A federal judge ordered a Venezuelan couple, accused by the Trump administration of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang, to be released, delivering a stinging rebuke of the government's evidence in the case.
Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday was making an announced trip to the southern border -- without reporters -- as he faces new scrutiny in Washington.
ABC News has confirmed that, in at least two separate meetings, Hegseth accused top-ranking military officers of leaking to the news media and threatened to polygraph them.
Hegseth also used the Signal app on a personal computer in his office that was connected to the internet on an unsecured commercial line, what's known as a "dirty line," two sources confirmed to ABC News Thursday. A Pentagon spokesman called that report "fake news."
Trump to install 2 flagpoles on White House North Lawn
President DOnald Trump spent his Wednesday morning with a surprise appearance on the White House North Lawn, strolling around the property and meeting with the head groundskeeper for what he said are plans to install two new flagpoles.
President Donald Trump speaks with Dale Haney, head White House grounds keeper, right, and others, about a new flagpole on the North Lawn of the White House, April 23, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP
"We're putting up a beautiful, almost 100-foot-tall American flag on this side, and another one on the other side," he told reporters. "Two flags, top of the line."
"Paid for by Trump," the president said, adding that "they arrive in about a week or so."
Apr 23, 2025, 11:08 AM EDT
Rubio, Vance emphasize need for Russia and Ukraine to compromise
During a podcast interview, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about the ongoing negotiations over Ukraine and said that while it may take more than a few days to figure out if a negotiated settlement was possible, we "should be optimistic." He said both Moscow and Kyiv would need to compromise.
"I'm hopeful that we can get to something quickly," Rubio said, adding that a resolution might not come by the end of the week, as the president has suggested. "And I remain hopeful that we can get something done because this is a terrible war and it needs to end."
On territorial claims, Rubio said "we have to be frank," emphasizing that "Russia is not just going to roll over Ukraine and take the whole country, and Ukraine's not going to push them all the way back to where they were before 2014."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a meeting of the Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Task Force, at the Justice Department in Washington, April 22, 2025.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters
Speaking to reporters early Wednesday morning, Vance expressed his belief that the U.S. has "put together a very fair proposal."
"We've issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it's time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process," Vance said.
-- ABC News' Shannon Kingston and Alex Ederson
Apr 23, 2025, 10:56 AM EDT
Hegseth says the press has characterized his changes as 'chaos'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Wednesday morning, saying the press has characterized the changes that he has pushed at the Pentagon as "chaos," and that the press characterized the 6 to 8% shift in existing DOD budget resources as a "cut."
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks to students, faculty and staff at the U.S. Army War college, April 23, 2025 in Carlisle, Pa.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Hegseth did not comment on any of the current controversies he is facing, instead focusing on restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and restoring deterrence.
He noted that the U.S. Army War College students are the future of the U.S. military.
-- ABC News' Luis Martinez
Apr 23, 2025, 10:01 AM EDT
Vance says he has '100% confidence' in Hegseth
When asked about his confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's ability to do his job after DOD staffers said he was unfit for the job, Vice President JD Vance vehemently defended Hegseth, saying the secretary is "doing a great job."
"Look, I have 100% confidence in the secretary. I know the president does, and really the entire team does," Vance said. "As a man, as the Secretary of Defense, I think he's doing a great job."
Vance also pointed to military recruitment numbers, adding that in his view, this is the "best testament to his leadership of the military."
Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Rajasthan International Center in Jaipur, India, April 22, 2025.
