Trump admin updates: White House asks court to stay order to ground deportation flights
Video shows deportees in El Salvador after a judge ordered flights to stop.
The White House has asked a federal circuit court to stay a district court's temporary restraining orderthat blocked President Donald Trump from using the Alien Enemies act to deport noncitizens, including alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Meanwhile, the fallout over Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats voting with Republicans to avert a government shutdown continued, with some in Schumer's party calling for new leadership while others defended him, but said the party needed to use new tactics and new messaging.
And Trump signed an executive order on Saturday that rescinded 19 executive actions issued by former President Joe Biden's administration on gender, labor policies and industry regulations, bringing the number of Biden's actions reversed by Trump to nearly 100.
Latest headlines:
- White House asks court to stay temporary block on deportation flights
- Did Venezuelans’ deportation flights violate a judge’s order
- Democrats reject questions about new leadership
- Bessent says he can’t guarantee there will be no recession
- Judge blocks Trump from deporting citizens using Alien Enemies Act
Speaker Johnson defends Trump amid stock market losses: 'It's a shakeup'
Speaker Mike Johnson was asked for his reaction as the stock market wobbles amid Trump's tariff upheaval.
Johnson said he and many of his Republican colleagues feel President Donald Trump has "already proved what he can do on the economy" during his first term before the COVID pandemic, and that he should be given a chance to let his policies play out.
"It is a shakeup and he said there is going to be a shakeup but this is what is required, in my mind, to start the process of repairing and restoring the American economy," Johnson said. "I believe this strategy is going to work ... I think you got to give it time. He's been in office just over 50 days. Give the president a chance to have his policies play out."
Johnson claims he has the votes on funding bill
Speaker Mike Johnson, at a news conference with House Republican leadership, claimed he had the votes ahead of Tuesday afternoon's vote on a funding bill to avert a looming government shutdown.
As he railed against Democrats for their opposition to the measure, Johnson was asked by a reporter if that implied he doesn't have the support among his own caucus.
"No, we'll have the votes. We're going to pass the CR. We can do it on our own," Johnson contended.
The speaker can only afford to lose one Republican before a second defection would defeat the bill if all members are voting and present. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie has said he will vote against the measure, prompting President Donald Trump to say he should be primaried. Johnson was asked if he agreed with the president.
"Look, I am in the incumbent protection program here, that's what I do as speaker of the House," he joked before adding, "Thomas and I have had disagreements, but I consider Thomas Massie a friend. He's a thoughtful guy. I guess he'll tell you he's doing what he thinks is right on this. I just vehemently disagree with his position. I'll leave it at that."
Trump says he'll double tariffs on Canadian steel
Trump announced Tuesday that he will double tariffs on Canadian steel in response to Ontario issuing a tariff on electricity to bordering states.
"I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to ad an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th," he said in a Truth Social post.
Trump also said that he is declaring a "National Emergency on Electricity," in the area impacted by the tariffs from Canada. He said that the national emergency will "allow the U.S to quickly do what has to be done" to respond to the tariff from Canada, without providing any specifics on actions the U.S. might take.
He also called on Canada to drop their tariffs on dairy farmers.
Trump says he's going to buy a Tesla in support of Musk as stock plummets
President Trump said in a social media post that he is going to "buy a brand new Tesla" Tuesday morning "as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American."
The apparent commitment comes as Tesla stock has plummeted since his arrival in Washington.
"Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???" Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president called Tesla, which Musk was an early investor in before taking over as CEO, Musk's "baby."