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, 3:19 PM EST

Leavitt hints at unnamed DOGE administrator

Asked who the administrator of DOGE is, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Elon Musk oversees DOGE as a special government employee.

But when pressed if Musk is the acting administrator, Leavitt said "no" and suggested that role is being filled by someone else, but would not "reveal the name of that individual from this podium."

"There are career officials at DOGE, there are political appointees at DOGE. I'm not going to reveal the name of that individual from this podium. I'm happy to, follow up and provide that to you. But we've been incredibly transparent about the way the DOGE's working."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

-- ABC News' Mary Bruce

Feb 25, 2025, 1:52 PM EST

Leavitt says Trump fired Gen. Brown for doing a 'bad job'

When asked about President Donald Trump's decision to replace Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, Leavitt said the president thinks poorly of the general's performance.

"He thinks he's doing a bad job," Leavitt responded. "And it's time for a shakeup at the Pentagon."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 25, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Trump nominated Gen. Brown during his first term, to which he called him a "great" leader at the time. Pressed about the president's initial praise, Leavitt responded, "I think replacing him speaks for itself."

Feb 25, 2025, 1:43 PM EST

White House asked if Trump is getting involved in budget drama

With the House budget vote now in peril, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if President Donald Trump is making an effort to whip up votes for Speaker Mike Johnson.

"I'm not aware of any calls that he has made," Leavitt responded.

Leavitt only said Trump "expects Congress to get it done" and is looking at proposals from the House and Senate to advance his agenda.

Feb 25, 2025, 1:41 PM EST

Musk to attend Cabinet meeting Wednesday: Leavitt

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Elon Musk will be meeting with the Cabinet Wednesday with the president.

"This entire administration will be in attendance tomorrow just to talk about DOGEs efforts and, how all of the cabinet secretaries are identifying waste, fraud and abuse at their respective agencies," she said.

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola