Tags

retaliation

Government reprisals against individuals or organizations for exercising legal rights, including whistleblowing, political speech, protest, or legal advocacy. Covers punitive actions taken to silence critics or deter opposition.

Related incidents

3 incidents

Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms Representing Trump's Opponents

Unprecedented use of executive orders to punish four law firms for representing clients adverse to the president. All four orders were struck down as unconstitutional violations of the First, Fifth, …

  • Trump issued four executive orders targeting Perkins Coie (March 6), WilmerHale (March 27), Jenner & Block (March 25), and Susman Godfrey …
  • Each firm was targeted for specific past legal work adverse to Trump: Perkins Coie for representing the Clinton campaign, WilmerHale for …

Dismantlement of Whistleblower Protections and Government Oversight Infrastructure

Systematic destruction of the government oversight apparatus: 17 inspectors general fired, heads of the Office of Special Counsel and Office of Government Ethics removed, whistleblower retaliation …

  • Trump fired 17 inspectors general upon returning to office in January 2025, removing the independent watchdogs responsible for detecting …
  • The heads of both the Office of Special Counsel (which protects whistleblowers from retaliation) and the Office of Government Ethics (which …

Surge in Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention

10,500+ people subjected to solitary confinement in immigration detention over 14 months, with usage surging under the Trump administration. Nearly 75% of placements exceeded the UN's 15-day torture …

  • Over 10,500 people were placed in solitary confinement in immigration detention centers between April 2024 and May 2025.
  • The monthly rate of solitary confinement use under the second Trump administration was twice the rate from 2018-2023 and more than six times …