WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper decided he could not grant a motion from unions representing the workers to temporarily block President Donald Trump’s mass firings of federal workers. He did, however, acknowledge the chaos caused by Trump’s blitz of second-term executive actions.

Here’s the latest:

Trump said Bessent’s visit to Ukraine was ‘a wasted trip,’ continues criticism of Zelenskyy

Trump continued his criticism of Zelenskyy on Friday and said that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s trip to Kyiv last week to try to secure a deal to access Ukraine’s minerals was “a wasted trip.”

“Frankly I wish he didn’t go there, waste all of his time like that,” Trump said on an interview on “The Brian Kilmeade Show” on Fox Radio.

He started to criticize Zelenskyy for his leadership as his country was destroyed by war. Host Brian Kilmeade said, “That’s Putin’s fault,” and Trump said. “I get tired of listening to it, I’ll tell you what.”

Trump continued complaining about Zelenskyy and said he “doesn’t think he’s very important to be at meetings” and that he’s been negotiating “with no cards, and you get sick of it.”

He said Putin wants to make a deal and added, “He doesn’t have to make a deal. Because if he wanted, he would get the whole country.”

Social Security Administration ends cooperative agreements with researchers focused on equity in benefits

The Social Security Administration terminated its cooperative agreements with its Retirement and Disability Research Consortium — which includes research relationships with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Brandeis University, University of Baltimore, and Westat.

The agency cites President Trump’s executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.”

“Terminating our RDRC cooperative agreements aligns with President Trump’s priorities to end fraudulent and wasteful initiatives and contracts,” said Social Security’s Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek.

The center’s website states that its research agenda focuses on equity in access to Social Security retirement for under-recognized and underserved segments of society, the intersection of health and access to healthcare and equitable disability program participation and disparities in disability program access and participation. Social Security says ending the cooperative agreements will bring about $15 million dollars in cost savings.

US envoy praises Zelenskyy after Trump’s censure of the Ukrainian leader

President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine and Russia said on Friday that he held “extensive and positive discussions” with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the three-year war with Russia and praised the Ukrainian leader as an “embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war.”

Retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg — who traveled to Kyiv on Wednesday and whose planned news conference with Zelenskyy on Thursday was changed at the last minute to a simple photo opportunity — struck a positive tone after what he said on the social platform X was “a long and intense day” of talks with Ukraine’s senior leadership.

His comments marked a departure from recent rebukes of Zelenskyy by Trump and other senior U.S. officials that appeared to indicate an abrupt deterioration of relations.

Economic vibes not looking so great for Trump

Consumer confidence fell nearly 10% on a monthly basis in February, a sharp plunge that suggests President Donald Trump’s tariff plans have given his administration a potentially short honeymoon with voters.

The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment came in Friday at a reading of 64.7, down 9.8% on a monthly basis and 15.9% on a yearly basis. The Trump administration has touted other measures of confidence such as the National Federation of Independent Business’ index to suggest there is newfound optimism because of Trump’s return to the White House.

But during President Joe Biden’s tenure, the Michigan numbers often tracked with his loss of public approval. The latest Michigan figures have people expecting on average that inflation will increase 4.3% over the next year, a sharp increase from the January reading. Tariffs are taxes on imports that can raise prices for consumers. Confidence among Republicans has held steady in the index, but it has fallen sharply among Democrats and political independents.

White House defends DOGE cuts amid complaints about ‘chainsaw’ approach

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the Trump administration’s sweeping measures when asked about complaints Friday that DOGE is using a “chainsaw” approach to cutting the government’s size and spending, Leavitt told reporters at the White House that there is public support for the administration, and it is “committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse.”

“The president campaigned on that promise. Americans elected him on that promise, and he’s actually delivering on it. And this is something that Democrats promised they would do for decades. President Trump is just the first president to get it done,” she said.

Treasury raises concerns with China’s Vice Premier over fentanyl

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed concerns about China’s counternarcotics efforts, according to a Treasury readout of his first call Friday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

President Donald Trump, who signed an order imposing 10% tariffs against China earlier this month, is aiming at combating the illicit flow of fentanyl into the U.S., where the opioid is blamed for some 70,000 overdose deaths annually.

China is a major supplier of precursor chemicals used for the manufacturing of fentanyl.

The Treasury said the finance ministers also spoke about “economic imbalances, and unfair policies, and stressed the Administration’s commitment to pursue trade and economic policies that protect the American economy, the American worker, and our national security.”

The pair agreed to remain in communication.