White House says some employees were fired by mistake

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

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Emily Chang, Kevin Shalvey, Meredith Deliso, Julia Reinstein, Ivan Pereira, and Jon Haworth
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."

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Feb 12, 2025, 5:37 PM EST

Attorney General Pam Bondi announces legal action against New York over immigration

The Justice Department is taking legal action against the state of New York and Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday, over its alleged resistance to supporting the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi smiles after an interview at the White House in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

It is not clear what action the department is specifically taking. Bondi said in her remarks that the DOJ is "filing charges" against the state and its top officials, though she clarified the department is filing suit over the state's "green-light laws."

-ABC News' Alexander Mallin

Feb 12, 2025, 5:15 PM EST

Trump wants Department of Education 'closed immediately'

When asked if he wants the Department of Education closed, Trump responded emphatically, "oh, I’d like it to be closed immediately."

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

"Look, the Department of Education's a big con job," he added, arguing that he wants to break up the department in sections among the states and criticizing employees for working remotely or working multiple jobs.

Feb 12, 2025, 5:06 PM EST

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.

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