Trump 2nd term updates: Trump says USAID is run by 'radical lunatics'

When asked by ABC News’ Mary Bruce for her response to those who say the federal worker buyout is a way to purge individuals who disagree with the president’s agenda, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said this is “false” and asserted that this is a way to bring people back to the office.

Though the White House has described the federal worker buyout as an effort to bring people in the federal government back to the office, the union that represents federal workers doesn’t see it that way. It said this is not a voluntary buyout.

“We're all here at work, at the office. There are law enforcement officers and teachers and nurses across the country who showed up to the office today. People in this city need to do the same. It's an overwhelmingly popular policy with people outside of Washington, D.C. The president campaigned on this, and his administration's keeping the promise.”

When asked how much it would cost to bring all those workers back and provide them with the office space they need, Leavitt claimed he would “save tens of millions of dollars.”

“I would also add that the order simply directs federal agencies to come up with a return to work plan. And so this isn't a purge, and this isn't forcing every single individual in Washington, DC to return to work only if they are able, and of course, within the law," Leavitt said.

– ABC News’ Hannah Demissie and Ariane Nalty

The Department of Education said the Nation's Report Card reveals a "heartbreaking reality" and that "students who were the most behind and needed the most support have fallen ever further behind."

It said the Trump administration is "committed to reorienting our education system" and will emphasize the need for change.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, dubbed the Nation's Report Card, America's fourth and eighth grade students' sliding reading scores worsened in 2024.

"The nation's report card is out and the news is not good," National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner Peggy G. Carr said on a call with reporters.

– ABC News' Elizabeth Schulze and Arthur Jones II

The Trump Administration has canceled the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extension for Venezuelans under the status, according to a document obtained by ABC News.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signed off on a memo Tuesday night that ends the extension signed by former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas just days before he left the job earlier this month.

Those Venezuelans who gained TPS in 2021 will have their protections through September, and those who gained TPS in 2023 will have them through April.

Noem has until Saturday to decide on whether to extend Venezuelans who received status in 2023 can have their protections extended – if she chooses not to, those TPS statuses will automatically extend by six months.

The designation is expected to impact about 600,000 people, according to immigration advocates.

— ABC News’ Luke Barr

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed retired U.S. Gen. Mark Milley's personal security detail, suspended his security clearance and directed the Pentagon's acting inspector general to carry out an inquiry into Milley's conduct to determine if his military rank should be reduced.

“The Secretary informed General Milley today that he is revoking the authorization for his security detail and suspending his security clearance as well," Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot said in a statement provided to ABC News. "The Secretary has also directed the DoD IG to conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen Milley’s conduct so that the Secretary may determine whether it is appropriate to reopen his military grade review determination."

A senior defense official also said that a portrait of Milley was being removed from the Pentagon, this one from his time as Army chief of staff. On Inauguration Day, Milley's official portrait from when he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was taken down at the direction of the White House, according to two U.S. officials.

In a statement on Tuesday, DOD Chief of Staff Joe Kasper said: "Undermining the chain of command is corrosive to our national security, and restoring accountability is a priority for the Defense Department under President Trump’s leadership."

Fox News first reported the steps Hegseth planned to take.

A spokesperson for the DOD inspector general earlier confirmed to ABC News that the office had received the request from the defense secretary and was reviewing it.

Milley's security detail had been in place since his retirement in 2023 out of concerns that Iran might retaliate against him and other senior officials following the 2020 killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.

Trump has sharply criticized Milley over the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and previously accused the retired general of treason.

After the 2020 election, Milley reportedly took secret precautions to try to prevent Trump from taking military action or launching a nuclear weapon after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

In the run-up to the 2024 election, Milley called Trump "fascist to the core" in comments to journalist Bob Woodward.

In the final days of his term former President Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned Milley, a move that would prevent him from facing civilian criminal prosecution and a military court martial.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez