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 28, 2025, 9:25 PM EST

Federal employees who accept buyout offers should be put on admin leave, OPM says

Federal employees who accept a buyout offer should "promptly" have their duties reassigned or eliminated and be placed on administrative leave until Sept. 30, according to a follow-up memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

OPM said each agency should report updates on the number of employees who have accepted buyouts to OPM every Friday, beginning this week.

The buyout offer sent to government employees earlier Tuesday offers them pay and benefits until Sept. 30 if they resign by Feb. 6. Employees who stay on are asked to commit to in-person work and updated performance standards, according to an earlier memo, that also emphasized loyalty.

-ABC News' Ben Siegel

Jan 28, 2025, 7:34 PM EST

DOD OKs use of Colorado base for processing detained migrants

The Department of Defense approved a request to use Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, for processing detained migrants, according to U.S. Northern Command.

The Department of Homeland Security had put in the request.

"ICE requirements for the facility include a temporary operations center, staging area, and a temporary holding location for the receiving, holding, and processing of criminal aliens," a U.S. Northern Command spokesperson said. "This facility will be manned by ICE senior leaders, special agents, and analysts, as well as members of DHS Components and other federal law enforcement agencies."

The use of military bases to help out DHS was a possibility mentioned by border czar Tom Homan before the Trump administration came into office.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jan 28, 2025, 7:20 PM EST

OPM memo emphasizes loyalty

Among the four "pillars" addressed in the Office of Personnel Management memo offering buyouts to government employees, one emphasizes loyalty.

Under "Enhanced standards of conduct," the memo states: "The federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal, trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work. Employees will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward. Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate investigation and discipline, including termination."

The other pillars highlight a return to in-office work, updated performance standards and a "more streamlined workforce" with anticipated downsizing in a "majority of federal agencies," per the memo.

Jan 28, 2025, 7:02 PM EST

Speaker Johnson says he 'fully' supports temporary funding freeze

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he "fully" supports President Donald Trump's funding freeze, downplaying the impacts, and noted it'll be temporary and not a "major interruption."

President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shake hands during a House Republican members conference meeting in Trump National Doral resort, in Miami, Florida, Jan. 27, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

"It is a temporary pause for some programs -- it could be an hourslong pause. It is not a big thing. Some of the programs have already been approved. But what this is a, I believe, a common application of common sense," the speaker said during a fireside chat at the GOP retreat on Tuesday. "We want to make sure that the executive orders of the new president are being fully complied with regard to these programs. I think these would be quick reviews."

"I think it's going to be harmless," he added.

Asked by the reporter if Trump is stretching his executive authorities, Johnson said the president has been "using his executive authority, I think, in an appropriate manner."

Within minutes of the White House freezing billions in federal grants and loans, a federal judge blocked the funding pause from taking effect until next week.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Jay O'Brien and Lauren Peller