Live

Trump admin live updates: Trump says Hamas will release hostage Edan Alexander

Trump did not provide any timing on when Alexander is expected to be released.

Last Updated: May 11, 2025, 7:01 PM EDT

The White House said on Sunday that it reached a trade deal with China as the two countries negotiated for a second day in Switzerland. China has yet to comment on Sunday's talks.

"We’re confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us to work toward resolving that national emergency,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters in Geneva. But Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "substantial progress" had been made but stopped short of touting a full deal.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom -- the first in what the White House said it hopes will be a flurry of agreements while the reciprocal tariff pause is in effect. With UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on speaker phone in the Oval Office, the leaders conceded that they are still working out the details of the agreement.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 09, 2025, 3:43 PM EDT

Stephen Miller says admin 'actively looking' at suspending habeas corpus

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said on Friday the administration was "actively looking at" suspending habeas corpus (a person's right to challenge the legality of their arrest or detention) as part of the administration's crack down on illegal immigration.

"Well, the Constitution is clear, and that, of course, is the supreme law of the land, that the privilege of the written habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion," Miller said as he gaggled with reporters at the White House. "So that's an option we're actively looking at. Look, a lot of it depends on whether the court will do the right thing or not."

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller arrives to speak with the media outside the White House in Washington, May 9, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

May 09, 2025, 1:50 PM EDT

White House responds to firing of Librarian of Congress

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked on Friday why the administration chose to abruptly fire the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden.

Hayden served in the position since 2016. She was the first African American and first woman to serve in the role. She was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed in a 74-18 vote in the Senate.

"We felt she did not fit the needs of the American people," Leavitt said, claiming Hayden was pursuing DEI initiatives that the administration is opposed to and "putting inappropriate books" in the library.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, May 9, 2025, in Washington.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

"We don't believe that she was serving the interests of the American taxpayer well. So she has been removed from her position and the president is well within his rights to do that," Leavitt said.

May 09, 2025, 1:37 PM EDT

White House: Trump 'determined' to keep 10% baseline tariff even after trade deals

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if the 10% baseline tariff is going to remain in place after the deal announced with the United Kingdom on Thursday.

"The president is committed to the 10% baseline tariff, not just for the United Kingdom, but for his trade negotiations with all other countries as well," Leavitt said.

Asked to clarify if that tariff will remain in place after deals are done, Leavitt indicated yes.

"The president is determined to continue with that 10% baseline tariff," she said. "I just spoke to him about it earlier."

May 09, 2025, 1:35 PM EDT

Leavitt pushes back about questions over Trump family businesses

Reporters asked White House press secretary Leavitt if President Donald Trump's family members would accompany him on his trip to the Middle East.

Many of them have business interests in the region.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, May 9, 2025, in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Leavitt fired back and claimed that "it's frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit.

"This White House holds ourselves to the highest of ethical standards," she said.

Sponsored Content by Taboola