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 28, 2025, 1:26 PM EST

Trump says Zelenskyy 'not ready for peace'

Minutes after the blow up between Zelenskyy and Trump, the president released a statement on Truth Social that further bashed the Ukrainian president.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

"I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace," he wrote.

Zelenskyy was slated to sign a deal that would give the U.S. rare minerals from his country.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Feb 28, 2025, 1:21 PM EST

Zelenskyy has thanked Trump in the past

Vance charged that the Ukrainian president has never thanked Trump for his support, but that is not true.

The Ukrainian president congratulated Trump after he won his election in November and as late as last week thanking him for his support even after Trump called him a dictator.

"As for President Trump, with all due respect to him as a leader of the American people, who we deeply respect and are thankful for all his support, but President Trump, unfortunately, is living in this disinformation space," Zelenskyy said last week.

Feb 28, 2025, 1:17 PM EST

Zelenskyy calls Putin a terrorist

Prior to the blow-up between Trump and Vance and Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president thanked Trump for supporting his country and had some harsh words for Putin.

"I really count on your strong position to stop Putin, and you said that enough with the war. I think that's very important being to say these words to Putin at the very beginning, at the very beginning of war, because he is a killer and terrorist. But I hope that together we can stop him," Zelenskyy said.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

"We know that Europe is ready, but without the United States, they will not be ready to be as strong as we need," the Ukrainian president added.

Feb 28, 2025, 12:50 PM EST

Zelenskyy gets into heated argument with Trump, Vance

Vance and Zelenskyy got into a heated argument over Ukraine with the vice president interrupting him as he fact checking them over their history.

"You have never been to Ukraine," Zelenskyy told Vance.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as U.S. Vice President JD Vance reacts at the White House in Washington, Feb. 28, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

"I have actually, I've actually watched and seen the stories and I know it," Vance responded alleging Zelenskyy went on a "propaganda tour."

Trump chimed in and took Vance's side, raising his voice against Zelenskyy

"Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel," Trump said.

"I'm not telling you," the Ukrainian president responded.

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