APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
Trump 2nd term live updates: Dan Bongino named as deputy FBI director
He hosts the popular right-wing and pro-Trump podcast "The Dan Bongino Show."
President Donald Trump's administration is continuing its radical effort to cut much of the federal government and crackdown on immigration -- and is being met with dozens of legal challenges.
On the foreign policy front, Trump's press secretary said the White House believes it can reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine this week even as Trump attacks Ukraine's president and blames it for starting the war, which even some in his own party are calling him out over.
Meanwhile, heads of federal government agencies were telling employees not to reply to an email from Elon Musk, Trump's ally who he picked to cut government waste, which asked for them to list their accomplishments for the week or face termination.
Latest headlines:
- Murkowski to Musk: Treat federal workers with ‘dignity and respect’
- Largest federal worker union calls OPM email ‘unlawful’
- US attorney for DC encourages workers to reply to OPM email
- Air traffic controllers also got ‘What did you get done’ emails
- Witkoff heads to Mideast to negotiate next phase of ceasefire
Kash Patel is sworn in as FBI director
Kash Patel was sworn in to be Trump's FBI director on Friday by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Patel was narrowly confirmed by the Senate on Thursday in a 51-49 vote. It was the most narrowly divided confirmation vote for an FBI director in history. By contrast, previous FBI chief Christopher Wray was confirmed 92-5. James Comey was confirmed 93-1 and Robert Mueller 98-0.
A Trump loyalist with a history of criticizing the FBI, Patel will now oversee the nation's top law enforcement agency.
ICE acting director moved to different role amid frustrations over pace of deportations
The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been moved to an operations role, according to multiple officials. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the shakeup at ICE.
Caleb Vitello "is no longer in an Administrative role, but is instead overseeing all field and enforcement operations: finding, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens, which is a major priority of the President and Secretary Noem," according to a DHS spokesperson.
The agency is now left with no director. It is unclear who is currently leading the agency tasked with Trump's priority to deport those in the country illegally.
Trump's "border czar" Tom Homan has recently expressed frustration on the pace at which deportations have occurred.
-ABC News' Luke Barr
Bipartisan group of House veterans want answers about list of generals who could be fired
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers, all veterans, have written a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the possible dismissal of high-ranking military officers. They’re asking for details about why the officers might be fired or removed from their posts.
“As your administration contemplates removing numerous General and Flag Officers, it is vital that we have transparency on the criteria and process used to evaluate these officers. There are valid reasons to remove a General or Flag Officer, but there must be clear, transparent, and apolitical criteria and processes associated with any such dismissal," they wrote.
"An apolitical military is an essential component of our democracy and our national security," they added.
ABC News previously reported Gen. CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top admiral, are on the list of officers provided to Congress.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
Howard Lutnick is sworn in as commerce secretary
Howard Lutnick, the former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, was sworn in as commerce secretary on Friday at the White House.
Vice President JD Vance and President Trump were in the Oval Office for the ceremony.
Lutnick was confirmed by the Senate in a 51-45 vote. He will help oversee Trump's economic agenda, including tariffs and developing a sovereign wealth fund.