APPLENEWS - STORY ADD

Trump admin live updates: Judge releases Venezuelan couple accused of being gang members, rips government evidence

He headed to the new military immigration enforcement area without reporters.

A federal judge ordered a Venezuelan couple, accused by the Trump administration of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang, to be released, delivering a stinging rebuke of the government's evidence in the case.

Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday was making an announced trip to the southern border -- without reporters -- as he faces new scrutiny in Washington.

ABC News has confirmed that, in at least two separate meetings, Hegseth accused top-ranking military officers of leaking to the news media and threatened to polygraph them.

Hegseth also used the Signal app on a personal computer in his office that was connected to the internet on an unsecured commercial line, what's known as a "dirty line," two sources confirmed to ABC News Thursday. A Pentagon spokesman called that report "fake news."


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Trump goes after lawyer representing Harvard, who also represents the Trump Organization

In his criticism of Harvard, President Trump also went after one of his lawyers, Bill Burck, saying he should be forced to resign or fired for simultaneously representing Harvard University in their lawsuit against the administration.

Burck, a Republican lawyer with deep ties to the Trump administration, has been serving as the Trump Organization's outside ethics adviser since January. His firm has Quinn Emanuel has juggled multiple representations -- whether their clients are on Trump's side or not. The firm has represented Elon Musk, but also, for example, represents Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

"Harvard is a threat to Democracy, with a lawyer, who represents me, who should therefore be forced to resign, immediately, or be fired. He’s not that good, anyway, and I hope that my very big and beautiful company, now run by my sons, gets rid of him ASAP!" Trump wrote on his social media platform on Thursday morning.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders


Trump calls Harvard a 'threat to democracy'

President Trump is continuing to lash out at Harvard University in a new social media post on Thursday morning.

"Harvard is an Anti-Semitic, Far Left Institution, as are numerous others, with students being accepted from all over the World that want to rip our Country apart," he claimed on his conservative social media site. "The place is a Liberal mess, allowing a certain group of crazed lunatics to enter and exit the classroom and spew fake ANGER AND HATE. It is truly horrific!"

"Harvard is a threat to Democracy," Trump added.

The comments come as Harvard continues to defy the Trump administration's demands regarding campus policies and governance.


Trump to host Norwegian prime minister Thursday

President Donald Trump is scheduled on Thursday to host Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at the White House.

The pair will have lunch in the cabinet room, then hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, according to the White House.

Gahr Store on Thursday said his priorities for the meeting included discussing security and defense policy, along with ways the U.S. and Norway can "contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine."

"It is also natural that tariffs and trade will be a topic," he said in a social media post in Norwegian. "Norway's view is clear: We believe that increased tariffs are bad news for the world economy and a small, open economy like Norway."

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie


Trump to mark first 100 days in Michigan

Trump will travel to Michigan on Tuesday to mark 100 days in office, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on X Wednesday evening.

"President Trump is excited to return to the great state of Michigan next Tuesday, where he will rally in Macomb County to celebrate the FIRST 100 DAYS!," Leavitt wrote.

This will be Trump's first official domestic trip since returning to the White House and his first time in the battleground state since taking office.

Trump last traveled to Michigan in November for his final campaign rally in Grand Rapids.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie