Live Updates on Trump’s Tariffs: White House Adviser Claims Canada ‘Overrun by Mexican Cartels’ as Trade War Intensifies

The chair of a relatively quiet government agency managed to secure the reinstatement of nearly 6,000 dismissed federal employees for the upcoming month and a half on Wednesday, just a day after a federal judge ruled her own dismissal was illegal.

Cathy Harris delivered a notable blow to DOGE’s dismissal initiative on Wednesday, declaring that 5,600 probationary workers at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) were terminated in a manner that possibly violated federal protocols.

This ruling puts a temporary pause on the terminations for 45 days while the Merit Systems Protection Board, which she oversees, evaluates the firings.

Although this does not guarantee permanent job security for those battling to retain their positions, it could lead to lasting changes if the Board concludes the firings (which at USDA were based on alleged performance issues) were not justified.

Meanwhile, the workers affected will continue in their existing roles.

Here’s further details from John Bowden.

The Trump administration intends to reduce staffing levels at the department responsible for veterans’ care by laying off up to 80,000 workers, who were hired under a Joe Biden initiative aimed at enhancing treatment for veterans affected by burn pits and toxic substances.

Coverage of the situation on MSNBC has not gone well – with a startling defense from Trump’s legal counsel and MAGA supporter Alina Habba.

Andrew Feinberg has further insights.

The GOP met with Musk behind closed doors in Washington yesterday, urging him to have Congress review his federal budget cuts amid rising concerns about the unchecked activities of his Department of Government Efficiency.

The richest person globally met separately with House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday and reportedly elaborated on how DOGE operates, even sharing his personal mobile number as a symbol of transparency, amid calls for increased cooperation with Congress.

The billionaire acknowledged that his team made some missteps and tried to create distance from the mass layoffs of federal workers, emphasizing that the responsibility ultimately rests with the federal agencies that manage them.

House Speaker Mike Johnson reassured his colleagues that he has been in regular contact with Musk, stating they communicate “almost every day,” according to UJ.

However, the Republicans face the risk that if DOGE’s budget cuts are submitted for a vote, they would likely be expected to support them, placing them on the record backing layoffs that could be highly unpopular with the American public.

Here’s Mary Papenfuss on the ongoing discrepancies in DOGE’s reports.

The country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, former mayor of Auckland Phil Goff, was dismissed after making remarks perceived as critical of the U.S. president’s intelligence, as stated by foreign minister Winston Peters.

Goff expressed his views during an event hosted by the international affairs think-tank Chatham House in London on Tuesday, where Finland’s foreign minister Elina Valtonen was also present.

Here’s Shweta Sharma with the details of his statements.

In a recent post on social media, the president expressed his anger regarding media speculation concerning his thanks to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during his joint address to Congress.

“Typically, I avoid networks like Fake News UJ or MSDNC, but I’m aware they are going ‘crazy’ questioning what I thanked Justice Roberts for,” Trump stated.

“They never bothered to contact my office for clarification. Had they done so, I would have informed these deceitful ‘journalists’ that I expressed my gratitude for SWARING ME IN ON INAUGURATION DAY, AND DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB IN THE PROCESS! The Fake News can’t seem to take a break!”

This refers to this particular moment:

An appeals court has allowed the removal of the leader of a federal oversight agency amidst an ongoing legal dispute about Trump’s prerogative to terminate the special counsel.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia favored the Trump administration, allowing the immediate removal of Hampton Dellinger as the head of the Office of Special Counsel, while the case proceeds in court.

Dellinger is expected to appeal the ruling.

The decision was made without dissent by Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson (nominated by George HW Bush), Patricia Millett (nominated by Barack Obama), and Justin Walker (nominated by Donald Trump).

Dellinger had previously filed a lawsuit against Trump after his termination, despite existing laws stipulating that special counsels can be dismissed by the president only based on inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, appointed by Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger while he pursued his case.

Here’s our previous report on this topic.

The president issued an intense ultimatum to Hamas last night regarding the release of their remaining hostages, asserting that it was a “final warning” that also included a threat to the citizens of Gaza.

‘”Shalom Hamas’ signifies both Hello and Goodbye – your choice,” Trump stated on Truth Social.

“Release all hostages right now, and also return all deceased individuals you have murdered; otherwise, your future is bleak. Only twisted and cruel people hold onto bodies; you are truly sick.”

“This is your last chance! For the leadership, now is the time to vacate Gaza while you have the opportunity.”

“To the people of Gaza: A bright future awaits, but not if you continue holding hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a wise choice.”

Earlier reports indicated that the U.S. has initiated direct discussions with Hamas about the remaining hostages in Gaza, with an estimated 59 currently held captive, 35 of whom have been confirmed deceased by the Israel Defense Forces.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later validated Axios’s report regarding the negotiations, stating that such actions were “in the nation’s best interest.”

In response to this development on Fox News’s Jesse Watters Primetime, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina remarked: “I am fine with what Trump is doing; I trust his judgment.

“Trump sent out a tweet today [indicating] that they must release the hostages or face destruction. That’s the type of leadership we require. I have faith in Trump; as long as he’s steering the ship, I’m OK.”

Here’s more from Josh Marcus.

Donald Trump’s leading trade consultant, Peter Navarro, has accused Canada of being “dominated by Mexican cartels” and criticized its insufficient efforts to curb the influx of dangerous fentanyl.

During his appearance on Fox News’s Special Report last night, Navarro expressed: “To every global leader who is offended by our calls for fairness and to stop the killing of our citizens, please consider our request.

“Canada could enhance their efforts. Mexico’s cartels have a substantial hold on Canada, bringing in these advanced pill presses and printers, producing counterfeit drugs that are indistinguishable from real ones.”

After claiming that around 70,000 Americans die each year due to drug-related causes, Baier asked if he was placing the blame entirely on Canada.

“No, not at all. Not at all, Bret,” he replied.

“What we want to see is Canada and Mexico intensify their efforts against China. For reasons yet to be fully understood, it seems China is indifferent to the harm being caused to us. Thus, it’s essential for Mexico and Canada to collaborate with us in addressing this issue.”

This eruption of remarks followed the administration’s decision to provide the automotive industry with a one-month exemption from Trump’s 25 percent tariffs levied on Canadian and Mexican goods, a response to pressure from executives of the American automotive industry’s major players.

As the president’s trade war heats up, here’s Gustaf Kilander detailing what American business leaders have conveyed so far regarding the potential price impacts of Trump’s tariffs.

During a tech conference on Wednesday, Elon Musk proposed that the U.S. government should privatize “as many services as possible,” specifically mentioning Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service as prime targets for privatization, according to NBC News.

The advisor to Trump and potential leader of the Department of Government Efficiency shared experiences from his travels on bullet trains abroad, stating, “Returning to America, I find Amtrak to be disappointing.”

“If you’re visiting from another country, do yourself a favor and avoid using our national rail system; it might leave you with a poor impression of America,” Musk said, advocating for prioritizing privatization wherever feasible.

Privatization approaches for high-speed railways vary: some are wholly state-owned, like in China, while others, such as Japan, have achieved substantial privatization, and Europe employs a mixed model.

The House Democratic leader justified his attendance while encouraging as many of his party members to do the same, stating in a letter to colleagues this week.

“[It] is vital to maintain a robust, resolute, and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,” wrote Jeffries on Monday. “The House, as an institution, belongs to the American people; as their representatives, we cannot be marginalized or intimidated.”