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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."
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
Trump fires Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown
Trump announced Friday night that he had fired Gen. C.Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is nominating Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine to replace him.
"I want to thank General Charles 'CQ' Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Trump announced on his Truth Social account. "He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family."
Trump did not provide a reason as to why he was removing Brown from his position as the nation’s top military adviser. Brown assumed this position for his four-year tenure in October 2023.
The president described Caine as "an accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and a 'warfighter' with significant interagency and special operations experience."
The position requires Senate confirmation.
Trump also said Friday that he had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "to solicit nominations for five additional high-level positions, which will be announced soon."
Hegseth subsequently said Friday that he is requesting nominations for the positions of chief of naval operations and Air Force vice chief of staff.
"The incumbents in these important roles, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, respectively, have had distinguished careers. We thank them for their service and dedication to our country," he said in a statement.
Additionally, he said they are requesting nominations for the judge advocates general for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
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.
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
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 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
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.