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.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, Andrea Pineda-Salgado, Meredith Deliso, and Julia Reinstein
Last Updated: February 2, 2025, 11:11 PM EST

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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing:
Jan 23, 2025, 10:33 AM EST

Lee Zeldin's nomination to lead EPA advanced by Senate panel

Lee Zeldin's nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency has been advanced in an 11-8 vote by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Lee Zeldin President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks during his Senate Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 16, 2025 in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Zeldin, a former congressman, emphasized accountability during his confirmation hearing.

He also said he'd potentially "claw back" funds dispersed under the Inflation Reduction Act, one of former President Joe Biden's biggest legislative accomplishments. The law provides billions for renewable energy and combatting climate change.

-ABC News' Kelly Livingston

Jan 23, 2025, 9:58 AM EST

Senate slated to confirm Ratcliffe, could vote on Hegseth as soon as Friday

The Senate will vote today on John Ratcliffe's nomination to serve as director of the CIA.

If senators approve his nomination, he will be the second member of Trump's team to be confirmed after Marco Rubio was sworn in as secretary of state earlier this week.

John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 15, 2025.
John Mcdonnell/AP

Later this afternoon, the Senate will take a procedural vote on Pete Hegseth's nomination to serve as defense secretary. Only 50 votes will be needed to advance his nomination. If he gets the votes, a final confirmation vote could occur on Friday or early Saturday.

Hegseth's nomination was advanced out of a Senate committee earlier this week on a party-line vote. New allegations have surfaced since then alleging abusive behavior, which his attorney has denied.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Jan 23, 2025, 9:54 AM EST

Trump's order to end birthright citizenship faces 1st court test

Trump's executive order challenging birthright citizenship will face its first legal test in a Seattle courtroom on Thursday.

A federal judge will hear a request made by four Democratic-led states to issue a temporary restraining order against the executive order signed by Trump on Day 1 that purports to limit birthright citizenship to people who have at least one parent who is a United States citizen or permanent resident.

Read more about the case here.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump stands after delivering remarks on AI infrastructure at the Roosevelt room at White House in Washington, Jan. 21, 2025.
President Donald Trump stands after delivering remarks on AI infrastructure at the Roosevelt room at White House in Washington, Jan. 21, 2025.
Carlos Barria/Reuters

-ABC News' Peter Charalambous and Laura Romero

Jan 22, 2025, 11:55 PM EST

Trump discusses TikTok, wildfires and pardons in first Oval Office interview

In his first Oval Office interview on Wednesday, President Donald Trump discussed the California wildfires, Jan. 6 pardons and TikTok.

Regarding the emergency funding that Los Angeles needs after wildfires ravaged over 40,000 acres, Trump suggested a tradeoff involving the reconciliation bill he is hoping to get through Congress.

In the Fox News interview Trump repeated claims that California Gov. Gavin Newsom could put a stop to the fires happening in Southern California by releasing water from the north and threatened to withhold aid to California unless they "let water flow."

"I'm going to put a statement out today, I think, maybe it's already written," Trump said. "I said, I don't think we should give California anything until they let water flow down into there."

Trump continued to defend his pardoning of those convicted of assaulting police officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, calling the attacks "very minor incidents."

When discussing TikTok, Trump dismissed the security concerns many have regarding the app, while questioning if it's bad that China is spying on kids.

"We have so many things made in China. So why don't they mention that? You know, interesting thing with TikTok, though, is you're dealing with a lot of young people," Trump said. "Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?"

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Fritz Farrow, Hannah Demissie

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