White House says some employees were fired by mistake

After taking the recent buyout offer, some employees were fired, a source said.

Last Updated: February 16, 2025, 11:07 PM EST

President Donald Trump's administration, including Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, is continuing its sweeping effort to cut much of the federal government -- but it's being met with legal challenges.

Trump is also making his second administration's first forays on the diplomatic front with calls to Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy on ending the 3-year-old war that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

And a day after Hamas released more hostages taken when it attacked Israel in October 2023, Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the militant organization needs to be "eliminated."

Feb 12, 2025, 4:43 PM EST

Gabbard sworn in as director of national intelligence

Following her confirmation by the Senate, Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as director of national intelligence in the Oval Office Wednesday evening.

She and her husband, Abraham Williams, were spotted hugging prior to her being sworn in.

Tulsi Gabbard and her husband Abraham Williams hug before she is sworn in in as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

"There's nobody like her for this job. This was a very easy one for me," Trump said regarding his pick.

After expressing her gratitude to the president, Gabbard said she looks forward to working to "refocus our intelligence community by empowering the great patriots who have chosen to serve our country in this way and focus on ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people."

Feb 12, 2025, 4:26 PM EST

Putin and Trump may meet in Saudi Arabia

In the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that he and Putin may meet in "probably" Saudi Arabia. Though the date has not been set, Trump said it will happen soon.

President Donald Trump, Feb. 11, 2025 and Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Feb. 6, 2025.
AFP via Getty Images

He added that their conversation was a "good call" that lasted "over an hour."

Trump added he will "think about" going to Ukraine and that his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was "very good."

Feb 12, 2025, 4:09 PM EST

US embassies instructed to prepare for staff reductions: Sources

The State Department has begun instructing U.S. embassies to start planning for staff reductions, sources told ABC News.

Embassies will be required to cut U.S. staff and local staff, according to the sources. Senior embassy officials have also been asked to provide comprehensive lists of all employees and their employment status as part of the process, including tenured, untenured and temporary duty assignments.

The Embassy of the United States of America in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 18, 2015.
Getty Images

This comes as President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at ensuring all State Department staffers comply with his administration's foreign policy goals, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

-ABC News' Will Steakin, Shannon Kingston and Katherine Faulders

Feb 12, 2025, 4:07 PM EST

Private prison company anticipates 'significant opportunities' under Trump administration

Executives for CoreCivic, one of the largest private prison companies in the United States, said they anticipate "the most significant growth" in the company's history over the next several years.

"I've worked at CoreCivic for 32 years, and this is truly one of the most exciting periods of my career," CEO Damon Hininger said on Tuesday. "We anticipate significant growth opportunities, perhaps the most significant growth in our company's history, over the next several years."

PHOTO: Cells are seen in a prison.
STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images

"The change in presidential administration on Jan. 20 has ushered in significant policy and legislative changes that directly impact our business," Hininger added.

-ABC News' Laura Romero

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