On April 2, 2025, reports indicated that Donald Trump was set to announce new global tariffs on April 3, potentially impacting the US economic strategy. The announcement, dubbed "liberation day," caused global stock market fluctuations and strained relationships with major US trading partners, with tariffs potentially including reciprocal tariffs and 25% tariffs on imports from countries like China, Brazil, India, the EU, Canada, and Mexico.

Published on 2025-04-02, Senate Democrats are attempting to revoke some tariffs imposed by former President Trump, hoping to gain support from the Republican party.

On April 1, 2025, Keir Starmer offered big US technology companies a tax cut in return for lower tariffs from Donald Trump's administration. With Trump’s car tariffs due to come into force, the UK is also understood to have made concessions on agriculture, with tariffs on imports of US beef, chicken and other meat to the UK to be lowered.

On April 2, 2025, Susan Crawford, a liberal judge, won a Wisconsin Supreme Court election against Trump-endorsed candidate Brad Schimel, maintaining a 4-3 liberal majority on the court. The election was the most expensive judicial contest in US history, with Elon Musk backing Schimel, and Crawford's victory impacts cases related to abortion, collective bargaining, and potential congressional district redrawing.

Published on 2025-04-02, a federal judge in Northern California ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore legal funding for migrant children in immigration court on 2025-04-02. The judge granted a restraining order, citing a 2008 anti-trafficking law.

On April 2, 2025, former Biden health secretary Xavier Becerra announced his candidacy for California governor. The race is notable for the potential entry of former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Published on April 2, 2025, Senator Cory Booker delivered a 25-hour-and-4-minute speech on the Senate floor on April 1, 2025, protesting Donald Trump's second term agenda. He had not drunk water since Sunday night and fasted for days beforehand, leading medical professionals to comment on the physical and cognitive strain this would cause.

On April 2, 2025, it was reported that Republicans have won both House of Representatives seats that were up for grabs in Florida. The G.O.P. bolstered its House majority by retaining these two seats.

Reports published on April 2, 2025, indicate that Mike Waltz's team established at least 20 Signal group chats for discussing various global issues, including Ukraine, China, Gaza, Middle East policy, Africa, and Europe, where sensitive information was reportedly shared. Michael Waltz also reportedly added Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat with senior figures to discuss details of an airstrike upon the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, leading to Democrats pushing for Waltz and Hegseth to resign amid the scandal.

On April 1, 2025, Trump announced that Willkie Farr & Gallagher, where Kamala Emhoff works, agreed to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal work for veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement, and first responders during and after Trump’s presidency. The firm also agreed to combat antisemitism and not engage in “DEI” efforts.

On April 1, 2025, Planned Parenthood reported that the Trump administration began withholding tens of millions in federal funding from Planned Parenthood and other health-care providers through Title X. Additionally, justices are weighing a challenge to South Carolina's attempt to defund Planned Parenthood.

On April 2, 2025, Democratic senators criticized the Trump administration's response to the earthquake in Myanmar, citing insufficient aid compared to China and Russia's efforts. The senators urged the U.S. government to grant sanctions waivers for earthquake relief.

On April 2, 2025, The New York Times discussed the elimination of the team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that responds to Freedom of Information Act requests, and a similar team at the Food and Drug Administration was deeply cut. The article questions if this is a governmentwide pattern.

On April 2, 2025, the Agriculture Department is processing long-withheld payments to farmers, encouraging them to remove diversity aspects from their energy projects to align with President Trump's agenda. Several farmers and nonprofits have sued the department, alleging unlawful withholding of funds.

On April 2, 2025, the U.S. State Department attempted to clarify letters sent by American Embassies to foreign contractors regarding compliance with President Trump’s anti-diversity policies, after European companies and officials pushed back. Countries like Belgium, Denmark and France expressed concern and vowed to shield companies from the U.S. policy.