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.

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.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:37 PM EST

Trump indicates that Cabinet members are bound to follow his orders

Trump was asked about his executive power and if he has the power to call upon any Cabinet member and issue orders that they are bound to follow, to which he responded “yes."

Feb 26, 2025, 12:35 PM EST

Fact-check: Trump claims 'tens of billions' in military equipment left in Afghanistan

As he continued to criticize the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, Trump said they left "tens of billions" of dollars worth of new military equipment there.

The number is not that large. The Defense Department's inspector general estimates $7.12 billion worth of U.S.-funded equipment was seized by the Taliban when the U.S. withdrew.

"I think we should get a lot of that equipment back," Trump said with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seated next to him.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:33 AM EST

Trump claims 'we're not going to touch' Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked Trump about the current budget bill that passed in the House Tuesday night and its pending cuts and whether Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security would be cut.

"I mean, I have said it so many times. You shouldn't be asking me that question. OK? This will not be read my lips, it won't be read my lips anymore. We're not going to touch it," Trump responded.

While the budget blueprint itself does not mention Medicaid or Medicare directly, it sets a goal of at least $2 trillion in cuts to mandatory federal spending, which includes funding for entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

The president claimed that there would be a reduction in fraud in those programs.

Feb 26, 2025, 12:29 PM EST

Musk shows off 'TECH SUPPORT' t-shirt

Musk flashed a black t-shirt reading "TECH SUPPORT" to the cameras.

Elon Musk attends the first cabinet meeting hosted by President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C., Feb. 26, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

This aligns with his earlier remarks arguing that DOGE is "actually tech support," particularly as they "fix the government computer systems" that he claims are old and make mistakes.

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