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Trump 2nd term live updates: Dan Bongino named as deputy FBI director

He hosts the popular right-wing and pro-Trump podcast "The Dan Bongino Show."

Last Updated: February 23, 2025, 5:03 PM EST

President Donald Trump's administration is continuing its radical effort to cut much of the federal government and crackdown on immigration -- and is being met with dozens of legal challenges.

On the foreign policy front, Trump's press secretary said the White House believes it can reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine this week even as Trump attacks Ukraine's president and blames it for starting the war, which even some in his own party are calling him out over.

Meanwhile, heads of federal government agencies were telling employees not to reply to an email from Elon Musk, Trump's ally who he picked to cut government waste, which asked for them to list their accomplishments for the week or face termination.

Feb 23, 2025, 11:23 AM EST

Witkoff heads to Mideast to negotiate next phase of ceasefire

Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, said that he’d be going to the region this week to negotiate the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire as the first phase nears its end.

“We do expect it, Jake, to go forward. We have to get an extension of phase one, and so I'll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that,” Witkoff told Jake Tapper during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“And we're hopeful that we have the proper time to finish off, to begin Phase 2, and finish it off and get more hostages released, and move the discussion forward.”

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attends an interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 18, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Witkoff was asked if he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to move forward with the ceasefire, or, on the contrary, if he wants to resume the war to try to eliminate Hamas.

“I believe the prime minister is well-motivated. He wants to see hostages released, that's for sure. He also wants to protect the state of Israel, and so he's got a red line,” Witkoff said. “And he said what the red line is, and that is that Hamas cannot be involved in a governing body when this thing is resolved. And so I think he's trying to square the circle on both of those thing.”

-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh

Feb 23, 2025, 11:13 AM EST

Harris takes veiled swipe at Trump, Musk at NAACP awards

In her first major appearance since losing the 2024 presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks Saturday at the NAACP Image Awards after being given the Chairman’s Award.

Her message was a call to action at the civil rights organization’s annual awards ceremony:

“Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy and ask ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before. And we will do it again. We use our power. We organize, mobilize. We educate. We advocate. Our power has never come from having an easy path,” Harris said.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris accepts the Chairman's Award onstage during the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., Feb. 22, 2025.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Her remarks included veiled references to both President Trump and Elon Musk.

“While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter in our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the oval office nor by the wealthiest among us,” she said. “The American story will be written by you. Written by us. By we the people.”

-ABC News’ Averi Harper

Feb 22, 2025, 8:50 PM EST

New FBI Director Kash Patel tells employees to 'pause' responses to OPM email

In a new message, FBI Director Kash Patel is telling FBI employees to hold off on responding to the latest email from the Office of Personnel Management asking employees to list accomplishments in the last week.

Kash Patel speaks after being sworn in as FBI director by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
Leah Millis/Reuters

"FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information," Patel's message reads. "The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses. Thank you, Kash Patel."

-ABC News' Mike Levine

Feb 22, 2025, 7:35 PM EST

Fed law enforcement agencies urge caution in responding to Musk email: Sources

Many federal law enforcement agencies are urging employees to use caution – or hold off altogether for now – in responding to the email to federal workers that demanded they detail what they "accomplished" or be terminated, especially due to the sensitive nature of their work, sources told ABC News.

"We are aware of an email that has been sent to federal employees by OPM ... We are seeking additional guidance from the Department of Justice on next steps. We will communicate to employees as soon as we know more," the FBI said in a message to its members that was obtained by ABC News.

U.S. Attorney John Durham, the top federal prosecutor in the eastern district of New York, also sent a message to his members telling them to hold off.

"Of course, a majority of our work is law enforcement sensitive (in addition to much classified work), so even assuming this is legitimate, we will need to be careful in how we respond to this inquiry. As noted, the deadline isn’t until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, so we have plenty of time," he wrote in his letter.

Ed Martin, the controversial acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., who has been nominated to lead the office more permanently, however, appeared to be less cautious in an email to his staff.

"DOGE and Elon are doing great work! Historic. We are happy to be participate. [sic] Please respond to the HR email carefully with regard to confidentiality and our duties. Be general if you need to. If anyone gives you problems, I've got your back. You're good. See you Monday. Ed," he wrote in his email.

-ABC News' Mike Levine, Alexander Mallin, Aaron Katersky, Luke Barr and Katherine Faulders

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