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Trump admin live updates: Dems react to Hegseth discussing Yemen strike in 2nd chat

The Signal chat included Hegseth's wife, brother and lawyer, sources said.

Last Updated: April 20, 2025, 10:28 PM EDT

President Donald Trump continues to take sweeping executive actions in his second term, including an order this week targeting a senior official from his first administration who became one of his critics.

Focus continues on the legal battle regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant who was living in Maryland when he was wrongfully deported by the administration.

Apr 16, 2025, 10:00 PM EDT

Trump admin terminates additional $2.7 million in grants to Harvard

Amid the ongoing freeze in federal funding to Harvard University, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday the cancellation of two Department of Homeland Security grants to the university totaling over $2.7 million.

Noem is also demanding detailed records on Harvard’s foreign student visa holders’ "illegal and violent activities" by April 30, or the university will face "immediate loss" of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, she announced.

The department's action follows the Trump administration's decision on Monday to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard University, "proposing the revocation of its tax-exempt status over its radical ideology," Noem said.

Apr 16, 2025, 9:38 PM EDT

Sen. Van Hollen shares update on trip to El Salvador

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, standing in front of a backdrop of palm trees, posted a video to social media with an update on his trip to El Salvador on Wednesday.

The Democratic lawmaker hopes to get answers about the wrongful deportation of a Maryland migrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, by the Trump administration.

Van Hollen said he's had "back-to-back meetings" in the country -- with members of the American Embassy and human rights groups. He also mentioned again his meeting with the vice president of El Salvador.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen speaks during a press conference in Antiguo Cuscatlan, El Salvador, April 16, 2025.
Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images

"And the entire purpose has been to bring Abrego Garcia home," the senator said.

Van Hollen also said that he called the government of El Salvador to provide evidence that Abrego Garcia was involved in MS-13 -- they could not.

"They said they had no evidence," he claimed.

"So this is not about MS-13. I know President Trump wants to make this about gang violence. I have been fighting MS-13, probably longer than Donald Trump even knew about MS- 13. I care about every victim of crime. That's why we have a court system to hold people accountable when they commit crimes, to make sure they get the punishment they deserve," Van Hollen said.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Apr 16, 2025, 8:58 PM EDT

DOJ appeals judge's decision on Trump admin's deportation flight

The Department of Justice is appealing the decision from a federal judge who found probable cause that the Trump administration acted in contempt of court when officials last month defied his order to turn around two planes carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.

The administration's "willful disobedience of judicial orders" without consequences would make "a solemn mockery" of "the Constitution itself," U.S. District Judge James Boasberg wrote Wednesday.

President Donald Trump in Washington, April 14, 2025 and James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
AFP via Getty Images/Reuters

In a separate filing Wednesday, lawyers with the ACLU representing the noncitizens removed to El Salvador are urging Boasberg to keep the case in D.C. following the Supreme Court’s ruling that effectively threw out the case.

They asked Boasberg to issue a nationwide order that requires the Trump administration to provide a 30-day notice before attempting to remove anyone else under the Alien Enemies Act. They argued the relief is urgent because some noncitizens might be deported with less than a day’s notice, “making it virtually impossible” to practice their due rights.

-ABC News' Katherin Faulders, Alexander Mallin and Peter Charalambous

Apr 16, 2025, 8:13 PM EDT

Trump delivers remarks at White House Easter prayer service and dinner

President Donald Trump gave brief remarks at the White House Easter prayer service and dinner on Wednesday evening ahead of Easter on Sunday.

"Being here with you in the middle of Holy Week as we remember two of the most monumental events in all of history, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ," Trump said.

President Donald Trump pauses before he delivers remarks during an Easter Prayer Service and Dinner in the Blue Room of the White House, on April 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

During his remarks, Trump acknowledged Patty Morin -- the mother of a Maryland woman who was killed while exercising on a popular hiking trail northeast of Baltimore -- telling her that she has his support and that her daughter, Rachel, was looking down on her.

While discussing the Easter holiday, Trump also touted the success his administration has had over the past three months.

President Donald Trump attends an Easter prayer service and dinner in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2025.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

"Millions of Americans have been moved by Christ's example to heal the sick, defend their families, lift up their communities and make our country stronger, better and greater than ever before with God's grace over these past three months," Trump said. "And we have had a great three months, they say, maybe the best three months ever."

Trump told those at the dinner that he hopes his election goes down as one of the most important days in our country's history.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

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