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 25, 2025, 9:56 AM EST

Acting IRS commissioner to retire this week

The acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service is expected to announce his retirement as early as Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

Doug O’Donnell, a veteran who has spent decades at the agency, plans to leave the agency on Friday. His retirement was in the works for a while, but he agreed to stay on following the resignation of Commissioner Danny Werfel, who was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate.

Still, the timing of his retirement, amid tax filing season, is another blow to an agency that has already lost thousands of workers to layoffs and become a target of GOP criticism since President Donald Trump took office.

A flag waves outside the International Revenue Service Building after it was reported the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to fire thousands of workers in the coming days, in Washington, Feb. 18, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters

The New York Times first reported the news.

--ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Benjamin Siegel

Feb 25, 2025, 9:31 AM EST

House Republicans plan vote on budget plan Tuesday night despite GOP opposition

House Republicans are planning to hold a floor vote on their budget blueprint at 6 p.m. Tuesday to start the process to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda.

A simple majority is required to adopt the resolution, but it’s unclear if that will occur given opposition from several Republicans. Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford to lose two votes if all members are voting and present. Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett have all said they will vote no.

House Speaker Mike Johnson holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025.
Will Oliver/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

This is a massive test for Johnson.

House Republican leadership worked for months to sell Trump on their budget plan versus the Senate’s. If the budget blueprint passes, it kicks off the budgeting process, which is how congressional Republicans plan to pass Trump’s sweeping legislation agenda filled with his campaign promises. Border security, tax cuts, energy reform, No Tax on Tips -- they’re all on the line.

– ABC News’ Lauren Peller and Jay O’Brien

Feb 25, 2025, 6:28 AM EST

CBP has lowest single migrant apprehension day in 15 years

The Department of Homeland Security is touting they have had the lowest migrant apprehension day in 15 years.

On Saturday, Secretary Kristi Noem said CBP encountered only 200 migrants as apprehensions at the border have trended lower in January and into February.

The Department of Homeland Security logo is seen during a news conference in Washington, Feb. 25, 2015.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP, FILE

“President Trump and Secretary Noem have sent a clear message to illegal aliens: do not come to our country. You will not be allowed in. And if you get in, we will hunt you down and deport you," read a statement from a senior DHS spokesperson. "That message has been received. This weekend, we saw the single lowest apprehensions at the southern border in more than 15 years. This is yet another sign the President Trump’s commonsense immigration and border security policies are working.”

Feb 25, 2025, 12:14 AM EST

Midnight deadline passes for federal workers' OPM email response

As confusion surrounding Elon Musk's order for federal workers to detail their accomplishments via email remains, the initial midnight on Monday deadline has now passed.


Elon Musk listens to President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

While the Office of Personnel Management said Monday that responding to the email is "voluntary," Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have said that not responding to the email could lead to termination.

The effects of the order on the federal workforce remain to be seen.

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