WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s agendas dominated discussions from New York to Florida, ranging from immigration enforcement to legislative meetings focused on advancing his priorities.

Kristi Noem, who was appointed as secretary of Homeland Security this past Saturday, was present in New York City on Tuesday, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement was detaining immigrants without legal status who had criminal convictions.

Meanwhile, House Republicans gathered in Florida to reconcile their differences over Trump’s proposed tax reductions and budget cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had a speech planned for 8 a.m. but it was delayed. Vice President J.D. Vance is slated to address attendees at 12:30 p.m.

In Washington, the Senate is conducting a hearing concerning the Panama Canal and will be voting on the appointment of former GOP Representative Sean Duffy to head the Transportation Department.

Here’s what we know:

White House: Federal Grant Freeze Won’t Impact Social Security or Medicare

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the funding pause will not affect Social Security and Medicare benefits or food assistance programs for individuals.

“This is not a comprehensive pause on federal assistance under the Trump administration,” Leavitt stated. “President Trump and his administration have a duty to manage taxpayer money wisely.”

She revealed that the measure aims to cut funding for programs the president opposes, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and the Green New Deal related to climate policies. Officials discovered $37 million set to be allocated to the World Health Organization—which Trump instructed to withdraw from—and $50 million for condoms in Gaza, which Leavitt criticized as a “ridiculous waste of government funds.”

“President Trump is prioritizing the needs of the people by implementing this pause,” she added.

–Bart Jansen

Sean Duffy Named Transportation Secretary

The Senate confirmed Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary on Tuesday, enabling one more member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet to begin efforts to enhance traffic safety, reduce construction regulations, and regain public trust in Boeing.

Duffy received confirmation with a vote tally of 77 in favor and 22 against.

In his nomination, Trump expressed confidence in Duffy’s ability to leverage his eight years of congressional experience to reconstruct the nation’s infrastructure and elevate travel safety standards.

—Bart Jansen

Pritzker Criticizes Loan and Grant Freeze

Illinois state agencies have been encountering challenges accessing federal funding platforms, including the one responsible for Medicaid payments, as highlighted by Gov. JB Pritzker’s press secretary, Alex Gough, a Democrat.

“The Constitution does not empower the President with this kind of unilateral control,” stated Pritzker in his announcement. “In Illinois, we will oppose unlawful actions that may endanger working families, children, and the elderly.”

— Erin Mansfield

Advocacy Groups Seek Court Action Against Trump’s Grant Freeze

A coalition consisting of advocacy organizations for nonprofits, healthcare, and small businesses filed a request in federal court on Tuesday to block the Trump administration’s memo that pauses federal grants and loans.

The National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, and the Main Street Alliance sought a temporary restraining order in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to prevent the funding pause that is set to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

“This careless move by the administration could have catastrophic consequences for nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve,” warned Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. “Halting funding for research on childhood cancer, stopping housing and food assistance, keeping domestic violence shelters closed, and disrupting suicide hotlines—even a brief pause could have serious implications and cost lives.”

–Bart Jansen

Former OMB Official Labels New Directive “Cruel” and “Fraudulent”

Topher Spiro, a former associate director at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), described the OMB memo as “a massive fraud,” indicating he believes the legal rationale behind it is highly questionable.

“I am familiar with (acting OMB Director) Matt Vaeth. This memo resembles a hostage declaration from Russ Vought, who has not been confirmed,” Spiro commented in a series of social media posts on @X.

Spiro highlighted that Vought, the next OMB director and chief architect of Project 2025, “is unlawfully pursuing his ideological agenda, hurting the most vulnerable populations—including many working-class individuals and those in rural areas who voted for Trump.”

He cited potential funding cuts that could impact crucial healthcare initiatives, including opioid addiction prevention, mental health services, community health centers, suicide prevention programs, and HIV/AIDS treatments.

–Josh Meyer

Senate Budget Committee Plans to Proceed with Vought Vote Despite Democratic Concerns

The Senate Budget Committee announced on Tuesday that a vote on Russell Vought’s candidacy for director of the Office of Management and Budget will proceed as planned on Thursday.

Democrats expressed their dissatisfaction, stating the Trump administration is overstepping its authority by temporarily suspending billions of dollars in federal grants and loans. Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon, the leading Democrat on the committee, proposed delaying the vote on Vought for two weeks to gather more information regarding the freeze, which has caused chaos among federal grant recipients.

However, the committee, led by Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., confirmed that they would go ahead with the vote regardless.

–Bart Jansen

Democrats Condemn Trump’s Nationwide Grant Freeze

Senate Democrats criticized the Trump administration’s freeze on federal grants that was due to start on Tuesday at 5 p.m., labeling it an unconstitutional attempt to consolidate power that induced anxiety over the abrupt loss of funding.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stated that Trump had cut off billions—possibly trillions—of dollars earmarked for state and local governments, educational institutions, hospitals, small businesses, and disaster relief efforts.

“It’s a strike against the foundation of the average American household,” declared Schumer. “This is absolutely disgraceful.”

The White House Office of Management and Budget released a memo on Monday directing a freeze of grant and loan disbursements while officials assess whether the expenditures align with Trump’s objectives. The administration assured that Social Security and Medicare payments would remain unaffected.

In response, Democrats contended that the bipartisan spending decisions established by Congress cannot simply be reversed by Trump.

for a two-week delay of the Senate Budget Committee vote set for Thursday regarding Russell Vought’s nomination as director of the OMB to gather more information about the freeze.

“The extent of this unlawful action is unprecedented and could lead to severe repercussions across the nation for everyday people,” stated Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the leading Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. “This memo is causing disorder and uncertainty about the availability of these resources.”

–Bart Jansen

House Republicans gather at Trump’s Miami resort

Although it may be cold and gloomy in Washington, House Republicans are enjoying themselves. They are relaxing by the pool, playing golf, and participating in extensive conference discussions at the Trump National Doral Miami hotel and golf course.

This gathering marks the second day of their annual policy retreat, where they aim to finalize specifics on their strategy to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda. They will engage with House GOP leadership and important committee chairs, and will hear from Vice President JD Vance at 12:30 p.m.

– Riley Beggin

Gary Peters declines to run for re-election

Michigan’s senior senator declared on Tuesday that he will not pursue re-election in 2026, creating an open seat in this pivotal battleground state during Donald Trump’s inaugural midterm election cycle.

Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, shared his decision with The Detroit News. He noted he is looking forward to a new chapter in his life that includes time spent with his new grandchild.

— Erin Mansfield

Noem to address DHS after attending NYC enforcement actions

Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, recently confirmed as the secretary of Homeland Security, is scheduled to speak to department staff at 3 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Noem was present in New York City as her department’s forces began detaining undocumented immigrants with criminal records. She expressed gratitude to the “brave officers involved.”

“We will continue to remove criminals like this from our streets,” Noem stated on X regarding the arrest of an individual charged with kidnapping, assault, and burglary.

The department is set to play a key role in Trump’s primary focus on immigration enforcement. It encompasses Customs and Border Protection, responsible for securing the borders, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is actively detaining undocumented migrants for potential mass deportations.

However, Trump’s strategy for widespread deportations conflicts with local officials in New York, Illinois, and other regions that have policies opposing collaboration with federal immigration enforcement.

“We are executing this correctly – fulfilling exactly what President @realDonaldTrump promised to the American people – making our streets safer,” Noem added in another post.

Senate hearing to investigate trade and Panama Canal security

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will convene a hearing at 10 a.m. to assess how the Panama Canal affects U.S. trade and national security.

Trump has criticized past U.S. policies that transferred control of the canal—a crucial link for shipping between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—to Panama. He has expressed concern about China’s increasing influence over the canal.

“Handling forty percent of U.S. seaborne container trade, the Panama Canal is essential to American economic and national security interests,” stated Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the committee’s chairman. “The United States funded and constructed the Panama Canal, yet Panama is treating America unfairly while ceding authority to China over significant infrastructure.”

Witnesses for the hearing will include Louis Sola, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission; Daniel Maffei, a commission member; Eugene Kontorovich, a law professor at George Mason University; and Joseph Kramek, CEO of the World Shipping Council.

Senate votes at noon on Duffy’s nomination for Transportation chief

The Senate has planned a noon confirmation vote for former GOP Rep. Sean Duffy, Trump’s selection to head the Transportation Department.

Duffy’s confirmation is anticipated as he easily passed his Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing with bipartisan support. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Wis., expressed that Duffy is the appropriate individual for the position.

Duffy has mentioned that he intends to prioritize enhancing safety for roads and aviation, as well as working to eliminate regulations that slow down large construction initiatives.

Trump’s agenda for Tuesday

Trump has an 11 a.m. intelligence briefing lined up, but does not have any public engagements planned following his address to the House Republican Conference in Florida on Monday and signing executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity programs within the Pentagon.

GOP legislators are convening to address issues within their party regarding how to fulfill Trump’s objectives concerning spending and tax reductions. If they can achieve near consensus in the closely divided House, Republicans might pass their initiatives without relying on Democratic votes.

During his address, Trump referred to the United States as a “meritocracy” in light of the removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs from the federal government.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to hold her first briefing at 1 p.m.