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.
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:
- White House excludes low-value shipments from looming Canada, Mexico tariffs
- Kennedy stops short of calling for vaccines amid measles outbreak
- Intel community has concerns Russia, China could target fired employees
- Trump's doctor says he'll have annual physical exam 'next month'
- White House backs Israel blocking aid to Gaza
Zelenskyy says mineral deal with US is agreed in principle, emphasizes need for security guarantees
During a press conference, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the mineral deal with the U.S. is agreed to in principle.
He said the current minerals deal is a “framework” agreement and does not contain security guarantees, but added that the deal was intended to open the way to discussing broader agreements with the U.S. and other countries that must include security guarantees.
Zelenskyy warned that no “real ceasefire” or peace deal will be possible without real security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also said that he did not know what the U.S. was ready to offer yet, and that he wants to discuss it with President Donald Trump. In regards to his visit to Washington, D.C., on Friday, Zelenskyy said he hopes to and expressed that both countries were still discussing the matter.
– ABC News’ Patrick Reevell
Trump says all cabinet members are 'extremely happy' with Musk
Ahead of President Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting Wednesday morning, the president said that members of his cabinet are "extremely happy" with Elon Musk.
"ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON. The Media will see that at the Cabinet Meeting this morning!!!" Trump wrote on his social media platform.
-- ABC News' Hannah Demissie
Trump to hold 1st Cabinet meeting
At 11 a.m. ET, President Donald Trump is holding the first meeting of his Cabinet since his inauguration.
The room will be field with officials confirmed by the Senate to lead key agencies but also Elon Musk, who is not a Cabinet member but has garnered a high status in the administration as a "special government employee" overseeing DOGE.
The meeting comes after senior White House officials were initially caught off guard by a Musk directive that federal employees email details of their work, ABC News reported. The directive also created tension with Cabinet heads, as some agency heads told employees not to respond until they were briefed on the situation themselves.
Read more here.
Trump threatens to sue journalists who use 'anonymous' sourcing
President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform a threat to sue journalists who use "anonymous" sourcing in their reporting.
Trump aired frustration with books and stories being published "with the so-called 'anonymous,' or 'off the record,' quotes."
He continued, "At some point I am going to sue some of these dishonest authors and book publishers, or even media in general, to find out whether or not these 'anonymous sources' even exist."
Trump said he might even enact a law against anonymous sourcing.
"They are made up, defamatory fiction, and a big price should be paid for this blatant dishonesty. I'll do it as a service to our Country. Who knows, maybe we will create some NICE NEW LAW!!!" he wrote.
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie