APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
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.
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:
Trump to host Norwegian prime minister Thursday
President Donald Trump is scheduled on Thursday to host Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at the White House.
The pair will have lunch in the cabinet room, then hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, according to the White House.
Gahr Store on Thursday said his priorities for the meeting included discussing security and defense policy, along with ways the U.S. and Norway can "contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine."
"It is also natural that tariffs and trade will be a topic," he said in a social media post in Norwegian. "Norway's view is clear: We believe that increased tariffs are bad news for the world economy and a small, open economy like Norway."
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie
Trump to mark first 100 days in Michigan
Trump will travel to Michigan on Tuesday to mark 100 days in office, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on X Wednesday evening.
"President Trump is excited to return to the great state of Michigan next Tuesday, where he will rally in Macomb County to celebrate the FIRST 100 DAYS!," Leavitt wrote.
This will be Trump's first official domestic trip since returning to the White House and his first time in the battleground state since taking office.
Trump last traveled to Michigan in November for his final campaign rally in Grand Rapids.
-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie
Trump goes to bat for Musk as Tesla sales drop
President Donald Trump was asked about Elon Musk after he said he will be stepping back from his duties with the Department of Government Efficiency likely in May to focus on Tesla, which reported major losses in the last quarter, as well as his other businesses.
The president referred to Musk's work in the past tense but praised his abilities as a businessman and for allegedly finding millions of dollars in federal waste. Trump acknowledged that Musk will have to focus on his private businesses soon.
"We have to, at some point, let him go and do that," Trump said. "And we expected to be doing it about this time. But I'll talk to Elon about it."
Trump cites 'common sense' in Washington football team name debate
When asked about Washington's football team and whether it will be known as the Washington Commanders or if it will revert to its controversial former name, the Washington Redskins, President Donald Trump emphasized the need for "common sense," whether that be "popular or unpopular."
"I spoke to people of Indian heritage that love that name, and they love that name," Trump said, adding that he believes it is a "superior name to what they have right now." However, while mentioning several teams named after Native Americans, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, he noted that "the Redskins, perhaps that's a little different, a little bit different."