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, 4:44 PM EST

House Speaker Mike Johnson praises Trump for 'putting America first'

House Speaker Mike Johnson is praising Trump for his meeting at the White House with Zelenskyy.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivers remarks after the House passed the Republican's budget resolution on the spending bill on Feb. 25, 2025 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

"Thanks to President Trump - the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER," Johnson wrote on X. "The death and destruction of the Russian-provoked war needs to stop immediately, and only our American President can put these two countries on a path to lasting peace. President Zelenskyy needed to acknowledge that, and accept the extraordinary mineral rights partnership proposal that President Trump put on the table."

"What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first," he added.

Feb 28, 2025, 4:34 PM EST

'Trump threw Zelenskyy under the bus': Eurasia Group president

Ian Bremmer, the president of Eurasia Group, told ABC News that “Trump threw Zelenskyy under the bus.”

"All the Europeans are now standing up for Ukraine -- but how much they can do and how quickly is a critical question. It’s a clear break inside NATO -- starting from Munich and now directly from the U.S. president," he said.

"Trump is much more likely now to cut a deal directly with Putin, over the heads of allies. It’s a nightmare scenario for them," Bremmer added.

-ABC News' Selina Wang

Feb 28, 2025, 4:31 PM EST

Russian officials cheer Oval Office spat between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy

Russian officials are cheering President Trump and Vice President JD Vance's rebuking of Zelenskyy at the White House.

"A fierce scolding in the Oval Office," said Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president who currently serves as deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

"The ungrateful pig got a hard slap in the face from the owners of the pigsty. It's useful," Medvedev added.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's assistant and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, who took part in the recent talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia, commented on the video of the dispute between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office: "Historic."

-ABC News' Joseph Simonetti

Feb 28, 2025, 4:28 PM EST

Over 500 NOAA probationary staff cut, 800 more to come: Union

The union representing NOAA and National Weather Service staffers told ABC News that they've been informed of 586 probationary employees terminated from NOAA Thursday, with 108 of those cuts coming from the National Weather Service.

"We understand that an additional 800 NOAA probationary employees may be terminated this afternoon," National Weather Service Employees Organization General Counsel Richard Hirn told ABC News in an emailed statement.

NOAA declined to confirm the number of staffers affected by the cuts in a statement to ABC News earlier today, saying they "don't discuss personnel matters."

-ABC News' Kelly Livingston

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