Trump 2nd term updates: Trump says USAID is run by 'radical lunatics'

The comments came amid turmoil as DOGE took over USAID offices last week.

President Donald Trump made good on his threats to impose tariffs on some of the U.S.'s trading partners, announcing Saturday that he will levy 25% tariffs on some goods from Canada and Mexico and 10% on Chinese goods.

Experts have warned that tariffs of this magnitude will likely increase prices paid by U.S. and Trump appeared to acknowledge that “some pain” might be possible in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee announced it will meet Tuesday, when it is expected to vote on the controversial nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services.

Jan 22, 2025, 10:25 AM EST

ICE updates terminology from noncitizen to 'alien'

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is updating their terminology as a result of the election.

From now on, those they are arresting will be referred to as "alien" as opposed to "noncitizen" and those in the country without authorization will be referred to as "illegal alien" according to an internal ICE memo obtained by ABC News.

"ICE employees are directed to use the lexicon consistent with the immigration and nationality act and the language historically used by the agency," according to the memo.

The Biden administration changed the language in 2021 when former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued terminology guidance. Trump's used increasingly dark rhetoric on the campaign trail when talking about migrants, including calling some of them "animals."

-ABC News' Luke Barr

Jan 22, 2025, 9:44 AM EST

Refugee arrivals to US 'suspended until further notice,' State Department memo says

Refugee arrivals to the United States are "suspended until further notice," as a result of the president's executive order, a State Department memo obtained by ABC News says.

"All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made. RSCs [Resettlement Support Centers] should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time," according to the memo sent on Tuesday. "Additionally, all refugee case processing and pre-departure activities are also suspended."

A source familiar with the data says approximately 10,000 refugees had travel booked.

Refugee processing is also canceled.

– ABC's Luke Barr

Jan 22, 2025, 9:36 AM EST

13 Senate Democrats say they'll work with GOP on border security

Thirteen Senate Democrats sent a letter to Majority Leader John Thune committing to working with Republicans in "good faith" toward providing the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to pass certain immigration measures.

"As we have shown, Democrats and Republicans can work together on real bipartisan solutions. We can solve big challenges when we work together, and there is much work to do to improve border security, protect Dreamers and farmworkers, and fix our immigration system to better reflect the needs of our country and our modern economy," the Democrats wrote.

A drone view shows U.S. workers assemble a string of buoys, to deter migrants from crossing the Rio Grande river from Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas, as seen from Piedras Negras, Mexico, Jan. 21, 2025.
Alberto Fajardo/Reuters

The group of Democrats say common ground can be reached on "fair immigration enforcement accompanied by the necessary resources to effectively secure our border". They also say they see a need for a "firm but fair immigration system."

A bipartisan border bill was negotiated and unveiled during the 2024 campaign, but was effectively killed by Trump, who urged Republicans not to support it.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Jan 22, 2025, 9:06 AM EST

Musk says he was in the Oval Office for Ulbritcht pardon

Billionaire Elon Musk posted online overnight that he was present in the Oval Office when Trump signed a pardon for Ross Ulbritcht, who was serving life in prison for running the black market site Silk Road.

"I was honored to be in the Oval Office tonight when @POTUS signed this," Musk wrote on his social platform X.

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024.
Allison Robbert/Pool via Reuters

It would be the first time Musk has said he was in the Oval Office with the president since Trump returned to office.

ABC News previously reported Musk had been spotted at the White House in the West Wing.

Musk is said to have a blue badge, which is considered to be an all-access pass. He has an has office space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building but sources told ABC News that Musk is also likely to get West Wing office space.

-ABC News' Will Steakin and Katherine Faulders

Sponsored Content by Taboola