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.
DHS puts administrative hold on Biden parole policies
The Department of Homeland Security put an “administrative hold” on multiple programs put in the place by the Biden Administration designed to allow migrants to claim asylum.
A department spokesperson told ABC News that Uniting for Ukraine, the Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV) process and Family Reunification Parole program benefits that are pending were placed on hold.
-ABC News' Luke Barr
Feb 19, 2025, 6:07 PM EST
6,000+ IRS workers expected to be laid off, as some told to report to office tomorrow: Sources
The Internal Revenue Service is expected to begin laying off more than 6,000 probationary employees from offices across the country starting Thursday, sources familiar with the situation told ABC News.
IRS employees across the country received emails on Wednesday instructing them to return to the office tomorrow and to bring their government-issued equipment with them, sources familiar with the notifications told ABC News.
An exterior view of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Washington, Feb. 14, 2025.
Will Oliver/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
"We are directing you to come into the office tomorrow and Friday. Any previously approved leave is canceled," one IRS manager said in an email to a probationary employee reviewed by ABC News. "Under an executive order, IRS has been directed to terminate probationary employees who were not deemed as critical to filing season. We don't have many details that we are permitted to share, but this is all tied to compliance with the executive order."
While some of these employees may not be directly working on the upcoming filing season, some suggested to ABC News that their dismissal could have an impact on individual business and personal filings, if active audits are left open and not resolved by the time of their dismissal.
"Termination of probationary employees could prolong audits," one IRS worker expecting to be fired told ABC News.
"I’ve gone through the stages of coming to terms with it," the IRS worker told ABC News about going to work tomorrow. "I feel better knowing I did a good job. It’s not my fault that I’m being released. Somebody at the top decided this is what’s going to happen."
The worker was informed by their manager that their removal was not related to any workplace performance issues.
An IRS spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
-ABC News' Olivia Rubin, Will Steakin, and Ben Siegel
Feb 19, 2025, 6:04 PM EST
Hegseth could fire or remove generals and senior officers as early as this week
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is considering firing or removing generals and senior officers as early as this week, according to multiple U.S. and congressional officials.
According to the officials, a list has been provided to the Hill that contains names of generals and senior officers who could be fired or removed as soon as this week.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez, Rachel Scott and Katherine Faulders
Feb 19, 2025, 2:02 PM EST
Pence calls out Trump for claiming Ukraine started war with Russia
While President Donald Trump's current vice president is echoing his stance on Ukraine, Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence is speaking out against him on the issue.
"Mr. President, Ukraine did not "start" this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The Road to Peace must be built on the Truth," Pence posted on X, along with a Fox News article from 2022 with the headline "Russia Invades Ukraine in Largest European Attack Since WWII"
Former Vice President Mike Pence attends the Inauguration of Donald J. Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images,FILE
Pence has been critical of Trump following Jan. 6 and declined to endorse Trump during the 2024 election.