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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 07, 2025, 3:26 PM EST

Trump signs EO creating World Cup task force

Trump signed an executive order Friday creating a task force for 2026 FIFA World Cup.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the Oval office of the White House in Washington, Mar. 7, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

"It’s a great honor for our country to have it actually. A big deal," he said.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was on hand and touted the economic benefits of the tournament and gave Trump one of the official balls.

"We are here to create and make the best show on the planet ever," he said.

Mar 07, 2025, 2:52 PM EST

DC homeless encampment cleared after Trump complaints

Washington, D.C., officials cleared a homeless encampment on Friday that had drawn criticism from Trump, although city officials said the removal was already scheduled before his social media remarks.

Earlier in the week, Trump wrote on his social media platform, "We have notified the Mayor of Washington, D.C., that she must clean up all of the unsightly homeless encampments in the City, specifically including the ones outside of the State Department, and near the White House. If she is not capable of doing so, we will be forced to do it for her! Washington, D.C. must become CLEAN and SAFE!"

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to the post, saying, "We always clear homeless encampments. We always do. We do it according to protocols that have worked in the District that won't have the effect of just moving people around, but trying to get them housed."

Many of the encampments that Trump cited in a Truth Social post were on federal property, which falls outside the city's jurisdiction.

City officials told ABC News the clearance had been delayed due to weather. D.C.'s previous encampment removals have drawn criticism from local activists for years.

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson

Mar 07, 2025, 2:04 PM EST

Trump says he's not yet considering pardon for Derek Chauvin

Several conservative media personalities, including Ben Shapiro, have called on the president to pardon Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted of killing George Floyd in 2020.

He was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison in 2021.

President Donald Trump was asked if he was considering that pardon and responded, "No, I haven't even heard about it."

President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Mar. 7, 2025.
Leah Millis/Reuters

Mar 07, 2025, 1:17 PM EST

Federal Reserve chair says economy is in a 'good place' despite uncertainty

The U.S. economy is in a "good place" despite "elevated levels of uncertainty" from new policies, including tariffs, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in a closely-watched speech on Friday.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at the 2025 U.S. Monetary Policy Forum, Mar. 7, 2025 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Powell reiterated the Federal Reserve does "not need to be in a hurry" to cut interest rates, as it waits for clarity on "significant policy changes" from the Trump administration on trade, immigration, fiscal policy and regulation.


"As we parse the incoming information, we are focused on separating the signal from the noise as the outlook evolves. We do not need to be in a hurry, and are well positioned to wait for greater clarity," Powell said.

-ABC News' Elizabeth Schulze

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