The Trump administration will investigate whether to slap tariffs on lumber imports on the grounds of national security, raising the risk of higher costs for the construction industry and homebuyers.
Why it matters: It is the latest economically critical input — including steel, aluminum and copper — to get swept up into President Trump's trade war in an effort to boost domestic industry.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday announced his bid for New York City mayor.
Why it matters: Cuomo, who resigned as governor because of a sexual harassment scandal, is seeking to stage a political comeback, and early polling shows he's a leading contender to oust embattled Mayor Eric Adams.
For years, Donald Trump has been obsessed with presidential power, revenge against his enemies — and winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
Why it matters: Now Trump's administration is aggressively pushing him for a Nobel — the obsession that has eluded him. That was a subtext to Friday's Oval Office blowup with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Federal workers reportedly got another email Friday night asking them to document their weekly activities — though so far this time, there's been no explicit threat from Elon Musk they'll lose their jobs if they don't reply.
Why it matters: The Musk-led campaign to slash the federal workforce is accelerating, and the emails may end up being another way to justify cutting thousands of jobs.
Classified documents — the final remnants of former special counsel Jack Smith's since-dismissed federal case against President Trump — have been turned over to the president, he said.
Zoom in: "They are being brought down to Florida and will someday be part of the Trump Presidential Library," Trump said on Truth Social Friday. "Justice finally won out. I did absolutely nothing wrong."
President Trump will speak at the first-ever White House Crypto Summit next Friday.
Why it matters: Trump has promised to be America's "first crypto president," and said Feb. 19 that he's "committed to making America the crypto capital."
Elon Musk defended DOGE's actions, name dropped alleged Jeffery Epstein clients and weighed in on the "Gulf of America" standoff between the Trump administration and the Associated Press in an appearance on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.
The big picture: The pair, in their three-hour interview, railed against legacy media, discussed what the world would have been like if Twitter wasn't X and explained why DOGE is seen as a threat — though Musk said it doesn't go far in exposing corruption because doing so could get him "killed."
Left: Pro-Trump commentator Rogan O'Handley, aka DC Draino, holds up a binder of Epstein-related documents at the White House. Right: Andrew Tate lands at Fort Lauderdale airport. Photos: Saul Loeb/AFP; Alon Skuy via Getty Images
President Trump's online base is splintering over the administration's handling of two major news stories related to sex trafficking, which converged this week in dramatic fashion.
Why it matters: The online MAGA universe is diverse, powerful, and extremely volatile. With a mix of ultra Trump loyalists and conservative ideologues, infighting is inevitable — and often explosive.
President Trump's clash with legacy media, his spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and influence over the House GOP's budget deal were among the biggest news events out of his administration this week.
Here's our recap of key developments the past week:
"I am not sure we did something bad," he said in an interview with Bret Baier aired Friday evening.
Why it matters: The earlier shouting match in front of the cameras led to the explosion of a meeting between the two leaders, with Trump asking Zelensky to leave the White House.
