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, 12:12 PM EST

Trump repeats false claims about Social Security

Trump is still repeating false claims started by Elon Musk about Social Security, saying there are 200 year olds in the system and implying they are getting benefits.

That is not true, experts told ABC News. Musk is likely misreading the databases, they said. According to agency statistics, of the 67 million people who receive Social Security benefits, only 0.1% are over the age of 100 -- in line with census figures on centenarians.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:10 PM EST

Musk remains standing while Trump fields questions unrelated to DOGE

While the focus of the room moved away from Musk's DOGE and the president began answering questions about immigration and international affairs, Musk remained standing while nodding along to the president’s remarks.

He remained behind the desk to Trump’s right.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:09 PM EST

Musk asked by ABC News if he expects Cabinet secretaries to follow his directives

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked Musk if he expects Cabinet secretaries to follow his orders when he posts directives on X.

Musk said he is following Trump's encouragement to be "more aggressive," but didn't directly respond to the question on if agency heads should follow his lead.

"The president is the commander in chief, I do what the president asks," Musk said.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:07 PM EST

Trump refuses to say which agency is the best

Trump was asked which of the agencies was the best and which one gave him the most "resistance."

The president dodged the question and claimed he was "impressed with everybody" so far.

"I'm very happy with all of the choices. I think that Ellen has done incredibly with some groups and some groups are much easier than others," he said.

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