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 26, 2025, 8:27 AM EST

Trump threatens to sue journalists who use 'anonymous' sourcing

President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform a threat to sue journalists who use "anonymous" sourcing in their reporting.

Trump aired frustration with books and stories being published "with the so-called 'anonymous,' or 'off the record,' quotes."

He continued, "At some point I am going to sue some of these dishonest authors and book publishers, or even media in general, to find out whether or not these 'anonymous sources' even exist."

President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office, at the White House in Washington, Feb. 25, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Trump said he might even enact a law against anonymous sourcing.

"They are made up, defamatory fiction, and a big price should be paid for this blatant dishonesty. I'll do it as a service to our Country. Who knows, maybe we will create some NICE NEW LAW!!!" he wrote.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

Feb 25, 2025, 7:19 PM EST

Trump signs order aimed at making health care prices more transparent

While in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to make health care prices more transparent.

Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. was with Trump in the Oval Office but did not give remarks.

President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office, at the White House in Washington, Feb. 25, 2025.
Yuri Gripas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

According to a fact sheet provided by the White House, the order directs the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments to enforce price transparency regulations.

The EO intends to eliminate “estimates” and make prices comparable across hospitals and insurers. It also requires the departments to update their enforcement policies to hold hospitals and insurers compliant.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Feb 25, 2025, 6:42 PM EST

Trump appeals judge order forcing administration to pay millions in foreign aid

As the Trump administration faces an 11:59 p.m. deadline Wednesday to repay nonprofit organizations millions for foreign aid they have already completed, lawyers with the Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal in federal court in Washington.

President Donald Trump holds a hat reading 'Trump was right about everything' after signing an Executive Order at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 25, 2025.
Yuri Gripas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The filing signals its intention to challenge Tuesday's court ruling that determined the Trump administration violated a court order blocking Trump's attempt to freeze foreign aid for 90 days.

-ABC News' Peter Charalambous

Feb 25, 2025, 6:26 PM EST

USAID staff given 15 minutes to gather belongings, told not to bring "prohibited items"

Leadership at the U.S. Agency for International Development has sent an email to laid-off agency staffers instructing them that they will have 15 minutes to enter their former offices at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C., to retrieve their personal belongings.

"This Thursday and Friday ONLY–on February 27 and 28, 2025 –USAID staff will have one opportunity to retrieve their personal belongings," according to the message, which was also posted to USAID.gov.

PHOTO: Recently fired U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff carry boxes with a message as they leave work outside USAID offices in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21, 2025.
Recently fired U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff carry boxes with a message as they leave work and are applauded by former USAID staffers and supporters during a sendoff outside USAID offices in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

"Staff will be given approximately 15 minutes to complete this retrieval and must be finished removing items within their time slot only," it continued.

The email included a timetable giving staffers a window in which they can collect their belongings based on their bureau or independent office. For some, the time frame is as long as an hour and a half. For others, it's just half an hour.

-ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman and Shannon Kingston

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