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Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump defends tariffs, declines to comment on Ukraine aid

Trump said tariffs will be the "greatest thing we've ever done as a country."

Last Updated: March 9, 2025, 8:31 PM EDT

President Donald Trump is defending his decision to pause some tariffs to Canada and Mexico for another month -- a notable reversal after imposing historic levies on the key U.S. trading partners earlier this week, causing markets to tumble.

On Friday, Trump signed more executive orders at the White House before he convened a first-ever cryptocurrency summit with industry leaders.

Mar 03, 2025, 2:27 PM EST

First lady Melania Trump implores Congress to pass the ‘Take It Down’ Act

First lady Melania Trump made her first public remarks of Trump's second administration Monday afternoon, hosting a roundtable in support of the "Take It Down" Act which is intended to criminalize the publication of deepfake and non-consensual pornography and require platforms to remove such content.

"It's heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges imposed by malicious online content, like deep fakes," Trump said.

First lady Melania Trump, Senator Ted Cruz, Elliston Berry and other officials attend a roundtable discussion on the "Take it Down Act," a legislation against revenge porn, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 3, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Trump called attention to a 15-year-old victim of fake non-consensual images who was present at the roundtable, among other victim advocates.

In imploring Congress to prioritize this Act -- which has passed the Senate but not the House -- the first lady also made a point to call out Democrats.

"I must admit, however, I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue," she said. "Surely as adults, we can prioritize America's children ahead of partisan politics."

Trump was joined by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who is a sponsor of the bill and delivered opening remarks, saying there is "no more important issue for our first lady to lean on than protecting children online."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was also present.

Mar 03, 2025, 1:09 PM EST

Elon Musk to attend Trump's joint session of Congress

Elon Musk will be in the chamber Tuesday evening for President Donald Trump's address, ABC News has confirmed.

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

--ABC News' Mary Bruce

Mar 03, 2025, 12:42 PM EST

Republican rep introduces bill to make English official language of US

After President Donald Trump signed an executive order making English the official language of the U.S., an Alabama Republican has proposed a bill to ensure the policy becomes permanent federal law.

Rep. Robert Aderholt introduced the bill, "Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025," on Monday.

The bill seeks to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization and provide clarity in the interpretation of U.S. laws, according to Aderholt.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP, FILE

"America has always been a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and languages," Aderholt wrote in a statement. "However, throughout our history, English has remained the common thread uniting us as one nation. By designating English as the official language of the United States, we are reinforcing our commitment to a shared national identity and ensuring clear and effective communication across all levels of government."

-ABC News' John R. Parkinson

Mar 03, 2025, 11:46 AM EST

Zelenskyy must express 'regret' for volatile White House meeting: Trump national security advisor

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump and his national security team will have a "broad discussion of what's next" for Ukraine when they meet Monday, following Friday's explosive Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Waltz expressed support for European efforts to negotiate peace, saying "we welcome the Europeans taking a lead on European security."

Waltz told Fox News the Trump administration wants Zelenskyy to express "regret" for the volatile meeting.

"What we need to hear from President Zelensky is that he has regret for what happened, he's ready to sign this mineral deal, and that he's ready to engage in peace talks. I don't think that's too much to ask," Waltz said.

PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attend a joint press conference with President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in the East Room at the White House, Feb. 24, 2025 in Washington.
Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for Middle East Steve Witcoff attend a joint press conference with President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in the East Room at the White House, Feb. 24, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Waltz also said the administration expects both sides to make concessions, broadly outlining what that might look like.

"I think a lot of people can see what those roughly will be; in terms of security guarantee for some type of territorial concessions, those broad outlines are evident," he said. "Does both sides have the will to sit down and drive this towards peace? That's President Trump's objective. That's what he was elected to do, and that's what we're ready to do and trying to do right now."

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

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