Live

Trump admin live updates: Trump signs funding bill to avert shutdown

The bill was crafted by GOP leaders and backed by Trump.

Last Updated: March 15, 2025, 12:25 PM EDT

President Donald Trump signed a six-month government funding bill on Saturday that was approved by Congress on Friday night, averting a government shutdown as his administration continues its efforts to remake the federal government.

Trump also signed an executive order on Saturday that rescinded 19 executive actions issued by former President Joe Biden's administration on gender, labor policies and industry regulations. Trump has so far reversed nearly 100 actions issued by Biden.

Meanwhile, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that blocks the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport noncitizens, including alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Mar 11, 2025, 12:51 PM EDT

Incoming Canadian PM responds to Trump tariff threats

Canadian Prime Minister designate Mark Carney's office responded to President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat in a statement Tuesday claiming they are "an attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses."

Liberal Leader Mark Carney talks to media as he leaves a caucus meeting in Ottawa, Mar. 10, 2025.
Sean Kilpatrick/AP

"My government will ensure our response has maximum impact in the U.S. and minimal impact here in Canada, while supporting the workers impacted. My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade," a spokesperson for Carney said in a statement.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Mar 11, 2025, 11:50 AM EDT

Moderate Democrats don't appear to be willing to bail out Johnson

House Democrats appear poised to stick together in opposition of the GOP-led government funding bill scheduled to come to the floor later Tuesday

"We cannot support this bill," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said walking into Tuesday morning's caucus meeting.

PHOTO: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks to reporters outside the House chamber as Republicans prepare a spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, at the Capitol, in Washington, March 10, 2025.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, flanked by Rep. Pete Aguilar, left, and Rep. Katherine Clark, the House minority whip, speaks to reporters outside the House chamber as Republicans prepare a spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, at the Capitol, in Washington, March 10, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

"House Republicans put a partisan measure on the floor this week. It will gut veterans' health care. It will enable Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue to cut the federal government. House Democrats are voting No," Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar later added.

Speaker Johnson has at times benefited from Democrats crossing party lines to push bills through.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa

Mar 11, 2025, 11:52 AM EDT

Federal judge orders OPM chief to testify about mass firings

A federal judge is requiring the head of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to testify on Thursday about the mass firing of probationary employees.

A group of federal unions have alleged that OPM acting director Charles Ezell lied in a sworn declaration that his office did not order the firing of probationary employees based on "performance or misconduct," prompting U.S. District Judge William Alsup to order Monday night Ezell to testify in person and under oath.

"The problem here is that Acting Director Ezell submitted a sworn declaration in support of the defendant's position but now refuses to appear to be cross examined or to be deposed," Alsup, a Clinton appointee, wrote.

Alsup's order effectively gives the Trump administration two choices to fight the lawsuit.

If Ezell skips the hearing, Alsup said he would consider sanctioning the government and nullifying Ezell's sworn declaration about the purported legality of the mass firings, a move that would likely guarantee that the judge pauses the mass firings and potentially reinstates thousands of employees.

A view shows the logo of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), after probationary staff at the OPM were fired in a conference call and given less than an hour to leave the building, outside OPM in Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2025.
Tierney L. Cross/Reuters

Alternatively, if Ezell does testify on Thursday, he's likely to face tough questions about his sworn statements related to the firing. The plaintiffs allege that on Feb. 13, Ezell convened a phone call with the heads of federal agencies to direct them to terminate thousands of federal employees and "falsely state that the terminations are for performance reasons."

-ABC News' Peter Charalambous

Mar 11, 2025, 11:15 AM EDT

Canadians in US for over 30 days will be required to register with government

Canadians who are in the United States for 30 days or longer will soon have to register their information with the United States government, according to a notice obtained by ABC News.

Traditionally, Canadians who cross the northern border by land and stay for longer than 30 days do not have to register with the federal government, but the secretary of Homeland Security can unilaterally change that rule.

A sign marking the international border between the United States and Canada is pictured at Peace Arch Historical State Park in Blaine, Washington, on March 5, 2025.
Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

Those who stay for longer than 30 days will be required to apply for registration with the federal government and be fingerprinted starting on April 11, according to the rule, which is expected to be posted on the federal register Wednesday.

Canadians who stay in the U.S. for 30 days or more and were not issued evidence of registration (such as Form I-94) at entry will need to complete the new Form G-325R, according to the rule.

-ABC News' Luke Barr

Related Topics