Trump admin updates: Trump calls for expanded deportations in LA, NYC and more
Trump ordered ICE "to do all in their power" to achieve deportation goals.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to ABC News that it issued new guidance to pause most raids on farms, restaurants, and hotels, after President Trump earlier this week shifted his stance on targeting undocumented workers in those industries.
Meanwhile, a massive military parade to mark the Army's 250th birthday will be underway Saturday in Washington, D.C.
Key Headlines
Hegseth pressed for specifics on Qatari jet to be used for Air Force One
Democratic Sen. Jack Reed pressed Defense Secretary Hegseth for specifics on the luxury jet from Qatar being offered to the U.S. to be used as Air Force One.
"Are you in possession of the Qatari airplane now?" Reed asked Hegseth.
"Any specifics about future aircraft that could be Air Force One can't be discussed here," Hegseth said.
Hegseth went on to state the "memorandum of understanding remains to be signed" in terms of the deal. A White House official told ABC News in late May that the White House's legal team was finalizing the details of the gift and working on an MOU between the U.S. and Qatar. The plane from Qatar is currently in the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter as well as President Trump.
Reed also pressed the defense secretary for specifics on contracts and costs to modify the jet, as well as when it would be delivered.
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"The delivery time of anything of that sensitive nature is not for public consumption," Hegseth replied.
Hegseth goes on the defensive over LA military deployment
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., brought up the situation in Los Angeles and questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the administration's use of National Guardsmen and Marines to deal with the protests.
The senator said this week the Dept. Homeland Security sent a request to the Defense Department "to authorize military forces to detain or arrest American citizens, to provide D.H.S. with military drone surveillance support and to have the Marine Corps advise D.H.S. on running joint operations."
"Every authorization we provided the National Guard and the Marines in Los Angeles is under the authority of the president of the United States is lawful and constitutional," Hegseth said.
Hegseth argued that the military use in the city was part of an effort to maintain "law and order," but the senator pushed back.
"Law and order is a civil function under the Constitution of the United States. Civil enforcement, law enforcement authorities, not the U.S. military," Reed said.
"This is not only, I think, illegal, but also a diminution of the readiness and focus of the military," he added.
Hegseth says Russia is aggressor in Ukraine war but sidesteps on which side he wants to win
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, a critic of the Trump administration's handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, focused his questions to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the conflict.
McConnell asked Hegseth who is the aggressor and who is the victim in the conflict. Hegseth said that Russia is the aggressor, but declined to include in his answer whether he viewed Ukraine as the victim.
McConnell also asked Hegseth which side he wanted to win the war, to which Hegseth responded that the Trump administration wants to see "peace."
"Ultimately peace serves our national interests," Hegseth said.
Musk says some posts about Trump went 'too far'
Elon Musk early on Wednesday said that he regrets some of the posts he made about President Donald Trump late last week, saying he went "too far."
"I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week," Musk said in a post on X, his social network. "They went too far."
Musk did not clarify which posts he was referring to in his statement.
-ABC News' Alex Ederson