the House formally charges an official, which can lead to removal by the Senate. The Justice Department (DOJ) filed misconduct complaints against two Washington judges and seven Minnesota judges.82,2,3 The Associated Press (AP) counted cases in which federal trial judges found that the administration had broken court orders. CNN reported the AP count: at least 31 lawsuits over 15 months.83 The best-known case involved deportation flights to El Salvador in March 2025. The planes landed after Chief Judge James Boasberg ordered them turned around.4 Boasberg found probable cause for criminal contempt. That means he saw enough evidence to believe officials may have committed the crime of disobeying his order.5 Each time, the federal appeals court in Washington (the D.C. Circuit) cancelled, paused or blocked his inquiry. No official has been held in contempt over the flights.6 In 2026, judges in Minnesota, Maryland, California and Pennsylvania made civil-contempt findings. Civil contempt uses penalties to push someone to obey a court order. The Minnesota judge set no fine because the government complied the next day.91,128,54,30,57 The Supreme Court also decides some requests quickly, often without full argument or written reasons. This is called its emergency docket, or “shadow docket.” By the Brennan Center’s count, the Court ruled at least partly for the administration in 26 of 36 emergency rulings through Nov 3, 2026.7 In its full decisions on the merits in 2026 it ruled against the administration on birthright citizenship and tariffs.8,9 No judge has been impeached as of Nov 8, 2026.10

Background

The Constitution says federal judges keep their jobs “during good Behaviour” (Article III, § 1 of the Constitution).58 A judge can be removed only if the House impeaches, or charges, the judge and the Senate convicts. Federal trial courts (district courts) checked the President’s executive orders mainly through nationwide injunctions. These are court orders that stop a policy across the whole country.11 The Supreme Court’s emergency docket gives short-term relief while a case goes on. It often does this in brief, unsigned orders.

In early January 2025 the Judicial Conference, the federal courts’ policy-making body of judges, declined to refer Justice Clarence Thomas to DOJ. The issue was 20+ years of gifts from donor Harlan Crow that Thomas had not disclosed. ProPublica reported a similar undisclosed trip by Justice Samuel Alito.12 A bar filing against Chief Justice John Roberts (Apr 22, 2026) comes from a Substack writer. (A bar filing is a complaint to the body that licenses lawyers.) It concerns commissions his wife earned for recruiting. The Washington Examiner also reports the $10.3 million figure.13

What happened

Early enforcement orders

On Jan 31, 2025 Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. of the federal court in Rhode Island (D.R.I.) blocked a pause on federal grants and loans. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had ordered the pause across the whole government. OMB had withdrawn its memo two days earlier. McConnell wrote that the withdrawal “was in name-only.”80,101 When OMB withdrew the memo on Jan 29, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted that the withdrawal was “NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze.”100 On Feb 8 Judge Paul Engelmayer barred staff of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from Treasury payment records. Musk said the judge “needs to be impeached NOW!”14 On Feb 10 McConnell found that the government had “continued to improperly freeze federal funds” in violation of his order. He told it to “immediately restore frozen funding.” NBC News called it the term’s first finding that the administration had defied a court order.80,102 On Feb 20 Judge Amir Ali enforced his foreign-aid order “to the extent Defendants have not complied,” without finding anyone in contempt.81,103 On Mar 18 Judge Theodore Chuang ruled on Musk’s role at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He found Musk likely broke the Appointments Clause, the part of the Constitution that says how high federal officers must be appointed (Article II).62,15 Rep. Andy Ogles filed impeachment articles.16 At DOJ’s request, the Fourth Circuit appeals court paused the ruling.122

The CECOT flights and the Boasberg inquiry

The government flew people to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) under the Alien Enemies Act.67 This wartime law lets the President detain or remove citizens of a country the U.S. is at war with, or that has invaded it. The planes landed after Boasberg ordered them turned around (Mar 15, 2025).4 On Mar 18 Trump called him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and called for his impeachment. Roberts responded that “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”1 DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni admitted in court that Kilmar Abrego Garcia “should not have been removed,” and he was fired Apr 11. Later (Jun 24) Reuveni alleged that senior official Emil Bove said DOJ might have to tell the courts “f— you.” According to NBC News, Reuveni’s lawyers place the remark at a Mar 14, 2025 meeting. That was the day before the first Alien Enemies Act flights.17,18 Bove said he did not recall the remark. The Senate confirmed him to the Third Circuit appeals court 50–49.18 Reuveni’s claims about Bove were before the DOJ inspector general, an internal watchdog, when the Senate confirmed Bove on Jul 29, 2025.18

On Apr 16 Boasberg found probable cause for criminal contempt.5 A divided D.C. Circuit panel cancelled that order in August.19 Boasberg restarted the inquiry in November. By then, government filings had named Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem as the official who decided to continue the transfers.20 The appeals court halted the inquiry in December. On Apr 14, 2026 a 2–1 panel (Judges Rao and Walker; Judge Childs dissenting) issued a second writ of mandamus. That is an order from a higher court telling a lower court what to do. It ordered Boasberg to “terminate” the inquiry. The panel held that his order “did not clearly and specifically bar the government from transferring plaintiffs.” The full appeals court then agreed to hear the case again.6,92 All of its judges heard argument together (en banc) on Sept 29, 2026. DOJ’s Brett Shumate called the inquiry “unlawful, unnecessary and futile” and said only a prosecutor can investigate. Judge Cornelia Pillard said the case asks “whether (federal) courts are at the mercy of the executive.”21 No ruling had come out by Nov 8.21

Threats, impeachment efforts and the Dugan prosecution

Between February and May 2025 judges received pizza deliveries ordered in the name of Judge Esther Salas’s late son (more than 100 cases). In three months, 197 judges were threatened.22 House Republicans filed impeachment resolutions against four judges.23 Rep. Brandon Gill filed impeachment articles alleging “abuse of power” (Nov 4, 2025). They were about Boasberg’s nondisclosure orders in Jack Smith’s “Arctic Frost” probe. A nondisclosure order keeps a records request secret. The courts’ Administrative Office said such orders identify accounts only by number.10 On Nov 17 six GOP senators asked the D.C. Circuit’s chief judge to suspend him.126 The record conflicts on Gill’s filing date (Nov 4 or March 2025).10,27 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lost its antitrust case against Meta. Its spokesman then said the case was before a judge “facing articles of impeachment” (Nov 18, 2025).26 On Nov 2–4, 2026 a Jan. 6 defendant whom Trump had pardoned was charged with threatening to execute judges who handled Capitol riot cases.25

On Apr 25, 2025 the FBI arrested Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan. The charges came from what she did on Apr 18. She directed an undocumented defendant out a side door while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents waited.123 Attorney General Pam Bondi warned that anyone “harboring” would be prosecuted. She called judges who resist “deranged.”24 Dugan was charged under federal obstruction and concealment law for her courtroom conduct.24 A jury convicted her of felony obstruction and acquitted her of concealment (Dec 18, 2025).50 She was fined $5,000 without prison (Jul 8, 2026).125

Misconduct complaints and disqualification motions

On Feb 21, 2025 Chad Mizelle, Bondi’s chief of staff, filed a misconduct complaint against Judge Ana Reyes of the federal court in Washington (D.D.C.). It alleged “hostile and egregious misconduct” at hearings on the transgender military ban. It cited her question about what Jesus would say about denying people shelter.82 On Sept 29, 2025 D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan dismissed the complaint. He said DOJ could have asked Reyes to step aside from the case instead. He wrote that a misconduct complaint is not meant to work “as an alternate means” for a party to get a judge off a case. The decision was made public in late November 2025.137 DOJ filed a complaint against Boasberg on Jul 28, 2025. It quoted a memo from the March 11, 2025 Judicial Conference that had been leaked to The Federalist. The complaint alleged that Boasberg had passed on judges’ concern that the administration would ignore court rulings.2 Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton dismissed it on Dec 19, 2025. He noted that it left out the attachment it referred to and gave no source for the alleged remarks.48 On Sept 30, 2026 DOJ filed complaints against Minnesota Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz and six colleagues over remarks to the New York Times. Schiltz said he acted “well within the ethical rules,” and MPR News reported on Oct 21 that DOJ had asked to remove him and Judge John Tunheim from two cases. DOJ claimed they were biased.3,130 Late on Friday, Oct 9, the government filed notice of work at East Potomac Golf Links. By Saturday, Oct 10, 2026, Park Service crews had cut more than 400 trees there. That is the government’s figure; FOX 5 DC said “nearly 500.” A lawsuit over the project was pending at the time.88 At an Oct 12 hearing Reyes said she was “furious” that the government “failed to provide notice of their plan,” and she ordered three business days’ notice of major changes.132 On Oct 18 Trump posted that the renovation did not need court approval. He wrote that work was “scheduled to begin IMMEDIATELY,”133 and the same day Reyes denied the government’s request to disqualify her. She relied on Liteky v. United States (1994),89 a Supreme Court case on when a judge must step aside for bias. Under that case, a judge’s “expressions of impatience, dissatisfaction, annoyance, and even anger” do not prove bias.116 On Nov 7, 2026 Reyes said she plans to appoint Jessie K. Liu, a former U.S. attorney for D.C., as a special master. A special master is an outside person a court appoints to help with part of a case. Liu would look into whether DOJ or Interior Department lawyers and officials misled the court in the golf-course case. No finding of misconduct has been made.139

Other compliance and contempt findings

CNN’s October 2026 analysis drew on the AP count. It also counted more than 250 other findings in immigration cases that the government had not complied with orders. It named Judge Stephanie Gallagher’s two findings as the only contempt rulings up to then. The ledger also records a February 2026 civil-contempt order against a DOJ lawyer in Minnesota, and later orders in California and Pennsylvania.83,91 - On Mar 31, 2025, 17 men were flown to CECOT. Three days earlier, Judge Murphy had required a “meaningful opportunity” to raise torture claims before anyone was removed to a third country.28 - Gallagher (D. Md., a Trump appointee) oversees a class settlement from Nov 25, 2024. A class settlement is an agreement that ends a lawsuit brought for a whole group. This one bars removing people who arrived as unaccompanied minors until their asylum claims are decided.54 She held the government in civil contempt for removals carried out in “ignorance or disregard” of class status (Jul 29, 2026).104 She did so again over a class member removed to El Salvador, and ordered him returned (Sept 25).105 On Oct 8 she found DHS had “violated” the settlement by opposing class members’ requests to close their cases.54,106 - Chief Judge Schiltz found ICE broke at least 96 Minnesota orders and summoned the acting ICE director (Jan 27–28, 2026). ICE released the detainee within hours, so the hearing was dropped.29 - Judge Laura Provinzino (D. Minn.) held Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isihara in civil contempt at $500 a day (Feb 18, 2026). Isihara was an Army lawyer assigned to DOJ. The case was a habeas petition, which asks a court to make the government justify holding someone. She had ordered the man released in Minnesota, but ICE released him in Texas without his identity documents. She wrote that “willfulness is not a requirement to impose coercive civil contempt sanctions.” The documents were returned the next day. On Feb 20 she said no fine would be imposed.128 U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen called it “a lawless abuse of judicial power.”91 - Judge Royce Lamberth (D.D.C.) ordered the warden of FCI Butner, a federal prison, and seven officers to explain why they should not be held in civil contempt (Feb 26, 2026). The issue was alleged retaliation against transgender prisoners covered by his injunction. No contempt finding is recorded.84 On Apr 16, 2026 Lamberth withdrew that order. He put in place a new order that bars retaliation against prisoners who report problems. He warned he “would not hesitate” to issue another show-cause order if the new order were broken.138 - On Mar 26, 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a new letter ending its union contract.107 Judge Melissa DuBose (D.R.I.) held that the letter was “not in compliance” with her injunction (Mar 27, 2026). She ordered the government to explain why it was not “in contempt of this Court.”108 On Aug 7, she enforced the injunction again. She held that the contract “remains in full force” for its term. No contempt finding is recorded.85,109 - Judge R. Brooke Jackson (D. Colo.) found the government “materially violated” his injunction against ICE arrests without warrants (May 12, 2026). He ordered officer training, written records of arrests, and fees.86,110 - Judge Richard Gergel (D.S.C.) had cancelled the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) termination of its Environmental and Climate Justice Program. On Jul 22, 2026, he enforced that ruling: through Sept 30, 2026, EPA must keep running the program.87 - Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong (C.D. Cal.) held DHS in civil contempt and fined it $500 a day (Jul 28, 2026). DHS had failed to copy agents’ personal phones as a magistrate judge had ordered.30 - On Sept 29, 2026 Judge Vernon Oliver (D. Conn.) ordered the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to restore the union contract it had cancelled. He noted that the director’s own statements suggested reasons other than national security.31,111 The prison workers’ union asked him on Oct 6 to hold BOP in contempt.112 On Oct 7 BOP issued a new notice ending its union contracts.113 On Oct 16 Oliver declined to hold BOP in contempt. But he ruled that the new cancellation broke his injunction because it was improper “self help.” On Oct 20 BOP asked him to clarify or change the injunction so it could go ahead with the new cancellation.31,32,114,115 - A temporary restraining order, a short-term court order, blocked a government-funded ad campaign (Oct 11, 2026). New ads appeared the next day.129 DOJ apologized,33 and on Oct 30 Judge Jennifer Rochon ordered three ads taken down.34 - On Oct 26, 2026 Magistrate Judge J. Maureen Kelly (W.D. Pa.) held three officials in civil contempt: Attorney General Todd Blanche, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Philadelphia field-office director John Rife. ICE had arrested a man despite a release order. She called the arrest “unauthorized and unlawful” and ordered fees paid.57,55 In Minnesota on Oct 19 Judge Jeffrey Bryan warned of sanctions after ICE re-arrested a man he had ordered released.134 On Nov 2 Judge Mustafa Kasubhai (D. Or.) found that ICE kept making warrantless arrests without writing them up, breaking his February order. He also found that an ICE officer lied in an arrest report.135 - Judges in Colorado and Minnesota took up ICE’s practice of re-arresting people right after judges ordered them freed. On Nov 3, 2026 Judge S. Kato Crews (D. Colo.) ordered the release of a man ICE re-arrested minutes after freeing him. He wrote that ruling otherwise would make habeas relief “meaningless.”141 On Nov 9 a government lawyer told Judge John Tunheim (D. Minn.) that ICE’s latest arrest of a man Tunheim had twice ordered released was “a new arrest.” Tunheim is weighing civil contempt.142 The same day the acting head of ICE’s Denver office testified before Judge Charlotte Sweeney (D. Colo.). He said he had ordered officers to re-arrest people freed by court orders, and that he has since stopped. Sweeney called one such re-arrest “a due process violation.”143

Court-appointed U.S. attorneys

On Feb 11, 2026 the judges of the Northern District of New York appointed Donald Kinsella U.S. attorney. They used a federal law that lets district judges fill a vacant U.S. attorney post (28 U.S.C. § 546(d)).78 Less than five hours later, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted “You are fired, Donald Kinsella,” and wrote that “Judges don’t pick U.S. Attorneys, [the President] does.” He cited Article II, the part of the Constitution on the President’s powers.94 On Oct 1, 2026 Judge Stanley Bastian reinstated Roger Rogoff. The judges of the Western District of Washington had appointed Rogoff under the same law. Trump fired him by email about an hour later.55 Bastian held that a court-appointed U.S. attorney serves “until the vacancy is filled,” and only Senate confirmation can fill it. On Oct 4 the Ninth Circuit appeals court issued an administrative stay, a short pause while it looks at the case. Its clerk’s order said the stay “does not constitute in any way a decision as to the merits.”136

The hush-money removal fight

Trump has tried since 2023 to move his Manhattan prosecution, People v. Trump, from state court to federal court. Moving a case this way is called removal. A New York grand jury indicted him on Mar 30, 2023. (A grand jury is a group of citizens who decide whether there is enough evidence to charge someone.) It charged him with 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. On Jul 19, 2023 Judge Alvin Hellerstein (S.D.N.Y.) sent his first removal attempt back to state court. He held that the hush-money payment “is not related to a President’s official acts.”96 Trump was convicted in May 2024. On Aug 29, 2024, 59 days after the Supreme Court decided Trump v. United States,97 he filed a second notice of removal. That case is about a former President’s immunity from prosecution. The clerk rejected the notice because Trump had not asked the court’s permission first. On Sept 3 Hellerstein denied his request for permission the same day it was filed. He found Trump had not shown good cause, meaning a good enough reason.96 Justice Juan Merchan of the state court sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge on Jan 10, 2025. That sentence carried no jail, fine or probation.96

On Nov 6, 2025 a Second Circuit panel (Judges Carney, Lohier and Pérez) cancelled the September 2024 denial in New York v. Trump. It wrote that “we cannot be confident” Hellerstein had “adequately considered issues relevant to the good cause inquiry,” including whether trial evidence “relates to immunized official acts.”96 It sent three questions back to him. First, did Trump have good cause for filing late? Second, is removal still available after conviction and sentence under the federal laws that let federal officers move cases (28 U.S.C. §§ 1442(a)(1) and 1455(b)(1))? Third, does the prosecution relate to acts under color of federal office, meaning acts done as part of a federal job? The panel gave no view on the outcome.96 On Feb 4, 2026, Hellerstein held a hearing of nearly three hours. He accused Trump’s lawyers of seeking “two bites at the apple.” He called their choice to argue in state court first a “strategic decision.” Jeffrey Wall argued for Trump, and Steven Wu for the Manhattan District Attorney.96,117

On Aug 28, 2026 Hellerstein issued a 35-page “Response to Mandate” stating “I reaffirm my former decision.”96,118 He made three holdings. First, Trump “failed to show good cause” for filing late (“he cannot play one court against another”). Second, removal is “not available” once a defendant “has been convicted, sentenced, judgment entered, and appeal noticed”. Third, the challenged trial evidence concerned unofficial conduct. That evidence was the testimony of Hope Hicks and Madeleine Westerhout, and Trump’s tweets. He wrote: “An affair, or a cover-up of an affair, is not within the ‘outer perimeter’ of the President’s official responsibilities.”96 Trump’s lawyers filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit that afternoon. His legal team called the ruling “baseless and lawless” and said Trump “will be filing a powerful appeal.”96,118 His direct appeal of the conviction to the state’s Appellate Division, First Department, is also pending. Hellerstein died on Oct 28, 2026, two months after the ruling.96,119

Supreme Court

Solicitor General D. John Sauer is the government’s top lawyer before the Supreme Court. He filed 28 emergency applications in eight months and lost two (Jan–Sept 22, 2025). He told the Court the administration does not consider itself always bound by lower-court precedent (earlier rulings), but would follow the Court’s own.35 On Mar 5, 2025 the Court, 5–4, turned down the administration’s request in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition.79 The administration had asked it to cancel Ali’s order to pay about $2 billion owed for finished foreign-aid work. Justice Alito, joined by Justices Thomas, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, dissented (“I am stunned”).53 Short-term rulings let the administration carry out 16,000 firings of probationary workers, who were still in a trial period (Apr 8, 2025).36 They let it remove members of independent agencies (May 22 and Jul 23).37,38 An unsigned order let it end parole, a temporary permission to stay, for more than 500,000 people (May 30).39 Others let it deport people to third countries (Jun 23; Justice Sotomayor, dissenting: “gross abuse”).40 The Court let it resume roving Los Angeles stops (Sept 8).41 It let about $4 billion in foreign aid go unspent (Sept 26).42 Trump v. CASA69 limited nationwide injunctions (Jun 27, 2025).11 In a Mar 3, 2026 analysis, the Brennan Center found the administration won about 80% of more than 30 emergency applications. By Nov 3 the Brennan Center counted 26 wins (at least in part) and 10 losses in 36 decisions.43,7 On Oct 21, 2026 Sauer asked the Court to pause an injunction halting border-wall building in Texas’s Big Bend Sector.56 As of Nov 7 there was no ruling.131 On Nov 9 the Court granted the pause in an unsigned opinion. It held that the government is “exceedingly likely” to show the trial court lacked the power to hear the case, because the law allows only claims “alleging a violation of the Constitution.” Justice Jackson would have denied the pause. It lasts until the Court acts on a timely request to hear the case.140 On Nov 2 the Court denied an emergency request from DOJ, and no justice noted a dissent. DOJ had asked it to require California to set aside the mail ballots of about 20,000 people on a DHS list of “likely” noncitizens.90

In its full decisions on the merits, the Court overruled Humphrey’s Executor,70 the 1935 precedent that upheld protection from firing, except for cause, for members of the Federal Trade Commission. But it let Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook stay in office (Jun 29, 2026).45 It struck down the birthright-citizenship order (Jun 30).8 It let the White House ballroom go ahead over Roberts’s dissent (Aug 31).46 It allowed the expanded “SAVE” database to be used to check voter rolls (Sept 25).47

Key dates

Why it matters

Article III, § 158 and the impeachment clauses (Art. I, § 2, cl. 559; Art. I, § 3, cl. 660; Art. II, § 461). Federal judges hold office “during good Behaviour.” The House impeaches, which means it brings charges. The Senate holds the trial. The grounds are “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” The question is whether a judge’s rulings can be grounds for impeachment. Gill’s resolution (H.Res. 858) alleged “abuse of power,” and Mike Davis made a related argument. Davis, of the Article III Project, wrote in a Fox News opinion piece that abuse of power is a “high crime and misdemeanor”. Roberts stated that impeachment “is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”10,27,1 No resolution against Boasberg, Chuang or other judges has received a House vote.10,16,23 In the same period judges received the threats described above.22,25

Judicial Conduct and Disability Act (28 U.S.C. §§ 351–364)63 and the recusal statutes (28 U.S.C. §§ 144 and 455)64. The Judicial Conduct and Disability Act is the law for complaints against federal judges. The chief judges of the appeals courts and their judicial councils handle these complaints. The recusal laws say when a judge must step aside from a case, for example for bias. Under Liteky, bias generally must come from outside the case, not from how a judge acts in the courtroom.89 The question is whether the judges’ courtroom conduct or public statements were misconduct or showed bias. DOJ’s complaints relied on Reyes’s remarks at hearings, the memo leaked to The Federalist and the Minnesota judges’ interview. Its motions to remove judges alleged bias.82,2,3,130,116 Sutton dismissed the Boasberg complaint, and Reyes refused to step aside. Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan dismissed the Reyes complaint. He wrote that a misconduct proceeding is not “an alternate means” to get a judge off a case.137 The Minnesota complaints are pending.48,116,3

Contempt power (18 U.S.C. § 40165; Fed. R. Crim. P. 4266). A federal law lets federal courts punish disobedience of their orders as criminal contempt. Rule 42, a court rule for criminal cases, covers contempt that the government declines to prosecute. In that case the court must appoint another lawyer to do it. The deportees’ claims arose under the Alien Enemies Act and the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.68 That clause says the government must follow fair legal steps before it takes away anyone’s liberty. Later rulings found due process was violated.4 There are two questions. Did officials willfully disregard Boasberg’s Mar 15, 2025 orders? And may a district judge investigate that before any prosecution?5,21 DOJ calls the inquiry “unlawful, unnecessary and futile”. Filings said Noem decided to continue the transfers on DOJ advice.21,20 Boasberg gave the government a choice. It could assert custody of the deportees, meaning take back control of them, or it could name the officials responsible. If DOJ declined to prosecute, a court-appointed prosecutor would act. The D.C. Circuit cancelled (Aug 8, 2025), halted (Dec 12, 2025) and blocked (Apr 14, 2026) the inquiry. Then all its judges reheard it together (en banc). More than 200 former judges filed friend-of-the-court briefs (amici) supporting the inquiry.5,19,6,21 Elsewhere, courts have mostly used enforcement orders, orders to explain (show-cause orders) and civil contempt (see Other compliance and contempt findings above). In the funding case DOJ said some funds were withheld under other legal powers.80,83,54,30,57

Mandamus (Cheney v. U.S. District Court, 2004)93. Mandamus is an order from a higher court directing a lower court to act. Under Cheney, the party asking for it must have a right to it that is “clear and indisputable.” The Apr 14, 2026 panel found a “clear abuse of discretion,” and Judge Childs would have held that the government had not shown it was entitled to the writ.93,92 The full court has not ruled.21

Federal obstruction and concealment law. The Dugan case asked a question. Could a state judge’s courtroom conduct toward immigration agents be prosecuted as federal obstruction and concealment? The jury convicted her of obstruction and acquitted her of concealment (see Threats, impeachment efforts and the Dugan prosecution above).24,50

Court-appointed U.S. attorneys (28 U.S.C. § 546(d)78; 28 U.S.C. § 541(c)95; Article II). Section 541(c), a federal law, makes each U.S. attorney “subject to removal by the President.”95 The question is whether the President may remove a U.S. attorney whom a district court appointed under § 546(d). Blanche cited Article II. Bastian held that a court appointee serves until Senate confirmation fills the vacancy. The Ninth Circuit paused his order without deciding the merits (see Court-appointed U.S. attorneys above).94,55,136 The record here does not include the administration’s stated legal reason for removing Rogoff.

Federal-officer removal (28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1)98; 28 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(1)99) and Trump v. United States (2024)97. Section 1442(a)(1) lets a federal officer move a state prosecution to federal court. The case must be “for or relating to any act under color of such office,” meaning an act done as part of the federal job. Section 1455(b)(1) sets a deadline for asking to move a criminal case. The notice is due within 30 days after arraignment (the first court appearance) or before trial, whichever is earlier. A court can allow a later notice for good cause shown.98,99 Trump v. United States held that a former President has absolute immunity, or full protection from prosecution, for some acts. These are acts within his “conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority,” and he has at least presumed immunity for his other official acts. He has no immunity for unofficial acts. The Court also held that testimony or private records “probing such conduct may not be admitted as evidence at trial.”97 The hush-money case raises three questions. Did that decision give Trump good cause to seek removal after his conviction? Is removal available at all after conviction and sentence? And did evidence at the state trial concern official acts? Trump filed his second removal notice after Trump v. United States. The Second Circuit pointed to whether trial evidence “relates to immunized official acts.” Hellerstein held that Trump lacked good cause and that removal is not available after conviction and sentence. He also held that none of the challenged evidence concerned official acts.96 No appeals court has decided the three questions. The Second Circuit appeal and the Appellate Division appeal are pending.96

Emergency docket and Trump v. CASA (2025)69. The Supreme Court may pause lower-court orders while an appeal goes on. Trump v. CASA limited universal injunctions to cases where they are “necessary to provide complete relief.”11 There are two questions. How much weight do unexplained short-term orders carry? And is the executive branch bound by lower-court precedent? The administration’s position is Sauer’s statement on precedent (see Supreme Court above).35 Judge DuBose declined to treat unexplained orders as the final word. NBC News reported that lower-court judges said the administration’s wins seemed to support attacks on the judiciary.44,35

Removal power, the Citizenship Clause and IEEPA (Humphrey’s Executor70; Fourteenth Amendment, § 174; 50 U.S.C. § 170176). In full decisions, Trump v. Slaughter71 overruled Humphrey’s Executor, while Trump v. Cook72 left Cook in office. Trump v. Barbara73 held that the birthright order went against the Citizenship Clause, the part of the Fourteenth Amendment that says who is a citizen by birth. Learning Resources v. Trump75 held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not allow tariffs, which are taxes on imports.45,8,9 IEEPA is a law that lets the President restrict trade with other countries in a declared national emergency. These rulings bear on Federal Workforce Reductions and Schedule F, Musk, DOGE and Conflict-of-Interest Questions, Shutdowns, Rescissions and Impoundment Findings, Federal Reserve Independence, Mid-Decade Redistricting and Student Visas and Speech-Based Removals.

Outcome

Where things stand

As of Nov 8, 2026 no judge has been impeached, and the Gill effort has stalled.10,127 The Boasberg inquiry remains blocked while the full D.C. Circuit decides. No official has been held in contempt over the CECOT flights.6,21 The full Fifth Circuit dismissed W.M.M. v. Trump77 as moot, meaning it treated the case as no longer live. So no appeals court has ruled on the merits of using the Alien Enemies Act.49 Civil-contempt findings stand in the Maryland, California and Pennsylvania cases. Bove serves on the Third Circuit.54,30,57,18 Hellerstein’s third refusal to move the hush-money case to federal court (Aug 28, 2026) is on appeal to the Second Circuit. No briefing or argument date has been found. Trump’s direct appeal in the state Appellate Division is also pending.96 On Nov 9 the Supreme Court paused the order that had stopped border-wall building in Texas’s Big Bend Sector.140 Judges in Minnesota and Colorado are weighing contempt over ICE re-arrests of people they ordered freed.142,143 The DOJ complaint against Reyes was dismissed in 2025. Reyes now plans to name a special master to look into whether officials misled her court.137,139 See Justice Department and FBI Personnel Changes and Alien Enemies Act and CECOT.

Through Nov 3, 2026, the administration won at least in part in 26 of 36 emergency rulings at the Supreme Court. It lost on Cook, the Illinois National Guard (Dec 23, 2025), birthright citizenship and the IEEPA tariffs.7,45,51,8,9 The AP report behind CNN’s count of violated orders was not opened.

Status

Item Status Latest development (date) What would change it
Impeachment resolutions against judges Pending No House vote; the Gill effort stalled10,127 A House vote
Boasberg contempt inquiry Blocked Appeals panel’s second order ending the inquiry (writ of mandamus, Apr 14, 2026); argument before the full court (Sept 29, 2026)6,21 A ruling by the full D.C. Circuit21
Alien Enemies Act invocation (W.M.M. v. Trump) Concluded Full Fifth Circuit dismissed it as moot (Aug 13, 2026)49 —
DOJ complaint against Boasberg Concluded Dismissed by Chief Judge Sutton (Dec 19, 2025)48 —
DOJ complaint against Reyes Concluded Dismissed by D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Srinivasan (Sept 29, 2025; made public late November 2025)137 —
DOJ complaints against seven Minnesota judges Pending Under confidential review by the Eighth Circuit3 An Eighth Circuit decision
Motion to disqualify Reyes Concluded Denied (Oct 18, 2026)116 —
Reyes inquiry into whether officials misled the court (golf-course case) Pending Plans to appoint Jessie K. Liu as special master; written responses due Nov 13 (Nov 7, 2026)139 The special master’s findings
Motion to disqualify Schiltz and Tunheim Pending Reported by MPR News (Oct 21, 2026)130 A ruling on the motion
Dugan prosecution Concluded Convicted of felony obstruction, resigned, fined $5,000 with no prison (Jul 8, 2026)50,124,125 —
Provinzino contempt (DOJ lawyer) Concluded No fine after the documents were returned (Feb 20, 2026)128 —
Gallagher contempt findings (D. Md.) In force Second finding and order to return a class member (Sept 25, 2026);105 settlement violation found (Oct 8)54,106 —
Frimpong contempt (DHS phones) In force $500 a day (Jul 28, 2026)30 —
Kelly contempt (Blanche, Mullin, Rife) In force Fees ordered (Oct 26, 2026)57 —
ICE re-arrests after release orders (Minnesota, Colorado) Pending Tunheim weighs contempt; Denver ICE head testified he ordered the re-arrests and then stopped them (Nov 9, 2026)142,143 Contempt rulings by Tunheim and Sweeney
Schiltz summons; ads case Concluded Summons hearing dropped (Jan 2026); three ads ordered taken down (Oct 30, 2026)29,34 —
Lamberth show-cause order (FCI Butner) Concluded Withdrawn; new order bars retaliation (Apr 16, 2026)84,138 —
DuBose show-cause order (VA) Unresolved No contempt finding recorded85 —
Prison-union contract (BOP) Pending Contempt denied, but the new cancellation was held to break the injunction (Oct 16, 2026);31,114 BOP asked to change the injunction so it can cancel the contract again (Oct 20)32,115 A ruling on BOP’s request
California ballot-segregation application Concluded Denied, with no justice noting a dissent (Nov 2, 2026)90 —
Big Bend border-wall application (No. 26A560) Concluded Granted: Cardone’s order paused; Justice Jackson would deny (Nov 9, 2026)131,140 The Court’s action on a request to hear the case140
Birthright-citizenship order Blocked Trump v. Barbara (Jun 30, 2026)8 —
IEEPA tariffs Blocked Learning Resources v. Trump (Feb 20, 2026)9 —
Illinois National Guard deployment Blocked Supreme Court ruling (Dec 23, 2025)51 —
Removal of Fed Governor Cook Pending After Cook, Trump restarted the removal. An Oct 7, 2026 memorandum named a three-member committee to decide whether “cause” exists45,52,120 The committee’s decision
Rogoff (W.D. Wash.) Pending Ninth Circuit short pause (administrative stay), not a decision on the merits (Oct 4, 2026)136 A Ninth Circuit ruling
Hush-money removal (People v. Trump) Pending (Second Circuit; no briefing or argument date found) Hellerstein denied removal a third time after the case was sent back; notice of appeal filed (Aug 28, 2026)96,118 A Second Circuit ruling on the appeal; an Appellate Division ruling on the direct appeal96
Kinsella (N.D.N.Y.) Unresolved Fired the day the court appointed him (Feb 11, 2026); the record ends Feb 1294 —

Who is affected

The conflicts reach federal judges through threats, impeachment resolutions and Justice Department (DOJ) misconduct complaints. They reach one state judge through a federal prosecution.22,23,3,24 They reach people suing the government through orders that judges found the government had violated.83 Noncitizens were removed or arrested after court orders barred it. Supreme Court emergency rulings let parole terminations, third-country removals and Los Angeles immigration stops go ahead.28,54,57,39,40,41 Federal employees were affected by short-term rulings on firings and union contracts. Grant recipients and foreign-aid contractors were affected by rulings on frozen and withheld funds.36,31,85,80,53,42 California mail voters were affected by DOJ’s request to set aside ballots, which the Supreme Court denied.90

Key players

Chronology

Sources

  1. PBS NewsHour/AP: Chief Justice Roberts rejects Trump’s call for impeaching a judge · CNBC: Chief justice rebukes Trump over call to impeach judge · Timeline 2025-03-18 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  2. CBS News: Justice Dept. slaps Judge Boasberg with misconduct complaint · All Rise News: Legal roundup: DOJ lies about Boasberg, and whistleblowers can’t stop Bove · Timeline 2025-07-28 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  3. MPR News: Feds seek to boot Minnesota judges from immigration cases after public comments · Timeline 2026-09-30 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  4. NPR: Alien Enemies Act deportations violated due process · Timeline 2025-03-17 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  5. NPR: Judge finds probable cause to hold U.S. in contempt · Timeline 2025-04-16 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  6. NYT: Appeals court halts deportation-flights inquiry · NBC News: Appeals court blocks judge’s probe of deportation flights · Timeline 2025-04-16 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  7. Brennan Center: Supreme Court shadow docket tracker · Timeline 2026-02 (early) → ledger ↩↩↩

  8. Supreme Court: Trump v. Barbara opinion · SCOTUSblog: Court strikes down birthright order · Timeline 2026-06-30 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  9. Supreme Court: Learning Resources v. Trump opinion (PDF) · SCOTUSblog: Supreme Court strikes down tariffs · Timeline 2026-02-20 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  10. GovInfo: H.Res. 858, impeaching Judge Boasberg · NBC News: FBI analyzed Republican senators’ phone records · Timeline 2025-11-04 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  11. Supreme Court: Trump v. CASA opinion (PDF) · Timeline 2025-06-27 → ledger ↩↩↩

  12. JURIST: Judicial Conference declines Thomas referral · ProPublica: Alito’s fishing trip with Paul Singer · Timeline 2025-01 (early) → ledger ↩

  13. The Existentialist Republic (Substack): disbarment filing · Washington Examiner: Roberts’s wife made $10.3 million · Timeline 2026-04-22 → ledger ↩

  14. NBC News: judge temporarily blocks DOGE from Treasury systems · CNBC: Musk calls to impeach judge · Timeline 2025-02-08 → ledger ↩↩↩

  15. CBS News: Judge finds DOGE’s USAID shutdown likely unconstitutional · Timeline 2025-03-18 → ledger ↩

  16. WMAR (ABC Baltimore): Appeals court pauses ruling; Ogles files impeachment articles · Timeline 2025-03-18 → ledger ↩↩↩

  17. CBS News: Whistleblower details efforts to stonewall judges · CNN: Documents back up whistleblower · Timeline 2025-04-11 → ledger ↩↩

  18. NYT: Whistleblower says Bove suggested violating court orders · Just Security: Bove and criminal contempt · NBC News: Republicans confirm former Trump lawyer Emil Bove to lifetime appeals court perch · Timeline 2025-06-24 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  19. Politico: Appeals panel quashes contempt · Timeline 2025-04-16 → ledger ↩↩

  20. Reuters: Judge revives contempt proceeding against Trump officials · Timeline 2025-04-16 → ledger ↩↩↩

  21. Newsday/AP: Appeals court weighs fate of judge’s contempt probe · ACLU: D.C. Circuit to hear arguments · Timeline 2026-09-29 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  22. Washington Post: Threats and intimidation against judges, pizza deliveries · Bloomberg Law: Judge describes alarming pizza delivery · Timeline 2025-03-18 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  23. Washington Post: GOP impeachment resolutions against judges · Timeline 2025-03-18 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  24. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Judge Hannah Dugan arrested · NBC News: Who is Hannah Dugan · Timeline 2025-04-25 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  25. NY Daily Record (Reuters): Man pardoned over Jan. 6 role charged with threatening judges · Timeline 2026-11-02 → ledger ↩↩↩

  26. Deadline: Judge rules for Meta in FTC antitrust case · Fortune: Meta prevails in FTC case · Timeline 2025-11-18 → ledger ↩

  27. Fox News (Mike Davis op-ed): Why Judge Boasberg must be impeached · Timeline 2025-12-13 → ledger ↩↩

  28. Reuters: Judge blocks fast-tracked deportations · Guardian: Trump deports alleged gang members to El Salvador · Timeline 2025-03-31 → ledger ↩↩↩

  29. Politico: Minnesota judge summons ICE leader · CBS News: Judge orders ICE chief to appear in court · Timeline 2026-01-27 → ledger ↩↩↩

  30. AP (archived): California judge holds Homeland Security in contempt in case over LA immigration sweeps · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Vasquez Perdomo v. Mullin) · Timeline 2026-07-28 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  31. CBS News: Judge orders BOP to restore union agreement · CBS News: Union alleges BOP in contempt · Timeline 2025-09-25 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  32. Government Executive: Bureau of Prisons seeks another shot at ending union contracts · Timeline 2025-09-25 → ledger ↩↩↩

  33. Democracy Docket: more propaganda videos posted despite court order · Ars Technica: Trump commercial kept airing after court blocked it · Timeline 2026-10-12 → ledger ↩

  34. Fox 32/AP: 3 taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads must be taken down · Timeline 2026-10-30 → ledger ↩↩

  35. NBC News: White House bullish after long string of Supreme Court victories · Timeline 2025-01 to 09-22 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  36. SCOTUSblog: Justices pause order to reinstate fired federal employees · NPR: Supreme Court and probationary workers · Timeline 2025-04-08 → ledger ↩↩↩

  37. Supreme Court: Trump v. Wilcox, No. 24A966 (PDF) · Timeline 2025-05-22 → ledger ↩

  38. Supreme Court: Trump v. Boyle, No. 25A11 (PDF) · Timeline 2025-07-23 → ledger ↩

  39. Supreme Court: Noem v. Doe, No. 24A1079 (PDF) · SCOTUSblog: Court allows DHS to end parole for half a million · Timeline 2025-05-30 → ledger ↩↩↩

  40. Supreme Court: DHS v. D.V.D., No. 24A1153 (PDF) · Timeline 2025-06-23 → ledger ↩↩↩

  41. DHS: Scores major Supreme Court victory · NPR: Supreme Court allows immigration raids in L.A. to resume · Timeline 2025-09-08 → ledger ↩↩↩

  42. Supreme Court: Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, No. 25A269 (PDF) · SCOTUSblog: Court allows administration to withhold foreign aid · Timeline 2025-09-26 → ledger ↩↩↩

  43. Brennan Center: Supreme Court abuse of the shadow docket under Trump · SCOTUSblog: Emergency docket 2025–26 · Timeline 2026-02 (early) → ledger ↩

  44. Court order: New York v. Kennedy, No. 25-cv-196 (D.R.I.), ECF 81 (Jul 18 2025) · Timeline 2025-07-18 → ledger ↩

  45. Reuters: Supreme Court backs Trump’s firing of FTC member · NBC News: Court rejects Cook firing, grants power over other agencies · Timeline 2026-06-29 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  46. Supreme Court: NPS v. National Trust for Historic Preservation, No. 26A203 (PDF) · The Hill: Divided Supreme Court rules ballroom construction may proceed · Timeline 2026-08-31 → ledger ↩

  47. NBC News: Supreme Court allows expanded citizenship database · CNN: States can use citizenship tool · Timeline 2026-09-25 → ledger ↩

  48. 6th Cir. Judicial Council: Sutton order, No. 06-25-90173 (Dec 19, 2025) · CBS News: Misconduct complaint against Boasberg dismissed · Timeline 2025-07-28 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  49. NBC News: Appeals court dodges major ruling on Alien Enemies Act · ACLU: Comment on Fifth Circuit ruling · Timeline 2026-08-13 → ledger ↩↩

  50. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: found guilty of felony obstruction · Timeline 2025-12-18 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  51. Brennan Center: Supreme Court shadow docket tracker · Timeline 2025-12-23 → ledger ↩↩

  52. ABC News: Trump moving forward with attempt to fire Lisa Cook · CBS News: Trump creates committee to probe allegations against Cook · Timeline 2026-08 (week of 7) → ledger ↩

  53. Supreme Court: Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, No. 24A831 (Mar 5, 2025) · Roll Call: Supreme Court orders clarity on order unfreezing USAID funds · Timeline 2025-03-05 → ledger ↩↩↩

  54. IBTimes UK: Trump-Appointed Judge Finds ICE in Contempt Over the ‘Wrongful Removal’ of a ‘Young Person’ to El Salvador · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (J.O.P. v. DHS, D. Md. 8:19-cv-01944) · Timeline 2025-04-23 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  55. ABC News: Judge reinstates Washington state US attorney fired by Trump · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Rogoff v. Trump, W.D. Wash. 2:26-cv-02566) · Timeline 2026-10-01 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  56. Center for Biological Diversity: Court grants emergency injunction to block Big Bend border construction · Timeline 2026-10-02 → ledger ↩

  57. African American News & Issues: Federal Judge Holds Trump Officials in Civil Contempt Over Unlawful Immigration Arrest · Timeline 2026-10-26 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  58. LII: U.S. Constitution, Article III (§ 1, judicial tenure “during good behaviour”) legal authority ↩↩

  59. LII: U.S. Constitution, Article I (§ 2, cl. 5, House’s sole power of impeachment) legal authority ↩

  60. LII: U.S. Constitution, Article I (§ 3, cl. 6, Senate’s sole power to try impeachments) legal authority ↩

  61. LII: U.S. Constitution, Article II (§ 4, removal on impeachment and conviction) legal authority ↩

  62. LII: U.S. Constitution, Article II (§ 2, cl. 2, Appointments Clause) legal authority ↩

  63. LII: 28 U.S.C. ch. 16, §§ 351–364 (complaints against judges and judicial discipline) legal authority ↩

  64. LII: 28 U.S.C. § 144 (bias or prejudice of judge) · LII: 28 U.S.C. § 455 (disqualification of justice, judge, or magistrate judge) legal authority ↩

  65. LII: 18 U.S.C. § 401 (power of court to punish contempt) legal authority ↩

  66. LII: Fed. R. Crim. P. 42 (criminal contempt; appointing a prosecutor) legal authority ↩

  67. LII: 50 U.S.C. § 21 (Alien Enemies Act of 1798) legal authority ↩

  68. LII: U.S. Constitution, Fifth Amendment legal authority ↩

  69. Supreme Court: Trump v. CASA, Inc., No. 24A884 (Jun 27, 2025) legal authority ↩↩

  70. LII: Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935) legal authority ↩↩

  71. Supreme Court: Trump v. Slaughter, No. 25-332 (Jun 29, 2026) legal authority ↩

  72. Supreme Court: Trump v. Cook, No. 25A312 (Jun 29, 2026) legal authority ↩

  73. Supreme Court: Trump v. Barbara, No. 25-365 (Jun 30, 2026) legal authority ↩

  74. LII: U.S. Constitution, Fourteenth Amendment (§ 1, Citizenship Clause) legal authority ↩

  75. Supreme Court: Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, No. 24-1287 (Feb 20, 2026) legal authority ↩

  76. LII: 50 U.S.C. § 1701 (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) legal authority ↩

  77. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (en banc): W.M.M. v. Trump, No. 25-10534 (Aug 13, 2026) legal authority ↩

  78. LII: 28 U.S.C. § 546 (vacancies; (d) court appointment of U.S. attorney) legal authority ↩↩

  79. Supreme Court: Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, No. 24A831 (Mar 5, 2025) legal authority ↩

  80. NBC News: Judge finds Trump administration violated court order halting funding freeze · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (New York v. Trump, D.R.I.; National Council of Nonprofits v. OMB, D.D.C.) · Timeline 2025-01-27 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  81. NPR: Judge orders USAID funding resumed · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (AVAC v. State; Global Health Council v. Trump) · Timeline 2025-02-25 → ledger ↩

  82. ABA Journal: DOJ files complaint against federal judge for alleged hostility against government lawyer · Timeline 2025-02-21 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  83. Yahoo (CNN): The Trump team’s disdain for judicial orders is blowing up in court (CNN analysis citing the AP count; the AP report was not opened) · Timeline 2026-05 (n.d.) → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  84. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Kingdom v. Trump, D.D.C. 1:25-cv-00691) · Timeline 2026-02-26 → ledger ↩↩

  85. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (AFGE Local 2305 v. VA, D.R.I. 1:25-cv-00583) · Timeline 2026-03-13 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  86. CPR News: Judge orders end to ICE warrantless arrests in Colorado · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Ramirez Ovando v. Noem) · Timeline 2025-11-25 → ledger ↩↩

  87. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Sustainability Institute v. Trump) · Timeline 2026-07-22 → ledger ↩

  88. FOX 5 DC: NPS cuts down 500 trees at East Potomac golf course · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (DC Preservation League v. Interior) · Timeline 2026-10-10 → ledger ↩

  89. LII: Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S. 540 (1994) legal authority ↩↩

  90. CNBC: Supreme Court rejects DOJ’s bid to block California from counting disputed ballots · CNN: Supreme Court rejects Trump’s attempt to segregate ballots in California · Timeline 2026-11-02 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  91. CBS News: Minnesota judge holds lawyer for DOJ in contempt as tensions flare over immigration cases · Timeline 2026-02-18 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  92. Colorado Politics/Washington Examiner: Appeals court shuts down Boasberg contempt inquiry · D.C. Circuit opinion (via Courthouse News) (PDF, not opened) · Timeline 2026-04-14 → ledger ↩↩

  93. LII: Cheney v. United States District Court, 542 U.S. 367 (2004) legal authority ↩↩

  94. CBS News: Justice Department fires U.S. attorney in New York hours after judges picked him for the job · Timeline 2026-02-11 → ledger ↩↩↩

  95. LII: 28 U.S.C. § 541 (United States attorneys; (c) removal by the President) legal authority ↩↩

  96. S.D.N.Y.: People v. Trump, No. 23 Civ. 3773 (AKH), Order and Opinion, Aug 28, 2026 (PDF, via Courthouse News) · ABC News: Appeals court revives Trump’s effort to remove hush money case to federal court (Nov 6, 2025) · Yahoo News/AP: Judge appears skeptical of Trump’s latest bid to nix his hush money conviction (Feb 4, 2026) · ABC News: Judge rejects President Trump’s attempt to move his criminal hush money case to federal court (Aug 28, 2026) · CBS News: Judge again rejects Trump’s bid to erase his New York hush money conviction · CNBC: Trump loses bid to transfer New York hush money case to federal court · Timeline 2025-11-06 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  97. Supreme Court: Trump v. United States, No. 23-939, 603 U.S. 593 (Jul 1, 2024) legal authority ↩↩↩

  98. LII: 28 U.S.C. § 1442 (federal officers or agencies sued or prosecuted; (a)(1) removal) legal authority ↩↩

  99. LII: 28 U.S.C. § 1455 (procedure for removal of criminal prosecutions; (b)(1) timing and leave for good cause) legal authority ↩↩

  100. Sabin Center: OMB Rescinds Memo · Timeline 2025-01-29 → ledger ↩

  101. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (New York v. Trump, D.R.I.; National Council of Nonprofits v. OMB, D.D.C.) · Timeline 2025-01-31 → ledger ↩

  102. NBC News: Judge finds Trump administration violated court order halting funding freeze · Timeline 2025-02-10 → ledger ↩↩

  103. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (AVAC v. State; Global Health Council v. Trump) · Timeline 2025-02-20 → ledger ↩

  104. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (J.O.P. v. DHS, D. Md. 8:19-cv-01944) · Timeline 2026-07-29 → ledger ↩↩

  105. IBTimes UK: Trump-Appointed Judge Finds ICE in Contempt Over the ‘Wrongful Removal’ of a ‘Young Person’ to El Salvador · Timeline 2026-09-25 → ledger ↩↩↩

  106. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (J.O.P. v. DHS, D. Md. 8:19-cv-01944) · Timeline 2026-10-08 → ledger ↩↩↩

  107. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (AFGE Local 2305 v. VA) · Timeline 2026-03-26 → ledger ↩

  108. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (AFGE Local 2305 v. VA) · Timeline 2026-03-27 → ledger ↩↩

  109. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (AFGE Local 2305 v. VA) · Timeline 2026-08-07 → ledger ↩↩

  110. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Ramirez Ovando v. Noem) · Timeline 2026-05-12 → ledger ↩↩

  111. CBS News: judge orders BOP to restore union agreement · Timeline 2026-09-29 → ledger ↩↩

  112. CBS News: union alleges BOP in contempt · Timeline 2026-10-06 → ledger ↩

  113. Government Executive: Bureau of Prisons re-terminates union contracts despite court order · Timeline 2026-10-07 → ledger ↩

  114. Government Executive: Judge again orders reinstatement of Bureau of Prisons union contracts, but stops short of contempt · Timeline 2026-10-16 → ledger ↩↩↩

  115. Government Executive: Bureau of Prisons seeks another shot at ending union contracts · Timeline 2026-10-20 → ledger ↩↩

  116. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (DC Preservation League v. Interior) · Timeline 2026-10-18 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  117. Yahoo News/AP: Judge appears skeptical of Trump’s latest bid to nix his hush money conviction (Feb 4, 2026) · Timeline 2026-02-04 → ledger ↩

  118. S.D.N.Y.: People v. Trump, No. 23 Civ. 3773 (AKH), Order and Opinion, Aug 28, 2026 (PDF, via Courthouse News) · CNBC: Trump loses bid to transfer New York hush money case to federal court · Timeline 2026-08-28 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  119. ABC News: Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who oversaw Maduro case, has died at 92 · Timeline 2026-10-28 → ledger ↩↩

  120. CBS News: Trump creates committee to probe allegations against Lisa Cook · Timeline 2026-10-07 → ledger ↩

  121. PBS News/AP: Todd Blanche narrowly confirmed as Trump’s attorney general in overnight vote · Yahoo News: Todd Blanche confirmed as attorney general in 50–49 Senate vote · Timeline 2026-08-08 → ledger ↩

  122. WMAR (ABC Baltimore): Appeals court pauses ruling; Ogles files impeachment articles · Timeline 2025-03-28 → ledger ↩

  123. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Dugan arrested · NBC News: who is Hannah Dugan · Timeline 2025-04-18 → ledger ↩

  124. AP: Dugan resigns · Timeline 2026-01-03 → ledger ↩↩

  125. PBS/AP: Former Wisconsin judge spared prison · Timeline 2026-07-08 → ledger ↩↩↩

  126. (Wikipedia — underlying reference not retrievable for: Nov 17 Schmitt-led letter to Chief Judge Srinivasan and its Porteous citation; Sen. Graham’s release returned 403) · Timeline 2025-11-17 → ledger ↩

  127. Roll Call: Senate panel sets up hearing on impeachments of ‘rogue judges’ (Boasberg declines; House effort stalled) · Timeline 2025-12-03 → ledger ↩↩

  128. CBS News: Minnesota judge holds lawyer for DOJ in contempt as tensions flare over immigration cases · Timeline 2026-02-20 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  129. Ars Technica: Trump commercial kept airing after court blocked it · Timeline 2026-10-11 → ledger ↩

  130. MPR News: Feds seek to boot Minnesota judges from immigration cases after public comments · Timeline 2026-10-21 → ledger ↩↩↩

  131. Supreme Court: SG application in No. 26A560 · Supreme Court docket 26A560 · Timeline 2026-10-21 → ledger ↩↩

  132. FOX 5 DC: NPS cuts down 500 trees · Just Security: Litigation Tracker (DC Preservation League v. Interior) · Yahoo (CNN): The Trump team’s disdain for judicial orders · Timeline 2026-10-12 → ledger ↩

  133. Guardian: Trump plans golf course renovation in defiance of judge · Yahoo (CNN): The Trump team’s disdain for judicial orders · Timeline 2026-10-18 → ledger ↩

  134. MPR News: Judge threatens ICE with contempt, sanctions in Minnesota re-arrest case · Timeline 2026-10-19 → ledger ↩

  135. OPB: Federal judge finds ICE officer lied in Oregon arrest report, says agency violated his order · Timeline 2026-11-02 → ledger ↩↩

  136. Lynnwood Times: Rogoff out again: Federal appeals court halts reinstatement of US Attorney fired by Trump · Timeline 2026-10-04 → ledger ↩↩↩

  137. Reuters (via Yahoo): US DOJ’s misconduct complaint against judge in transgender military ban case gets tossed · Timeline 2025-09-29 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  138. Just Security: Litigation Tracker (Kingdom v. Trump, D.D.C. 1:25-cv-00691) · Timeline 2026-04-16 → ledger ↩↩

  139. CNBC: Judge wants probe into whether she was misled in Trump golf case · TPM via Yahoo: Judge plans to appoint special master to probe Trump DOJ misconduct · Timeline 2026-11-07 → ledger ↩↩↩

  140. Supreme Court: Mullin v. Friends of the Ruidosa Church, No. 26A560 (per curiam, Nov 9, 2026) · SCOTUSblog: Supreme Court allows Trump administration to continue border wall construction · Timeline 2026-11-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  141. Newsweek via Yahoo: Judge scolds ICE “cruelty” for arresting man he just ordered be released · Timeline 2026-11-03 → ledger ↩↩

  142. MPR News: Judge weighs contempt after ICE re-arrests man a second time · Timeline 2026-11-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  143. The Gazette: ‘New level of fear’: Judge interrogates Colorado ICE leader on tactics · Colorado Politics: Federal judges probe ICE · Timeline 2026-11-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩