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."
When asked about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's remarks earlier Wednesday claiming it is "unrealistic" for Ukraine to regain its pre-2014 borders, Trump said, "It certainly would seem to be unlikely."
President Donald Trump speaks after Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
He clarified that he's "not making an opinion of it, but [he’s] read a lot on it and a lot of people think that that's unlikely."
"I think some of it will come back," he continued. "Yeah, some of that land will come back."
Feb 12, 2025, 4:50 PM EST
Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general pick who defended Trump in court, tells panel he isn't the president's lawyer
Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's top defense attorney in several of the criminal cases brought against him, was pressed repeatedly Wednesday by Democratic lawmakers concerned about whether he can maintain independence if confirmed as the nation's No. 2 law enforcement official.
In Blanche's confirmation hearing to be the next deputy attorney general, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, referencing a memo issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi that described Justice Department attorneys as "lawyers" for the president, asked Blanche, "Is the deputy attorney general the president's lawyer?"
"No," Blanche replied.
Sen. Adam Schiff, however, confirmed that even as Blanche sat before the committee, he maintains an active attorney-client relationship with Trump -- albeit not representing him in any specific ongoing matters.
Todd Blanche, US Deputy Attorney General nominee for President Donald Trump, during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2025.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
When pressed over whether he'd recuse himself from any investigations previously tied to his representation of Trump, Blanche would only commit to following DOJ "rules" and said he would seek input from career officials before making any final determinations.
-ABC News' Alexander Mallin
Feb 12, 2025, 4:46 PM EST
Trump to sign executive order on reciprocal tariffs Wednesday or Thursday
In the Oval Office, President Donald Trump suggested he will sign an executive order on reciprocal tariffs by Thursday.
"In fact, I may do it today. And if I do it today, I could almost do it right now," he laughed, before saying he does not want to take away from Gabbard's day.
President Donald Trump speaks after Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
"I may do it later on, or I may do it tomorrow morning. But we'll be signing reciprocal tariffs," he promised.
"The world has taken advantage of the United States for many years. They've charged massive tariffs, and we haven't charged them," he said, touting his steel and aluminum tariffs that he said will "level the playing field."
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."
