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 27, 2025, 11:18 AM EST

Johnson says 'stay tuned' about Musk visit to Capitol Hill

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday that conversations continue about Elon Musk coming to Capitol Hill to address members about DOGE and his efforts to shrink the federal government.

Johnson told reporters Musk is anxious to speak with Congressional Republicans and "stay tuned" for an upcoming meeting.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

"We haven't worked out logistics and he might be waiting on me, but we're going to propose some meeting times and dates and have him over here to explain this to the members," he said.

-ABC News' Arthur Jones II

Feb 27, 2025, 11:13 AM EST

Trump meets with Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made controversial remarks about women during commencement speech

President Donald Trump met with Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker Thursday morning at the White House, according to a post on X

Butker made headlines last year after giving a commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he said women receiving their degrees were most likely more excited to get married and have kids, attacked President Joe Biden for his abortion stance and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (R) poses with her guest Kansas City Chiefs' kicker Harrison Butker in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Feb. 27, 2025.
Ron Sachs/POOLEPA via Shutterstock

He attended the meeting with former President Joe Biden last year with the team to celebrate its 2024 Super Bowl victory, but didn't publicly speak with the former president.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

Feb 27, 2025, 10:36 AM EST

Senate Judiciary Committee advances nomination of Trump's attorney to be Deputy AG

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Todd Blanche, the attorney who represented President Donald Trump in his New York City criminal case, to serve as deputy attorney general Thursday morning by a vote of 12-10.

All Republicans on the panel voted to advance Blanche's nomination. All Democrats opposed.

Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general nominee for President Donald Trump, during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, Feb. 12, 2025.
Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

This will allow Blanche's nomination to be brought up for a Senate floor vote. He will likely be confirmed.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Feb 27, 2025, 10:11 AM EST

Senate committee advances Labor secretary nomination

The Senate Health Education Labor and Pension’s committee voted to advance Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination to serve as Labor Secretary Thursday by a vote of 13-9.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. President Trump's nominee to be secretary of labor, testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Maggie Hassan and John Hickenlooper voted to advance her nomination. Republican Sen. Rand Paul voted against her.

Her nomination will now head to the Senate floor, where she is expected to be confirmed.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

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