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.

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.

Feb 27, 2025, 3:40 PM EST

Trump on Ukraine mineral deal: 'We'll be dig, dig, digging'

Trump spoke about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., to sign a deal that would give U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral wealth.

"We're going to be at the site, and we'll be digging. We’ll be dig, dig, digging. Dig, we must," Trump said.

Feb 27, 2025, 3:38 PM EST

Trump says he's 'made a lot of progress' in Ukraine talks

Trump provided a vague update on the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and said "we've made a lot of progress."

"It will either be fairly soon or it won't be at all," he said.

The president repeated false claims about the money that was given to Ukraine by the Biden administration and praised the pending mineral deal with Ukraine.

"It's really very good for Ukraine and very good for us. The American taxpayers will now effectively be reimbursed for the money and hundreds of billions of dollars poured into helping Ukraine defend itself, which by and of itself is a very worthy thing to do," he said.

Feb 27, 2025, 3:26 PM EST

White House attempts to clean up Trump's EPA 65% personnel cut statements

The White House released another statement Thursday clearing up Trump's statement on Wednesday where he claimed 65% of the EPA's staff would be cut.

A White House spokesperson elaborated more to ABC News, saying that the administration is "committed to eliminating 65% of the EPA’s wasteful spending."

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Feb 27, 2025, 2:31 PM EST

Senate Republicans meet with Musk at White House

Members of the Senate DOGE caucus gathered with Elon Musk at the White House Thursday during a meeting that seemed tooled toward facilitating greater cooperation between Senate Republicans and Musk's efforts.

Senators who attended the meeting said Musk offered them assurance that DOGE does not have the independent authority to implement layoffs or slash congressionally appropriated spending.

"They don't have any independent firing authority. They can't do any of that nor do they have the ability to cancel any payment," Republican Sen. Mike Lee, who attended the meeting, said.

Republican Sen. John Hoeven said he got assurances that there would be greater communication with DOGE, especially as constituents raise concerns about DOGE cuts.

Hoeven said there have been instances in which he's received calls from constituents who were "let go, or something like that, but they need to be there."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola