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, 3:40 PM EST

Hegseth advances to final vote despite allegations, some GOP opposition

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, got 51 votes to advance his nomination on Thursday.

The final vote on his confirmation is expected to occur around 9 p.m. on Friday, though the timing could change.

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with Sen. John Cornyn in Washington, Dec. 10, 2024.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Hegseth is Trump's most embattled Cabinet pick so far.

He's faced a slew of allegations, including sexual misconduct and excessive drinking -- which he's denied. Two Republican senators, both women, voted against advancing his nomination and released lengthy statements on why they are not supporting him.

Jan 23, 2025, 3:35 PM EST

Sen. Susan Collins also votes no on Pete Hegseth

Sen. Susan Collins is the second Republican senator who will not be supporting Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense.

In a lengthy statement she said he "does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job."

Sen. Susan Collins speaks during a Senate Intelligence confirmation hearing for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for CIA Director John Ratcliffe Capitol Hill, Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

She also expressed concern over Hegseth’s comments about women serving in the military.

“He and I had a candid conversation in December about his past statements and apparently evolving views. I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed," she said.

Jan 23, 2025, 2:46 PM EST

Johnson signs Laken Riley Act -- Trump's 1st legislative win

House Speaker Mike Johnson held a bill signing ceremony for The Laken Riley Act, which cleared the House with bipartisan support on Wednesday.

The bill now heads to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson holds a bill signing ceremony for the Laken Riley Act in the US Capitol in Washington, Jan. 23, 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

"This will be the first bill signed by the president … This is the right thing to do," Johnson said.

He added, "We have a new commander in chief, a new sheriff in town who is willing to stand for border security, safety and sovereignty of the American people."

Jan 23, 2025, 1:58 PM EST

Vance to speak at March for Life rally with House Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune

Vice President JD Vance is set to speak at the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. on Friday. It will be his first public appearance since the inauguration, according to a press release from March for Life.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., right, greets Vice President JD Vance at Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025.
Angelina Katsanis/Pool Photo Photo via AP

Other speakers in the lineup will be House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, among other lawmakers and activists.

Vance and President Trump ran on a staunchly anti-abortion agenda. Trump often touted the fact that his Supreme Court picks led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

-- ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

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