Day 133

Systematic Attacks on Press Freedom: Journalist Arrests, Detention, and Deportation

The Trump administration engaged in a pattern of journalist arrests, detention, and deportation, including the federal arrest of Don Lemon, the deportation of Spanish-language journalist Mario Guevara to the country he fled, and the detention of reporter Estefany Rodriguez. Separately, AP journalists covering a Cameroonian facility holding US deportees were detained by Cameroonian authorities.

Third-Country Deportations to Rwanda, Ghana, and South Sudan

The Trump administration established deportation agreements with Rwanda ($7.5M), Ghana, Eswatini ($5.1M), and South Sudan to accept immigrants deported from the United States who are not nationals of those countries. A federal judge ruled the policy violates federal immigration law and constitutional due process. Human Rights Watch found the opaque deals violate international human rights law, and Ghana's own courts face challenges to the agreement's constitutionality.

32 killed near GHF sites

Israeli tanks open fire on crowds at GHF distribution points; at least 31 are killed in Rafah and one near Gaza City, and more than 200 injured. Nine people had already been killed in two earlier shootings at the sites (Al Jazeera).

From: Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: US-Funded Aid Scheme Where Hundreds Were Killed Seeking Food (May–November 2025)

Massachusetts court blocks additional provisions

In State of California v. Trump, a Massachusetts district court issues an injunction blocking additional provisions of the executive order.

From: Executive Order on Elections: Voter Suppression and Presidential Seizure of Election Administration

Airwars publishes comprehensive civilian casualty analysis

Airwars publishes its analysis documenting at least 224 civilian deaths during Operation Rough Rider, nearly matching the 258 civilians it tracked as allegedly killed by US actions in Yemen over the previous 23 years.

From: Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen

Deportation traps documented by AP and PBS

Associated Press and PBS NewsHour documented ICE agents arresting immigrants at mandatory court check-ins and hearings, with government attorneys coordinating dismissals as arrest triggers.

From: Deportation Traps at Immigration Court Hearings and Systematic Denial of Due Process

Kansas Reflector reports on public safety implications

The Kansas Reflector publishes an investigation into the Goodland closure, noting that western Kansas is part of Tornado Alley and that the overnight hours when the office is now closed are precisely when nighttime tornadoes — the deadliest kind — typically strike.

From: DOGE Guts National Weather Service: 30 Offices Lose Lead Meteorologists Ahead of Hurricane Season

National Guard deployed to Los Angeles

National Guard deployments expanded beyond the border to domestic cities, including Los Angeles, for immigration enforcement operations.

From: Military Deployments at the US-Mexico Border and the Posse Comitatus Act

500 migrant children in government custody

Approximately 500 migrant children had been taken into government custody in the first five months, with ORR virtually ceasing to release children to relatives.

From: Family Separations and Prolonged Child Detention Under Immigration Enforcement

Lancet HIV modelling projects up to 2.9 million additional deaths

A Lancet HIV modelling study projects 0.77 to 2.93 million additional HIV-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries in 2025-2030 if PEPFAR support is discontinued alongside anticipated aid cuts, falling to 0.005 to 0.061 million if PEPFAR is reinstated.

From: PEPFAR Freeze: HIV/AIDS Treatment Cut for 20 Million People Across Africa

Comstock Act groundwork advances

Reports indicate the administration is laying quiet groundwork to use the 1873 Comstock Act to ban the mailing of mifepristone and abortion equipment, which would function as a de facto nationwide abortion ban.

From: Restrictions on Reproductive Rights and Comstock Act Revival