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
Trump Education Department launches 'End DEI' site
The Department of Education on Thursday opened an "End DEI" portal for people to submit discrimination-based complaints related to schools.
The new website comes as a 1,000-word "Dear Colleague" letter sent by acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor emphasized that the agency will strictly enforce the Title VI civil rights laws that hold schools accountable for racial discrimination.
The letter is critical of DEI practices and programs.
The website reads "Schools Should be Focused on Learning" and has four boxes to fill out, including email, school district, ZIP code and description of the complaint. At the bottom of the site, users can also upload an optional file.
-ABC News' Arthur Jones II
CIA can move forward with dismissal of intel officers who worked on DEI, judge rules
A federal judge on Thursday ruled that two of America's marquee intelligence agencies could move forward for now with the dismissal of 19 intelligence officers who worked in some capacity on DEI initiatives.
U.S. Judge Anthony Trenga, a George W. Bush-era appointee, denied a bid by the intelligence officers to temporarily halt their dismissal from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, ruling that leaders of those agencies have broad discretion to hire and fire who they please.
Trenga's order paves the way for CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to dismiss dozens of intelligence officers over their past work on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs within the agencies, including those involved in recruitment and human resources.
Kevin Carroll, an attorney for the plaintiffs, had argued that the officers "simply followed congressional mandates and a previous President's orders regarding DEIA" and that the new administration lacked authority to dismiss them under those terms.
Several of the intelligence officers had worked only part-time on DEI initiatives. In at least one case, a newly onboarded officer was told she was going to be assigned to work on a DEI program and was dismissed before she had even begun.
Carroll sought a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the administration from firing those 51 officials. Trenga denied that bid Thursday, but the case will continue to be litigated.
-ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman
Johnson says 'stay tuned' about Musk visit to Capitol Hill
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday that conversations continue about Elon Musk coming to Capitol Hill to address members about DOGE and his efforts to shrink the federal government.
Johnson told reporters Musk is anxious to speak with Congressional Republicans and "stay tuned" for an upcoming meeting.
"We haven't worked out logistics and he might be waiting on me, but we're going to propose some meeting times and dates and have him over here to explain this to the members," he said.
-ABC News' Arthur Jones II
Trump meets with Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made controversial remarks about women during commencement speech
President Donald Trump met with Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker Thursday morning at the White House, according to a post on X
Butker made headlines last year after giving a commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he said women receiving their degrees were most likely more excited to get married and have kids, attacked President Joe Biden for his abortion stance and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He attended the meeting with former President Joe Biden last year with the team to celebrate its 2024 Super Bowl victory, but didn't publicly speak with the former president.
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie