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Trump admin live updates: Border czar says 'I don't care what the judges think'

"We are not stopping. I don't care what the judges think," Tom Homan said.

Last Updated: March 17, 2025, 4:18 PM EDT

The White House on Monday was facing a legal battle over its use of the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law, under which the United States began deporting Venezuelans allegedly linked to organized crime.

President Donald Trump also said he planned on Tuesday to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the U.S. president seeks to find common ground for a potential ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.

7 minutes ago

FAA reinstating more than 100 employees who were laid off, union says

The Federal Aviation Administration is reinstating 133 FAA employees represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) who were terminated as part of the mass layoffs across federal agencies, according to the union.

Those being reinstated include aeronautical information specialists who evaluated and prepared navigation maps, routes, charts, procedures, and flight paths -- such as helicopter routes around Reagan National Airport and introduction of drones, the union said.

Reagan National was the site of a midair collision between a regional jetliner and an Army helicopter last month that killed all 67 people on the two aircraft.

Others returning to work include maintenance mechanics responsible for servicing air traffic control facilities, as well as environmental protection specialists and aviation safety assistants.

ABC News has reached out to the FAA and Department of Transportation for comment on the reinstatement.

-ABC News' Ayesha Ali

1 hour and 12 minutes ago

IRS probationary workers temporarily reinstated, placed on leave

Probationary IRS workers on Monday received emails reinstating them at the agency but placing them on administrative leave in light of the court order, according to notices reviewed by ABC News.

"While you are being reinstated to federal service, you are also being placed on Administrative Leave," the note read. "You should not report to duty or perform any work until receiving further guidance."

--ABC News' Benjamin Siegel

2 hours and 14 minutes ago

White House defends deportation flights amid scrutiny

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's defiance of a judge's order to turn around two flights containing hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members as she was peppered with questions during Monday's briefing.

"What do you say to Americans who want safe streets but are concerned due process is being violated?" one reporter asked.

"The president is using every lever of his executive authority and his constitutional authority within the bounds of the immigration laws of our country to ensure that our streets are safer for law-abiding American citizens," Leavitt responded.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Mar. 17, 2025, in Washington.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

When pressed for more details about the individuals deported and how they were determined for removal, Leavitt said that ICE and CBP were "sure about the identities of the individuals who were on these planes and the threat that they posed to our homeland."

On ignoring the judge's order over the weekend, Leavitt contended that the flights had already departed by the time the written ruling was handed down at 7:26 p.m. When asked about the judge's verbal order, which was given earlier than the written ruling, Leavitt repeated her statement and questioned the validity of verbal orders.

10:20 AM EDT

Conor McGregor at White House for meeting with Trump on St. Patrick's Day

UFC superstar Conor McGregor is at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump on St. Patrick's Day.

Irish professional mixed martial artist and businessman Conor McGregor speaks from the White House briefing room podium with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in Washington, Mar. 17, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

McGregor appeared in the briefing room with press secretary Karoline Leavitt and took some questions from reporters.

"Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness," he said as he railed against the Irish government's handling of immigration and other issues.

Irish professional mixed martial artist and businessman Conor McGregor speaks from the White House briefing room podium with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in Washington, Mar. 17, 2025.
Evan Vucci/AP

Trump expressed his admiration for McGregor when he met with Ireland's Taoiseach Michael Martin last week. When asked who his favorite Irish person was, Trump responded: "I do happen to like your fighter ... Conor's great."

McGregor is a controversial figure who's faced several misconduct allegations throughout his career. Last fall, a civil jury in Ireland found him liable of sexual assault. McGregor had denied the accusations.

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