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.

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.

Jan 25, 2025, 11:47 AM EST

Schumer rips into Trump admin over IG firings

In floor remarks Saturday morning, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer ripped into the Trump administration for dismissing 17 independent inspectors general.

"It's a preview of the lawless approach that Donald Trump and his administration are taking far too often as he is becoming president," Schumer said.

The senator noted that the dismissals are a possible violation of federal law requiring Congress be given 30-day notice of such a firing.

Schumer said Trump could "well regret" his action.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Jan 25, 2025, 11:47 AM EST

Trump fires 17 independent watchdogs

In a late-night Friday move, President Donald Trump fired at least 17 independent watchdogs -- known as inspectors general -- at multiple federal agencies, sources familiar with the move told ABC News.

While inspectors general can be fired by the president — it can only happen after communicating with Congress 30 days in advance and in 2022 Congress strengthened the law requiring administrations to give a detailed reasoning for the firing of an IG.

At least one high-profile watchdog — Justice Department IG Michael Horowitz — did not receive notice that he was fired as of yesterday evening.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders, Benjamin Siegel and Alexander Mallin

Jan 24, 2025, 11:36 PM EST

Senate strikes deal to vote to confirm Kristi Noem as DHS secretary Saturday

The Senate struck a deal to hold a vote Saturday morning on Kristi Noem’s nomination to be the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate is expected to vote Saturday at 11:30 a.m. to confirm Noem instead of returning on Sunday as originally planned.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on her nomination to be Secretary of Homeland Security, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Noem is expected to easily get the simple majority of votes she needs to be confirmed.

The Senate will also take a test vote on Scott Bessent’s nomination to lead the Treasury Department.

-ABC News' Allie Pecorin

Jan 24, 2025, 10:13 PM EST

Trump says he's 'very happy' with Hegseth vote

President Donald Trump reacted to the Senate’s vote confirming his defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth while on the tarmac in Los Angeles. He said he spoke with Hegseth while on Marine One.

"We just heard that we have a great secretary of defense. We're very happy about that and we appreciate everybody's votes," Trump said.

When asked by reporters for his response to Sen. Mitch McConnell voting no, Trump said he was unaware of that.

"I didn't know that. I just know we won. I didn't know that," Trump said.

And when he was asked if he was concerned about other Cabinet picks’ chances in the Senate, Trump said, "No, I'm honored to have Pete. I think Pete's going to be a great secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, and we're honored to have him."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow