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.
Trump held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term on Wednesday and in the room, and at times taking center stage, was Elon Musk.
For little more than an hour, Trump sought to tout his administration's work so far and fielded questions on everything from the status of Musk's efforts to force federal firings to negotiations to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
President Donald Trump sits between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as he delivers remarks during a Cabinet Meeting at the White House, Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington.
ABC News' Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked Trump about his interest in doing another round of emails demanding federal workers' accomplishments and what the requirements would be.
"I think Elon wants to, and I think it's a good idea because, you know, those people, as I said before, they're on the bubble," he responded, emphasizing his desire to find out if workers exist.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington.
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"And it's possible that a lot of those people will be actually fired. And if that happened, that's OK, because that's what we're trying to do," Trump said. "This country has gotten bloated and fat and disgusting and incompetently run."
Feb 26, 2025, 12:52 PM EST
RFK Jr. downplays measles outbreak despite death of minor in Texas
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who has advocated for anti-vaccination policies, was asked about the death of an unvaccinated child in Texas who contracted measles.
Kennedy said the agency is monitoring the reports of the outbreak in Texas, but appeared to downplay the situation.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers remarks during a Cabinet meeting held by President Donald Trump at the White House, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington
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"There have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country, last there that was 16, so it's not unusual to have measles outbreaks every year," he said.
This child's death marks the first measles death in the U.S. in a decade.
The CDC currently recommends people receive two vaccine doses, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective. Most vaccinated adults don't need a booster.
Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 because of the highly effective vaccination program, according to the CDC. However, vaccination rates have been lagging in recent years.
-with ABC News' Mary Kekatos
Feb 26, 2025, 12:47 PM EST
Trump indicates Putin will have to make concessions to end war
Trump was asked if Russia's Vladimir Putin will have to make concessions as negotiations unfold to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Yeah, he will. He's going to have to," Trump said.
When later asked what concessions Putin will have to make, Trump shifted toward Ukraine and said they could "forget" about NATO membership.
