Trump 2nd term: ICE arrests 956 undocumented immigrants on Sunday

ICE conducted "enhanced targeted operations," in certain cities like Chicago.

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Last updated: Monday, January 27, 2025 10:51AM GMT
ICE says 'targeted operations' are underway in Chicago
Amid fears of mass deportations and immigration raids in Chicago, ICE says it has begun targeted operations in the area.

President Donald Trump took a victory lap at a Las Vegas casino on Saturday after a five days of issuing executive orders on immigration, the economy, DEI and more.

Trump late Friday night stirred up outrage when he blindsided at least 17 inspectors general at multiple federal agencies by firing them in an email from the White House personnel office.

Meanwhile, two more of Trump's picks for his Cabinet -- Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security -- were sworn in to office on Saturday.

ABCNews
Jan 22, 2025, 5:58 PM GMT

Bishop Budde defends 'mercy' sermon against Trump's criticism, says she seeks 'unity'

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde on Wednesday defended her sermon at a traditional inaugural prayer service on Tuesday directly calling on President Trump to show "mercy" toward immigrants and trans people.

Speaking on ABC's "The View," she emphasized she was seeking to create "unity" and to "counter the narrative that is so divisive and polarizing."

"I wanted to emphasize respecting the honor and dignity of every human being, basic honesty and humility and then I also realized that unity requires a certain degree of mercy -- mercy and compassion and understanding," she said, after Trump demanded she apologize.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appears on The View, Jan. 22, 2025.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appears on The View, Jan. 22, 2025.

"I was trying to speak a truth that I felt needed to be said, but to do it as respectful and kind a way as I could," she added. "And also to bring other voices into the conversation ... voices that had not been heard in the public space for some time."

When asked if she had an opportunity to share her thoughts one-on-one with the president, Budde said she had not been invited but would welcome the opportunity.

"I can assure him and everyone listening that I would be as respectful as I would with any person, and certainly of his office for which I have a great deal of respect, but ... the invitation would have to come from him," she said.

ABCNews
Jan 22, 2025, 5:48 PM GMT

Biden's letter to Trump revealed by Fox News

Fox News Senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy read aloud on-air the content of the letter left by former President Joe Biden to President Donald Trump.

"As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years," Biden wrote, according to Fox News. "The American people -- and people around the world -- look to this house for steadiness in the inevitable storms of history, and my prayer is that in the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation."

"May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding," Biden wrote.

Trump held up the letter for reporters on Monday night as he signed executive orders in the Oval Office. He described it to reporters on Tuesday as "very nice" and that he appreciated it.

ByKelsey Walsh, ABCNews
Jan 22, 2025, 5:09 PM GMT

Trump demands Putin to 'make a deal' to end war

Trump has sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin demanding he make a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

"It's time to 'MAKE A DEAL.' NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!" Trump wrote in a new social media post.

Trump indicated that if a deal isn't made quickly, he would impose high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russia.

"Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don't make a "deal," and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries," Trump said.

Trump then threatened that it can be done "the easy way, or the hard way."

ABCNews
Jan 22, 2025, 4:43 PM GMT

Mike Johnson says he won't 'second-guess' Trump pardons for Jan. 6 rioters

Speaker Mike Johnson said he doesn't question Trump's decision to pardon more than thousand people convicted in connection to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including some violent offenders.

"The president's made his decision, I don't second guess those," Johnson said at a news conference alongside House Republican leadership.

President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, his wife Kelly Johnson, after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, his wife Kelly Johnson, after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

"And yes, you know, it's kind of my ethos, my worldview, we believe in redemption, we believe in second chances," Johnson said. "If you could -- would argue that those people didn't pay a heavy penalty having been incarcerated and all of that, that's up to you."

Other Republicans had mixed reactions to the news when asked by ABC News on Tuesday. Some claimed they'd "never" seen video of rioters attacking police. Others said Trump's move was something they "just can't agree" with.