• Oval Office fallout: Zelensky told Fox News he doesn’t feel he needs to apologize to the US president. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN the Ukrainian should “apologize for turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became.”
• More firings: Calling its workforce “bloated,” the Social Security Administration announced plans to slash about 7,000 jobs, or roughly 12% of its staff. The potential cuts are part of a larger reorganization at the agency in line with the Trump administration’s drive to downsize the federal government.
Australian prime minister reiterates support for Ukraine after Oval Office clash
By CNN’s Lucas Lilieholm
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese expresses his support for Ukraine on Saturday.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation/Reuters
Australia’s prime minister reiterated his country’s support for Ukraine after a fiery clash between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
The prime minister said peace was possible if Russia ceased its attacks on the country.
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Trump takes seized boxes back to Florida with him on Air Force One
From CNN's Kit Maher and Donald Judd
Boxes are loaded onto Air Force One before President Donald Trump's departure at Joint Base Andrews on Friday.
Luis M. Alvarez/AP
President Donald Trump today transported back to Florida with him boxes of documents that the FBI had seized from Mar-a-Lago after executing a court-ordered search warrant in August 2022.
Communications Director Steven Cheung, who said the boxes were loaded onto Air Force One, told reporters aboard the plane that the boxes contain “personal items that belong to the president.”
Counselor to the president Alina Habba rebuffed questions on what the documents included, where they will be stored, or if the White House is changing any storage protocol following the FBI search.
“These are President Trump’s things. These are his items, and they needed to be returned to him,” Habba said. Asked about concerns about the storage of sensitive materials at Mar-a-Lago, Habba said, “They were personal items. You can’t just go into somebody’s home in this country. This is what differentiates us from a third world country.”
As CNN previously reported, Trump allegedly kept classified documents at his Florida club, including in a public ballroom, bathroom and a bedroom.
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Federal workers turn to little-known board as more mass firings loom. Here's where things stand
From CNN's Elise Hammond, Tami Luhby, Natasha Bertand, John Fritze, Fredreka Schouten, Jamie Gangel, Casey Gannon, Hannah Rabinowitz and Evan Perez
Nonprofit groups told the Supreme Court that the Trump administration’s freeze of billions in foreign aid from the State Department and the US Agency for International Development is harming their work.
Meantime, as changes to the federal workforce are going into effect, workers are turning to Merit Systems Protection Board to try to save their jobs. The obscure board — barely known outside of government — is set to become the next major battleground for Trump and the federal workers he’s trying to fire.
Here’s the latest on the federal agencies:
Social Security Administration cuts: Calling its workforce “bloated,” the Social Security Administration announced plans to slash about 7,000 jobs, or roughly 12% of its staff. Trump has repeatedly promised not to touch Social Security benefits. However, a key employee union, advocates and Democratic lawmakers are raising concerns that deep staffing cuts will hurt customer service.
Pentagon email: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is ordering all Pentagon civilian employees to respond to an email they will receive on Monday requesting five bullet points “on their previous week’s achievements,” according to a copy of a memo distributed to the workforce, signed by Hegseth and obtained by CNN. The memo follows a week of conflicting guidance on whether federal employees had to respond to an email sent last weekend by the Office of Personnel Management, which was spurred by Elon Musk.
Federal aid funding lawsuit: A group of nonprofits suing the Trump administration over nearly $2 billion in frozen foreign aid told the Supreme Court in a filing that the spending pause has had a “devastating” impact on their work and accused the government of defying a lower court order. The Trump administration is asking for that lower court order to be tossed out. It required the government to spend much of the aid money that is frozen.
Democratic Party sues: The Democratic National Committee and the party’s congressional campaign arms filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s attempt to exert control over the Federal Election Commission. Earlier this month, Trump issued a sweeping executive order mandating White House review of regulations at the FEC and other independent agencies. This is the first legal action from the Democratic Party in Trump’s second term.
Federal prosecutors demoted: At least eight senior federal prosecutors who worked on the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot cases have been demoted to entry-level jobs, according to multiple sources and memos obtained by CNN. The unprecedented moves by Ed Martin, the acting US attorney in Washington, DC, are seen as retaliation by the Donald Trump loyalist as a way to force the prosecutors to resign, sources say.
Merit board: Federal workers are rushing to the Merit Systems Protection Board, or MSPB, to try to save their jobs from Trump’s mass government layoffs. The board protects “merit system principles,” like hiring only qualified people, treating staff fairly regardless of race or religion, and preventing punishments based on political views, according to the MSPB website. CNN reported Friday that a member of MSPB — Raymond Limon — retired Friday.
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Exclusive: Rubio says Zelensky should apologize after tense exchange with Trump
From CNN's Michael Williams
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes part in an interview with CNN on Friday.
CNN
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN in an exclusive interview that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should apologize after his meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office devolved into what Rubio described as a “fiasco,” while questioning whether the Ukrainian leader really wants peace in the country’s war with Russia.
Sen. Graham, a staunch Ukraine ally, says Zelensky “is either going to have to fundamentally change or go”
From CNN's Morgan Rimmer, Kaanita Iyer and Haley Britzky
Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to reporters outside of the White House on Friday.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
A number of Republican lawmakers and Cabinet members lauded President Donald Trump after a clash between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House today.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was part of a bipartisan group of senators who met with Zelensky earlier today, praised President Donald Trump’s handling of the fiery Oval Office exchange and warned that Zelensky “is either going to have to fundamentally change or go.”
“I’ve never been more proud of President Trump for showing the American people and the world you don’t trifle with this man. He was very positive, he was very upbeat, he wanted to get a ceasefire, he wants to end the war. And Zelensky felt like he needed to debate Trump in the Oval Office. (Vice President) JD (Vance) was awesome. This is a missed opportunity,” Graham said in an interview on Fox News.
Graham has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine and said that he is “devastated” by what happened in the meeting, calling it an “absolute, utter disaster.” He added that he told Zelensky to “be grateful, be thankful” in the meeting.
Later, when asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins what Trump said at lunch of his interaction with Zelensky, Graham said, “He was shocked. He was very upbeat.”
Here’s what other Republican lawmakers and officials said:
House Speaker Mike Johnson: The Oval Office meeting showed “an American President putting America first,” he said in a post on X. “Thanks to President Trump - the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER.” Johnson also said that the “Russian-provoked war,” needs to “stop immediately.” The Speaker said that only Trump “can put these two countries on a path to lasting peace” – and that Zelensky “needed to acknowledge that.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, the most senior Senate Republican to meet Zelensky today, said Russian President Vladimir Putin is an imperialistic dictator but that the Trump is in charge of negotiations with foreign powers.
Mike Lee, Senate Energy and Natural Resources chairman, posted on X, “Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!” He also criticized House Republican Don Bacon for saying that today was a “bad day for America’s foreign policy.” Lee wrote, “Maybe he meant it was a ‘bad day for *Ukraine’s* foreign policy.’”
Sen. Rick Scott released a statement thanking Trump for “standing up for America’s best interests.”
Sen. Josh Hawley, who has long been opposed to sending aid to Ukraine, said, “Remember: the U.S. Senate has repeatedly and for years voted BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine with no strings attached and with no true oversight. It’s time for some ACCOUNTABILITY.”
Sen. John Barrasso, the second-ranking Senate Republican,said Zelensky’s “behavior in the Oval Office today set back efforts to secure peace for his nation” and that Zelensky “owes a tremendous amount of thanks to President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the American people.”
Sen. John Curtis condemned the shouting match and urged the two leaders to resume discussions. “Diplomacy and statesmanship seem to have been checked at the door of the Oval Office today,” Curtis said in a post on X. “Ukraine is an ally in pursuit of free markets, free speech, and free people — Western values that align with our own. A win for Putin, on the other hand, does not.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endorsed Trump’s statement that Zelensky “disrespected” the US and can “come back when he is ready for peace.”
Rep. Brian Fitzpatricksaid in a statement that “it was heartbreaking to witness the turn of events that transpired” in the Oval Office. He added that he is “confident that the parties will reconvene in pursuit of a mutually agreeable solution that best serves the interests of the United States of America and Ukraine.”
This post was updated with more remarks from GOP lawmakers.
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Ukrainian parliament supports Zelensky, Foreign Affairs Committee head says
From CNN's Jim Sciutto
Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of the Ukranian Parliment's Foreign Affairs Committee, appears on CNN on Friday.
CNN
There’s “absolutely no doubt” that the Ukrainian parliament will back President Volodymyr Zelensky after his tense exchange with his US counterpart Donald Trump, according to the head of its Foreign Affairs Committee.
Merezkho said he would like Trump to visit Kyiv and see the situation there.
Merezkho added that the deal involving Ukraine’s minerals is “not the most reliable security guarantee” and that only NATO membership could provide that.
He added that he does not believe that Trump will propose a plan that appeases Russia.
“Appeasement doesn’t lead to peace. It opens the flood gates for the third world war,” he said.
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Trump suggests Zelensky doesn’t want to make peace while Putin does
From CNN's Alejandra Jaramillo
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Donald Trump suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was “not a man that wanted to make peace,” while claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin does want to end the war.
The Russian president by contrast, Trump said, “is going to want to make it, he wants to make it, he wants to end it.”
The comments from Trump came after an earlier meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart devolved into an angry exchange over the nature of US support and whether Zelensky had shown enough gratitude.
Asked whether he was considering cutting off military aid to Ukraine, Trump responded: “It doesn’t matter what I’m considering. I’m just telling you: You saw what I saw today. That was not a man that wanted to make peace, and I’m only interested if he wants to end the bloodshed.”
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Zelensky was told to leave White House early after Oval Office shouting match. Here’s a recap of what happened
From CNN's Elise Hammond, Kaitlan Collins, Daria Tarasova-Markina, Victoria Butenko, Katharina Krebs, Lauren Kent, Kevin Liptak, Alex Marquardt and Kit Maher
President Donald Trump talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
A remarkable shouting match broke out in the Oval Office on Friday between President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, an extraordinarily fractious display that only underscored the deeply uncertain future of American assistance to Kyiv.
Castigating Zelensky for not demonstrating enough gratitude for American support, Trump and his Vice President JD Vance raised their voices, accusing the besieged leader of standing in the way of a peace agreement with Russia as the full-scale invasion has surpassed its third year.
What was said:
Huge blow to relations: The relationship between Trump and Zelensky “seems irreparable,” a US official told CNN, who raised the possibility of the Ukrainian leader stepping down. It’s “disastrous,” the official said. “Not clear how the bilateral relationship proceeds while Zelensky is still in charge … unless he can find a way to make this right with [Trump].”
Separately, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was part of a bipartisan group of senators who met with Zelensky earlier, warned that Zelensky “is either going to have to fundamentally change or go.”
After the meeting: Following the exchange, the two leaders went into separate rooms and Trump ordered the Ukrainians be told to leave, a White House official said. The Ukrainians protested and wanted to continue the talks. But they were told no, a White House official said. A scheduled joint press conference was scrapped and Zelensky departed in his black SUV without signing a planned agreement on providing US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
Trump and Zelensky’s reactions: Trump posted online that his counterpart was not welcome back until he was “ready for peace.” Zelensky posted on X, “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry also reacted on Telegram: “We have our own things to do. Glory to Ukraine.”
Russian reaction: Kirill Dmitriev, a special envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reacted to a video of the exchange on X with one word: “historic.” The headline from Russia state news agency TASS said Zelensky “interrupted, argued and was rude to the press.” A headline by another Russian state media outlet, RIA Novosti, read: “Zelensky’s Hysteria in the White House Shocks the Rada,” referring to the Ukrainian parliament.
Earlier today: Zelensky said he met with a bipartisan US Senate delegation, where the discussion focused on “continued military assistance for Ukraine, relevant legislative initiatives,” his upcoming meeting with Trump and security guarantees. He also said he was “grateful for the unwavering bicameral and bipartisan support.”
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reports on key moments of the fiery meeting:
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Trump says he wants a ceasefire now and that Zelensky cannot win war if he "fights it out"
From CNN's Kit Maher
President Donald Trump said he wants an immediate ceasefire and said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky won’t be able to win if he “fights it out” without the US, further berating his Ukrainian counterpart in his first comments to reporters after ordering him out of the White House earlier today.
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Canada will stand with Ukraine, prime minister says
From CNN’s Paula Newton
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday his country would “continue to stand with Ukraine” following the fractious meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
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Zelensky says he doesn’t think he needs to apologize to Trump
From CNN’s Jennifer Hauser, Betsy Klein and Donald Judd
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told Fox News’ Bret Baier that he doesn’t feel he needs to apologize to US President Donald Trump after a heated exchange at the White House.
Asked whether Trump tuned in, White House communications director Steven Cheung told reporters aboard Air Force One, “Yes.” Cheung did not elaborate further.
Watch the exchange below:
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Hear what Zelensky said following tense Oval Office meeting
Hear what Zelensky said following tense Oval Office meeting
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Trump administration terminates funds for program supporting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, source says
From CNN's Jennifer Hansler
The US Agency for International Development’s $25 million contribution to an initiative to support Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure against Russian attacks was terminated this week, according to a source familiar.
Some context: The termination was among thousands foreign assistance awards canceled this week and came ahead of President Donald Trump’s contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The money was for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which supports the Ukrainian government’s effort to support and repair their energy infrastructure, which has faced relentless Russian attacks throughout the course of the war.
Although the cancellation occurred before the Friday meeting between Trump and Zelensky, it comes amid a radical shift in policy toward Ukraine that has left some longtime diplomats shocked.
“I’m literally sick to my stomach,” one diplomat told CNN Friday.
“I fear for the fallout,” they said, predicting that “no one in Ukraine will sleep well tonight.”
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Air raid sirens go off in Kyiv
From CNN’s Gul Tuysuz, Daria Tarasova-Markina, Lauren Kent, Kostya Gak and Ivana Kottasová
Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv on Friday night, as Russia continued its bombardment of Ukraine, while drone attacks hit the regions of Odesa and Kharkiv.
The Kharkiv region was hit in a separate drone attack, according to local Ukrainian officials. The mayor of Kharkiv said one of the drone strikes hit a medical facility with people inside and caused a fire there.
Russian forces have killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians in drone and missile attacks in the less than three weeks since US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump said he was convinced the Russian leader wants to end the war. Yet Russia has continued to launch waves of deadly attacks every day since then.
Russia has deployed as many as 267 drones in a single day, according to the Ukrainian Airforce. At least 62 civilians have been killed and 293 others, including many children, have been injured, according to a CNN count based on statements from Ukrainian officials.
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European leaders' message to Ukraine after Oval Office exchange: "You’ll never walk alone"
From CNN's Aditi Sangal, Lauren Kent, Nick Paton Walsh, Victoria Butenko and Saskya Vandoorne
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is seen in the Oval office during a meeting with Us President Donald Trump on Friday.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and to European Council President António Costa following his heated meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, according to a Ukrainian source with knowledge of the situation. Zelensky has also spoken to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a source said.
Here’s how European leaders are reacting to the tense exchange between the two presidents:
France’s Macron: “There is an aggressor, which is Russia, and an attacked people, which is Ukraine,” Macron told French broadcaster BFMTV. “We were all right to help Ukraine and to sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue doing so,” Macron added. “We must thank all those who have helped, and we must respect those who have been fighting since the beginning.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: A spokesperson said he spoke to both Trump and Zelensky today. “He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine,” the spokesperson said.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said in a statement that it’s “clear that the free world needs a new leader.” European Union leaders also issued a joint statement urging Zelensky to “be strong.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: The key Trump ally in Europe proposed holding a summit with the US and European nations to discuss the war in Ukraine, saying that division makes the West weaker.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: “Dear (Zelensky), dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock: “Ukraine is not alone.”“Germany together with our European allies stands united alongside Ukraine – and against the Russian aggression. Ukraine can build on unwavering support from Germany, Europe and beyond. Their defense of democracy and their quest for peace and security is ours.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: “Ukraine, Spain stands with you.”
Moldovan President Maia Sandu: “The truth is simple. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor,” she said. “Ukraine defends its freedom – and ours. We stand with Ukraine.”
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda: “Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna: “The only obstacle to peace is the decision by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to continue his war of aggression. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine,” he said. “Estonia’s support for Ukraine remains unwavering. It is time for Europe to step up. We do not need to wait for something else to happen; Europe has enough resources, including Russia’s frozen assets, to enable Ukraine to continue fighting.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: The far-right populist and Trump ally, took to X to stand with the US president. “Strong men make peace, weak men make war,” Orban wrote. “Today President (Trump) stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!”
Meanwhile, CNN’s David Chalian spoke to New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser about the “Putinization of America,” which she says has sent a shock wave through Europe. You can listen to the interview below:
This post was updated with additional reactions from European leaders.
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Trump declines to say whether he asked Zelensky to leave the White House
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House on Friday.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Donald Trump declined to tell reporters whether he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to leave the White House after their Oval Office meeting devolved into a shouting match earlier on Friday afternoon.
“I don’t have to tell you that,” he told a reporter when asked if he told Zelensky to leave. “I think I think you know the answer to that.”
CNN had earlier reported that Trump ordered the Ukrainians to leave the White House early after the tense exchange. The two leaders did not hold the joint press conference, as was scheduled, and they also did not sign a natural resources agreement.
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Kennedy moves to eliminate notice and public comment requirements for certain HHS decisions
From CNN’s Brenda Goodman
The US Department of Health and Human Services has reversed an obscure requirement called the Richardson Waiver, which requires a period of notice and an opportunity for public comment on a wide range of decisions related to “agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts.”
The Richardson Waiver has been in force at the department since 1971 and imposes notice-and-comment periods above and beyond those required under something called the Administrative Procedures Act.
It also says HHS should only make decisions without public notice sparingly.
On Friday, incoming HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., posted a notice to the Federal Register saying the requirements of the waiver “impose costs on the Department and the public, are contrary to the efficient operation of the Department, and impede the Department’s flexibility to adapt quickly to legal and policy mandates.”
The move drew alarm from open government advocates and policy hawks, who said it would only serve to shroud the departments decisions in secrecy.
In his Senate confirmation hearings, Kennedy pledged “radical transparency” during his tenure at HHS.
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A pro-Ukraine expert outlines the country's choices after Zelensky's exchange with Trump
From CNN's Jake Tapper
One pro-Ukraine expert, normally supportive of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, cautioned that today’s shouting match between him and US President Donald Trump should be seen in a clear-eyed way.
There are three options for Ukraine now, he explained.
“One, America can send military weapons and manpower and potentially, this starts World War III.
“Two, Ukraine can surrender and give in to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.
“Or three, we give this ceasefire plan and deal that Trump is pushing a chance. I would go for option three. Trump was talking about Ukraine getting land back that it has lost just yesterday,” the expert said.
“Zelensky knew the position of the Trump administration ahead of time. Perhaps this meeting was a trap,” the expert added.
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The Trump administration has no plans to announce more assistance to Ukraine, but aid is still flowing
From CNN's Oren Liebermann
Although the Trump administration has not announced any new military shipments for Ukraine, the delivery of weapons and equipment previously announced under the Biden administration has still been flowing to Kyiv in recent weeks.
There was no indication that had changed in the immediate aftermath of the Oval Office blowup, according to multiple US officials.
There are also multiple longer-term contracts between arms manufacturers and the US to send weapons systems to Ukraine. Those contracts were announced under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and were designed to provide weapons to Ukraine in the future.
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Trump’s Ukraine envoy had advised against an Oval Office meeting, source says
From CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh
US President Donald Trump’s Russia-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg advised against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting with Trump in the Oval Office because he thought “the relationship needed to be strengthened,” according to a source familiar with the talks.
Zelensky’s team pushed for the White House meeting, the source said.
The source familiar with the talks told CNN: “In Kyiv, Kellogg and Zelensky had agreed to a deal with one item still to be finalized.”
“Zelensky played it as wrong as he could play it. He came into Oval acting like a tough guy. It didn’t play well. Everyone in the room felt insulted,” a senior US official involved with the talks said.
