Trump 2nd term updates: Trump attends the Super Bowl

Trump becomes the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl.

Last Updated: February 9, 2025, 7:18 PM EST

President Donald Trump's second administration continued its swift recasting of the federal government, prompting pushback from Democrats and legal challenges.

The president said Sunday that he will announce tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum on Monday but didn't say when they'll take effect.

Trump, meanwhile, is at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday night to take in the Super Bowl. Trump picked the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in an interview aired before the game on Fox.

Key headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Feb 03, 2025, 5:12 PM EST

'Very pleased': Trump on decision to pause Canada tariffs for 30 days

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a pause in the U.S. tariffs, President Donald Trump released his own statement on Truth Social regarding the decision.

"Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country," he wrote.

"As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that," he added. "I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured. FAIRNESS FOR ALL!"

Read more here.

Feb 03, 2025, 5:01 PM EST

Key Senate Republican says she will support Tulsi Gabbard for DNI

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has announced she intends to support Tulsi Gabbard to be Trump's director of national intelligence.

Collins was considered a key swing vote for Tuesday's vote in the Senate Intelligence Committee on whether to advance Gabbard's nomination.

Republican Senator from Maine Susan Collins walks in the Ohio Clock Corridor in the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 23 2025.
Allison Dinner/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The panel will vote on Gabbard during a closed-door meeting at 2 p.m. If Gabbard clears the committee, which Collins' support will likely help her to do, her final confirmation vote will occur on the Senate floor likely next week.

Collins said in a statement that Gabbard "addressed" her concerns regarding Gabbard's position on Edward Snowden, a topic that dominated her confirmation hearing last week. She also said Gabbard shares her view for reforming the intelligence agency.

"As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the Intelligence Community," Collins said. "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, however, has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Feb 03, 2025, 4:29 PM EST

Musk a 'special government employee' but unclear if he passed background check

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Elon Musk is classified as a "special government employee" but could not say if he passed a background check.

"I can confirm he's a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws," Leavitt said. "As for his security clearance, I'm not sure, but I can check back with you."

She also said she did not know if Musk's aides at the Department of Government Efficiency have a security clearance, or if Musk took the oath of office that White House officials such as herself take.

Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk arrives for the Inauguration of Donald J. Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Pool via Reuters

Reporters asked Leavitt if Musk had expertise in global health and humanitarian aid considering DOGE's role in shuttering the doors at USAID.

"Well, first of all, Elon Musk is a once-in-a-generation business leader. He is an entrepreneur. He serves as a great ally and a friend to the president," Leavitt responded. "And I think Elon Musk also has a little bit of common sense, and I think the American people really appreciate that when it comes to the federal government, because it seems like all common sense has been lost in this city, and that's what you see when you look at USAID."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Feb 03, 2025, 3:19 PM EST

Protest held outside OPM in opposition to Elon Musk

Protesters were in front of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Monday in opposition to Elon Musk's aides gaining access to federal human resources databases that contain sensitive information for millions of federal employees.

People gather to protest outside the headquarters of the Office of Personnel Management after the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency was charged with oversight of OPM, in Washington, Feb. 2, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Keya Chatterjee, the executive director of the local nonprofit Free DC, told ABC News an "administrative coup" is taking place where "the president has become a puppet of Musk."

"This kind of consolidation of power can lead to a really dangerous outcomes. We’ve seen it in different countries and now is the moment to roll this back," Chatterjee said.

People gather to protest outside the headquarters of the Office of Personnel Management after the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency was charged with oversight of OPM, in Washington, Feb. 2, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters

The majority of the roughly 20 protesters were covered from head to toe to conceal their identities and were hesitant to speak with the media. Some spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

“We decided we need to grab some people every morning this week and just do a small rally or picket in front of boarding other agencies that are being attacked, and just make it known that we do not support this and we have those First Amendment rights to speak out against that, because a lot of federal workers don't think they have rights," one federal worker told ABC News.

-ABC News' Rebecca Gelpi

Sponsored Content by Taboola