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."
Trump 'OK' with Ukraine not being in NATO, says he doesn't think it's 'practical'
In the Oval Office, Trump was asked if he opposes NATO membership for Ukraine, to which he replied that he doesn't think it is "practical to have it."
"I know that a new secretary of defense who's excellent, Pete, made a statement today saying that he thinks it's unlikely or impractical. I think probably that's true," Trump continued.
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.
Alex Brandon/AP
"They've been saying that for a long time that Ukraine cannot go into NATO, and I'm OK with that," he said, expressing his desire for the war to end "whether they are or they're not" part of NATO.
Feb 12, 2025, 4:58 PM EST
Trump says US still sending aid to Ukraine but wants it 'secured'
When asked if the United States is no longer sending aid to Ukraine, Trump responded, "No, we are, but we want it secured and the money is going to be secured."
The president was pressed on when the U.S. could cease sending assistance to Ukraine, to which he replied, "We'll go as long as we have to go because we're not going to let the other happen."
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Oct. 15, 2024, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Oct. 24, 2024.
AFP via Getty Images
He also noted that if the U.S. did not send aid, "then Putin would say he won," before touting that Putin wants peace now under his administration.
Feb 12, 2025, 4:56 PM EST
Trump says 'some land' will come back to Ukraine
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.
