Trump 2nd term updates: Trump excludes low-value shipments from looming tariffs

The amendment exempts imports valued at less than $800 from Canada and Mexico.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, Emily Chang, Ivan Pereira, William Mansell, Sarah Beth Hensley, Jon Haworth, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: March 2, 2025, 11:08 PM EST

President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government to his liking suffered a loss in court when a federal judge blocked his administration from firing the head of a federal watchdog agency without cause, likely triggering a lengthy appeal that could end at the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Justice Amy Berman Jackson determined the move was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction that reinstated special counsel Hampton Dellinger to his position.

Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration said it will cut 7,000 jobs and six of its 10 regional centers as part of the president’s downsizing of the federal workforce.

And Trump’s physician announced the president will have his annual physical next month, days after reporters raised questions about a bruise they saw on the back of his hand.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Feb 24, 2025, 11:56 PM EST

Migrants can no longer fly with CBP One app, except for deportation: TSA

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Monday it is discontinuing the use of the CBP One app and will bar undocumented immigrants from using it to fly unless they’re traveling for "deportation or movement between detention facilities."

Migrants are loaded onto an airplane for a deportation flight, Jan. 23, 2025.
Robert Cano/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

TSA officers previously used the app to verify a person’s identity by examining photographs and other biographic information that are in the Department of Homeland Security’s system.

ABC News has reached out to TSA and DHS for clarification on what documentation recently arrived migrants who have no form of valid ID will be allowed to use.

-ABC News' Armando Tonatiuh Torres-García

Feb 24, 2025, 10:52 PM EST

OPM shares new guidance to federal workers regarding Musk email

The Office of Personnel Management on Monday evening issued new written guidance on Elon Musk's email order, just a few hours ahead of the initial midnight deadline for workers to reply.

The new direction appears to give agency leaders the ability to exempt personnel from responding as well as take "appropriate actions" on non-responses.

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

"Agencies should review responses and evaluate nonresponses, considering such factors as whether the employee was on excused leave on Monday, February 24, 2025 or had access to email on that date," the memo reads.

"Furthermore, agencies should consider any appropriate actions regarding employees who fail to respond to activity/accomplishment requests. It is agency leadership’s decision as to what actions are taken," the memo adds.

-ABC News' Ben Siegel

Feb 24, 2025, 10:29 PM EST

Elon Musk says federal workers will get 2nd chance to comply with OPM email

Despite President Donald Trump's administration informing federal agencies that responding to Elon Musk's "What did you do last week?" email is voluntary, Musk -- seemingly emboldened by Trump's public support -- is doubling down on his threats to federal workers.

CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Feb. 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Musk posted on X Monday night that federal employees will be "given another chance" to reply to an email asking for a recap of their week’s accomplishments, saying those who do not will be terminated.

Musk's latest post adds to the confusion over who workers should be listening to.

-ABC News' Will Steakin

Feb 24, 2025, 7:40 PM EST

VA dismisses more than 1,400 probationary employees

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the dismissal of more than 1,400 probationary employees in non-mission critical positions.

The VA said the move will save "more than $83 million per year, and VA will redirect all of those resources back toward health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.

A sign marks the headquarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., Feb. 20, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

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It follows the first round of dismissals announced on Feb. 13, in which more than 1,000 probationary employees were terminated.

-ABC News' Cindy Smith

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