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.

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Feb 26, 2025, 12:21 PM EST

Fact-check: Trump falsely says US provided $350 billion to Ukraine

Trump said his first goal when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war is to stop the fighting. The second goal, he said, is to not spend any more money and falsely claimed former President Joe Biden spent $350 billion to support Ukraine.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Government resources place the amount of aid appropriated by Congress for Ukraine since the war began in 2022 at $174 billion. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy estimates the U.S. has allocated about $119 billion in direct aid to Ukraine, slightly less than the $138 billion allocated by European nations.

Read more here.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:19 PM EST

Trump says no security guarantees for Ukraine, puts responsibility on Europe

When asked what security guarantees Trump would be willing to provide Ukraine, the president responded, "well, I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond, very much."

"We're going to have Europe do that," he said, arguing that "Europe is the next door neighbor."

Feb 26, 2025, 12:15 PM EST

Trump, commerce secretary elaborate on 'gold card' immigration proposal

Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick talked more about his "gold card" proposal that would give legalization status to applicants who pay $5 million.

Lutnick said he is working on redesigning the EB-5 agreement and that the money would be used to pay off the debt.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

"With the 5 million [dollars], you know, that's a path to citizenship," Trump said.

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.

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