Trump angrily denies Elon Musk will be part of sensitive Pentagon briefing on China: Live updates

Trump admin tries again to block reversal on trans service members ban
The Trump administration is asking for another shot to block a judge’s order reversing President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender service members. The judge is holding a last-minute hearing at 11 a.m.
Government attorneys accuse Judge Ana Reys of having “misconstrued” Pentagon policy banning trans troops. If the judge doesn’t dissolve the injunction, they want her to extend a pause on the order taking effect so they can appeal. Attorney General Pam Bondi is prepared to appeal, they wrote.
Alex Woodward21 March 2025 14:37
Recap: What is happening in court over Trump’s El Salvador deportation flights?
Last night and this morning: The Trump administration told Judge James Boasberg that there are cabinet-level discussions about invoking a rarely used “state secrets” privilege to avoid answering the judge’s questions about the flights.
At 2:30 p.m. today, there is a hearing on the ACLU’s initial challenge to Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act that prompted the judge’s order to temporarily block the flights (and which the administration allegedly ignored).
On Monday, and appeals court will hear arguments to Trump’s challenge of the judge’s temporary restraining order.
Alex Woodward21 March 2025 14:35
U.S. to limit Canadian access to border library
Oliver O’Connell21 March 2025 14:30
Watch: Trump agricultural secretary claims Americans voted for higher food prices for ‘interim period’
Oliver O’Connell21 March 2025 14:18
Oliver O’Connell21 March 2025 14:16
Trump and Hegseth to announce fighter jet contract, report says
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are set to make an announcement in the Oval Office at 11 a.m. ET, and until now, there were no details concerning what it was going to be about.
CBS News reports that they will be announcing a contract award to produce sixth-generation fighter jets.
Oliver O’Connell21 March 2025 14:06
Trump officials return to court over El Salvador deportation flights as the president battles the judge
A standoff between the Trump administration and a federal judge in Washington, D.C. is at boiling point.
Judge James Boasberg has repeatedly extended a deadline for the administration’s answers about deportation flights to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act 1798 after he temporarily blocked them from leaving the U.S.
Last night, the administration suggested it is trying to cite a “state secrets” privilege to avoid answering his questions. The judge accused officials of being evasive and “woefully insufficient” in their reasoning.
This afternoon, government lawyers and ACLU plaintiffs will be appear in Judge Boasberg’s courtroom for a hearing in the case – after Trump and administration officials have attacked the judge and signaled a wider crisis with a system of checks and balance designed to prevent the president from authoritarian rule.
On Friday morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “No District Court Judge, or any Judge, can assume the duties of the President of the United States. Only Crime and Chaos would result. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Joe Sommerlad21 March 2025 14:00
Deputy AG weighs in on deportation flights and state secrets privilege
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly now-President Donald Trump’s defense lawyer, tells Judge James Boasberg that there are cabinet-level meetings underway over invoking a “state secrets” privilege to avoid answering the court’s questions about the El Salvador deportation flights.
Alex Woodward21 March 2025 13:52
Trump signs order directing agencies to grant officials access to records
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the heads of government agencies to allow federal officials access to unclassified agency records, data, and systems to combat waste and fraud, the White House announced on Friday.
The order was posted on the White House website on Thursday, and a fact sheet indicated that Trump had signed it on Friday.
Oliver O’Connell21 March 2025 13:48
Republican congressman’s two-word response during CNN grilling over Musk campaign donation rumors
New York Congressman Mike Lawler issued a two-word response after being grilled live on CNN about rumors that Elon Musk donated to his re-election campaigns.
The Republican lawmaker sparred with former New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat, as they discussed the reports that the world’s richest man was set for a secret Pentagon briefing about the U.S. military’s top-secret war plans for China.
Here’s James Liddell on how it played out.
Joe Sommerlad21 March 2025 13:40