Trump admin updates: Trump teases 'big day' at White House

President Donald Trump also said Zelenskyy can end the war "almost immediately."

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, Sarah Beth Hensley, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: August 18, 2025, 12:09 AM EDT

President Donald Trump returned from Alaska after his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the president's crime-reduction push in Washington, D.C. continues.

National Guard are in Washington as part of Trump's plan to reduce violent crime in the city.

On Friday, an order by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi designating the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration Terry Cole as the District's "Emergency Police Commissioner" was retooled after a legal challenge by local officials.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Aug 12, 2025, 12:19 PM EDT

National Guard members gather at DC Armory

Members of the National Guard gathered at the DC Armory's Joint Force Headquarters Tuesday morning, before filing out approximately one hour later.

Many confirmed to ABC News that they are active members of the National Guard.

Members of the National Guard walk from the DC Joint Force Headquarters to the DC Armory in Washington, Aug. 12, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

A member of the District of Columbia National Guard arrives at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

They arrived in what appeared to be personal vehicles before entering the building alone or in small groups, with some carrying duffel bags and backpacks.

When asked if they were given any marching orders, one told ABC News "not really," and that they were just told to gather.

-ABC News' Emily Chang

Aug 12, 2025, 10:23 AM EDT

National Guard troops arriving in DC

National Guard troops are arriving in Washington after President Donald Trump announced on Monday that 800 National Guard troops would be deployed as he declared a public safety emergency -- despite the city’s mayor noting violent crime is at a 30-year low.

National Guard troops arrive at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

It's the first time the National Guard has been deployed to Washington since 2021 after the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol.

National Guard troops arrive at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Aug 12, 2025, 9:39 AM EDT

Bowser and Bondi expected to meet Tuesday: Sources

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Pam Bondi are expected to meet on Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter said.

Bowser said on Monday during her press conference that she had reached out to Bondi and she hoped to schedule a meeting "soon." Bowser on Monday called President Donald Trump's federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of the National Guard "unsettling and unprecedented."

A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the meeting to ABC News. Bowser's office didn't immediately comment.

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks with reporters during a briefing with President Donald Trump in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders, Alexander Mallin an Luke Barr

Aug 11, 2025, 8:26 PM EDT

Trump extends trade truce with China for another 90 days

Hours before the deadline was to go into effect, President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending the United States and China trade truce another 90 days, according to an announcement on social media.

“I have just signed an Executive Order that will extend the Tariff Suspension on China for another 90 days. All other elements of the Agreement will remain the same,” Trump wrote.

The new deadline will expire on Nov. 9. at 12:01 a.m.

When asked during the press conference earlier Monday if the president intends to extend the China trade-truce deadline, which was previously set to end Monday night at midnight, Trump declined to answer.

“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

Ahead of the trade truce, the current tariff rate on Chinese imports entering the U.S. was 145%.

Sponsored Content by Taboola