Chief Justice John Roberts led a critical federal judicial conference highlighting unprecedented challenges to judicial independence. Roberts warned about four major threats: escalating violence against judges, intimidation tactics, disinformation spread through social media, and potential political …
Chief Justice John RobertsChief Judge James BoasbergFederal JudiciarySupreme CourtU.S. Marshals Servicejudicial-independenceconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersjudicial-securityrule-of-law
In a landmark series of cases, federal courts grappled with complex emoluments clause violations by the Trump administration. Multiple district and appellate courts issued conflicting rulings, exposing deep systemic challenges in holding executive branch officials accountable for foreign financial …
Federal JudiciaryTrump AdministrationDepartment of JusticeSupreme Courtconstitutional-crisisemolumentsjudicial-reviewseparation-of-powers
In February 2025, the Supreme Court and federal district courts reached a critical impasse over presidential emoluments enforcement. Following a pattern established in previous cases, the Court repeatedly declined to resolve substantive questions about Trump’s potential constitutional …
Supreme CourtFederal District CourtsTrump Administrationconstitutional-crisisemolumentsjudicial-reviewseparation-of-powerssupreme-court+1 more
The Department of Justice announced plans to challenge the constitutional protections that prevent the president from arbitrarily firing leaders of independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSarah HarrisRichard DurbinNLRB Leadership+1 moreregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationconstitutional-crisisexecutive-power-expansion
The Swiss National Bank, Switzerland’s central bank majority owned by public entities,
purchased 111,300 shares of Trump Media & Technology Group valued at $1.78 million
during Q3 2024, according to SEC disclosures. By February 2025, the bank’s holdings
increased to 157,500 shares …
Swiss National BankDonald TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Trump Media & Technology GroupZürcher Kantonalbankemolumentsforeign-influenceconflict-of-interesttruth-socialconstitutional-crisis
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order challenging birthright citizenship, targeting children born to non-citizen or undocumented parents. The order, which directly mirrors Project 2025 recommendations, seeks to reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause, …
Donald TrumpDepartment of JusticeSupreme CourtAsian Law CaucusACLU+1 morebirthright-citizenshipconstitutional-crisisexecutive-orderproject-2025immigration+1 more
President Trump declared nine new national emergencies between January 20 and April 30, 2025—more emergency declarations in his first 100 days than any other modern president in that timeframe. The declarations invoked extraordinary executive powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers …
Donald TrumpElizabeth GoiteinBrennan Center for Justiceexecutive-overreachemergency-powersinstitutional-captureauthoritarian-tacticsconstitutional-crisis
Trump administration implements unprecedented Schedule F (renamed Schedule Policy/Career) executive order on first day of presidency, systematically dismantling civil service protections and targeting DOJ prosecution staff. The order reclassifies an estimated 50,000 federal workers (2% of federal …
Donald TrumpMolly GastonJ.P. CooneyAnne McNamaraMary Dohrmann+3 moreproject-2025civil-service-capturedoj-targetingconstitutional-crisisfederal-workforce+1 more
Trump administration launched systematic executive orders targeting law firms, mass firings of prosecutors, and open defiance of court rulings, creating what legal scholars describe as unprecedented constitutional crisis.
Judge Juan Merchan granted an indefinite postponement of Donald Trump’s sentencing on 34 felony convictions, effectively acknowledging that Trump’s election victory had made it impossible to sentence him in the foreseeable future. The postponement - from a scheduled November 26 …
Juan MerchanDonald TrumpAlvin Braggsentencingaccountability-failurepresidential-immunityconstitutional-crisis
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a lifelong Republican who served under George W. Bush (2001-2009), endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for president, marking the first time he publicly supported a Democrat for the office. In his statement, Cheney declared that ‘In our nation’s …
Dick CheneyKamala HarrisDonald TrumpLiz Cheneyelection-2024never-trumpestablishment-gopjanuary-6constitutional-crisis+1 more
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against Trump, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. Cannon, a Trump appointee, found Attorney General Garland lacked authority to appoint Smith …
Aileen CannonJack SmithDonald TrumpClarence ThomasMerrick Garlandclassified-documentsaileen-cannonjack-smithspecial-counselconstitutional-crisis+2 more
Trump Media and Technology Group announced significant cryptocurrency partnerships that could generate hundreds of millions in foreign-backed revenue, potentially violating the Emoluments Clause. The venture involves state-backed Emirati investment firm MGX, crypto exchange Binance, and World …
Donald TrumpTrump Media & Technology GroupWorld Liberty FinancialMGXBinanceconstitutional-crisisfinancial-conflictscryptocurrencyforeign-influenceemoluments-clause
On February 13, 2021, the Senate voted 57-43 to acquit former President Donald Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection, with the vote falling ten short of the two-thirds majority (67 votes) required for conviction. Despite the acquittal, the vote represented the most bipartisan …
Donald TrumpMitt RomneyRichard BurrBill CassidySusan Collins+3 moreImpeachmentSenate TrialConstitutional CrisisRepublican PartyAcquittal
Minutes after voting to acquit Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered an extraordinary and scathing floor speech declaring: “There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the …
One week after the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, the House of Representatives voted 232-197 to impeach President Donald Trump on a single article charging him with “incitement of insurrection,” making Trump the first president in American history to be impeached twice. The …
Donald TrumpNancy PelosiLiz CheneyAdam KinzingerHouse of RepresentativesTrump PresidencyImpeachmentJanuary 6 AttackConstitutional CrisisRepublican Party
Environmental lawyer Jeffrey Clark attempted to use the Department of Justice to overturn the 2020 election by sending false fraud letters to swing states. Clark drafted a letter falsely claiming DOJ had identified ‘significant concerns’ about the election and urging Georgia to convene a …
Jeffrey ClarkDonald TrumpJeffrey RosenRichard DonoghueDepartment of Justiceconstitutional-crisisinstitutional-capturecoup-attemptjanuary-6kleptocracy+6 more
President Trump’s systematic abuse of pardon power between 2017-2021 established a pattern of corruption that transformed constitutional clemency authority into a criminal enterprise. Analysis of Trump’s 237 pardons and commutations reveals a president who monetized executive power, …
Donald TrumpRudy GiulianiJared KushnerWilliam BarrPardonsCorruptionPay-to-PlayAbuse-of-PowerConstitutional-Crisis
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the Ukraine expert on the National Security Council who testified in Trump’s impeachment proceedings, is escorted out of the White House and removed from his NSC position just days after Trump’s Senate acquittal. This unprecedented retaliation follows …
Donald TrumpLt. Col. Alexander VindmanLt. Col. Yevgeny VindmanNational Security CouncilU.S. Army+2 morevindmanretaliationimpeachmentnscmilitary-politicization+3 more
The House of Representatives voted on December 18, 2019 to impeach President Donald Trump on two articles: Abuse of Power (230-197-1) and Obstruction of Congress (229-198-1), making Trump only the third president in American history to be impeached. Article I charged that Trump “solicited the …
Donald TrumpNancy PelosiAdam SchiffHouse DemocratsFirst ImpeachmentAbuse of PowerObstruction of CongressConstitutional CrisisUkraine
Donald McGahn failed to appear for scheduled May 21 House Judiciary Committee testimony despite a congressional subpoena, following explicit White House direction to not comply. The incident represents a significant escalation of executive privilege claims, with the White House asserting …
Donald McGahnHouse Judiciary CommitteeJerry NadlerWilliam BurckPat Cipollone+1 moredon-mcgahntestimony-obstructionhouse-judiciaryexecutive-privilegesubpoena-defiance+2 more
President Donald Trump explicitly declares blanket resistance to congressional oversight, stating “We’re fighting all the subpoenas” and dismissing House Democrats as not “impartial people.” This systematic escalation represents an unprecedented challenge to legislative …
Donald TrumpWhite HouseHouse DemocratsCongressional InvestigatorsDon McGahn+2 moretrump-administrationcongressional-obstructionsubpoena-defianceconstitutional-crisissystematic-corruption+2 more
President Trump filed a federal lawsuit to block a House Oversight Committee subpoena seeking eight years of his financial records from accounting firm Mazars USA, challenging Congress’s investigative authority. The lawsuit sought to prevent the release of tax returns and financial statements, …
Donald TrumpMazars USAHouse Oversight CommitteeElijah CummingsMichael Cohen+1 moretrump-administrationfinancial-recordscongressional-subpoenalegal-challengeoversight-obstruction+1 more
The Trump administration claimed ‘absolute immunity’ to block all congressional oversight, with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone declaring Congress had no ’legitimate legislative purpose’ for investigations. Don McGahn defied House subpoenas despite federal judges ruling …
Donald TrumpPat CipolloneDon McGahnJohn BoltonMike Pompeo+1 moreobstructionabsolute-immunitycongressional-oversightconstitutional-crisisexecutive-power
Trump called White House Counsel Don McGahn at home and directed him to call Acting Attorney General and say Special Counsel had conflicts of interest and must be removed. McGahn refused, deciding he would resign rather than trigger what he viewed as potential “Saturday Night Massacre” …
Donald TrumpDon McGahnRod RosensteinRob Porterobstruction-of-justicemueller-investigationsaturday-night-massacrewitness-tamperingdocument-falsification+2 more
President Obama directly criticizes Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision during State of the Union Address, with Justice Samuel Alito visibly shaking his head and mouthing ’not true’ in unprecedented breach of judicial protocol
Barack ObamaSamuel AlitoJohn RobertsRuth Bader GinsburgStephen Breyer+2 moreconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersjudicial-independencecampaign-financepresidential-criticism+2 more
The American Bar Association Task Force condemned President Bush’s unprecedented use of signing statements to nullify congressional oversight, issuing more than 800 constitutional challenges by 2006 versus fewer than 600 by all previous presidents combined. Bush produced 150 signing statements …
George W. BushAmerican Bar AssociationDick CheneyDavid AddingtonJohn Yoosigning-statementsexecutive-powerconstitutional-crisisunitary-executiveaba
In Cheney v. United States District Court, the Supreme Court rules 7-2 to protect the secrecy of Vice President Cheney’s Energy Task Force meetings with oil executives. The Court vacates a lower court order requiring disclosure of task force participants and documents, ruling that federal …
Dick CheneySupreme CourtAnthony KennedyAntonin ScaliaRuth Bader Ginsburg+3 moresupreme-courtexecutive-privilegecheneyenergy-task-forcesecrecy+2 more
Alberto Gonzales and Chief of Staff Andy Card went to George Washington Hospital ICU to pressure hospitalized Attorney General John Ashcroft to reauthorize the NSA surveillance program that the Department of Justice had deemed illegal. Acting Attorney General James Comey raced to the hospital with …
John AshcroftJames ComeyAlberto GonzalesAndy CardRobert Muellerrule-of-lawexecutive-powersurveillancestellarwindconstitutional-crisis+5 more
President George W. Bush issues Executive Order establishing the Office of Global Communications, formalizing the systematic coordination infrastructure between the White House and television networks developed during the WHIG Iraq campaign. The OGC institutionalizes daily conference calls with …
George W. BushOffice of Global CommunicationsWhite House Iraq GroupTelevision Network Executivesadministration officials+2 moreoffice-global-communicationsexecutive-orderwhiginstitutional-coordinationnetwork-executives+3 more
President Bush signs the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, marking the successful culmination of WHIG’s systematic campaign to bypass constitutional separation of powers through coordinated congressional deception. The signed authorization represents not …
George W. BushWhite House Iraq GroupU.S. CongressConstitutional FrameworkAndrew Card+4 morewhigconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersexecutive-powercongressional-manipulation+4 more
Congress passes the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution based on the systematically manipulated intelligence provided by the White House Iraq Group, representing the successful completion of WHIG’s campaign to corrupt legislative war powers. The House votes 296-133 …
White House Iraq GroupU.S. House of RepresentativesU.S. SenateHillary ClintonJohn Kerry+6 morewhigiraq-war-authorizationcongressional-deceptionconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powers+3 more
The White House Iraq Group (WHIG), established in August 2002, coordinated a comprehensive campaign to present intelligence about Iraq to congressional leaders. A Senate Intelligence Committee investigation found that intelligence claims about Iraq’s weapons capabilities and potential threats …
Karl RoveDick CheneyCondoleezza RiceLewis 'Scooter' LibbyAndrew Card+1 morewhigcongressional-deceptionintelligence-manipulationseparation-of-powersiraq-war+1 more
The White House Iraq Group executes an unprecedented coordination of television booking schedules for September 8, 2002, orchestrating simultaneous appearances by senior Bush administration officials across major networks. Communications strategists Karen Hughes and Mary Matalin, both WHIG …
White House Iraq GroupKaren HughesMary MatalinGeorge W. BushDick Cheney+5 morewhigmedia-coordinationbooking-manipulationsunday-showssynchronized-messaging+3 more
Following WHIG’s formation, communications strategists Karen Hughes and Mary Matalin establish systematic coordination protocols with television network executives and booking producers to ensure synchronized messaging during the planned September Iraq campaign rollout. Working as consultants …
White House Iraq GroupKaren HughesMary Matalinnetwork executivesSunday show producers+4 morewhignetwork-executivescoordination-protocolskaren-hughesmary-matalin+3 more
The Bush administration establishes the Office of Global Communications (OGC) to ‘formulate and coordinate messages to foreign audiences,’ creating an unprecedented infrastructure for distributing daily talking points to reporters, television networks, U.S. embassies, and Congress. The …
Office of Global CommunicationsWhite House Iraq GroupGeorge W. BushTelevision Network Executivesreporters worldwide+2 moreoffice-global-communicationswhigdaily-talking-pointsglobal-messengermedia-coordination+3 more
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) under John Graham implemented new procedures requiring federal agencies to submit proposed regulations to corporate ‘stakeholder panels’ before internal government review. These panels, dominated by industry representatives, gained …
OIRAJohn GrahamCorporate Stakeholder PanelsFederal Agenciesoirainspector-general-firingssystematic-transformationrussell-voughtexecutive-power-expansion+9 more
President George W. Bush authorized the NSA’s Stellar Wind warrantless domestic surveillance program, completely bypassing FISA court oversight in a fundamental alteration of constitutional checks and balances. The program allowed the NSA to collect phone metadata and internet communications …
George W. BushMichael HaydenNSADick CheneyDavid Addington+3 moresurveillancensastellar-windfisa-bypassconstitutional-crisis+3 more
The U.S. House of Representatives votes to impeach President Bill Clinton on two articles: perjury before a grand jury (Article I, passed 228-206) and obstruction of justice (Article II, passed 221-212). Clinton becomes the second American president to be impeached, the first being Andrew Johnson in …
Bill ClintonHouse RepublicansKenneth Starrimpeachmentpresidential-accountabilityconstitutional-crisisperjuryobstruction-of-justice
President Reagan signs a finding on December 5, 1985, retroactively authorizing covert arms sales to Iran already conducted by National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane, formalizing an illegal shadow foreign policy run through the National Security Council. McFarlane had undertaken the sale of …
Robert McFarlaneJohn PoindexterOliver NorthRonald ReaganIran-ContraReagan-administrationNSCcovert-operationsconstitutional-crisis