President Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a flurry of executive actions on immigration, the economy, DEI and more.
Federal agencies are being directed to place all employees working on DEI programs and initiatives to be put on paid administrative leave by Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, legal challenges have been mounted against Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship and action that makes it easier to fire career government employees. Fallout also continues from his pardoning more than a thousand rioters convicted in connection with the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump discusses TikTok, wildfires and pardons in first Oval Office interview
In his first Oval Office interview on Wednesday, President Donald Trump discussed the California wildfires, Jan. 6 pardons and TikTok.
Regarding the emergency funding that Los Angeles needs after wildfires ravaged over 40,000 acres, Trump suggested a tradeoff involving the reconciliation bill he is hoping to get through Congress.
In the Fox News interview Trump repeated claims that California Gov. Gavin Newsom could put a stop to the fires happening in Southern California by releasing water from the north and threatened to withhold aid to California unless they "let water flow."
"I'm going to put a statement out today, I think, maybe it's already written," Trump said. "I said, I don't think we should give California anything until they let water flow down into there."
Trump continued to defend his pardoning of those convicted of assaulting police officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, calling the attacks "very minor incidents."
When discussing TikTok, Trump dismissed the security concerns many have regarding the app, while questioning if it's bad that China is spying on kids.
"We have so many things made in China. So why don't they mention that? You know, interesting thing with TikTok, though, is you're dealing with a lot of young people," Trump said. "Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?"
DHS allows US Marshals, other DOJ agencies to carry out immigration enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security is allowing certain law enforcement components from the Department of Justice to carry out the "functions" of an immigration officer, according to a new memo.
The memo, sent by acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, grants the DOJ agencies the "same authority already granted to the FBI," and says that agents from those agencies can enforce immigration law.
The agencies listed in the memo are the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
DEA and ATF have had little experience historically in carrying out immigration enforcement and the U.S. Marshals have typically only been involved in cases where a migrant is being sought as a fugitive.
Trump officials order freeze at DOJ Civil Rights Division
Officials in the Trump Justice Department have ordered a temporary freeze on any ongoing cases being litigated by the Civil Rights Division, according to a new directive reviewed by ABC News.
The memo to the current acting head of the Civil Rights Division, Kathleen Wolfe, says that current career officials in the division must not file any new civil complaints or other civil rights-related filings in outside ongoing litigation. The memo was first reported by The Washington Post.
Trump picks new Secret Service director
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday the head of his protective security detail would serve as the new director of the U.S. Secret Service.
Sean Curran, a longtime Secret Service agent, began his career with the agency in 2001 as a special agent in the Newark Field Office, previously served as assistant special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Division and was part of Trump's personal protective detail on July 13 when a gunman attempted to assassinate him.
"Sean is a Great Patriot, who has protected my family over the past few years, and that is why I trust him to lead the Brave Men and Women of the United States Secret Service," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Dems contend Trump 'does not back the blue, he backs the coup'
In the wake of President Trump’s pardons of Jan. 6 rioters, Democrats joined with two men who were assaulted by the mob -- retired U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and Washington Metro Police Department officer Daniel Hodges -- to denounce the president’s actions.
“On Monday, Donald Trump decided that he wants to whitewash history, pretend that the riot of January 6 never happened, and that it was simply a peaceful walk through the Capitol. Unfortunately for him, video and photographs don't lie,” Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., said. “You cannot say you back the blue if you are going to let out of jail violent criminals who assaulted the blue.”
California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell added, “Nothing erases what they did, but we should erase this concept that Donald Trump and the Republican Party have the backs of law enforcement officers. “Donald Trump does not back the blue. He backs the coup, and this action makes that absolutely clear.”
Federal employees told to report DEI programs
Employees across the federal government have received memos asking them to report any possible diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs. ABC News has learned of employees at the departments of Commerce, State and Homeland Security receiving the memos, as well as health agencies.
Trump issued an executive order after taking office ending DEI programs in the federal government.
"We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language," one of the memos read. "If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances to DEIAtruth@
Federal employees told to report DEI programs
Employees across the federal government have received memos asking them to report any possible diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs. ABC News has learned of employees at the departments of Commerce, State and Homeland Security receiving the memos, as well as health agencies.
Trump issued an executive order after taking office ending DEI programs in the federal government.
"We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language," one of the memos read. "If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances to DEIAtruth@
Federal employees told to report DEI programs
Employees across the federal government have received memos asking them to report any possible diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs. ABC News has learned of employees at the departments of Commerce, State and Homeland Security receiving the memos, as well as health agencies.
Trump issued an executive order after taking office ending DEI programs in the federal government.
"We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language," one of the memos read. "If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances to DEIAtruth within 10 days."
Failure to report the information within 10 days could result in "adverse consequences," according to the memo.
Trump pardons 2 DC police officers convicted in man's death
Trump on Wednesday pardoned two former Washington, D.C., police officers who were sentenced to prison for the 2020 death of a D.C. man in a police chase.
According to the Department of Justice, Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky were involved in a chase after Sutton spotted a man, later identified as Karon Hylton-Brown, riding a moped on a sidewalk without a helmet and gave chase. Sutton chased Hylton-Brown into an alley, the DOJ said, and as he exited the alley on to a street, he was hit and killed by another driver.
Waltz dismisses more than 150 national security staffers
Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz sent home 160 National Security Council aides while the Trump administration undergoes staffing reviews to ensure personnel support Trump’s America First agenda.
The career government employees were told on Wednesday that they are not needed to report to the White House. The council is responsible for briefing the president on national security and foreign policy advice, but insists despite staffing shakeups they have what is needed to fulfill their mission.
"National Security Advisor Mike Waltz promised and authorized a full review of NSC personnel. It is entirely appropriate for Mr. Waltz to ensure NSC personnel are committed to implementing President Trump’s America First agenda to protect our national security and wisely use the tax dollars of America’s working men and women," NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement.
"Since 12:01 pm on Monday personnel reviews and decisions based on the evaluations are being made," Hughes said.
An official told ABC News, "We have dozens of people as detailees. Some have already concluded their service, some will be shortened, new detailees will be onboarded. NSC has and will continue to have what it needs to fulfill its mission in support of POTUS and his agenda. But POTUS won a historic victory with a clear mandate that the American people embraced. Ensuring the team to keep that promise is NSA Waltz’s role at NSC on behalf of President Trump."
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