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.

Mar 02, 2025, 3:52 PM EST

Trump's doctor says he'll have annual physical exam 'next month'

Trump will undergo a physical exam "next month," his physician said in a statement.

The routine annual examination will take place at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, said Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump's newly appointed physician.

"The date of his physical exam will be released publicly in the next few weeks," Barbabella said.

The White House statement comes several days after reporters raised questions about a bruise they observed on the back of Trump's right hand during his White House meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

Makeup covers a bruise on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump's hand as he hosts French President Emmanuel Macron for meetings at the White House on Feb. 24, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the bruise came from shaking hands.

"President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day," Leavitt said.

Mar 02, 2025, 3:06 PM EST

White House backs Israel blocking aid to Gaza

The White House said Sunday it supports Israel's decision to block aid into Gaza, saying Hamas has indicated it is "no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire."

"Israel has negotiated in good faith since the beginning of this administration to ensure the release of hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists," National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement.

Palestinians walk among the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 24, 2025.
Ramadan Abed/Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday it had imposed a blockade on all humanitarian aid into Gaza after Phase 1 of Israel's ceasefire deal with Hamas ended and with negotiations on Phase 2 continuing amid the tensions.
"Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages," the statement said. "If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences."
An Israeli source told ABC News that Israel’s decision was coordinated with the Trump administration.

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

Mar 02, 2025, 1:55 PM EST

Jeffries says House GOP ditched bipartisan funding talks

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of walking away from bipartisan negotiations to fund the government before the current continuing resolution ends on March 14 in a statement released Sunday.

Jeffries indicated that Democrats are ready to work with Republicans to fund the government, but only in a "manner that promotes the economic well-being, health and safety of everyday Americans."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 13, 2025 in Washington.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

This comes after Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that he wants to pass a "clean" continuing resolution at current funding levels -- which Democrats are likely to get behind.

With their razor-thin majority in the House, Republicans will need to rely on Democratic votes to fund the government and avoid a shutdown since there are some hardliners who opposed the current CR.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

Mar 02, 2025, 1:40 PM EST

Johnson hopes to pass 'clean' stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown

Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday the House is “looking to” pass a short-term and "clean" government funding bill to avert a shutdown ahead of the March 14 deadline.

“We're looking to pass a clean CR to freeze funding at current levels to make sure that the government can stay open while we begin to incorporate all these savings that we're finding through the [Department of Government Efficiency] effort and these other sources of revenue that President Trump's policies are make bringing to the table,” Johnson said on NBC’s "Meet the Press."

At least one House Republican so far has voiced opposition to the speaker’s plan, which Trump endorsed last week.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) leaves after the House passed the Republican's budget resolution on the spending bill on Feb. 25, 2025 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

“I am a NO on the CR. Congress needs to do its job and pass a conservative budget! CR’s are code for Continued Rubberstamp of fraud, waste, and abuse,” Texas GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales posted on X.

Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon raised concern about a clean measure since military funding would be held flat.

“A continuing resolution (CR) is bad for our military and weakens our national security. A CR means new weapons programs cannot get started. A year-long CR means we are not serious about building a military that will deter China, Russia and Iran,” Bacon said.

Johnson said funding for fiscal year 2026 will be a “very different process,” suggesting that DOGE cuts may be in the spending bills.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

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