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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."

Last Updated: February 23, 2025, 5:03 PM EST

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.

Feb 21, 2025, 6:41 PM EST

Kash Patel announces plan to relocate FBI personnel to field offices

In a message to the FBI workforce, newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel announced his intention to "reduce the footprint" of the FBI in "the National Capital Region," including by "reallocating personnel to the field offices and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, [Alabama]."

One source told ABC News this could include as many as 1,500 agents and others from Washington.

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 30, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

In his message, obtained by ABC News, Patel said he spoke with FBI leadership this morning about his plans.

"My priority is to support and drive even more impactful investigations," Patel wrote. "The work that the men and women of the FBI are doing to combat violent crime, terrorism, and other threats has never been more important. Enhancing the field resources and bolstering our operational capabilities are the most effective ways to protect the American people."

It's not clear why Patel wants to move personnel to the U.S. Army post at Redstone Arsenal, but according to the FBI's website, "The FBI has had a presence at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, for more than 50 years."

-ABC News' Mike Levine

Feb 21, 2025, 6:33 PM EST

DOD announces 5,400 workers to be released beginning next week in first wave of terminations

The Pentagon announced it will "release" some 5,400 civilian probationary workers beginning next week and freeze hiring in the first wave of what could amount to more than 70,000 fired.

"We expect approximately 5,400 probationary workers will be released beginning next week as part of this initial effort, after which we will implement a hiring freeze while we conduct a further analysis of our personnel needs, complying as always with all applicable laws," Darin Selnick, acting secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said in a statement.

The Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon, Oct. 29, 2024, in Washington.
Kevin Wolf/AP

The statement said 5% to 8% of the department's civilian workforce will be cut in total, which would amount to about 43,900 to 70,240 of the approximately 878,000 civilian employees at the DOD.

"This re-evaluation of probationary employees is being done across government, not just at the Defense Department, but we believe in the goals of the program, and our leaders are carrying out that review carefully and smartly," the statement said.

The announcement follows two U.S. officials telling ABC News that the DOD had temporarily delayed mass layoffs as it continued to review the impacts on readiness.

-ABC News' Matt Seyler

Feb 21, 2025, 5:12 PM EST

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.

Kash Patel is sworn in as FBI director by Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
Leah Millis/Reuters

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.

Feb 21, 2025, 5:10 PM EST

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.

PHOTO: In this handout photo provided by ICE, ICE Acting Director Caleb Vitello, conducted targeted enforcement operations resulting in the arrest of an illegal Dominican national, on Jan. 28, 2025, in New York.
In this handout photo provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the New York City Fugitive Operations Team, joined by ICE Acting Director Caleb Vitello, conducted targeted enforcement operations resulting in the arrest of an illegal Dominican national, on Jan. 28, 2025, in New York.
Handout/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images, FILE

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

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