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
Acting IRS commissioner sends retirement email
The acting IRS commissioner announced his resignation internally on Tuesday, according to copies of the internal email obtained by ABC News, and a new acting commissioner has been announced by the Treasury Department.
Douglas O'Donnell's retirement, which takes effect Friday, comes in the middle of tax filing season and amid thousands of layoffs at the agency.
In his email, O'Donnell cited family reasons for his decision, writing that he considered it multiple times in the past.
"I assist in caring for my mother and mother-in-law, but they are both in declining health and I have been much less available than a son or son-in-law should be. My spouse and sisters have picked up the slack, and I need to do my part," he said in the email.
O'Donnell also gave a shoutout to those with whom he has worked and to the administrative staff in the offices.
"To all of you, I am grateful for your patience, support and courage in the face of adversity," he said.
O'Donnell added that he recommended to the Treasury Department that Melanie Krause be selected as the new acting director, and it agreed.
-ABC News' Olivia Rubin and Ben Siegel
Trump says US-Ukraine deal will be 'very big'
When asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., on Friday, President Donald Trump floated a "very big deal" incoming.
"I hear that he's coming on Friday. Certainly it's OK with me if he'd like to. And he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that's a big deal, a very big deal," Trump said.
"It's a very big deal. It could be $1 trillion deal," he continued. "It could be whatever. But it's rare earths and other things."
Trump says Musk email is 'somewhat' voluntary, but people could get fired
During a signing of executive orders, President Donald Trump was asked about the email requests sent out to federal employees and whether or not it's mandatory.
"Well, it's somewhat voluntary, but it's also if you don't answer, I guess you get fired," he said.
The president claimed without details that nobody knows who's working for the government and the email would be a way to square that out.
"If they're there and they're working, they're able to say they did five things during work, and that means they're working and they're with us, and they have no further obligation if they're not, it could be there's no such person. It could be that the person's no longer working," he said.
Trump did not elaborate if Elon Musk, who first announced the email and said people had a deadline of Monday night, communicated to him about this claiming "the buck stops here."
"If they don't write back they end up eventually losing their job. We give them extensions," Trump said without elaborating.
US and Ukraine agree to terms on mineral deal
Ukraine and the U.S. have agreed to terms on a deal relating to critical minerals and other resources, according to a senior Ukrainian official.
This comes after the Trump administration demanded Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sign a deal that would have Ukraine pay the U.S. $500 billion through a fund, financed by taking 50% of revenues of Ukraine's resources, including minerals, oil and gas, as well ports and other infrastructure, to which Zelenskyy declined.
-- ABC News' William Gretsky