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 29, 2025, 4:16 AM GMT

Retired US Gen. Mark Milley has security detail removed, clearance suspended

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed retired U.S. Gen. Mark Milley's personal security detail, suspended his security clearance and directed the Pentagon's acting inspector general to carry out an inquiry into Milley's conduct to determine if his military rank should be reduced.

“The Secretary informed General Milley today that he is revoking the authorization for his security detail and suspending his security clearance as well," Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot said in a statement provided to ABC News. "The Secretary has also directed the DoD IG to conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen Milley’s conduct so that the Secretary may determine whether it is appropriate to reopen his military grade review determination."

PHOTO: Meeting Of NATO Ministers Of Defence In Brussels
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - \U.S. General Mark Alexander Milley, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff holds a press conference at NATO headquarters on the first day of the NATO Defence Ministers' Meeting on June 15, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. A meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Defence Ministers will take place on 15-16 June 2023 at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images)
Omar Havana/Getty Images

A senior defense official also said that a portrait of Milley was being removed from the Pentagon, this one from his time as Army chief of staff. On Inauguration Day, Milley's official portrait from when he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was taken down at the direction of the White House, according to two U.S. officials.

In a statement on Tuesday, DOD Chief of Staff Joe Kasper said: "Undermining the chain of command is corrosive to our national security, and restoring accountability is a priority for the Defense Department under President Trump’s leadership."

Fox News first reported the steps Hegseth planned to take.

A spokesperson for the DOD inspector general earlier confirmed to ABC News that the office had received the request from the defense secretary and was reviewing it.

Milley's security detail had been in place since his retirement in 2023 out of concerns that Iran might retaliate against him and other senior officials following the 2020 killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.

Trump has sharply criticized Milley over the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and previously accused the retired general of treason.

After the 2020 election, Milley reportedly took secret precautions to try to prevent Trump from taking military action or launching a nuclear weapon after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

In the run-up to the 2024 election, Milley called Trump "fascist to the core" in comments to journalist Bob Woodward.

In the final days of his term former President Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned Milley, a move that would prevent him from facing civilian criminal prosecution and a military court martial.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jan 29, 2025, 3:30 AM GMT

New DOT secretary signs deal to reduce 'restrictive' fuel standards

The Department of Transportation said in a release Tuesday night that its newly confirmed secretary, Sean Duffy, signed a memorandum as his first act of business that will make fuel standards less "restrictive" and in turn bring down the price of a new car.

“Secretary Duffy’s first act was signing a memorandum directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will ultimately lower the price of a car for American consumers and eliminate the electric vehicle mandate," the DOT release said.

“The memorandum signed today specifically reduces the burdensome and overly restrictive fuel standards that have needlessly driven up the cost of a car in order to push a radical Green New Deal agenda," it continued. "The American people should not be forced to sacrifice choice and affordability when purchasing a new car.”

Duffy was confirmed as the secretary of the DOT earlier in the day on Tuesday.

-ABC News' Sam Sweeney

Jan 29, 2025, 3:05 AM GMT

Trump says he is sending Musk, SpaceX to get American astronauts stuck at ISS

President Donald Trump said that he has asked Elon Musk and SpaceX to "'go get'" two astronauts whose departure from the International Space Station has been repeatedly delayed.

The two astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, flew to the ISS on Boeing's Starliner last June. After experiencing issues, Starliner returned to Earth in September, leaving behind the two astronauts. They were expected to return back on a SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft in February.

Trump added that "Elon will soon be on his way," and wished the billionaire businessman good luck.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Jan 29, 2025, 2:25 AM GMT

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