Trump pauses tariffs on both Mexico and Canada until April after calls with Sheinbaum and Trudeau: Live

Yahoo

06-03-2025

Donald Trump has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico and Canada for a month after speaking with the leaders of both nations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called their call 'excellent and respectful', while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada described a conversation yesterday between him and Trump as 'colorful' and said he expects the two countries to be in a trade war for the foreseeable future.
Trump earlier agreed to grant the U.S. auto sector a one-month exemption from levies on Canadian and Mexican goods after he came under pressure from the CEOs of America's carmakers. This is the latest twist in fast-shifting trade policy rattling financial markets and business leaders.
The president abruptly called a Cabinet meeting on Thursday to clarify the role of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency after they faced significant pushback from courts regarding the authority to order mass firings of federal government workers.
Trump instructed Cabinet secretaries to work with DOGE on cost-cutting measures, but the department will act in an advisory capacity, and Musk has no authority to order layoffs — that responsibility lies with department leadership.
Trump characterized it as using a 'scalpel' rather than wielding a 'hatchet.'
Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican and Canadian goods for a month
Musk has no authority to fire federal workers, Trump tells Cabinet — but they do
Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican goods for a month
Trump-Trudeau tariff call got heated and included 'profanity,' report says
Mexico's Sheinbaum thanks Trump in social media post after he backtracks on tariffs
Texas Democrat Al Green censured for protesting Trump speech
20:48 , Oliver O'Connell
In his nightly address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday and his team would stay on to hold talks with U.S. officials.
'I am scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace,' Zelensky said.
20:42 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was granting a month-long reprieve on unilaterally ordering tax increases on some goods imported from Mexico and Canada that will expire on April 2, when he is set to order reciprocal tariffs on imports from a broad range of countries.
After a telephone call with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum earlier in the day, Trump said he was granting an exemption on any goods imported into the U.S. that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement that he negotiated during his first term.
Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House.
Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican and Canadian goods for a month
20:35 , Oliver O'Connell
A detention center in Texas is reopening after the Trump administration prepares to restart the detention of migrant families and kids — a move that advocates worry could usher in another 'dark chapter' in America's treatment of immigrants.
CoreCivic, a company that manages the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, announced Wednesday that it reached an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reactivate the facility.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump admin resumes detention of migrant families and kids
20:25 , Oliver O'Connell
A federal judge in Minnesota is holding MyPillow founder and MAGA election-denier Mike Lindell in contempt of court for failing to hand over financial documents and other discovery material in the defamation lawsuit brought by voting software firm Smartmatic.
Justin Baragona reports on this developing story.
Judge finds MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell in contempt in Smartmatic defamation lawsuit
20:20 , Oliver O'Connell
President Trump signs modifications on tariffs to protect American car manufacturers and American farmers: "It basically makes it more fair for our car manufacturers... during this interim period between now and April 2nd." pic.twitter.com/qtmzxdEeVn
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 6, 2025
20:14 , Reuters
President Donald Trump on Thursday exempted goods from both Canada and Mexico under a North American trade pact for a month from the 25% tariffs that he had imposed earlier this week, the latest twist in fast-shifting trade policy that has whipsawed financial markets and business leaders.
The exemption, which will expire on April 2, covers both of the two largest U.S. trading partners. Trump had earlier only mentioned an extension for Mexico, but the amended tariffs order — initially issued on Tuesday — covers Canada as well.
20:05 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump is planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, according to a senior administration official.
The move, confirmed to Reuters by the official and three other sources, potentially leaves the refugees open to being swiftly deported back home amid the ongoing war.
According to the outlet, the revocations could begin as early as April and come in stark contrast to the welcome to those escaping the conflict that was rolled out by the Biden administration.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Trump plans to revoke legal status for thousands Ukrainians who fled Russian invasion
19:55 , Oliver O'Connell
🚨 NEW: President Donald J. Trump announces a new $20 billion investment in the United States by shipping giant CMA CGM for "shipping logistics, infrastructure, and terminals, which will create an estimated 10,000 new jobs in America." pic.twitter.com/uV3mLTbppQ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 6, 2025
19:34 , Oliver O'Connell
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump confirmed reports that he abruptly called a Cabinet meeting to clarify the role of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency in relation to the actual appointed heads of federal government departments.
The president wrote:
The Golden Age of America has just begun! Over the past six weeks, our Administration has delivered on promises like no Administration before it, always putting America First! DOGE has been an incredible success, and now that we have my Cabinet in place, I have instructed the Secretaries and Leadership to work with DOGE on Cost Cutting measures and Staffing. As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go. We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet.' The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level.
We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one. It's very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it's also important to keep the best and most productive people. We're going to have these meetings every two weeks until that aspect of this very necessary job is done. The relationships between everybody in that room are extraordinary. They all want to get to the exact same place, which is, simply, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
19:26 , Oliver O'Connell
CNN's Boris Sanchez challenged Republican Rep. Brandon Gill about the supposed transparency of Elon Musk and the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Gill contended: 'Musk has been very public about what he's doing. He posts about it on his X feed almost every single day.'
Sanchez responded: 'I do wonder about some of what has been posted because a lot of it has been proven to be completely inaccurate. This wall of receipts that Doge has on its website has been riddled with errors, many of which they've corrected themselves, confusing billions with millions, triple counting contracts that they've eliminated. They've taken credit for ending programs that were ended in November when Joe Biden was president, even going back as far as 2005 when George W Bush was president. So it goes back to the question of transparency. You're arguing that Musk is being transparent, but a lot of what's come out is wrong or false.
Awkward.
Gill: Musk has been very public about what he's doing. He posts about it on his X feed almost every single day. Sanchez: I do wonder about some of what has been posted, because a lot of it has been proven to be completely inaccurate. This wall of receipts that doge has on its… pic.twitter.com/2C3sT3uL3y
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2025
19:17 , Oliver O'Connell
Politico reports that President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet in person today to make something clear to those present — that they are each in charge of their departments, not Elon Musk.
Two administration officials told the outlet that Trump clarified to top members of his administration that Musk was empowered to make recommendations to the departments but not to issue unilateral decisions on staffing and policy.
Musk, who supposedly heads the Department of Government Efficiency except apparently in legal documents, was also present at the meeting.
Mass firings enacted by DOGE have faced numerous court challenges and thrown much of the federal government into a state of uncertainty.
Per Politico:
The president's message represents the first significant move to narrow Musk's mandate. According to Trump's new guidance, DOGE and its staff should play an advisory role — but Cabinet secretaries should make final decisions on personnel, policy and the pacing of implementation.
Musk joined the conversation and indicated he was on board with Trump's directive. According to one person familiar with the meeting, Musk acknowledged that DOGE had made some missteps — a message he shared earlier this week with members of Congress.
19:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Hunter Biden has revealed his dire financial situation following a slump in book and art sales.
The former president's son said his 'dwindling financial resources' have led him to instruct attorneys to request a judge dismiss a lawsuit around the publication of contents of his laptop that was pursuing against a former Donald Trump aide. Hunter added that he can no longer afford to proceed with litigation.
Biden said that his debt was 'in the millions of dollars range' and his income has 'decreased significantly' since late 2023, according to documents filed in federal court in California urging district judge Hernan D. Vera to dismiss the suit against Garrett Ziegler, who published the contents of his laptop in 2020.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Hunter Biden reveals his dire financial situation after lackluster book and art sales
18:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Some Department of Government Efficiency staffers were blocked by staffers from entering an African aid office in the latest clash between federal agencies and the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting arm.
On Wednesday, DOGE workers and ​​Pete Marocco, director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department, arrived at the U.S. African Development Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., to get access and fire employees, according to the Washington Post. The roughly 50-person agency refused to let them inside
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Aid workers block DOGE staffers from entering their small office to fire employees
18:47 , Oliver O'Connell
Todd Blanche has officially been sworn in as Deputy Attorney General 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aXSkvpngSG
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) March 6, 2025
18:43 , Oliver O'Connell
The stock market is down but at least everything is more expensive and services are getting shittier. On the other hand we have more measles. To be fair, they are finally delivering the reductions in FAA and National Parks staff that people have been demanding.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) March 6, 2025
18:39 , Oliver O'Connell
The International Monetary Fund stated on Thursday that if sustained, U.S. tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada will have a significant negative impact on those countries due to their strong integration with the U.S. economy.
IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack the IMF would issue a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of the shift in U.S. trade policy on the global economy, as well as the countries most affected by it, when it releases an updated economic outlook in April during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington.
Kozack, in the IMF's first substantive remarks on recent U.S. trade actions, highlighted the potential effects on Canada and Mexico and stated that it would be essential to determine whether the uncertainty in global markets is temporary or ongoing.
Historically, she said, 'sustained periods of elevated uncertainty can be associated with both households and firms holding back on consumption and investment decisions.'
With reporting from Reuters
18:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Gavin Newsom, the California governor who is seen as a likely 2028 presidential hopeful, is under fire from liberals and progressives for his friendly interview with Charlie Kirk, which featured Newsom agreeing with the MAGA provocateur on trans athlete bans and other culture war issues.
'Gavin Newsom is trash and always has been,' one Bluesky user noted about the Newsom-Kirk sitdown.
Justin Baragona reports.
Liberals torch 'trash' Gavin Newsom for launching podcast with Charlie Kirk interview
18:25 , Oliver O'Connell
Susan Collins on if Trump understands the effects of Canadian tariffs: 'I don't know that he fully appreciates how integrated the economies are in border states with Canada, people cross every single day.'
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) March 6, 2025
18:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Members of Donald Trump's team reportedly held secret discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky's top political opponents days after his fiery White House clash with the Ukrainian president.
At least four senior allies of the US president spoke with Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko and high-ranking party members of Mr Zelensky's predecessor Petro Porshenko, according to Politico, citing three Ukrainian parliamentarians and a US Republican foreign policy expert.
Arpan Rai reports.
Trump allies 'met Zelensky's political rivals' after calling for Ukraine elections
18:18 , Oliver O'Connell
Despite positive news on Trump's tariffs today, with exemptions granted to Mexico and the auto sector, the overall picture of an ongoing trade war has rattled markets.
After sharply falling after the open this morning, the Dow Jones Industrial Average did stage a bit of a recovery, only to fall again by lunch, back to a loss of around 500 points.
18:05 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's relationship continued to sour, with the pair having a heated phone call after the Canadian leader announced retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., according to a new report.
Trump and Trudeau spoke Wednesday, a day after the prime minister said he was implementing 25 percent tariffs on some American exports after the president's sweeping levies came into effect. The call — which Trump told reporters was 'somewhat' friendly — was in fact heated and profanity-laden, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The White House referred The Independent to the president's initial characterization of the call when contacted for comment.
Katie Hawkinson reports from Washington, D.C.
Trump-Trudeau call after tariff announcement got heated with 'profanity,' report says
17:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Some Department of Government Efficiency staffers were blocked by staffers from entering an African aid office in the latest clash between federal agencies and the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting arm.
On Wednesday, DOGE workers and ​​Pete Marocco, director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department, arrived at the U.S. African Development Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., to get access and fire employees, according to The Washington Post. The roughly 50-person agency refused to let them inside.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Aid workers block DOGE staffers from entering their small office to fire employees
17:37 , Oliver O'Connell
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has thanked President Donald Trump for delaying tariffs on U.S. imports of Mexican goods.
Sheinbaum, including Trump's Truth Social post, wrote on X:
Many thanks to President Donald Trump. We had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results, within the framework of respect for our sovereignties. We will continue to work together, particularly on migration and security issues, which include reducing the illegal crossing of fentanyl into the United States, as well as weapons into Mexico. As mentioned by President Trump, Mexico will not be required to pay tariffs on all those products within the USMCA. This agreement is until April 2, when the United States will announce reciprocal tariffs for all countries.
Muchas gracias al presidente Donald Trump. Tuvimos una excelente y respetuosa llamada en la que coincidimos en que nuestro trabajo y colaboración han dado resultados sin precedentes, en el marco de respeto a nuestras soberanías. Continuaremos trabajando juntos, particularmente en… pic.twitter.com/JzD9jkm8tz
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) March 6, 2025
17:30 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump is walking back his tariff plan and now has granted a month-long reprieve for some goods imported from Mexico after a Thursday telephone call with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump said he was issuing an exemption on any goods imported into the U.S. that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement that he negotiated during his first term.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C.
Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican goods for a month
17:10 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump is reportedly set to sign an executive order that could kickstart the process of dismantling the Department of Education as soon as Thursday.
While only Congress — not the president — has the power to shutter the department, Trump's executive order could set the process in motion.
Katie Hawkinson looks at what happens to your student loans if Trump's plan comes to fruition.
What will happen to student loans if the Department of Education is closed down?
17:03 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump is set to sign an order which would initiate the dismantling of the Department of Education, sources familiar with the effort told CNN.
Trump is working alongside Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to dramatically downsize the federal government and White House officials have now prepared an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start breaking up the department, according to the network.
Trump may sign the order as soon as Thursday, but final plans have not yet been made.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump is preparing an executive order to dismantle Education Department
16:50 , Oliver O'Connell
A Pentagon press secretary with a 'long history' of bigoted and antisemitic social media posts faces calls to resign.
Jewish organizations have blasted the appointment of Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, who compared the murders of Israeli infants during the October 7 Hamas attacks to abortion. She has also peddled the antisemitic conspiracy theory about Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman who was wrongly convicted and hanged for the murder of a 13-year-old Georgia girl in 1951.
The 26-year-old MAGA supporter, whose father is longtime Trump advisor and right-wing commentator Steve Cortes, joined the Pentagon's press office in January.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Pentagon press secretary has a 'long history' of bigoted social media posts
16:41 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has announced that most goods from Mexico will be exempt from his 25% tariff plan for four weeks, following a phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The president wrote on Truth Social:
After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement. This Agreement is until April 2nd. I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl. Thank you to President Sheinbaum for your hard work and cooperation!
16:38 , AP
Hampton Dellinger, the fired head of the federal watchdog agency has ended his legal battle to keep his job.
Dellinger announced his decision after the federal appeals court in Washington sided with the Trump administration in removing him as the head of the Office of Special Counsel.
The case had become a flashpoint in the debate over how much power the president should have to replace the leaders of independent agencies as he moves to radically reshape and shrink the federal government.
The case was expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, but justice delayed is justice denied — In the months it would take to get a final ruling, the office 'will be run by someone totally beholden to the President,' he said.
16:30 , Oliver O'Connell
A second federal judge on Thursday extended a block barring the Trump administration from freezing grants and loans potentially totaling trillions of dollars.
U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island granted the preliminary injunction in the lawsuit filed by nearly two dozen Democratic states after a Trump administration plan for a sweeping pause on federal spending stirred up a wave of confusion and anxiety across the United States.
The states say a litany of programs are still waiting for federal funds or some clarity on whether the money is going to be delivered.
Read on...
Second federal judge extends block preventing the Trump administration from freezing funding
16:26 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump told Fox News Digital today that Texas Democratic Rep Al Green 'should be forced to pass an IQ test because he is a low IQ individual and we don't need low IQ individuals in Congress.'
The lawmaker was censured by the House of Representatives today for interrupting the president's speech on Tuesday with shouts of protest about the threat he says Trump poses to the future of Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, the president said: 'He should be censured.' He also called the lawmaker 'a fool and a clown.'
'Nobody takes him seriously,' Trump told the outlet. 'He is an embarrassment to Congress but a much bigger embarrassment to the Democrats.'
16:20 , AP
To President Donald Trump, tariffs are a cure for a number of the nation's ills and the tool to reach new heights.
Most economists see taxes paid on imports as capable of addressing unfair trade practices, but they're skeptical of the quasi-miraculous properties that Trump claims they possess.
On Tuesday, the president launched a trade war against America's three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China.
Continue reading...
How Trump justifies his tariffs: From 'fairness' to budget balancing
16:09 , Oliver O'Connell
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that he expects Canada and the U.S. to be in a trade war for the foreseeable future after what he described as a colorful but constructive conversation with President Donald Trump this week.
Trudeau said the two sides discussed tariffs and that they are 'actively engaged in ongoing conversations in trying to make sure these tariffs don't overly harm' certain sectors and workers. He also reiterated that 'we will not be backing down from our response tariffs until such a time as the unjustified American tariffs are Canadian goods are lifted.'
Trump initiated a new trade war on Tuesday by imposing tariffs on Washington's three largest trading partners, prompting immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada, and China, and causing financial markets to plunge. Trump imposed a 25% tax, or tariff, on Mexican and Canadian imports, while limiting the levy to 10% on Canadian energy.
Trump has since granted a one-month reprieve to U.S. automakers, having spoken with the CEOs of the big three car manufacturers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep.
This morning, Commerce Secretary Howard Ludnick said on CNBC that Trump will decide whether to extend the one-month reprieve to other sectors that are compliant with USMCA rules of origin.
The one-month delay in import taxes 'will likely cover all USMCA- compliant goods and services,' Lutnick said, referring to the trade agreement Trump negotiated in his last term that replaced NAFTA.
Lutnick estimated that more than half of what the U.S. imports from those two countries would be eligible.
There has also been talk of exemptions for certain agricultural products.
Trump is set to speak with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later today, and an announcement could follow that conversation.
Further tariffs will be rolled out on April 2, which the president has described as being reciprocal and seemingly covering all U.S. trading partners, matching their tariffs on American-made goods.
With reporting from the Associated Press.
15:51 , Oliver O'Connell
15:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Some recent new hires at the CIA have been fired, days after a federal judge permitted the Trump administration to terminate intelligence officers working in roles related to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, according to a report.
Some probationary employees have been called to meet at a location away from the agency's Langley, Virginia, headquarters and to surrender their security credentials, sources told the New York Times. The layoffs are part of a wider Department of Government Efficiency-led effort to shrink the federal workforce.
A CIA spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that some officers hired in the last two years have been laid off.
Kelly Rissman has the details.
CIA begins firing spies after judge clears the way
15:36 , Oliver O'Connell
The House has voted to censure Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green for his repeated interruptions of President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.
Gustaf Kilander and Eric Garcia report from Washington, D.C.
Democrat Al Green censured after repeatedly interrupting Trump's speech to Congress
15:32 , Oliver O'Connell
The House of Representatives is currently voting to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) for his interruption of President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.
Here's that moment:
15:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has been accused of 'genocidal rhetoric' after telling the people of Gaza 'you are dead' if Hamas does not release the remaining Israeli hostages.
Jabed Ahmed reports.
Trump accused of 'genocidal rhetoric' after telling Gazans 'you are dead'
15:23 , Oliver O'Connell
The White House has denied a report from Reuters that President Donald Trump will revoke the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainians living in the U.S.
Per Reuters:
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, a senior Trump official and three sources familiar with the matter said, potentially putting them on a fast-track to deportation.
The move, expected as soon as April, would be a stunning reversal of the welcome Ukrainians received under President Joe Biden's administration.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied the report, saying 'no decision has been made at this time.'
This is more fake news from Reuters based on anonymous sources who have no idea what they are talking about. The truth: no decision has been made at this time. pic.twitter.com/djf0CjTfiD
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 6, 2025
15:17 , Oliver O'Connell
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tells CNBC that President Donald Trump is likely to decide today to exempt all USMCA-compliant trade from the Canada and Mexico tariffs for one month — not just the auto industry as announced yesterday.
Things will change again on April 2 when another wave of reciprocal tariffs is scheduled to kick in.
15:10 , Oliver O'Connell
and write:
Officials in Donald Trump's administration have made public demands that Ukraine should change its president.
In private, lobbyists have worked to make the case for soft regime change in Kyiv in meetings with journalists and diplomats across Europe.
They may believe they're working to 'Make America Great Again' but they are nonetheless following a Kremlin playbook to delegitimize Volodymyr Zelensky.
Read on...
If Trump forces Zelensky out who could be the next Ukraine president?
14:50 , Joe Sommerlad
The punk band switched up the lyrics to 'Jesus of Suburbia' from American Idiot to make a political point on the latest leg of their world tour, targeting the vice president for ridicule.
Here's Mary Papenfuss.
Green Day changes lyrics to skewer JD Vance with a slur
14:43 , Oliver O'Connell
Anxiety has returned to Wall Street, with markets set to reverse much of Wednesday's gains, which were fueled by President Donald Trump's one-month exemption for U.S. automakers from his 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports.
Futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq all dropped in premarket trading. Shares of retailers Macy's and Victoria's Secret plummeted as consumer confidence declines.
Shortly after the market opened, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down more than 520 points or 1.21%.
Meanwhile, pplications for U.S. jobless benefits have fallen, showing the labor market was steady ahead of the purge of federal employees.
And Europe's Central Bank lowered interest rates to support consumers and businesses preparing for Trump to impose new import taxes on U.S. consumers purchasing European goods.
With reporting from the AP
14:25 , Joe Sommerlad
It is already clear the U.S. president is hellbent on ushering in a new dawn in which traditional alliances are abandoned – and nations must fend for themselves, writes Tobias Ellwood.
Under Trump, the global order that America helped to build is crumbling
14:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested on a DUI charge following Trump's address on Tuesday.
'A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m. We responded and arrested them for DUI,' U.S. Capitol Police told The Independent in a statement.
Here's the full story from Gustaf Kilander and John Bowden.
Speaker Mike Johnson's chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump's speech
13:40 , Joe Sommerlad
House Republicans are taking steps to punish Texas Democratic Representative Al Green for disrupting the president's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, which led to Green being thrown out of the chamber.
Washington State Republican Daniel Newhouse introduced a censure resolution against Green on Wednesday.
'This was beyond the pale. It went on and on, disrupting the entire evening so I felt it had to be responded to,' said Newhouse.
'We have to uphold the expectations of decorum here, or else, what are we? We have nothing other than just a club that everybody comes and yells at each other.'
Gustaf Kilander has more.
House GOP moves to punish Rep. Al Green for heckling Trump's speech
13:20 , Joe Sommerlad
America PAC, the political action committee started by Elon Musk, has launched its first TV commercial, highlighting 'four long years of humiliation' under the Biden administration.
Here's more from Mike Bedigan.
First ad from Musk-backed PAC highlights 'four long years of humiliation'
13:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged questions about Musk's sartorial choices yesterday following criticism over MAGA's attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding his wartime uniform, which cropped up during his ill-fated visit to the Oval Office last week.
Surprisingly, the offending question came from Fox's Peter Doocy.
Here's more from Madeline Sherratt.
White House dodges questions about Elon Musk's outfits
12:40 , Joe Sommerlad
You can see two contrasting reactions to Trump's tariff trade war on Fox News yesterday from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and pundit Jessica Tarlov.
Lutnick: Tariffs are going to drive America better.. Wouldn't it be amazing to stop paying taxes to the internal revenue service and have the external revenue service of make America great again replace our taxes? That is the goal of Donald Trump, pic.twitter.com/kyX2VGH7Ps
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 5, 2025
Jessica: But you guys know, and you are ignoring what's going on, these tariffs are bad for Americans. A majority know that it will raise costs. That's the reason they had to walk them back. pic.twitter.com/zkfvn6fA1Z
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 5, 2025
With stocks tanking, market confidence plunging and gas prices poised to rocket, the economic 'disturbance' the president has introduced will soon be felt in Americans' pockets and portfolios, says James Moore.
Will American consumers now catch a 'tariff chill'?
12:20 , Joe Sommerlad
CNN is reporting that White House officials have prepared an executive order for the president to sign, possibly as soon as today, directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of dismantling the department, a move he has threatened for months and which was included in the Project 2025 manifesto for his second term.
We'll bring you all the latest on that if and when it happens.
12:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Solo Avital, a U.S.-based filmmaker and artist, said he made the bad taste video imagining post-war Gaza as a glitzy beach resort while experimenting with AI software in early February and was 'surprised' when the clip went viral.
Jabed Ahmed reports.
Creator of 'Gaza Riveria' AI video shared by Trump speaks out
11:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Those USDA staffers weren't the only ones sheepishly welcomed back to the office this week.
On Tuesday, almost 200 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) probationary employees who were laid off last month were sent emails with the subject line, 'Read this e-mail immediately', inviting them back to work at the nation's top public health agency.
Here's more.
Nearly 200 fired CDC employees invited back to work, two weeks after job cuts
11:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The chair of a quiet government agency secured the re-employment of nearly 6,000 fired federal workers for the next month and a half on Wednesday, just a day after her own firing was ruled illegal by a federal judge.
Cathy Harris struck what is likely the biggest blow so far to DOGE's firing campaign on Wednesday, ruling that 5,600 probationary employees at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) were terminated in a move that may have violated federal procedures.
Her ruling halts the firings for 45 days, while the Merit Systems Protection Board, which she chairs, reviews the firings.
It's not a permanent victory for workers hoping to keep their jobs, but one that could become lasting if the Board rules that the firings (which at USDA were predicated on supposed performance issues) were made on dubious grounds.
Meanwhile, the affected employees will remain in their respective positions.
Here's more from John Bowden.
DOGE suffers big loss as thousands of probationary USDA staff ordered back to work
11:00 , Joe Sommerlad
The Trump administration is looking to roll back staffing at the department charged with caring for American military veterans by firing as many as 80,000 workers who were hired as part of a Joe Biden initiative to improve care and cover for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances.
Here's how the news played on MSNBC (very poorly indeed) – and an astonishing defense by Trump counsel and MAGA favorite Alina Habba.
Rieckhoff: And what I would tell folks is: if they treat veterans like this, if they treat retired generals like this, how do you think they're going to treat everyone else? How do you think they're going to treat you? We are just first. pic.twitter.com/QClCiqxxBj
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2025
Alina Habba on veterans who have been fired from government jobs: "Perhaps they're not fit to have a job at this moment." pic.twitter.com/ySBROh6Bcq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2025
Andrew Feinberg has this report.
Trump administration looks to fire 80,000 from Veterans Affairs health care
10:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The GOP met with Musk behind closed doors in Washington yesterday and lawmakers implored him to run his federal cuts past them as concerns about his Department of Government Efficiency's unchecked activities continue to grow.
The world's richest man met separately with House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday and reportedly explained how DOGE was going about its business and even gave out his mobile number as a gesture towards transparency as those in attendance called for greater consultation with Congress.
Reporter: Hey Elon, can we get your phone number? Musk: Something 8008 *laughs* pic.twitter.com/27vgOH3a3W
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2025
The billionaire also admitted his staff had made mistakes and attempted to put some distance between himself and the mass firing of federal employees, saying it was ultimately the responsibility of the agencies that manage them.
Elon Musk told House Rs tonight that DOGE wasn't responsible for the federal firings — 'the individual departments were,' per Rep. Van Orden.It comes as House and Senate Rs are now discussing a legislative package of cuts — known as a rescission package — to codify DOGE cuts… pic.twitter.com/52lqE05p2B
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 6, 2025
Seeking to reassure his flock, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and Musk have been in contact 'almost daily now,' CNN reports.
The danger for Republicans, however, is that, should DOGE's cuts be put to the vote, they would be expected by the president to back them and would therefore be on record as directly supporting firings that could prove deeply unpopular with the American public.
Here's Mary Papenfuss on DOGE's figures still not adding up.
How Elon Musk's DOGE cost cuts don't make sense: Report
10:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The country's ambassador to Britain, former Auckland mayor Phil Goff, has been dismissed from his position after he made remarks seen as critical of the U.S. president's intellect, foreign minister Winston Peters has said.
Goff made the comments at an event held by the international affairs think-tank Chatham House in London on Tuesday, where Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen was a guest speaker.
Here's Shweta Sharma on what precisely he said.
New Zealand sacks UK high commissioner for questioning Trump's grasp on history
10:00 , Joe Sommerlad
The president's latest social media post was this furious rant about media speculation as to why exactly he was thanking Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at his joint address to Congress on Tuesday night.
'Like most people, I don't watch Fake News CNN or MSDNC, but I understand they are going 'crazy' asking what is it that I was thanking Justice Roberts for?' Trump wrote.
'They never called my office to ask, of course, but if they had I would have told these sleazebag 'journalists' that I thanked him for SWEARING ME IN ON INAUGURATION DAY, AND DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB IN SO DOING! The Fake News never quits!'
The Fake "Play the Ref" News, in order to create a divide between me and our great U.S. Supreme Court, heard me say last night, loudly and openly as I was walking past the Justices on the way to the podium, "thank you," to Chief Justice John Roberts. Like most people, I don't…
— Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) March 6, 2025
This is the moment to which he was referring:
'Thank you again. Thank you again. Won't forget.' Trump says to Chief Justice John Roberts as he shakes his hand.pic.twitter.com/1qd1eRyPNj
— The Intellectualist (@highbrow_nobrow) March 5, 2025
09:40 , Oliver O'Connell
An appeals court has removed the head of a federal watchdog agency in the latest twist in a legal fight concerning Trump's authority to fire the special counsel.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia sided with the Trump administration and allowed Hampton Dellinger to be immediately removed as head of the Office of Special Counsel while the court battle continues.
Dellinger is likely to appeal.
Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson (a George HW Bush appointee), Patricia Millett (a Barack Obama appointee) and Justin Walker (a Donald Trump appointee) made the order without dissent.
Dellinger filed a lawsuit against Trump last month after his dismissal, despite the law stating that special counsels can be removed by the president only for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who was nominated to the bench b Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in the job while he pursued his case.
Here's our earlier reporting on the matter.
Fired federal watchdog must keep his job, judge says, striking blow to Trump's agenda
09:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The president posted a fiery ultimatum to Hamas last night about the release of its remaining hostages, issuing what he said would be a 'last warning' that also contained a threat to the people of Gaza.
''Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
'Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!
'This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.
'Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision.'
"Shalom Hamas" means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am…
— Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) March 5, 2025
It was reported earlier in the day that the U.S. has begun direct negotiations with Hamas over the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza, of which there are believed to be 59 in total, 35 of whom have been confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed Axios's reporting of the talks, saying that negotiating was 'the right thing for the American people.'
Asked about his reaction to the development on Fox News's Jesse Watters Primetime, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: 'I'm OK with it. I don't mind what Trump does because I trust Trump.
'But Trump sent out a tweet today [saying] release the hostages or you will be destroyed. And that's the kind of leadership we need. So, I trust Trump. As long as he's in the room, I'm OK.'
Watters: The administration is directly negotiating with Hamas. Do you like that?Lindsey Graham: I'm okay with it. I don't mind what Trump does because I trust Trump(This is what today's GOP stands for: everything Trump does is good; he can do no wrong)pic.twitter.com/IKVzcUIMrm
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) March 6, 2025
Here's more from Josh Marcus.
Trump warns people of Gaza 'you are dead' if Hamas does not release hostages
09:01 , Joe Sommerlad
Donald Trump's top trade adviser Peter Navarro has accused Canada of being 'taken over by Mexican cartels' and not doing enough to stop the importation of deadly fentanyl.
Speaking to Bret Baier on Fox News's Special Report last night, Navarro declared: 'What I wanna say to every world leader who gets up in arms when all we're asking for is fairness and to have them stop killing our people is, please, listen to us.
'Canada could do a lot more. Canada has been taken over, Bret, by Mexican cartels. They bring up these pill presses and printers, and the medicines that they fake, you can't tell the difference.'
Peter Navarro: 'Canada has been taken over by Mexican cartels'Big if true pic.twitter.com/tWNV9nhvDU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 6, 2025
After Navarro claimed that 70,000 Americans were being killed annually by the drug, Baier asked if he were laying the responsibility solely at Canada's door.
'No, of course not. Of course not, Bret,' he answered.
'But what we want to see is Canada and Mexico crack down on China. China, for whatever reason, and there is a lot of speculation as to whether they mean to do us harm with this, they don't seem to care, okay? So, it's up to Mexico and Canada help us do this.'
The outburst came after the administration agreed to grant the auto sector a one-month exemption from Trump's 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods after the president came under pressure from the CEOs of America's 'Big Three' carmakers.
As the president's trade war begins to brew up, here's Gustaf Kilander on what American business leaders have said so far on how the Trump tariffs will affect prices.
What companies have said so far about how Trump tariffs will affect prices
08:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Elon Musk suggested Wednesday that the U.S. government should privatize 'as much as possible' and named Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service as two services ripe for privatization, NBC News reports citing a source at a Morgan Stanley technology conference at which the tech mogul appeared virtually.
The Trump adviser and apparent head of the Department of Government Efficiency told attendees about his experiences riding bullet trains abroad and said: 'And we come back to America, like, Amtrak is a sad situation.'
'If you're coming from another country, please don't use our national rail. It can leave you with a very bad impression of America," Musk added. 'So, I just, I think we should prioritize anything that can be privatized.'
The ownership structures of high-speed railways abroad vary widely. Some are fully state-owned, like China's. Others, like Japan's railways, have been largely privatized. The European system is mixed.
08:00 , Oliver O'Connell
writes:
Hakeem Jeffries attempted to present a united opposition party at Tuesday's State of the Union address.
The House Democratic leader laid out his reasoning for attending while urging as many as possible in his party to do so, in a dear colleague letter this week.
'[I]t is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,' wrote Jeffries on Monday. 'The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives, we will not be run off the block or bullied.'
But in return, those Democrats who attended Tuesday night's address by the president of the United States were subjected to public humiliation. They could do very little to respond.
Read on...
Trump used his congressional address to humiliate Democrats. Why did they let him?
07:30 , AP
Roughly 650 Marines and Army soldiers who were forced out of the military for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine have so far expressed interest in returning to the force under an executive order from President Donald Trump, officials said this week.
The number represents about 8% of the roughly 8,200 troops who had been discharged. The total, officials say, confirms military leaders' early view that many troops have moved on with their lives. They have been allowed to rejoin since 2023, and Trump's offer of providing back pay may be a factor in spurring a bit more interest now.
Continue reading...
Marines and soldiers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine show limited interest in rejoining
06:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The political action committee started by Elon Musk has launched its first commercial, highlighting 'four long years of humiliation' under the Biden administration.
America PAC aired the ad on Wednesday, shortly after Donald Trump delivered his address to a joint session of Congress.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
First ad from Musk-backed PAC highlights 'four long years of humiliation'
05:30 , Oliver O'Connell
House Republicans are taking steps to punish Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green for disrupting President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.
Washington state Republican Rep. Daniel Newhouse introduced a censure resolution against Green on Wednesday. Green was removed from the House after standing up and shouting at Trump repeatedly during Tuesday night's address.
Newhouse said on the floor of the House that he was seeking the rare punishment against Green for his 'numerous interruptions.'
Gustaf Kilander reports.
House GOP moves to punish Rep. Al Green for heckling Trump's speech
04:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Reuters reports that an email shows that the U.S. Marshals Service is providing security to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sources told Reuters that the arrangement was unusual.
In the February 12 email, the HHS Office of the Inspector General stated that it was winding down its protective services operations and that Attorney General Pam Bondi would arrange security for Kennedy moving forward.
'After over four decades of providing for the personal protection of the Secretary and other high-ranking HHS officials when necessary — both nationally and internationally, day and night, through a pandemic, and other obstacles — OI's protective operations are coming to an end,' wrote Christian Schrank, the deputy inspector general for investigations at HHS OIG.
A Marshals spokesperson referred questions from Reuters to the Justice Department.
Bondi confirmed the arrangement: 'My friend Secretary Kennedy is a valued and respected leader in President Trump's Cabinet who will be provided the proper security protection.'
A spokesperson for the HHS OIG declined to comment when approached by Reuters.
The Marshals Service, which has about 3,900 federal agents, is the enforcement arm of the federal court system. Its agents protect judges and court buildings. The agency also houses and transports prisoners and manages the sale of assets seized in criminal forfeiture proceedings.
It is sometimes called upon to provide security for individuals involved in court or congressional proceedings, such as witnesses, prosecutors, and judges who may face threats.
The attorney general is also authorized to assign agents to provide security for other officials, such as cabinet secretaries.
03:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The chair of a quiet government agency secured the re-employment of nearly 6,000 fired federal workers for the next month and a half on Wednesday, just a day after her own firing was ruled illegal by a federal judge.
Cathy Harris struck what is likely the biggest blow so far to DOGE's firing campaign on Wednesday, ruling that 5,600 probationary employees at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) were terminated in a move that may have violated federal procedures. Her ruling halts the firings for 45 days, while the Merit Systems Protection Board, which she chairs, reviews the decision.
John Bowden reports from Washington, D.C.
DOGE suffers big loss as thousands of probationary USDA staff ordered back to work
02:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina congressman known for his hot-and-cold relationship with Donald Trump, has appeared to back a third term for the president.
In a social media message, posted shortly after Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, Graham wrote: 'My take on President @realDonaldTrump's address tonight: Inspiring, funny, compelling and the Democrats' worst nightmare.' He added: 'Trump 2028!'
Mike Bedigan reports.
Senator Lindsey Graham appears to push a third term for Trump
02:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and the musical's lead producer Jeffrey Seller have announced they are cancelling a planned run of shows at Washington DC's John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts over the Trump administration's takeover of the institution.
Soon after returning to the Oval Office, Trump fired the Kennedy Center's leadership and put MAGA loyalist Richard Grenell in charge.
Kevin E G Perry has the story.
Lin-Manuel Miranda cancels Hamilton tour stop at Kennedy Center over Trump takeover
01:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The Social Security Administration says it is correcting the records of deceased people that President Donald Trump repeatedly brings up as evidence of fraud.
The agency said it has made 'significant progress' in identifying and correcting beneficiary records of people 100 years old or older.
During his address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump repeated the claim that millions of people over 100, some up to 360 years old, are collecting Social Security benefits.
The agency said in a Wednesday statement that 'while these people may not be receiving benefits, it is important for the agency to maintain accurate and complete records.'
A series of reports from the Social Security Administration's inspector general in March 2023 and July 2024 stated that the agency has not established a new system to properly annotate death information in its database.
This database included records of roughly 18.9 million Social Security numbers of people born in 1920 or earlier who were not marked as deceased.
The agency's acting commissioner clarified last month that deceased centenarians were 'not necessarily receiving benefits.'
With reporting by the AP
01:00 , Oliver O'Connell
JD Vance issues blunt response when asked if US forces will invade Mexico
00:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The Trump administration's 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico are prompting retaliatory measures amid a brewing trade war.
During his primetime address on March 4, Trump noted that his new tariffs might cause 'a little disturbance' but argued that it would be worth it for the eventual benefits he claimed his aggressive trade policy would bring.
'Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it's happening, and it will happen rather quickly,' he claimed.
'There will be a little disturbance, but we're okay with that,' said Trump. 'It won't be much.'
However, as Gustaf Kilander reports, the CEOs of several large companies have warned that Trump's tariffs may be devastating for their industries.
Read on...
What companies have said so far about how Trump tariffs will affect prices
00:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Prior to his departure from the southern border, a priest greeted Vice President JD Vance at Air Force Two and gave him his ashes for Ash Wednesday.
A White House official shared that it was Chaplain Lambert Ulinzwenimana, Captain, USAF.
Before departing Texas after visit to Southern Border with Mexico, a priest gives JD Vance ashes for Ash Wednesday ... pic.twitter.com/1s2Mo7zFcx
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) March 5, 2025
00:05 , Oliver O'Connell
After a quiet day of no public engagements beyond Oval Office meetings and a call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Donald Trump is unloading on Truth Social.
After his earlier posts threatening Hamas and the people of Gaza, and saying that Democrats should lose the midterms based on their protests at last night's joint address to Congress, the president followed up with an order to Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C.
He wrote on Truth Social:
We have notified the Mayor of Washington, D.C., that she must clean up all of the unsightly homeless encampments in the City, specifically including the ones outside of the State Department, and near the White House. If she is not capable of doing so, we will be forced to do it for her! Washington, D.C. must become CLEAN and SAFE! We want to be proud of our Great Capital again. Thank you Mayor Bowser for your efforts on behalf of the Citizens of our Country. Hopefully you will be successful!
DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
00:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump issued a stark warning that the U.S. would help destroy Hamas if leaders of the militant group didn't leave Gaza and release their remaining Israeli hostages.
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump gives Hamas 'last warning' to release hostages or 'there will be hell to pay'
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:51 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has slammed Democratic Party lawmakers over their protests and heckling during last night's joint address to Congress.
The president says: 'Republicans can take what happened last night, and win any Race in the Country.'
Here's what he wrote on Truth Social this evening:
The Democrats should lose the Midterms based on their behavior at last night's Joint Address to Congress. All Republicans must use their behavior on men in women's sports, their very dangerous Open Border policy, High Energy and Taxes, and much else. Also, Republicans should utilize the footage provided on the total disrespect they showed to all of those that were honored that night, including young ladies who were killed by illegal migrants, people with terminal cancer, etc. They didn't even have the common courtesy to stand, smile, or applaud. This could be, on analyzing the full tape of this Historic Event, your full CAMPAIGN TO VICTORY! In other words, Republicans can take what happened last night, and win any Race in the Country. Good Luck!!!
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell
First Lady Melania Trump, who revived her Be Best campaign on her return to the White House, has posted pictures with two of her guests from last night's joint address to Congress by President Donald Trump.
Elliston Berry is an advocate for the 'Take It Down Act' after being the victim of deepfake AI posts:
BE BEST:Adversity will test you. Life will throw moments at you that feel unbearable. But in the most daunting times, something incredible happens - Hope finds a way in… and step by step, you move forward. Elliston Berry is the epitome of perseverance. This week in… pic.twitter.com/FAJMd2EnrO
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 5, 2025
Haley Ferguson is part of the Fostering the Future community which secures educational opportunities and scholarships for children in foster care:
BE BEST: To every young American: your past may shape you, but it doesn't lock your pathway forward. You have the power to overcome obstacles, break barriers, and achieve your goals. Haley Ferguson is an inspiration. I am proud that she is a part of our Fostering the Future… pic.twitter.com/kPGekjeEBn
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 5, 2025
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:37 , Oliver O'Connell
You might recall that earlier, Trump said he was open to hearing other appeals for exemptions from his tariffs...
(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump is considering exempting certain agricultural products from tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico, the latest move by the administration on Wednesday to offer relief to certain sectors from the sweeping new import taxes.
— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) March 5, 2025
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is removing alcohol from the U.S. from its shelves after the Trump administration's tariffs on Canada and Mexico went into effect on Tuesday at midnight.
The president imposed tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian goods, as well as a 10 percent tariff on energy.
Ontario put in place a number of measures that it was close to enacting a few weeks ago, when the Trump White House came close to taking action on its tariff plans the first time.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Jack Daniel's boss says Ontario removing U.S. alcohol is 'worse than tariffs'
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:26 , Oliver O'Connell
Judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia are permitting the dismissal of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, the federal ethics watchdog responsible for overseeing whistleblowers, to move forward.
BREAKING: Federal ethics watchdog Hampton Dellinger has been removed after an order of the DC Circuit: pic.twitter.com/9bruOb9yzD
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 5, 2025
Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson (a George HW Bush appointee), Patricia Millett (a Barack Obama appointee), and Justin Walker (a Donald Trump appointee) made the order without dissent. An opinion will follow.
Here's our earlier reporting on the case:
Fired federal watchdog must keep his job, judge says, striking blow to Trump's agenda
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:19 , Oliver O'Connell
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt released the following statement:
"Today, President Trump took time to meet with eight of the released hostages from Gaza. The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home."
According to the statement, the president met with Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani.
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:00 , AP
The parliamentary tactic to table the censure resolution failed with 209 Democrats in support and 211 Republicans against. The result means a final vote on whether to censure Rep Al Green, of Texas, will likely take place Thursday.
Green was escorted out of the chamber for the disruption early in the Tuesday address when Trump boasted of his election victory and Green countered, 'You have no mandate.'
House Speaker Mike Johnson told Green to take his seat, but he refused. Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to restore order by removing Green.
Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, the censure resolution's sponsor, said 'respect for the institution is paramount' and that Green 'performed one of the most shameful acts that I've ever seen on this floor.'
Green, before speaking in his own defense, went up to Newhouse and shook his hand.
He explained his actions by saying the president indicated he had a mandate to cut Medicaid. Green said Trump doesn't have a mandate to cut the program that many of his constituents rely on.
'This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,' Green said. 'There are people suffering in this country because they don't have health care.'
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell
House Republicans launched accusations at four mayors of 'sanctuary cities' during a contentious hearing, accusing them of treason, violating federal laws and having 'blood' on their hands, with one representative claiming she would recommend the Department of Justice bring a criminal investigation against them.
Ariana Baio followed the proceedings.
Mayors of 'sanctuary cities' face Congressional grilling
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Elon Musk suggested Wednesday that the U.S. government should privatize 'as much as possible' and named Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service as two services ripe for privatization, NBC News reports citing a source at a Morgan Stanley technology conference at which the tech mogul appeared virtually.
The Trump adviser and apparent head of the Department of Government Efficiency told attendees about his experiences riding bullet trains abroad and said: 'And we come back to America, like, Amtrak is a sad situation.'
'If you're coming from another country, please don't use our national rail. It can leave you with a very bad impression of America," Musk added. 'So, I just, I think we should prioritize anything that can be privatized.'
The ownership structures of high-speed railways abroad vary widely. Some are fully state-owned, like China's. Others, like Japan's railways, have been largely privatized. The European system is mixed.
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Sources briefed on the conversations have told Reuters that the Trump administration has been holding secret talks with the militant Palestinian group Hamas to secure the release of U.S. hostages still held in Gaza.
The White House confirmed the talks were 'ongoing' during today's press briefing.
U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to negotiate directly with Hamas, the White House said. This runs counter to the longstanding policy against negotiating with groups that the U.S. has designated as terrorist organizations.
Sources reported that Boehler and Hamas officials recently met in Doha. It remains unclear who represented Hamas. Axios was the first outlet to report on the discussions.
The U.S. had long refrained from directly engaging with the Islamist group that carried out the cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, igniting the devastating war in Gaza. The U.S. State Department designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.
The previous U.S. involvement in facilitating a ceasefire and hostage release agreement in the Gaza conflict has been conducted through Israel, along with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, but there were no known direct communications between Washington and Hamas.
At today's White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'When it comes to the negotiations that you're referring to, first of all, the special envoy who's engaged in those negotiations does have the authority.'
She said Israel was consulted but did not indicate whether this was before or after the talks, and described them as part of President Donald Trump's 'good faith effort to do what's right for the American people.'
Leavitt added: 'These are ongoing talks and discussions. I'm not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake. I would defer you to the Department of State. For further details, but I'm not going to get into those talks here at this podium.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday: 'Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.'
With reporting from Reuters.
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:15 , AP
Vice President JD Vance says U.S. forces won't invade Mexico despite the president designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, opening the door for potential military action.
Asked about the potential for ground forces during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Vance responded emphatically: 'No. Next question.'
He declined to offer details on any potential air strikes or other military activity.
'The president has a megaphone, and he'll speak to those issues as he feels necessary,' Vance said.
Vance went to Eagle Pass, Texas, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to tout a drop in illegal border crossings.
The vice president said the administration is still working to ramp up its capacity to carry out the mass deportations that Trump promised during his campaign.
He blamed a need for more funding and alleged that former President Joe Biden 'gutted' the immigration enforcement apparatus.
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:02 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas on Truth Social, telling the terrorist organization: 'RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!'
The president also warned the group: 'I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say.'
Trump also had a message to the Palestinian people: 'Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision.'
Here's President Trump's full post on the social media platform:
'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!
DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
It was revealed earlier that the U.S. was holding secret direct talks with Hamas about the hostages. Here's Jane Dalton's full report:
US and Hamas chiefs hold secret talks on Israeli hostages
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
writes:
Hakeem Jeffries attempted to present a united opposition party at Tuesday's State of the Union address.
The House Democratic leader laid out his reasoning for attending while urging as many as possible in his party to do so, in a dear colleague letter this week.
'[I]t is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,' wrote Jeffries on Monday. 'The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives, we will not be run off the block or bullied.'
But in return, those Democrats who attended Tuesday night's address by the president of the United States were subjected to public humiliation. They could do very little to respond.
Read on...
Trump used his congressional address to humiliate Democrats. Why did they let him?