Trump’s Second Term Day 3 Live Updates: Executive Actions, Pardons & Cabinet Scrutiny

President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship is set to face its first legal challenge in a Seattle courtroom on Thursday morning. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour has scheduled a hearing at 10 a.m. to consider a request from four states for a temporary restraining order to block the order’s implementation.

The attorneys general of Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois filed a lawsuit earlier this week, arguing that the executive order would disenfranchise more than 150,000 newborns annually. The states characterized the order as a direct violation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship. They compared it to the Supreme Court's historic Dred Scott decision, suggesting that Trump's action aims to reverse what they see as a fundamental and established principle of American law.

The plaintiffs’ emergency motion stated, "President Trump and the federal government now seek to impose a modern version of Dred Scott. However, the Constitution does not grant the President or any other entity the power to impose conditions on the citizenship of individuals born in the U.S."

Judge Coughenour, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, will be the first to address the constitutional questions raised by the executive order.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union for federal workers, filed a lawsuit targeting both Trump and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The union also called on lawmakers to take swift action to protect federal employees from potential job cuts and unfavorable policy changes.

The lawsuit focuses on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claiming that its creation and operations breach the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The suit argues that DOGE has begun to shape policy in the new administration, despite having a membership composition that does not meet the fair balance required under FACA and conducting closed-door meetings without transparency.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley also criticized Trump’s series of executive orders aimed at reducing the federal workforce’s rights and protections, including moves to eliminate telework and diversity programs, freeze hiring, and reinstate policies that would make it easier to dismiss federal employees.

Kelley urged Congress to step in and protect workers from what he called unfair at-will employment practices. "We will not allow a small group of wealthy individuals, with clear conflicts of interest, to undermine civil service protections, deregulate themselves, and secure favorable government contracts while dismissing public servants,” Kelley stated.

He further argued that the union's fight was not just about securing jobs but ensuring fairness, accountability, and the effective functioning of government. "Federal employees are not the issue—they are the cornerstone of a well-functioning government,” Kelley concluded. "They deserve a voice in the policies that directly affect their work and the public they serve."

Donald Trump announced that he is considering February 1 as the potential start date for implementing tariffs on China and Mexico. This move is part of his broader strategy to address trade imbalances and further exert pressure on both nations.

During a recent AI infrastructure announcement, Donald Trump warned that he plans to impose tariffs on the European Union, following the same approach he used with Canada, China, and Mexico.

Trump expressed frustration with the EU's trade behavior, calling it extremely detrimental to the U.S. "It's not just China. While China is an abuser, the European Union treats us very, very badly," Trump stated after his announcement. He pointed out the trade imbalance, citing a $350 billion deficit with the EU, and emphasized the lack of U.S. exports to the region. "They don't take our cars. They don’t take our farm products. In fact, they hardly take anything at all."

Trump concluded by asserting that the EU would face tariffs due to their unfair treatment of the U.S.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has set a tentative date of January 29 for the confirmation hearing of Kash Patel, former President Trump’s nominee for FBI director. This announcement came from Senator Dick Durbin, the committee's ranking Democrat, who has already expressed his disapproval of Patel’s qualifications.

Durbin raised concerns about Patel’s lack of experience, judgment, and temperament to lead the FBI, emphasizing his belief that Patel is unfit for the role. "After meeting with him and reading his book, Government Gangsters, I concluded that he does not possess the necessary qualities to safeguard our country," Durbin remarked.

Additionally, Durbin voiced alarm over Patel’s characterization of the January 6 Capitol insurrection during their meeting. Patel described the violent attack as a "haphazard riot," a description Durbin strongly disputed. "What the hell is a haphazard riot?" Durbin responded, emphasizing the seriousness of the event and the harm caused to law enforcement officers. "I was here, and unfortunately, there were injuries and even deaths among the officers."

Durbin also questioned Patel’s stance on the rioters, especially in light of Trump’s recent pardons. He raised concerns about whether the FBI would continue to track and monitor those who had been released, questioning the future of the investigation into the Capitol attack.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was asked whether he would consider "turning off the tap" on U.S. weapons aid to Ukraine. Trump responded, stating he is currently "looking at that." He explained that ongoing conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are taking place and that he intends to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future to assess the situation.

Trump further remarked that the European Union should take a more active role in supporting Ukraine, pointing out that the war impacts Europe more directly than the United States.