Highlights: Trump marks his first 100 days in office with a rally in Michigan and ABC interview

The president dismissed concerns that he is acting like an authoritarian leader.

“No, I would hate them to think that,” he said of people who hold such concerns. “I’m doing one thing: I’m making America great again.”

He continued: “We had a country that was failing, we have a country that was laughed at all over the world, we had a leader that was grossly incompetent.”

Trump said, “our country’s coming back, and we’re respected again.”

One-fifth of U.S. states are seeing active outbreaks of a disease that had been considered eliminated for more than two decades among unvaccinated populations.

“Do I recommend it? Yes, I do,” Trump told ABC. “Do I mandate it? No.”

Trump added: “The governors are making the decisions.”

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks told her Iowa constituents during a telephone town hall meeting Tuesday that she and fellow House Republicans were enthusiastically backing key parts of Trump’s agenda.

Miller-Meeks represents one of the nation’s tightest swing districts. She praised Trump’s first 100 days in office, even as the president’s approval rating has dropped significantly in recent polls.

“President Trump is restoring order and securing the border, and House Republicans are backing him every step of the way,” she said.

Miller-Meeks also said the Trump administration has taken a step to keep transgender athletes out of women’s sports and was trying to bring manufacturing jobs back to America.

She did not specifically comment on Trump’s tariffs, which are a major concern for Iowa farmers who have long worked to broaden markets for their products in China and elsewhere.

Trump’s lead trade negotiator, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, came to the Senate on Tuesday and told senators that a number of deals that have been negotiated or are close to being finalized, U.S. Sen. David McCormick said.

A key step will be showing the deals to the public so investors and companies know what they look like, McCormick said. That, he said, will give the U.S. more negotiating leverage with China.

The president indicated that he personally chose Terry Moran to conduct the interview for ABC for his first 100 days in office.

The comments came as the two sparred over deported El Salvador native Kilmar Abrego Garcia and evidence — or lack thereof — that he was a member of the MS-13 gang, designated by the U.S. as a “foreign terrorist organization.”

“They’re giving you the big break of a lifetime, you know, you’re doing the interview,” he said. “I picked you because frankly, I never heard of you, but that’s OK.”

Trump then stressed again that he picked Moran for the interview, “but you’re not being very nice.”

U.S. Sen. David McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, said during a telephone town hall that he supports Trump’s tariffs plan as a way to create fairness in the nation’s trading relationships.

“But it’s a bumpy transition,” the Republican from Pennsylvania said. “It’s going to be a challenge because we have big dependency on China, which by the way is the worst cheater of them all in terms of fair trade. And so it’s created anxiety among businesses, among consumers, and the risk, of course, is that slows down investment and people start buying less and it slows down the economy.”

Trump said in an interview Tuesday with ABC News, “I can’t have a major trial for every person that came in illegally.”

Asked whether he would commit to giving people due process, Trump said, “They get whatever my lawyers say.”

Trump insisted that his administration is “careful” in how it is going about deportations, despite the well-publicized case in which El Salvador native Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported there even though a federal judge had ordered he not be returned to the Central America country over concerns for his safety — an error acknowledged by Trump’s own attorneys.

“I’m not the one making this decision,” Trump said, adding that he relies on his lawyers.

Trump, in an interview taped Tuesday morning that was aired later on ABC, called Hegseth “a talented guy” who is going to be “a very good defense — hopefully a great defense secretary.”

But when anchor Terry Moran asked him if he had 100% confidence in Hegseth, the president said, “I don’t have — a hundred percent confidence in anything, OK? Anything,” Trump said. “Do I have a hundred percent? It’s a stupid question.”

A panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has declined the Trump administration’s request to immediately overturn the temporary halt on removals from Colorado under a rarely used 18th century wartime law.

District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney issued the hold last week. She’s one of multiple judges who’ve blocked deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

The panel will consider whether to overturn the hold later, while the judge is hearing arguments for whether to make her temporary order longer lasting.

The Department of Justice has dismissed a school desegregation case it filed against a Louisiana school district in 1966, saying the case had remained open unnecessarily for nearly half a century.

In a statement Tuesday, the department said the Plaquemines Parish School Board had properly integrated schools by 1975. The U.S. sued the district in 1966, but it was subject to federal demands and oversight for decades.

Louisiana’s Republican Gov. Jeff Landry praised the decision on X, saying federal judges had imposed “unnecessary requirements” that cost schools tens of millions of dollars.

Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office would be working closely with other school boards interested in evaluating similar cases to “help them officially put the past in the past.”

The Republican ended as he always did on the campaign trail, proclaiming he will “fight, fight, fight” and “win, win, win.”

The Village People’s “YMCA” then began blaring, and as he did as a candidate, the president began dancing, doing some fist pumps and rocking his hips to the music.

Trump gave a special shoutout to CNN commentator Scott Jennings, a Republican consultant who the president said is “defending me all the time on CNN.”

He then beckoned Jennings to the stage but then seemed to question whether Scott was allowed by CNN to appear on stage with the president.

“Oh, CNN, this is the end of Scott. Who cares? Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you, Scott,” Trump said.

Jennings then spoke briefly and said he wanted to get a farm in Michigan.

The president told the crowd that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was among those in attendance and he has “so much confidence in him.”

“The fake news is after him, really after him. But he’s a tough cookie,” the president said.

The president, like he did on the campaign trail, played a video for rallygoers, but this time he showed a video of alleged gang members being deported to El Salvador.

The video, set to ominous music, had the crowd cheering as images showed deportees having their heads shaved.

The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan into custody Friday morning. She’s accused of escorting a man and his lawyer from her court through the jury door after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the building and seeking his arrest.

She faces federal charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.

The state Supreme Court says it is in the public interest to temporarily relieve her of her duties.

Her attorney had no immediate comment.

Democrats have accused the Trump administration of trying to chill the nation’s judiciary.

▶ Read more about the suspension

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Trump’s 100-days rally feels exactly like one of his campaign rallies, but this time the presidential seal is affixed to the lectern where he’s standing and delivering a freewheeling speech.

The Republican president is hitting a lot of the same points he made during his typically 90-minute campaign gatherings, lobbing insults at former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and shouting out all loyal supporters who journey to his rallies — including a man who wears a brick suit to symbolize Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall.

“We shook hands, and he leaned in to tell me, you know, congratulations and that I was a big reason that we were making an announcement today, the Michigan governor told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “And I was grateful for that.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met Trump at Selfridge Air National Guard Base shortly before he announced the base would receive a new fighter jet mission, easing concerns about its future.

Whitmer has faced criticism from some Democrats for working with Trump. Earlier this month, she was unexpectedly brought into the Oval Office, where a viral photo showed her appearing to hide her face.

“I went to the White House to talk about Selfridge and talk about the ice storm, and I know that I got ridiculed by some pundits and criticized, but I have a duty to show up for Michigan no matter what the circumstances,” Whitmer said.

Two people familiar with the notification who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that haven’t yet been made public confirmed that the targeted gangs are Viv Ansamm and Gran Grif.

The Trump administration made a similar label against eight Latin American crime organizations as it ratcheted up pressure on cartels operating in the U.S. and anyone assisting them. It indicates the U.S. plans to put similar pressure on gangs from Haiti.

▶ Read more about the administration’s plan

Trump entered to his favorite song from the campaign, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” He stood on stage basking in cheers and mouthing some of the lyrics at the end of the song.

Signs in the expo center where the rally is being held said “JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!”, “THE GOLDEN AGE,” and “BUY AMERICAN HIRE AMERICAN,” among other messages.

The pro-democracy media outlet has been at risk of going dark for the first time in 75 years.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted the temporary restraining order for the U.S. Agency for Global Media to disburse money for April 2025 for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty pending the outcome of a lawsuit seeking to keep the station on the air.

Lamberth, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, found that the administration could not unilaterally revoke funding approved by Congress.

▶ Read more about the judge’s order restoring funding

As the party’s base voters have encouraged lawmakers to speak out more, Democrats have held several all-nighters in the Senate to give speeches about Trump’s presidency. Earlier this month, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker spoke for more than 24 hours to protest Trump’s sweeping government spending cuts.

Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the Democrats would speak about what he said is an “economic ticking time bomb” under Trump.

Trump and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared together at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to announce the new fighter jet mission, allaying worries that the installation could close.

For decades, Trump said, the base has “stood as a crucial pillar of North American air defense.”

“In recent years, many in Michigan have feared for the future of the base. They’ve been calling everybody, but the only one that mattered is Trump,” he said. “Today I have come in person to lay to rest any doubt about Selfridge’s future.”

During his remarks, Trump said the governor has been “very effective” in advocating for the base.

▶ Read more about the fighter jet announcement

Thanks for the question!

Though Trump has occasionally mentioned running for president again, he is constitutionally barred from seeking reelection in 2028, and the White House says he’s just “trolling.” Still, it is not uncommon for second-term presidents to hold political rallies to fire up their supporters, especially when they are marking 100 days in office.

Trump has undertaken relatively little domestic travel since returning to the White House, and, when he has, it’s mostly been for large sporting events like the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 as opposed to political speeches. That makes his incoming address before thousands of supporters in Warren, Michigan, stand out.

There are also political implications for Trump’s party as Michigan will be important for Republicans in 2026.

The GOP is trying to win a U.S. Senate seat in the state for the first time in decades and regain control of the governor’s office since current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. There will also be multiple competitive midterm House races, and control of the Michigan Legislature will be up for grabs.

After disembarking Air Force One, Trump shared a surprising hug with a longtime antagonist, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Whitmer has softened her stance toward Trump in hopes of finding common ground — with securing a new air mission to keep Selfridge Air National Guard Base operating remaining a top priority.

After the hug, Whitmer climbed in the president’s motorcade to ride to the base for the joint event.

Trump has dismissed many of former President Joe Biden’s nominees to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Emhoff, who is Jewish, led the Biden administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism.

He criticized the action, saying, “Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized.” He called it “dangerous” to “turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue.”

▶ Read more about the dismissals

The U.S. Education Department says it is investigating whether a Chicago Public Schools program meant to improve outcomes for Black students violates anti-discrimination laws.

The investigation comes in response to a complaint filed by Defending Education, an advocacy group founded to root out what it views as activist agendas in public schools.

The complaint alleges that the district’s “Black Student Success Plan” violates civil rights laws because it is only meant to help Black students, despite students of all races facing academic struggles.

The school system did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Trump arrived Tuesday afternoon ahead of an evening rally to commemorate his first 100 days in office.

Trump landed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where he is set to make an announcement with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat.

Whitmer and other Michigan officials have long advocated for a new fighter mission at the base to secure its future, and before departing for Michigan on Tuesday, Trump pledged to keep Selfridge open.

The Trump administration has approved a $1.3 billion sale of hundreds of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to NATO ally Poland, a neighbor of Ukraine that has expressed concerns about possible concessions to Russia in U.S. efforts to mediate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The State Department said Tuesday it had notified Congress of the sale to Poland of 400 AMRAAM missiles and related equipment, including spare parts, guidance systems and engineering and technical support.

The department said the sale would “support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe” and contribute to Poland’s self-defense capabilities.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate who has shown a willingness to challenge Trump, urged Alaskans who have been protesting or calling members of Congress with concerns about the administration and federal government to not give up.

“Keep the engagement up,” she said during a call-in radio program on Alaska Public Media on Tuesday.

Areas touched on during the hourlong program included concerns about the privacy of personal information, status of federal funding to certain programs, and potential Medicaid cuts.

She said that if people stop speaking out, it will send a message to lawmakers that they’re OK with things.

“And I don’t think that — as I’ve listened to Alaskans — I don’t think Alaskans are saying things are OK now,” she said.

“I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” Trump joked with reporters as he left the White House to travel to Michigan.

He said he doesn’t have a preference on who should succeed Pope Francis, but he put in a plug for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

Trump and Dolan saw each other at Francis’ funeral in Rome last Saturday.

“I must say we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

Hey, Olivia. Thanks for your question.

Trump has certainly gotten a lot done in his first 100 days. We asked AP White House reporter Josh Boak to help us answer this question. He said:

“Trump’s return to the presidency is unique with regard to the way that he’s wielding his executive authority. That’s an issue that transcends whether it’s his first term or second term. We’re seeing him make major changes regarding federal agencies, federal revenues, etc., without having to turn to Congress.”

Boak also broke down some of those numbers and how he’s moving at a pace not seen in decades. Here’s some of his reporting:

In just 100 days, Trump has nearly matched the number of executive orders that his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, signed during the previous four years, 162. Trump, at roughly 140, is essentially moving at a pace not seen since Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency, when the Great Depression necessitated urgent action.

But the number alone fails to capture the unprecedented scope of Trump’s actions. Without seeking congressional approval, Trump has used his orders and directives to impose hundreds of billions of dollars annually in new import taxes and reshape the federal bureaucracy by enabling mass layoffs.

The Trump administration says that Russia and Ukraine must now produce concrete proposals to end the conflict or the U.S. will walk away from efforts to mediate peace.

After several says of President Donald Trump’s increasing public frustration over the slow pace of developments, the State Department on Tuesday ramped up pressure on both sides to move quickly.

Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as telling her that “we are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict.”

“How we proceed from here is a decision that belongs now to the president,” she told reporters, relating a conversation she had with Rubio. “If there is not progress, we will step back as mediators in this process.”

Perdue, a Republican who served one term as a U.S. senator from Georgia, was confirmed 67-29 with some Democratic support. At his confirmation hearing this month, the former business executive called the U.S. relationship with China the “most consequential diplomatic challenge of the 21st century.”

“Our approach to China should be nuanced, nonpartisan and strategic,” Perdue said.

While the Trump administration appears to be betting that the substantial 145% tariffs it’s imposed will be unsustainable for the Chinese economy and bring Beijing to the negotiating table, the Chinese leadership has vowed to “fight to the end.” China is readjusting domestic policies to expand the domestic market and reduce reliance on the U.S.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt played a round “Trump trolling or Trump truthing” with a questioner at a special briefing Tuesday for organizations they consider “new media.”

Asked about “Trump 2028,” Leavitt said, “it’s Trump trolling.” She added that hats promoting another Trump campaign for president “are flying off the shelves.”

The Constitution limits presidents to two terms, and the 78-year-old Trump just hit the 100 day mark of his second term.

But he also has encouraged – rather than shut down -- speculation about a potential 2028 campaign, citing unspecified “loopholes” for how a third term could be achieved.

In other “trolling” or “truthing” responses from Leavitt:

Greenland joining America? “Definitely Trump truthing,” she replied.

And Canada as the 51st state? “Trump truthing all the way,” Leavitt said.

Eliminating the IRS? “I think that is an optimistic goal … so I would say we’re on the side of truthing there for sure,” she said.

“This trend cannot continue,” Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “We refuse to go back to Jim Crow. And we refuse to return to pre-1776, when America answered to a monarch. The rule of law matters. That’s why we’ve been fighting the Trump Administration for its unlawful and unconstitutional actions — and why we’re organizing nationwide to mobilize the masses.”

“This is no time to stay silent,” Johnson added. “Our democracy is on the brink of extinction. Everyone’s voice matters now more than ever.”

Pete Hegseth’s post Tuesday morning inaccurately called the Department of Defense program “yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops.”

“WPS is a UNITED NATIONS program pushed by feminists and left-wing activists. Politicians fawn over it; troops HATE it,” Hegseth claimed as he pledged to do the bare minimum required by Congress while working to eliminate the program altogether.

But it was Trump who proudly signed the bipartisan law in 2017, and its supporters include Trump’s new Joint Chiefs Chairman, Gen. Dan Caine.

The act recognizes the security advantages for field commanders of having women on negotiating teams, for example in societies where access to female leaders is limited to women.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., read the tweet aloud during a hearing Tuesday, and said it “contains some glaring inaccuracies that are far beneath the standard we should expect from the Department of Defense.”

The line of people waiting to get into Trump’s rally in Warren, Michigan, began forming more than five hours before doors opened.

Some brought coolers and held small tailgating sessions among the metal barriers, to a soundtrack including a new version of Trump’s favorite ‘YMCA’ song.

“MAGA, there’s no need to feel down,” the rewrite goes, leading to the refrain “Make America Great Again.”

“The American dream, where a deal’s a deal,” the song continues. “You can do whatever you feel.”

The song wasn’t prompting anyone to dance yet. More hours in line could change that.

Speaker Mike Johnson said at a news conference that he had already spoken with Trump twice on the morning of his 100th day in the White House and dismissed polling showing dips in the president’s approval rating.

“In any new administration, it’s a rollercoaster, right?” Johnson said. Those “bumps in the road” are expected as Trump sets out to become the most “consequential president of the modern era,” he added.

The second Trump presidency has produced a seemingly constant stream of news.

The Associated Press has shared the headlines with people worldwide, flagging the most notable developments in hundreds of news alerts that reflect a dizzying stretch of activity by Trump, those who oppose him, the courts and the world.

To show the back-and-forth, we sorted the alerts into six categories. The alerts show how the days played out in some of the areas where Trump focused most, which included immigration, federal spending, foreign policy and tariffs.

▶ Read more about the story these alerts tell about Trump’s first 100 days

Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are set to tour Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger, South Carolina, Vance’s office announced Tuesday.

Both will speak about the Trump administration’s manufacturing agenda in the first 100 days.

A $425 million expansion creating 50 jobs at the plant was announced in 2022, with groundbreaking a year ago.