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All Fact-checks for Legal Issues

stated on March 12, 2025 in TV debate

"Brad Schimel said that he wanted to be part of Donald Trump's support network."

true

mostly-true

stated on March 17, 2025 in a Truth Social post

Former President Joe Biden’s pardons of lawmakers on the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack “are hereby declared void, vacant, and of no further force or effect,” because “they were done by autopen.”

true

false

stated on February 6, 2025 in X, formerly Twitter

“Eliminate school choice” is on Susan Crawford’s agenda.

true

false

A Better Wisconsin Together

stated on February 24, 2025 in Social media ads

“71 out of 72 Wisconsin counties filed lawsuits against Purdue Pharma. Brad Schimel refused to join them.”

true

half-true

Cavalier Johnson

stated on January 19, 2025 in TV interview

“After the referendum, Milwaukee Public Schools has a larger tax levy than the City of Milwaukee.”

true

true

stated on February 9, 2025 in TV interview

Wisconsin does not “require judges to automatically recuse just because they have done some kind of legal work in the past as a lawyer.”

true

true

stated on February 1, 2025 in a Threads post

“Melania wins $900 million ‘defamation lawsuit’ against The View & Sunny Hostin.”

true

false

stated on January 21, 2025 in a post

“Under Trump's executive order, every single person in America is now legally classified as female.”

true

false

stated on January 21, 2025 in a post on Threads

“The removal of birthright citizenship only applies to the children of those that are here ILLEGALLY.”

true

false

Instagram posts

stated on January 22, 2025 in an Instagram post

“Fani Willis has just confessed to collusion with J6 committee.”

true

false

stated on January 20, 2025 in remarks

The United States is the only country with unrestricted birthright citizenship.

true

false

stated on December 10, 2024 in a Threads post

“Texas declares bringing a pride flag to the classroom a crime.”

true

false

stated on December 1, 2024 in a statement

On pardoning his son Hunter Biden

true

full-flop

stated on October 8, 2024 in Public appearance

“Milwaukee is one of the sex trafficking capitals in our country.”

true

mostly-true

Instagram posts

stated on October 23, 2024 in a video

Kamala Harris imprisoned a woman for three years for praying.

true

false

stated on October 15, 2024 in in social media posts

"The Defense Department, with the stroke of a pen, has quietly codified its right to deploy lethal force against its own citizens.”

true

false

stated on October 18, 2024 in TV debate

Ballot drop boxes 'were only used for a pandemic.'

true

false

stated on September 18, 2024 in a TikTok video

“Attorney General Merrick Garland just vetoed charging Ryan Routh with attempted assassination” of Donald Trump.

true

false

stated on May 13, 2024 in News conference

In Wisconsin, “a legislative committee cannot release funding.”

true

barely-true

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

stated on August 7, 2024 in an ad

Sen. Rick Scott does not support abortion exceptions.

true

false

Can Donald Trump become a three-term president?

Can Donald Trump become a three-term president?

By Louis Jacobson • March 31, 2025

Elon Musk’s PAC is paying Wisconsin petition signers before Supreme Court election. Is it legal?

Elon Musk’s PAC is paying Wisconsin petition signers before Supreme Court election. Is it legal?

By Amy Sherman • March 28, 2025

Tren de Aragua: Que sabemos sobre la pandilla venezolana que Trump designó como terrorista

Tren de Aragua: Que sabemos sobre la pandilla venezolana que Trump designó como terrorista

By Maria Briceño • March 25, 2025

Ask PolitiFact: Is Tren de Aragua invading the US, as Trump says? Legal experts say no.

Ask PolitiFact: Is Tren de Aragua invading the US, as Trump says? Legal experts say no.

By Maria Ramirez Uribe • March 19, 2025

President Donald Trump called for a judge’s impeachment. It’s unlikely to happen.

President Donald Trump called for a judge’s impeachment. It’s unlikely to happen.

By Amy Sherman • March 19, 2025

US Rep. Steil labeled Dane County a ‘sanctuary city,’ but it’s complicated

US Rep. Steil labeled Dane County a ‘sanctuary city,’ but it’s complicated

By Ricardo Torres • March 5, 2025

Do Elon Musk and DOGE have power to cut spending, close agencies?

Do Elon Musk and DOGE have power to cut spending, close agencies?

By Louis Jacobson • February 7, 2025

Did Trump kill ‘Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1965’? Here’s why that claim caused confusion

Did Trump kill ‘Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1965’? Here’s why that claim caused confusion

By Jeff Cercone • January 24, 2025

Does getting pardoned equal a confession of guilt, as Dinesh D'Souza claimed?

Does getting pardoned equal a confession of guilt, as Dinesh D'Souza claimed?

By Madison Czopek • January 23, 2025

Fact-check: Senate confirmation hearing for Pam Bondi, attorney general nominee

Fact-check: Senate confirmation hearing for Pam Bondi, attorney general nominee

By Samantha Putterman • January 15, 2025

1% or 85%: Two numbers before SCOTUS purport to show trans youth ‘regret’ rates. Which is it?

1% or 85%: Two numbers before SCOTUS purport to show trans youth ‘regret’ rates. Which is it?

By Grace Abels • December 16, 2024

Donald Trump is reiterating his promise to overturn birthright citizenship. Can he do it?

Donald Trump is reiterating his promise to overturn birthright citizenship. Can he do it?

By Louis Jacobson • December 10, 2024

Transgender youth health care: A fact-checker’s look at Supreme Court oral arguments in Tenn. case

Transgender youth health care: A fact-checker’s look at Supreme Court oral arguments in Tenn. case

By Grace Abels • December 6, 2024

The Supreme Court is weighing trans health bans. Here’s what to expect.

The Supreme Court is weighing trans health bans. Here’s what to expect.

By Grace Abels • December 2, 2024

Can President-elect Donald Trump enact tariffs without Congress? And can anyone stop him?

Can President-elect Donald Trump enact tariffs without Congress? And can anyone stop him?

By Louis Jacobson • December 2, 2024

Is Matt Gaetz ‘an accomplished attorney’? Digging into Trump AG pick's record as a Florida lawyer

Is Matt Gaetz ‘an accomplished attorney’? Digging into Trump AG pick's record as a Florida lawyer

By Louis Jacobson • November 15, 2024

Kamala Harris’ ‘Saturday Night Live’ appearance and ‘equal time’ for Donald Trump: What to know

Kamala Harris’ ‘Saturday Night Live’ appearance and ‘equal time’ for Donald Trump: What to know

By Louis Jacobson • November 4, 2024

Would the federal government prosecute Elon Musk for his $1 million lottery? Don’t hold your breath

Would the federal government prosecute Elon Musk for his $1 million lottery? Don’t hold your breath

By Louis Jacobson • October 22, 2024

Trump said the DOJ is suing Virginia to allow noncitizens to vote. But that’s not the case.

Trump said the DOJ is suing Virginia to allow noncitizens to vote. But that’s not the case.

By Amy Sherman • October 15, 2024

Federal appeals court rules in favor of PolitiFact and Meta against Children’s Health Defense

Federal appeals court rules in favor of PolitiFact and Meta against Children’s Health Defense

By Amy Sherman • August 13, 2024

Latest promises about Legal Issues

Commute the sentence of "Silk Road" website operator Ross Ulbricht

Pardon people convicted of crimes related to the storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021

Increase liability protections for police officers

Restore ACA's contraception mandate

Create a pathway to citizenship for nearly 11 million people

Double number of immigration judges and staff

Prevent the White House from interfering in federal investigations and prosecutions

Nominate the first Black woman to U.S. Supreme Court

Immediately rescind the “Muslim bans”

Open up libel laws

Appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton

Increase protections for whistleblowers

Load more promises about Legal Issues

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