US politics live: Donald Trump and Elon Musk take a drastic new step in their war on government spending

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are not slowing down in their efforts to cut a great many things from America’s budget.

Welcome to our live coverage of US politics.

Donald Trump has stripped Joe Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley, of their Secret Service protection, citing the resources required to keep them safe.

“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer,” Mr Trump wrote on social media.

“There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous!

“He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the Human rights of people has been strenuously questioned. Because of this, South Africa has been taken off our list of Countries receiving Economic and Financial Assistance.

“Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection.

“Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents, will be taken off the list.”

Meanwhile, Mr Trump and Vladimir Putin have confirmed they will speak on Tuesday, US time, about a possible ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

The President has sounded somewhat bullish that a ceasefire agreement can be reached. But while Moscow has said that it agrees with a truce, in theory, the Kremlin has put some serious road blocks in the way of that actually occurring.

It remains to be seen if a compromise can be reached.

Questions are being asked about a US government flight that took Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador on the weekend. A judge ordered that it be turned back. There are claims the Trump administration may have simply ignored that court order.

Read on for more updates.

Originally published as US politics live: Donald Trump and Elon Musk take a drastic new step in their war on government spending