Trump admin updates: White House asks court to stay order to ground deportation flights

Video shows deportees in El Salvador after a judge ordered flights to stop.

Last Updated: March 16, 2025, 5:36 PM EDT

The White House has asked a federal circuit court to stay a district court's temporary restraining orderthat blocked President Donald Trump from using the Alien Enemies act to deport noncitizens, including alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Meanwhile, the fallout over Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats voting with Republicans to avert a government shutdown continued, with some in Schumer's party calling for new leadership while others defended him, but said the party needed to use new tactics and new messaging.

And Trump signed an executive order on Saturday that rescinded 19 executive actions issued by former President Joe Biden's administration on gender, labor policies and industry regulations, bringing the number of Biden's actions reversed by Trump to nearly 100.

Mar 14, 2025, 4:07 PM EDT

Trump, DOJ allies decry alleged 'weaponization' of agency in ceremony

President Donald Trump visited the Department of Justice headquarters Friday with Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI director Kash Patel and repeated his now familiar accusation that the Justice Department was "weaponized" to attack him.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

"We must be honest about the lies and abuses that have occurred within these walls. Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated that trust and goodwill built up over generations," he said.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The event, which mirrored his campaign rallies, included props such as bags of drugs and boxes labeled "DEA EVIDENCE" in large font.

-ABC News' Alexander Mallin

Mar 14, 2025, 2:17 PM EDT

Jeffries dodges questions about Schumer's leadership

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer twice during a news conference Friday, once if it was time for new leadership in the Senate and another time when he was asked about his confidence in Schumer.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks alongside Reps. Pete Aguilar and Katherine Clark during a press conference on Capitol Hill March 14, 2025.
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP

"Next question," Jeffries replied both times.

Mar 14, 2025, 1:51 PM EDT

DC officials warn of 'devastating' budget cuts if bill to avert shutdown passes

School closures, emergency services furloughs, and disruptions of metro service are among the crises D.C. officials are now warning of if this temporary government funding measure passes, a city council member told ABC News.

“It would be devastating,” Zachary Parker, Ward 5 Councilmember, said. “It would mean cuts to Metro that services the entire DMV region. It means closing and shuttering schools and programs. It means having to furlough police officers at a time where we're continuing to drive down violent crime in the district.”

The stopgap funding measure House Republicans passed and the Senate will take up Friday doesn’t just avert a shutdown, it strips Washington, D.C., of $1 billion.

A US flag flies near the dome of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, February 25, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Now, D.C. leaders are in the awkward political position of advocating for a government shutdown to protect many of the city’s vital services.

“I'm advocating for Senate Democrats to meet this moment. If that means a shutdown, then that is what we are asking them to do,” Parker said.

--ABC News' Jay O'Brien, Beatrice Peaterson

Mar 14, 2025, 1:35 PM EDT

11 arrested outside Schumer's office as activists, parents urge Congress to reject continuing resolution

Activists, parents and D.C. lawmakers launched an all-out blitz on Capitol Hill Friday, culminating in the arrest of 11 people outside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office, Capitol Police confirmed to ABC News. The demonstration was organized by the Sunrise Movement, which called for action in response to Schumer's support of the Trump-Johnson budget.

Sunrise said its protest was following the Senate leader’s announcement Thursday that he's supporting the funding bill. "Schumer staff locked the office doors and young people sat-in outside the office demanding he face the people that his actions will affect for years to come," Sunrise said in a statement.

“This is bigger than politics. It’s about protecting our communities, our democracy, and our planet from corruption and corporate greed. Schumer must fight back—now,” Sunrise Movement Executive Director Aru Shiney Ajay said in a statement.

PHOTO: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, March 11, 2025.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks with reporters as Republicans work to pass an interim spending bill that would avoid a partial government shutdown and keep federal agencies funded through September, at the Capitol in Washington, March 11, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Capitol Police told ABC News, “At about 9:50 a.m., 11 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating in the Hart Senate Office Building. ... It is against the law to protest inside the Congressional Buildings.”

--ABC News' Arthur Jones

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