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.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, Andrea Pineda-Salgado, Meredith Deliso, and Julia Reinstein
Last Updated: February 2, 2025, 11:11 PM EST

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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing:
Feb 01, 2025, 1:47 PM EST

Egyptian president speaks with Trump

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi spoke with President Donald Trump on Saturday.

Sisi said the international community "is counting on Trump's ability to reach a permanent peace agreement" that would end the decadeslong conflict in the region, Egyptian presidency spokesman Mohamed el Shenawy said in a statement.

The two leaders also discussed the "importance of continuing the implementation of the first and second phases of the ceasefire agreement and consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip … and intensifying the delivery of aid to the people of Gaza," the statement said.

The White House said in a readout of the call that the leaders "discussed Egypt's important role in the release of hostages from Gaza and President el-Sisi expressed his confidence that President Trump’s leadership could usher in a golden age of Middle East peace."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaulé and Kelsey Walsh

Feb 01, 2025, 12:42 PM EST

Trump says he ordered strikes on ISIS terrorists in Somalia

Trump said he ordered a successful airstrike on the senior Islamic State attack planner in Somalia.

He claimed no civilians were harmed and blamed former President Joe Biden for not executing the strikes during his administration.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Feb 01, 2025, 11:44 AM EST

Trump confirms Venezuela agreed to repatriation flights

Trump provided a readout on social media of special envoy Richard Grenell's meeting with Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and confirmed Maduro agreed to ensure that repatriation flights of Tren de Aragua members and Venezuelan nationals will land in Venezuela.

He also indicated that Venezuela would provide the transportation from the United States back to Venezuela.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Feb 01, 2025, 11:29 AM EST

Former FBI Director James Comey responds to turmoil at agency

James Comey, the former FBI director who was fired by President Donald Trump under Trump's first administration, posted on his social media accounts what he described as a message for his former colleagues at the FBI, Justice Department and U.S. attorney's offices around the country.

In this May 30, 2023, file photo, James Comey speaks onstage at 92NY in New York.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images, FILE

"Fight for the rule of law -- to protect your country and to keep your jobs. Don't let the darkness of bad people steal the joy of public service. Sleep, love, laugh, and exercise because our country needs you over the long haul," he wrote.

"Know that these people -- some evil, most just followers too weak to stand up -- will fade, but the need for your work will remain. Thank you for being light in the darkness," Comey added.

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-ABC News' Mike Levine