Trump admin live updates: Trump says he will order cessation of Syrian sanctions

Lawmakers are preparing for two marathon slugfests over the budget on Capitol Hill starting Tuesday afternoon.

Sources told ABC News that dueling, dramatic hearings are expected to drag deep into the night and into Wednesday as Democrats challenge Republican efforts to write the Medicaid and tax sections of Trump's "big, beautiful bill."

The U.S. Capitol building is seen on April 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Democratic committee members, who oppose many of the Republican-authored changes to the healthcare program for lower-income people and those with disabilities, plan to offer several amendments and may try an unusual move of calling impromptu witnesses to testify about how Medicaid affects their lives. Republicans are likely to block both efforts.

Some Republicans are pushing for changes to Medicaid that will help them achieve a goal of up to $2 trillion in cuts across federal spending. Those changes include work requirements and higher copays for some beneficiaries. But this GOP proposal does not include some of the most drastic Medicaid cuts hard-line Republicans were pushing for and are putting its passage in flux amid a conservative revolt.

The House Ways and Means Committee markup is also expected to slide into the night amid a sticky disagreement inside the GOP over caps to the state and local tax deduction. Democrats, on the other hand, are expected to trash the bill as a massive break for the wealthiest taxpayers.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller, John Parkinson and Jay O'Brien

At the end of his remarks, Trump shook Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's hand while posing for photos on stage, as the Village People's "Y.M.C.A." played. The song was a staple that closed his campaign rallies.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the end of the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.

Trump announced that he will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria "in order to give them a chance at greatness."

The remarks were greeted with prolonged applause from attendees of the forum.

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be meeting with Syrian leaders this week.

President Donald Trump attends the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.

Trump vowed to defend the United States' allies while touting the country's military power.

"I will never hesitate to wield American power if it's necessary to defend the United States or to help defend our allies," Trump said at the forum in Riyadh. "And there will be no mercy for any foe who tries to do us or them harm. We will have no mercy."

Trump said the U.S. has the "best weapons in the world."

"We don't want to use them. If you threaten America or our partners, however, then you'll be faced with overwhelming strength and devastating force," he said.

Trump turned to Iran and reiterated his stance against the nation if they don't come to a new deal with the U.S.

"In the case of Iran, I have never believed in having permanent enemies. I am different than a lot of people think. I don't like permanent enemies, but sometimes you need enemies to do the job and you have to do it right," he said.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.

Trump said that Iran needed to make the right move or it would face serious consequences.

Trump addressed a crowd of Saudi leaders, business leaders and others at a a forum on U.S.-Saudi investments and went into his usual grievances and accomplishments.

In addition to talking about his election victory, crackdown on undocumented immigration and tariffs, Trump bashed his predecessor and his policies.

President Donald Trump attends the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.

"The Biden administration did nothing for four years. We would have had it filled out. But it will be a special day in the Middle East with the whole world watching when Saudi Arabia joins us, and you'll be greatly honoring me," he said.

Trump praised Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi leaders claiming they have made great achievements with their country and business.

"He knows me well," Trump said of bin Salman. "I do. I like him a lot. I like him too much. That's why we give so much, you know? Too much. I like you too much."

The comments are notable -- particularly given Saudi Arabia's role in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Trump has agreed to say hello to the Syrian president while in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to a White House official.

The meeting appears to have been added to the president's schedule as he embarks on his first day in the region.

While Trump exited the Royal Court, he was asked about the meeting, but reporters could not hear the president's response.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer affirmed his intention to place holds on all of Trump's political judicial nominees, calling the Qatari government gifting Trump a jet to use as Air Force One "so corrupt that even Putin would give a double take."

"In light of the deeply troubling news of a possible Qatari-funded Air Force One, and the reports that the attorney general personally signed off on this clearly unethical deal, I am announcing a hold on all DOJ political nominees, until we get more answers," he said on the Senate floor.

Schumer also called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before the House and Senate to "explain why gifting Donald Trump a private jet does not violate the emoluments clause -- which requires congressional approval -- or any other ethics laws."

"Until the Attorney General explains her blatantly inept decision and we get complete and comprehensive answers to these and other questions, I will place a hold on all political nominees to the Department Of Justice," Schumer said.

The senator called the Qatari plane deal the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to Trump's business dealing in the Middle East, which Schumer said "reek of crooked self-enrichment."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

The White House released a fact sheet with more details about its agreement with the Saudis that includes "nearly $142 billion" that Saudi Arabia secured from U.S. defense firms.

That sum will go to five areas: air force advancement and space capabilities, air defense, maritime security, land forces modernization, and information and communication systems upgrades. The agreement also provides training and support for Saudi armed forces.

The fact sheet also detailed areas that the nations with work together on in health, energy, and science.

That includes collaboration on "energy infrastructure," "mining and mineral resources," a space exploration mission and a modernized Air Transport Agreement allowing direct cargo.

-ABC News' Michell Stoddart

Democrats are preparing to announce plans to place holds on Trump's political Department of Justice nominees as they continue to raise concerns about ABC News' reporting that Trump has plans to accept an airplane from the Qataris to use as Air Force One.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN there would be "holds placed on any judicial nominees from moving forward until we get some answers from the attorney general" concerning the plane. She also said Democrats were exploring other judicial avenues.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to announce Democrats' intention to put holds in place on judicial nominees during floor remarks later Tuesday morning.

The move is a striking, though largely symbolic one from Democrats.

Republicans will just have to go through the normal process to advance nominees, and these nominees can still be confirmed even with a Democratic hold in place.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

An Omni Air International charter flight from South Africa to the United States lands at Washington Dulles International Airport, May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.