Donald Trump News LIVE Updates: Trump fires at least 12 internal govt watchdogs, says US media

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in the US. The order seeks to revoke previous policies it claims hinder AI progress, stressing that the development of AI systems should be free from ideological bias and social agendas. The order does not specify which policies are problematic but mandates a review of actions taken under President Biden’s 2023 AI executive order. Any policies that do not align with Trump’s directive, which focuses on human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security, must be suspended.

Trump’s order also calls for the creation of a new AI action plan within 180 days, to be led by White House tech officials, including a new Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, David Sacks. Trump’s decision to revoke Biden’s AI policies follows his previous 2019 order prioritising federal AI research.

Biden’s 2023 directive, which aimed to ensure AI tools did not harm the public, had prompted extensive studies across government agencies on AI’s impact on cybersecurity, education, and public services. However, one key element of Biden’s policy required tech companies to share AI model details before releasing them to the public. Trump’s new order prioritises innovation over regulatory oversight, aligning with his broader campaign promise to outpace global competitors in AI development.

Critics argue that Trump's approach could undermine safeguards, but his supporters believe it will enhance the US’s technological leadership.

The Senate advanced Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Defence Secretary on Thursday, with a 51-49 vote, despite strong objections from Democrats and some Republicans. Two Republicans, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, opposed Hegseth over concerns about his qualifications and behaviour. Hegseth, a former combat veteran and Fox News host, faces allegations of excessive drinking and inappropriate behaviour towards women, which he denies.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer questioned Hegseth's suitability for the role, asking, "Is this the best man we have to lead the greatest military in the world?" Murkowski expressed concern about the message confirming him would send to women in the military, particularly in light of his past comments opposing women in combat roles, which he attempted to clarify during the confirmation process. Collins, after a lengthy discussion with Hegseth, voiced doubts about his change in stance on women in combat and questioned his experience for the job.

Hegseth’s confirmation faces significant scrutiny due to allegations of sexual assault and abusive behaviour, which he denies. Despite these concerns, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker defended Hegseth, dismissing the allegations as factually inaccurate, and expressed confidence in his readiness for the role.

With a Republican majority in the Senate, Hegseth’s confirmation looks likely, though it remains unclear when the final vote will take place.

Pete Hegseth, nominated by President Donald Trump for defence secretary, provided answers to Senator Elizabeth Warren revealing a $50,000 payment to his sexual assault accuser from 2017. The Associated Press accessed these responses, which were part of the additional queries during his confirmation process.

When contacted on Thursday, Hegseth's legal representative Timothy Parlatore offered no remarks about the payment amount. Hegseth maintained that the interaction was consensual and rejected any misconduct allegations. During his recent confirmation hearing, he stated he was "falsely accused" and fully exonerated in the 2017 case.

The payment disclosure coincided with the Senate's advancement of Hegseth's nomination through a party-line vote. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, both Republicans, opposed Trump's choice on Thursday. Hegseth faces additional accusations regarding excessive alcohol consumption and mistreatment of his second wife, which he contests.

The primary allegation emerged from a woman who reported to authorities that Hegseth sexually assaulted her in a California hotel room in 2017. According to a November investigative report, she stated he confiscated her phone, blocked the exit and prevented her departure.

The police report does not indicate that investigators determined the allegations were false. Law enforcement suggested forwarding the case report to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for evaluation.

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni indicated her office chose not to pursue charges in January 2018, citing insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

US President Donald Trump declared he would pursue lower interest rates through increased energy production and indicated his willingness to engage with the Federal Reserve if necessary.

"I'll demand that interest rates drop immediately," he told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in a virtual address. "Likewise, they should be dropping all over the world. Interest rates should follow us all over."

The US Federal Reserve operates independently under a Congressional mandate to regulate inflation and employment, primarily through adjustments to short-term interest rates.

As president, Trump lacks direct authority over interest rate decisions, a limitation he has often disputed.

Later on Thursday in Washington, Trump expressed his desire for substantial interest rate reductions, suggesting that declining oil prices would facilitate this.

"When the oil comes down, it'll bring down prices," he said. "Then you won't have inflation, and then the interest rates will come down."

When questioned about potential Fed resistance to rate cuts, Trump indicated he would issue a forceful statement and anticipated officials would consider his perspective, mentioning possible discussions with Fed chair Jerome Powell.

"I think I know interest rates much better than they do," he said. "And I think I know certainly much better than the one who's primarily in charge of making that decision."

"I'm guided by them very much," he added. "But if I disagree, I will let it be known."

President Donald Trump has ordered the release of thousands of classified government documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a case that has sparked conspiracy theories for decades. The executive order, signed on Thursday, also aims to declassify remaining federal records related to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. This move is part of a series of executive actions taken early in Trump’s second term.

Trump, who had promised during his reelection campaign to release the final batch of documents concerning Kennedy’s assassination, told reporters, "everything will be revealed." He had previously made a similar promise during his first term but withheld some documents after requests from the CIA and FBI.

The order directs the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to develop a plan within 15 days to declassify the remaining records on Kennedy’s assassination, and within 45 days for the other two cases. However, the exact timeline for the documents’ release remains unclear.

Despite millions of records already being declassified, a few thousand still remain classified. While experts caution that no major revelations are expected, there is still significant public interest. Larry J. Sabato, a professor at the University of Virginia, noted that researchers remain hopeful for new findings, though the odds of groundbreaking revelations are slim.

The documents are stored in the National Archives, with a requirement to be opened by 2017, except for certain exemptions.

US President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, urging global companies to manufacture their products in the United States. He promised significant tax cuts to businesses that choose to produce in the US, offering some of the lowest tax rates in the world.

Trump warned companies that opt not to manufacture in the US would face hefty tariffs, which he said would generate "hundreds of billions" and even "trillions" of dollars for the US economy, strengthening the nation’s finances and helping reduce debt.

He stressed that under his administration, the US would be the best place for job creation, factory development, and business growth, declaring, "There is no better place on earth" for companies to thrive.

Turning to US-Canada relations, Trump expressed frustration with the US trade deficit with Canada, which he estimated at between USD 200 billion and USD 250 billion. He jokingly suggested Canada could become the 51st US state to resolve the issue and eliminate tariffs, further criticising Canada for being difficult to negotiate with.

Trump also noted that the US no longer relies on Canada for key resources like cars, lumber, or oil, as the country has ample domestic supply. He reiterated plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada.

US President Donald Trump granted clemency on Thursday to 23 individuals who had demonstrated against abortion rights, with the White House indicating these prosecutions occurred during Joe Biden's tenure as president.

"They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people," Trump stated whilst speaking to journalists in the Oval Office, one day before a significant anti-abortion demonstration in Washington. "This is a great honor to sign this."

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that his administration plans to challenge a federal judge's decision that temporarily halts his efforts to limit birthright citizenship.

"Obviously we will appeal it," Trump stated to journalists in the Oval Office in response to questions about the ruling from Washington state District Judge John Coughenour, who declared the president's order was "blatantly unconstitutional."

Ukraine has expressed complete backing for US President Donald Trump's strategy to exert pressure on Russia through oil price reduction as a means to conclude the ongoing conflict, according to a statement from the Ukrainian presidency on Thursday.

Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak declared on X platform, "We fully support the President of the United States in his efforts to reduce oil prices." This statement followed Trump's remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he asserted that "the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately" if oil prices experienced a decline.

President Donald Trump downplayed the public dispute between tech CEOs Elon Musk and Sam Altman over a $500 billion AI project announced by the White House on Tuesday.Musk had expressed doubt about the participating companies' ability to fund the project, but Trump attributed the criticism to personal animosity between Musk and Altman.

"No, he hates one of the people," Trump said, referring to Musk's apparent dislike of Altman, without actually naming anyone.

"I've spoken to Elon, but—spoken to all of them, actually. The people in the deal are very, very smart people– but Elon, one of the people in the deal he happens to hate. But I have certain hatreds of people too," he added.

Many faith leaders in the US have expressed concern over the fear instilled in their migrant-friendly congregations due to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Despite warnings that places of worship could be subject to arrests, they are considering ways to resist these measures.

In Portland, Oregon, Rev. W.J. Mark Knutson of Augustana Lutheran Church announced plans to offer sanctuary to undocumented migrants, just as he did in 2014. Knutson argued that an unjust law is no law at all, and declared that churches are sacred spaces that must stand against such policies.

Rev. Robin Hynicka of Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia also reaffirmed his commitment to sanctuary, noting that his church's mission extended beyond offering temporary shelter. He emphasised that sanctuary must be a value upheld through policy and law.

Other clergy, like Rev. Joseph Dutan in Queens, New York, spoke about the fear felt by their congregants. Dutan’s parishioners feared attending Mass due to the potential for arrest. Similarly, Rev. Manuel Rodriguez of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church described the distress of families who feared their loved ones might be detained at any moment.

Imam Omar Niass of Masjid Ansaru-Deen in the Bronx also welcomed migrants into his mosque, stating that faith compelled him to provide shelter for those in need, regardless of their religious background.

Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, condemned the policy change, calling it a source of unnecessary anxiety for families. He vowed to continue providing legal assistance and support to affected communities.

Some evangelical leaders, such as Rev. Robert Jeffress, supported Trump’s policies, asserting that churches should not be exempt from the law. However, there was recognition of the unintended consequences, with some expressing concern that immigrants might avoid seeking support from religious institutions due to fear of deportation. (AP)

The US Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as the CIA Director on Thursday with strong bipartisan support, approving him by a vote of 74-25. Ratcliffe, who served as the Director of National Intelligence from 2021 to 2022 during Donald Trump’s first term, will now fill a key position in Trump’s national security team.

During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe pledged that under his leadership, the CIA would produce objective, insightful analysis, free from political bias. He highlighted the growing threat from China, emphasising the need to increase focus on the risks posed by Beijing and its Communist Party. He also stressed the importance of understanding technological advancements, noting the need to closely monitor adversaries' capabilities in this area.

A former federal prosecutor and US representative for Texas (2015-2020), Ratcliffe played a role in defending Trump during his first impeachment proceedings before being appointed to lead the US intelligence community.

‘SPresident Donald Trump has revoked government security protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his senior aide, Brian Hook, both of whom have faced significant threats from Iran due to their hard-line stances during Trump’s first administration. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Pompeo and Hook were informed of the revocation on Wednesday, with the change taking effect later that night at 11 p.m. The reasoning behind this decision has not been explained publicly.

This move follows Trump’s broader effort to target individuals he perceives as adversaries since his return to the White House. Just a day prior, Trump revoked security clearance and Secret Service protection from John Bolton, his former national security adviser, who had been a vocal critic of Trump and Iran. Bolton, who was also targeted for assassination by Iran following his role in the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, expressed disappointment over the decision but was not surprised.

Trump had previously distanced himself from Pompeo, stating that he would play no role in his new administration, and recently removed Hook from his presidentially appointed position on the board of the Wilson Center, a think tank.

The Biden administration had continued to provide round-the-clock security for Pompeo and Hook after they left office in 2021, citing serious and credible threats. Despite this, Trump’s decision to revoke their protection has drawn criticism from former officials who argue that the move is highly irresponsible, given the ongoing danger posed by Iran. The State Department had reported that it was spending over $2 million per month on security for Pompeo and Hook.