Trump admin live updates: Trump says Hamas will release hostage Edan Alexander

FBI Director Kash Patel testified on the agency's 2026 budget, which saw a $450 million cut.

In written remarks to a House panel, Patel says that fighting crime is costly -- from running the FBI lab to investigating terrorist attacks to running FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces.

"Without the funds to get ahead of our adversaries, we risk making tradeoffs that will jeopardize the safety of all Americans," according to Patel's remarks. He touted the streamlining of operations -- moving agents out of Washington and allowing intel analysts to take up posts in the field.

Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, went after the administration for firing senior officials at the FBI when he took office.

"The men and women of the FBI are dedicated public servants who were diligent and often in dangerous settings to keep criminals off of our streets," she said. "But unfortunately, the bureau of civil servants have been the focus of demeaning and destructive attacks from this administration and its allies in the media, which endanger and undermine the administration of justice."

She said the administration's actions against those who held Jan. 6 rioters accountable and dismissing the head of the New York Field Office puts Patel's credibility in doubt.

-ABC News' Luke Barr

President Trump, taking reporter questions in the Oval Office, was asked if he is planning a new ceasefire and hostage deal proposal for Israel and Hamas before his Middle East trip next week.

"Well, we're going to see what's happening. There's a lotta talk going on around Gaza right now, you know that right? So, you'll be knowing probably in the next 24 hours," Trump responded.

ABC News' Mary Bruce asked the president if he was willing to pull back the 145% tariffs on China "in order to get China to the negotiating table."

Bruce asked, "China says in order to have substantive negotiations, you have to bring down your 145% tariffs. Are you open to pulling back your tariffs in order to get China to the negotiating table?"

"No," Trump responded.

Trump again stood by his controversial nominee Ed Martin, his pick for the top federal prosecutor in D.C., who has lost support of key Republicans.

Martin has come under fire for his repeated defense of Jan. 6 rioters.

Trump said the waning support for his pick was "disappointing," but said the decision was up to the Senate.

"They have to vote the way they are. They have to follow their heart and they have to follow their mind," Trump said.