On April 17, 2025, reports indicated that the IRS is considering revoking Harvard University's tax-exempt status amidst criticism from Donald Trump regarding the independence of US institutions. This action could potentially cost Harvard millions of dollars annually.

On April 17, 2025, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to suspend a judge’s order for Trump administration officials to testify about compliance with instructions to return Kilmar Ábrego García, a wrongly deported legal US resident. The court asserted the government was improperly detaining residents in foreign prisons, and there was probable cause for criminal contempt against Trump administration officials for refusing to comply with court orders regarding the deportation.

On April 17, 2025, Cory Booker announced plans to travel to El Salvador to pressure the Trump administration to return Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident wrongly deported last month. This action follows the Trump administration's refusal to comply with a Supreme Court order to facilitate García's return.

On April 17, 2025, Donald Trump publicly criticized Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell for not lowering US interest rates. Trump also expressed his desire to have Powell removed from his position.

On April 17, 2025, it was reported that Elon Musk’s SpaceX, along with two partners, are leading contenders to win a significant part of Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense shield project. This project involves deploying 400 to 1,000 satellites.

On April 17, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss trade and other issues, aiming to bridge the gap between the EU and US amid trade tariff tensions. Trump indicated he was in no rush to end tariffs, while Meloni emphasized US-Europe cooperation, also covering the war in Ukraine and Italy's role in postwar reconstruction.

On April 17, 2025, it was reported that Elon Musk has donated over $250 million to help elect Donald Trump and serves as a special advisor to the president.

On April 17, 2025, it was reported that Michigan’s newest Senate candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, is advocating for a stricter stance on Donald Trump.

On April 17, 2025, ICE agents in New Bedford, Massachusetts, detained asylum seeker Juan Francisco Mendez, leading to demands for answers from his family and criticism from the mayor. A federal judge in New Hampshire ruled that ICE must give Mendez's attorneys 72 hours notice before moving him.

On April 17, 2025, an article was published discussing the growing concern over the US federal budget deficit. It criticized the Trump and Biden administrations' handling of the budget, and mentioned proposed spending cuts by the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) and the extension of Trump tax cuts.

On April 17, 2025, it was reported that international students are suing Trump administration officials over visa revocations affecting approximately 1,000 students. The lawsuits allege denial of due process, risking deportation and detention across various universities.

On April 16, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated during his first official news conference that autistic people would never play baseball, date, pay taxes, or have a job. This statement drew immediate and widespread criticism.

On April 17, 2025, Rev Al Sharpton met with Target CEO Brian Cornell to discuss the fallout from Target’s decision to walk back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, describing the meeting as “very constructive and candid”. Americans have boycotted companies like Amazon, Walmart and McDonald’s following their decisions to walk back DEI efforts, with a March poll finding that one in five Americans plan to permanently boycott companies that shifted their policies to align with the Trump administration.

On April 17, 2025, a mass shooting at the Florida State University (FSU) campus in Tallahassee resulted in two fatalities. President Trump commented on the event.

On April 17, 2025, the Social Security Administration responded to Joe Biden's earlier warning, accusing him of lying about Trump's plans. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on Biden's age and fitness and indicated Trump would sign a presidential memorandum to prevent ineligible individuals from obtaining Social Security benefits.

On April 17, 2025, The Guardian asserted its independence from political influence. This statement contrasts its approach with other news organizations that have settled lawsuits with the Trump administration or faced editorial intervention from billionaire owners.

On April 17, 2025, Donald Trump’s media firm urged market regulators to investigate “suspicious activity”. This request came after a London-based hedge fund disclosed a large bet against its stock.

On April 17, 2025, former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot was asked to resign, marking the fourth departure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s inner circle. Ullyot oversaw controversial moves, including stripping online content promoting diversity, equity, or inclusion from the military services, and his resignation was not tied to the inquiry into unauthorized disclosures that led to the removal of Colin Carroll, Darin Selnick, and Dan Caldwell.

On April 17, 2025, Senator Charles E. Grassley faced complaints from constituents in southeastern Iowa regarding President Trump’s policies, including tariffs and immigration, during a town hall meeting on April 15, 2025.

On April 17, 2025, House Committee on Energy and Commerce congressmen Brett Guthrie, Gus Bilirakis, and Gary Palmer sent a letter to 23andMe interim Chief Executive Joe Selsavage, raising data privacy concerns following 23andMe's bankruptcy. They requested answers by May 1 regarding the protection of the genetic database of over 15 million people and the vetting of potential buyers.

On April 17, 2025, U.S. Representatives Judy Chu and Brad Sherman introduced a bill in Congress to provide mortgage forbearance for homeowners in federally declared disaster zones. The bill proposes pausing mortgage payments for up to a year.

On April 17, 2025, it was reported that the Supreme Court will hear the case Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board vs. Drummond on April 30, 2025, questioning whether the Free Exercise Clause of the 1st Amendment requires states with secular charter schools to fund religious charter schools. A ruling in favor of religious schools would disrupt the public education system and challenge historic norms of church-state separation.

On April 17, 2025, The Guardian reported that Britain is considering pursuing freer trade talks with the US due to the threat of current tariffs, especially on cars and pharmaceuticals, and the potential reimposition of a 10% tariff on all UK exports to the US after the current pause ends on July 1, 2025. The Trump administration aims to weaken the EU and sees pulling Britain away from the EU's orbit as part of that effort.

On April 17, 2025, Chinese authorities instructed their airlines to halt new Boeing aircraft orders and seek government approval for existing orders, impacting 5-6% of Boeing's international order book. This action, a consequence of trade tensions, prompted criticism from Economist Justin Wolfers and social media complaints from Trump.

On April 17, 2025, it was reported that uncertainty about tariffs on construction materials is causing problems for home builders in Southern California. Frequent changes in Trump administration policies regarding tariffs are causing uncertainty and concern for those involved in rebuilding efforts in fire-affected areas.