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:
Jan 24, 2025, 11:36 PM EST

Senate strikes deal to vote to confirm Kristi Noem as DHS secretary Saturday

The Senate struck a deal to hold a vote Saturday morning on Kristi Noem’s nomination to be the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate is expected to vote Saturday at 11:30 a.m. to confirm Noem instead of returning on Sunday as originally planned.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on her nomination to be Secretary of Homeland Security, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Noem is expected to easily get the simple majority of votes she needs to be confirmed.

The Senate will also take a test vote on Scott Bessent’s nomination to lead the Treasury Department.

-ABC News' Allie Pecorin

Jan 24, 2025, 10:13 PM EST

Trump says he's 'very happy' with Hegseth vote

President Donald Trump reacted to the Senate’s vote confirming his defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth while on the tarmac in Los Angeles. He said he spoke with Hegseth while on Marine One.

"We just heard that we have a great secretary of defense. We're very happy about that and we appreciate everybody's votes," Trump said.

When asked by reporters for his response to Sen. Mitch McConnell voting no, Trump said he was unaware of that.

"I didn't know that. I just know we won. I didn't know that," Trump said.

And when he was asked if he was concerned about other Cabinet picks’ chances in the Senate, Trump said, "No, I'm honored to have Pete. I think Pete's going to be a great secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, and we're honored to have him."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Jan 24, 2025, 9:54 PM EST

Hegseth confirmed as defense secretary

Pete Hegseth's nomination to serve as secretary of defense was officially confirmed thanks to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President JD Vance.

Vice President JD Vance casts the deciding vote in the confirmation of Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Defense in the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 24, 2025.
Senate TV

Half the chamber applauded after Vance gaveled down the vote.

Jan 24, 2025, 9:39 PM EST

Hegseth vote hangs at 50-50 as senators await Vance's tie-break vote

The vote balance for Hegseth hangs at 50-50 right now.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitch McConnell have voted with all Democrats against Hegseth. All other Republicans voted in favor of the nomination.

Many senators are currently milling about the floor. They seem to be waiting for Vice President JD Vance, who will need to come to cast a vote the tie-breaking vote that will send Hegseth over the finish line.

Vance posted on X, "I thought I was done voting in the senate."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

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