Trump makes gaffe during press conference with Japan's PM; revokes Biden's security clearance: Live updates
Thousands of employees of the agency were set to be purged at midnight on Friday, but a federal judge stepped in and ordered a temporary pause on plans to send them packing. Trump's buyout offer to federal employees has also been temporarily blocked, in a separate hearing.
The president made the statement during a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at which the two leaders spoke of defense, trade, steel, and energy cooperation.
During remarks concerning Japanese interest in U.S. Steel, Trump mistakenly referred to ' Nissan,' the carmaker, not Nippon Steel. Trump said the firm would look at investing in the American company rather than the planned merger, which he opposed.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said he was 'immediately revoking Joe Biden's Security Clearances and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings.' Four years ago, Biden instructed U.S. intelligence officials to cease any briefings with Trump, pointing to the then-former president's 'erratic behavior' after the 2020 election.
Taliban tell Trump they want to reset relationship with US
The Taliban have signalled their willingness to start afresh with the US administration of Donald Trump but claimed ownership of the military equipment and vehicles the American and Nato forces left behind.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Taliban's spokesperson for the foreign ministry, spoke to CBS News on Wednesday and said that the group controlling Afghanistan was ready to establish a new diplomatic chapter on engagement with the US.
"We would like to close the chapter of warfare and open a new chapter," Mr Balkhi.
Here's Arpan Rai' s report.
Taliban say they can reset ties with Trump – but don't expect to get Humvees back
Taliban denies wanting to make a deal with Trump administration on leftover military aid
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 11:40
Trump mocks Time magazine after new cover shows Musk sitting behind his desk
Attempting to shrug off a recent Time cover showing Elon Musk sitting behind the Resolute Desk as president, Donald Trump mockingly asked whether the magazine was 'still in business' while claiming he hadn't seen the latest issue.
The president's dismissive snipe at Time comes just weeks after he boasted about being named the magazine's 2024 Person of the Year, an honor he's long coveted and first received after winning the presidential election in 2016.
Justin Baragona has the story.
Trump turns on Time after new cover shows Musk sitting behind his Resolute desk
Just months ago, Trump was crowing about being named the magazine's 2024 Person of the Year
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 10:40
Musk is rehiring DOGE staffer who quit after racist social media posts exposed
Elon Musk says he plans to rehire a staffer in his so-called Department of Government Efficiency who quit after his openly racist social media posts were exposed.
Vice President J.D. Vance encouraged Musk to 'bring back' Marko Elez, a 25-year-old programmer who posted his support for a 'eugenic immigration policy' and called to 'normalize Indian hate,' among other racist statements uncovered by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
Alex Woodward has the story.
J.D. Vance wants DOGE staffer to get his job back after racist social media posts
The vice president said openly racist posts 'shouldn't ruin a kid's life'
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 09:40
ANALYSIS: Democrats lost the optics war with Joe Biden. They're making the same mistakes all over again
Andrew Feinberg writes that Democrats didn't see Joe Biden's frail physicality as a political liability — they appear to be making the same mistake again...
Dems lost the optics war with Biden. They're making the same mistakes all over again
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 08:40
JFK's grandson Jack Schlossberg quits social media
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, has deleted his social media after posting an apology to X.
Schlossberg, 32, was known across the internet for his political commentary and satirical posts. But now, his online presence is no longer.
Katie Hawkinson looks at what happened.
JFK's grandson Jack Schlossberg quits social media after cryptic apology
The 33-year-old was known for his political commentary online, posting about everyone from RFK Jr to Usha Vance
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 07:40
Trump calls Gaza takeover plan a 'real estate transaction'
President Donald Trump on Friday continued to push his plan for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip and threatened a host of new tariffs against American allies to be rolled out at a press conference next week.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump said he'd be announcing the trade actions — which amount to a unilateral tax increase on Americans — as part of his program for ensuring what he has called 'reciprocal' trade with American allies.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C.
Trump calls Gaza takeover plan a 'real estate transaction' as he previews new tariffs
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 06:40
USAID was once promoted by Melania and Ivanka Trump — now the president calls it a massive 'fraud'
President Donald Trump 's administration is working to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development — the very agency that the president's wife and daughter promoted seven years ago.
The president has threatened to end USAID, which provides humanitarian assistance around the globe. Earlier this week, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency and Trump's 'First Buddy,' took aim at the agency, calling it a 'criminal organization.'
Kelly Rissman reports.
How Melania and Ivanka promoted federal agency Trump now calls a massive 'fraud'
USAID's workforce is expected to be slashed days after Musk called the federal agency a 'criminal organization'
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 05:40
Fetterman reveals which way he'll vote on RFK Jr and Tulsi Gabbard
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who has shown an increasing willingness to break with his party in recent months, has revealed that he will not be supporting the nominations of two of Donald Trump 's most controversial cabinet nominees: Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
John Fetterman reveals which way he'll vote on RFK Jr and Tulsi Gabbard
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator known for independent streak baulks at endorsing two of Donald Trump's most controversial cabinet nominees
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 04:40
Critics say the Trump administration is on a 'lawbreaking spree.' Can the courts stop him?
Alex Woodward writes:
President Donald Trump 's unprecedented power grabs within his first three weeks in office have provoked an opposite and equal reaction in the form of an avalanche of lawsuits.
Now, how far the president can plunge the United States into a constitutional crisis could depend on a handful of federal judges.
Americans should be prepared for the administration to ignore them, 'unless and until there's real enforcement, either by law enforcement or by the Supreme Court,' says Ty Cobb, a former White House counsel during Trump's first administration.
'The real question is, will Trump honor those orders?' Cobb tells The Independent.
Continue reading...
Critics say Trump is on a 'lawbreaking spree.' Can the courts stop him?
Oliver O'Connell8 February 2025 03:40
'The price of groceries went through the roof,' Trump says
Gustaf Kilander8 February 2025 03:35
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