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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.

Last Updated: April 27, 2025, 7:52 PM EDT

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."

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Apr 24, 2025, 3:44 PM EDT

Judge rejects Trump request to stall Tufts student transfer to another court

Judge William K. Sessions III denied on Thursday the government’s request to pause the transfer of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk from a detention facility in Louisiana to another in Vermont.

The government had asked the judge to pause the move while it appeals the decision in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

But the judge rejected their request, saying her transfer to Vermont "will have no impact on the government’s separate removal proceedings against her in immigration court."

"Ms. Öztürk is in detention in Louisiana, where she reports that she is enduring overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, a worsening medical condition, insufficient medical care, and difficulties practicing her religion," he added.

-ABC News' Armando Garcia

Apr 24, 2025, 2:11 PM EDT

Trump mum on Russian concessions for peace plans

Trump was asked about what concessions the Russian government has offered to reach a peace plan with Ukraine.

President Donald Trump meets with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, April 24, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

The president gave vague details.

"Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country," he said. "Pretty big concession."

Apr 24, 2025, 2:10 PM EDT

'You have no idea what pressure we're putting on Russia': Trump

Trump was asked about the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine and what he was doing in response.

The president claimed that he was putting a lot of pressure on Russia and that he was not happy with Putin.

"You have no idea what pressure we're putting on Russia," Trump claimed.

Apr 24, 2025, 1:43 PM EDT

Trump Store offers 'Trump 2028' hat

President Donald Trump's online store released a 'TRUMP 2028' hat on Thursday after teasing that he could run for president in 2028.

Trump previously addressed speculation about running again in a March phone call with NBC News and said he is "not joking" about a third term, adding, "It is far too early to think about it."

But when asked whether he has been presented with plans to allow him to seek a third term, Trump said, "There are methods which you could do it."

President Donald Trump's official online store released a 'TRUMP 2028' hat, Apr. 24, 2025.
Trumpstore.com

The Constitution's 22nd Amendment states that no one can serve as president for more than two four-year terms.

Democrats seized on the release, posting on their rapid response X account that the hat seems to confirm "his fourth run for president."

-ABC News' Andrea Pineda Salgado and Michelle Stoddart

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