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Trump 2nd term live updates: Dan Bongino named as deputy FBI director
He hosts the popular right-wing and pro-Trump podcast "The Dan Bongino Show."
President Donald Trump's administration is continuing its radical effort to cut much of the federal government and crackdown on immigration -- and is being met with dozens of legal challenges.
On the foreign policy front, Trump's press secretary said the White House believes it can reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine this week even as Trump attacks Ukraine's president and blames it for starting the war, which even some in his own party are calling him out over.
Meanwhile, heads of federal government agencies were telling employees not to reply to an email from Elon Musk, Trump's ally who he picked to cut government waste, which asked for them to list their accomplishments for the week or face termination.
Latest headlines:
- Murkowski to Musk: Treat federal workers with ‘dignity and respect’
- Largest federal worker union calls OPM email ‘unlawful’
- US attorney for DC encourages workers to reply to OPM email
- Air traffic controllers also got ‘What did you get done’ emails
- Witkoff heads to Mideast to negotiate next phase of ceasefire
US, Mexican defense officials agree to coordinated border patrols
The top U.S. Northern Command official and Mexico's top general met recently to discuss cooperation in enforcing security along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.
U.S. NORTHCOM Commander Gen. Gregory Guillot met with General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Mexico's secretary of national defense, according to the statement.
The officials signed an agreement that called for coordinated patrols on each side of the border, increased information sharing between the respective officials and to establish methods for immediate communications.
"Both leaders expect their agreement will serve to enable further conversations and coordination in greater detail at varied levels to ensure the mutual security of the border," the DOD statement read.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
Trump considering giving 20% of DOGE savings 'back to Americans'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration is considering giving 20% of savings from DOGE’s work "back to Americans."
The president made the announcement while on stage at the Miami Summit, Saudi Arabia’s annual investment conference in South Florida.
"We're thinking about 20% back to the American citizens and 20% down to pay back and pay down debt," Trump said.
Similarly, Elon Musk posted on X Tuesday that he would "check with the president" on a proposal floated by the CEO of an investment firm to deliver a tax refund check to every taxpayer "funded exclusively with a portion of the total savings delivered by DOGE."
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed on its federal website this week the agency had made $55 billion in government cuts so far.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Final Senate confirmation vote for Kash Patel scheduled
The Senate has teed up the final confirmation vote for Kash Patel's nomination to serve as FBI director on Thursday.
A procedural vote has been scheduled for 11 a.m., with a final confirmation vote poised for 1:45 p.m.
-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa
Some House Republicans ask Johnson not to cut Medicaid and other programs
As the House eyes a floor vote on their budget resolution next week, a group of eight Republican lawmakers who represent districts with large Hispanic populations are calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to not slash Medicaid, SNAP and Pell Grants in the reconciliation process and are raising concerns with the current budget resolution.
“While we fully support efforts to rein in wasteful spending and deliver on President Trump’s agenda, it is imperative that we do not slash programs that support American communities across our nation,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Johnson.
The group of Republicans say they look forward to working with Johnson on where to eliminate government waste while “ensuring we do not undermine programs that support working-class Americans.”
-ABC News' Lauren Peller