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.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, Emily Chang, Ivan Pereira, William Mansell, Sarah Beth Hensley, Jon Haworth, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: March 2, 2025, 11:08 PM EST

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:

Here's how the news is developing:
Feb 28, 2025, 3:12 PM EST

More details on Trump-Zelenskyy parting after blow up

After their blow up in the Oval Office, Zelensky left right after the press was escorted out and went to a holding room, a White House official told ABC News.

The president then allegedly huddled with his team, and the president demanded he leave the White House and come back when he's serious, according to the official.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz informed Zelenskyy of the president's decision, the official said.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce

Feb 28, 2025, 2:30 PM EST

Zelenskyy issues statement after leaving White House

Zelenskyy released a statement on X following his departure from the White House.

"Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaves the White House after meeting with US President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, Feb. 28, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Feb 28, 2025, 2:25 PM EST

Key takeaways from blow-up between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy at the White House

With Ukraine's future in the balance, a high-stakes meeting on Friday between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Zelenskyy devolved into a shouting match.

The stunning exchange, before cameras and one unlike any other in the Oval Office in modern times, saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance rebuke Zelenskyy for his handling of the war, again falsely blaming the Ukrainian leader for a conflict that began when Russia's Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion.

Zelenskyy was in Washington to sign an agreement that would give U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral resources. But after the Oval Office spat, Trump issued a terse statement claiming Zelenskyy wasn't ready for peace and the Ukrainian leader left the White House shortly after.

Read more about the key takeaways from the explosive meeting here.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as U.S. Vice President JD Vance reacts at the White House in Washington, Feb. 28, 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/pool/epa-efe/shutt/JIM LO SCALZO/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutt

Feb 28, 2025, 2:12 PM EST

White House official claims Zelenskyy was asked to leave

Trump asked Zelenskyy to leave after their Oval Office exchange, a White House official told ABC News.

The mineral deal was not signed today as planned, the White House also said.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce, Molly Nagle and Hannah Demissie

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