Trump Faces Setbacks as Congress, Courts Rebuke White House

Commerce Secretary grilled, ICE actions questioned as president's trade policies challenged

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Trump administration experienced significant setbacks on Tuesday, with the Commerce Secretary facing tough questioning, the Department of Homeland Security defending ICE agent actions, and the White House suffering defeats in both Congress and federal court. The House failed to secure votes to reinstate a ban on tariff votes that Trump sought, while the Department of Justice failed to obtain a grand jury indictment against Democratic members of Congress.

Why it matters

These defeats signal the challenges the White House may face going forward, with Congress and the courts actively rebuking the president's policies, particularly on trade. The inability to reinstate the tariff vote ban and the failure to indict Democratic lawmakers suggest growing opposition to Trump's agenda.

The details

In one hearing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced questioning about his relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Simultaneously, Department of Homeland Security officials defended ICE agent actions in another hearing. On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) failed to secure votes to reinstate a House ban on tariff votes that Trump sought. Additionally, the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, failed to obtain a grand jury indictment against six Democratic members of Congress who released a video urging military personnel not to follow illegal orders.

  • On Tuesday, February 11, 2026, the events described took place.

The players

Howard Lutnick

The Commerce Secretary who faced questioning about his relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Mike Johnson

The Republican House Speaker who failed to secure votes to reinstate a House ban on tariff votes that Trump sought.

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General who failed to obtain a grand jury indictment against six Democratic members of Congress.

Gregory Meeks

A Democratic Congressman who has introduced a resolution to overturn levies on Canada.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Given the current mood in the House—every single Dem showed up to vote last night, while plenty of Republicans are uncomfortable with tariffs—Johnson looks all but certain to lose.”

— Jack Blanchard, Politico reporter (Politico)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These setbacks for the Trump administration highlight the growing opposition to the president's policies, particularly on trade, and suggest the White House may face an uphill battle in advancing its agenda in the face of challenges from Congress and the courts.