Trump 2nd term updates: Trump attends the Super Bowl

Trump becomes the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl.

Last Updated: February 9, 2025, 7:18 PM EST

President Donald Trump's second administration continued its swift recasting of the federal government, prompting pushback from Democrats and legal challenges.

The president said Sunday that he will announce tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum on Monday but didn't say when they'll take effect.

Trump, meanwhile, is at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday night to take in the Super Bowl. Trump picked the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in an interview aired before the game on Fox.

Key headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Feb 04, 2025, 8:11 PM EST

Senate confirms Pam Bondi for attorney general

The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi to serve as attorney general by a vote of 54-46.

The only Democrat to vote yes on Bondi was Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

Pam Bondi, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 15, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Bondi is seen as one of Trump's most loyal defenders, who represented him during his first impeachment, boosted his efforts to sow doubts about the 2020 election and stood by him during his New York criminal trial.

Feb 04, 2025, 7:14 PM EST

USAID staff 'en masse' put on administrative leave via email

Large groups of USAID employees have begun receiving notices placing them on administrative leave with pay, according to an email obtained by ABC News.

The email, sent by a Department of Government Efficiency representative, has an attached letter from acting Deputy Administrator Pete Marocco informing staffers they are on excused absence effective immediately.

"The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that you are being placed on excused absence (also known as administrative leave) with pay effective immediately, pursuant to ADS 480. You will remain on administrative leave with pay until otherwise notified," the letter said.

The email placing staff on administrative leave was sent to the same all-staff email that was used to inform employees that offices were closed earlier this week.

A USAID official told ABC News that employees were getting the notice "en masse."

One source told ABC News they were informed directly by senior human resource officers that leave notices were coming in batches.

-ABC News' Will Steakin, Karen Travers and Lucien Bruggeman

Feb 04, 2025, 7:07 PM EST

Trump says US will take over Gaza Strip

President Donald Trump said the United States will "take over" the Gaza Strip while speaking alongside Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference.

"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," Trump said at the White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Feb. 4, 2025.
Leah Millis/Reuters

"We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," he added.

Trump said he envisions the U.S. role in Gaza as a "long-term ownership position" and said he believes it would bring "great stability" to the Middle East.

"Everybody I have spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent," Trump said.

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said it's long been a priority for Israel, after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that Gaza never pose a threat to Israel again but that Trump's idea is "taking it to much a higher level."

"He has a different idea, and I think it's worth paying attention to this," Netanyahu said, adding "He's exploring it with his people, with his staff. I think it's something that could change history and it's worthwhile really pursuing this avenue."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Feb 04, 2025, 7:07 PM EST

Trump touts 'bonds of friendship and affection' between US, Israel

President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on Tuesday, lauding the "great relationship" between the United States and Israel during the first Trump administration.

"The bonds of friendship and affection between the American and Israeli people have endured for generations, and they are absolutely unbreakable," he said. "They are unbreakable. I'm confident that under our leadership, the cherished alliance between our two countries will soon be stronger than ever."