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, 1:23 PM EST

State Dept. claims foreign aid fereeze prevented $1B in unnecessary spending

In a new release, the State Department said the freeze on U.S. foreign aid is “already paying dividends to our country and our people,” claiming that over a billion dollars “in spending not aligned with an America First agenda has been prevented” already.

The department defended the pause, saying it was necessary to stop programs because “the participants -- both inside and outside of government -- have little to no incentive to share programmatic-level details so long as the dollars continue to flow.”

Additionally, the release defends the waiver program in place -- saying the process “was used successfully dozens of times in the first several days alone” and blaming rejections of “many requests” on the applicant’s failure to provide “the level of detail necessary to allow a thorough evaluation.”

The release also claims that setting aside support for Ukraine, the U.S. is “spending roughly $70 billion in foreign aid annually.” This appears to be taken from the requested international affairs budget for FY2024, as the enacted budget was $60 billion, not including money set aside for emergency funding for Ukraine and other crises.

-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston

Jan 29, 2025, 1:16 PM EST

Trump admin to rescind funding freeze directive, according to OMB memo

Trump’s administration has rescinded its sweeping directive that Would have paused potentially trillions in loans, grants, and financial assistance, according to a memo obtained by ABC News.

"OMB memorandum M-25-13 is rescinded. If you have questions about implementing the President's Executive Orders, please contact your agency General Counsel," the short memo from Matthew Vaeth, acting director of OMB reads.

The policy reversal follows a tumultuous 48 hours for the White House, as states and local governments raised concerns that funding for health care, law enforcement, disaster aid and infrastructure spending could be paused or delayed during the expansive rollout of the policy.

In a lawsuit challenging the policy on Tuesday, 22 state attorneys general said, “Without this funding, Plaintiff States will be unable to provide certain essential benefits for residents, pay public employees, satisfy obligations, and carry on the important business of government.”

– ABC News’ Katherine Faulders, Peter, Charalambous, Alex Mallin, Ben Siegel

Jan 29, 2025, 12:29 PM EST

Trump admin replaces acting DNI ahead of Gabbard hearing

The Trump administration has replaced acting Director of National Intelligence Stacey Dixon with Lora Shiao, who previously served as acting director for one day, from Jan. 20 to 21, 2021, before former DNI Director Avril Haines was sworn in. The change occurred Friday, a source told ABC News.

Dixon, a longtime government official, served under the Trump administration but was appointed by former President Joe Biden. She was the highest-ranking Black woman in the intelligence community and previously served as the principal deputy director of National Intelligence. She had been chosen by the Trump transition team to serve as acting director.

Shiao will remain in the position until a new DNI director is confirmed, and is expected to stay in the role until then. Trump’s pick for DNI director, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, will have her confirmation hearing for the position on Thursday.

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson

Jan 29, 2025, 11:35 AM EST

EPA scientific advisory committee members who help monitor air quality standards ousted via email

Members of the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and Science Advisory Board were abruptly let go Tuesday night after receiving a notice from Acting EPA Administrator James Payne saying the groups would be "reset."

In an emailed announcement obtained by ABC News, Payne said, "A decision has been made to reset the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and reestablish its current membership."

The CASAC and SAB are charged with providing independent, scientific advice to the EPA on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, as well as other programs and regulations implemented by the agency.

In a written statement to ABC News, one of the ousted members of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, Dr. Mary B. Rice, expressed her concern over who the EPA may bring in to replace the removed members and whether they would ensure the "margin of safety" national air quality standards are meant to provide under the Clean Air Act.

– ABC News' Kelly Livingston