Tag

#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.

4 incidents

Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power

Pentagon Censures Sen. Mark Kelly and Moves to Cut His Rank Over 'Illegal Orders' Video; Court Finds Likely First Amendment Retaliation

The Defense Department used military-discipline machinery against a sitting senator for telling troops to refuse unlawful orders, after the President called the video sedition 'punishable by death'. A federal judge blocked the censure as likely First Amendment retaliation; prosecutors' attempt to indict the lawmakers reportedly failed before a grand jury. The government's appeal was argued on 7 May 2026.

Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power

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, and Sixth Amendments. The campaign chilled legal representation and coerced at least nine other firms into compliance deals that remain operative.

Grade 4 of 5: Critical Rights and Rule-of-Law Concern

Surge in Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention

At least 10,588 people were subjected to solitary confinement in immigration detention over 14 months spanning two administrations, with usage surging under the Trump administration. PHR reports that from 2018 to 2023 nearly three in four placements lasted 15 days or longer, the duration beyond which the UN Special Rapporteur on torture considers solitary confinement prohibited and capable of amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; whether a given placement amounts to torture depends on its purpose and severity, assessed case by case. DHS oversight offices were simultaneously decimated from 150 to 22 staff.