Donald Trump has just revoked a major employment act that’s been in place for six decades.
It’s been a matter of days since Trump took his oath of office as the 47th President of the United States on Monday (January 20), and he’s already given the green light to some seemingly controversial ideas.
Just hours into his presidency, the 78-year-old signed off on 25 executive orders, which included halting the TikTok ban to blocking immigrants and declaring that there are ‘only two genders’, the latter of which prompted Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde to appeal to Trump to show ‘mercy’ to the LGBTQ+ community and immigrants.
He also signed an order on Tuesday (January 21) which proposes an end to ‘radical and wasteful government diversity, equity and inclusion’ (DEI) programs.
Now, the president is accelerating his plan to dismantle DEI plans, having revoked the Executive Order 11246 (1965) and sending the message that government employees responsible in the Department of Labor will see their DEI programs removed ‘immediately’ while they face paid leave, reports The New Republic.
The law aims to protect workers from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin which civil rights advocates have long argued presents a level playing field for underrepresented minorities such as LGBTQ+ people while addressing issues like systemic racism.
Donald Trump had his inauguration ceremony on Monday (January 20) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The 60-year-old order was introduced by then-President Lyndon Johnson to weave anti-discriminatory practices into US federal government contracting – just two years after Martin Luther King Jr gave his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.
Trump’s order, which calls DEI initiatives ‘illegal discrimination and preferences’ with a view to ‘restore merit-based opportunity’, is aiming to slam the brakes on private companies employing such programs and from hiring on the basis of race and sex.
It has also asked government agencies to identify any organizations that could be subject to a civil investigation.
Martin Luther King Jr giving his infamous speech in Washington, 1963 (Getty Images/Bettmann)
The order states: “As a part of this plan, each agency shall identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of 500 million dollars or more, State and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars.”
The move has already caused a public outcry and widespread condemnation.
Basil Smikle Jr, a political strategist and policy advisor, commented: “There’s this clear effort to hinder, if not erode, the political and economic power of people of color and women.
“What it does is opens up the door for more cronyism.”
But others, such as Louisiana Senator John Kennedy (Republican), supported the move, telling USA Today reporters: “The best way to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race of gender is to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race and gender.
Senator John Kennedy has expressed his support for the plan (DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images)
“The truth is the American people don’t think about race or gender merely as much as some folks in Washington want to pretend.”
A statement released by The White House reads in part: “[R]oughly 60 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, critical and influential institutions of American society, including the Federal Government, major corporations, financial institutions, the medical industry, large commercial airlines, law enforcement agencies, and institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) or ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) that can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation.”
Conversation28 Comments
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It would seem that not hiring the most qualified person for the job because they aren’t part of a certain ethnicity or sexual preference would be the very definition of discrimination.
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I hire who will make my business the most profitable. End of story
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How do you ascertain who is most qualified? Qualification is based on many things, including how well an applicant will fit in with the existing employees. It isn’t always the person with the most years on the job or the most experience. And it certainly isn’t automatically the straight white male …
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This just takes us back to days of old boy networks where woman, different races and disabled people are not even considered for jobs. Look the pick for defense says woman don’t belong in combat. So woman can’t if they want fight in combat. So this says that the people that were protected class at…
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MLK’s speech was not “infamous”
Define: infamous
“well known for some bad quality or deed”
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We just rolled back 60 years. That’s not moving forward.
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Anything that attacks racism is a step forward
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Featured Image Credit: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Topics: Politics, Donald Trump, Racism, LGBTQ, US News
Liv Bridge
Everything Donald Trump has promised to do as he is sworn in as president again
Trump has made some bold declarations
As Donald Trump prepares to be inaugurated to the White House a second time, we take a look at all changes he’s vowed to usher in.
The Republican Party leader is set to officially become the 47th US President, as he’s sworn into office in Washington DC later from 11.30am Eastern Time today (20 January).
From cryptocurrency to education and everything in between, here’s everything Donald Trump has promised to do as he returns to office…
Be a ‘dictator’
Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Trump admitted that one of his plans for his first day back in the Oval Office would be to be a ‘dictator’ when discussing the possibility of his win in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity last year.
He referred to himself as a ‘dictator’ during the interview, when asked by Hannity if he was promising to ‘never abuse power as retribution against anybody’.
In response, Trump said: “Except for Day 1.
“I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill. We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling,” he continued.
“After that, I’m not a dictator.”
Delay the TikTok ban
The TikTok ban has been delayed (TikTok/ Twitter/ @amyewong)
TikTok went dark yesterday (January 19), but it was bought back after mere hours with a message reading: “Welcome back! Thank you for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!
“You can continue to create, share and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”
Trump will reportedly sign an executive order to delay the ban saying he wants to ‘make a deal to protect our national security.’
Scrap ‘electric vehicle mandates’
Trump has vowed to scrap EV mandates (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Trump plans to scrap Biden administration’s so-called electric vehicle mandate, referring to new pollution standards that incentivize auto manufacturers to increase production of electric and lower-emission vehicles.
Despite vowing to get rid of the policy on his first day, Trump told podcaster Joe Rogan the move could take ‘maybe two days, because it’s a little bit busy’.
Make US ‘crypto capital’
My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW. Go to gettrumpmemes.com — Have Fun!
Back in 2021, Trump called crypto a ‘scam against the dollar.’ But four years on, he’s pulled a u-turn as he vowed to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’.
On social media, Trump claimed crypto would be ‘mined, minted and made in the US’.
Both he and wife Melania released their own memecoins ahead of the inauguration, while experts previously predicted Bitcoin could reach up to $250,000 this year.
Trump also said he would ‘fire’ Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler ‘on day one’ – referencing the Joe Biden-appointed SEC chairman who has taken an aggressive approach to crypto regulation.
Free some of the January 6 rioters
Trump supporters clashed with police and security forces as they stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021 (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
It was Trump’s loss in the 2020 election that led to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, resulting in the arrests of a number of Trump supporters.
However, the president-elect told reporters on voting day this year that his supporters are ‘not violent people’, and that there would be ‘no violence’ surrounding the most recent election.
This belief echoes Trump’s previous claim that some of the people sentenced for their role in the insurrection were ‘wrongfully imprisoned’, and explains why he has shared plans to free them of their sentences as one of his first acts when he returns as president.
In a post shared on his social media channel, Trump said: “I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”
End Green Deals
Five years after introducing the Green New Deal, we’ve helped secure the largest US investment to combat the climate crisis, launched the American Climate Corps, and more. And we’re just getting started.
Trump has spoken previously about his plan to ‘terminate the Green New Deal’, which he dubbed the ‘Green New Scam’.
The Green New Deal was pitched by Democrats Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey, but it was never signed into law. However, Trump has used the term to refer more generally to Joe Biden’s climate and energy policies.
Addressing the policies in a speech in September, Trump said: “To further defeat inflation, my plan will terminate the Green New Deal, which I call the Green New Scam. Greatest scam in history, probably.
“We [will] rescind all unspent funds under the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act.
“I’m going to write it out in an executive order. It’s going to end on Day 1.”
Fire the man who indicted him
Trump faced two federal cases due to the insurrection (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Trump faced two federal cases in relation to the 2020 election result from special counsel Jack Smith, and the future POTUS has no plans to work with him again.
Speaking on October 24, Trump told the Hugh Hewitt show he would fire Smith ‘within two seconds’.
“He’ll be one of the first things addressed,” he said.
Plan over 100 executive orders
TRUMP WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!
It’s been reported by AP that Trump plans on preparing over 100 executive orders on his first day in the White House.
Trump’s allies have reportedly spent time preparing documents that Trump can sign quickly, on issues such as deportation, school gender policies, and vaccine mandates, without input from congress.
“There will be a substantial number,” said Senator John Hoeven, R-N.D.
Make hidden government files public
Trump has promised to increase government transparency, including information about MLK’s assassination (Alpha Historica / Alamy Stock Photo)
Including the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr., Trump promised at his recent rally in Washington D.C that, in a bid to increase government transparency, he will be making these disclosures in ‘the coming days’.
“And in the coming days, we are going to make public remaining records relating to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” he said.
Mass deportations
Trump, his wife Melania and their son Barron (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Making it clear this will be a priority from day one, Trump wants to start his second presidential reign by using the military to deport masses of undocumented immigrants.
In November 2024, Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton put these claims to social media, to which Trump simply replied: “TRUE!”
In a lengthier statement during a rally at Madison Square Garden, he said: “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.
“I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”
It’s thought the move will impact an estimated 11 million people.
Getting rid of birthright citizenship
Exactly as it sounds, Trump once declared he wanted to get rid of birthright citizenship, which immediately gives citizenship to anyone born in the US.
Noting that this may not be possible as it’s written into the constitution, he said he wants to achieve this by executive order – bypassing congress again – ‘if we can’.
Arrange green cards for college graduates
Despite making his stance on immigration clear, Trump has advocated for non-US citizens to receive green cards to stay in the country if they graduate from college.
During an episode of the ‘All In’ podcast recorded this year, Trump said: “Anybody graduates from a college, you go in there for two years or four years, if you graduate, or you get a doctorate degree from a college, you should be able to stay in this country […]
“Somebody graduates at the top of the class, they can’t even make a deal with the company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country. That is going to end on Day 1.”
The ‘Make Greenland Great Again Act’
Trump has his sights set on Greenland (Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images)
In a bid that has not gone down well with Greenlanders – shocking – Trump has said he wants to buy Greenland, with Republican lawmakers having drawn up a bill which will allow Trump to start negotiations when he enters the White House January 20.
Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, he said: “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.
“Greenland is an incredible place. The people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, cherish it, from a very vicious outside World.
“MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Cut federal funding for schools educating on ‘inappropriate’ topics
Speaking early last year, Trump addressed a crowd in Iowa and made plans to ‘save [the] country from destruction’.
As part of this, the president-elect shared his plans to crack down on schools which include certain lessons about race, gender or politics.
“On day one, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity,” he said, per NPR.
Trump also said he would target schools pushing ‘any other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children’.
Conversation3 Comments
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I think the whole Tiktok thing was a ruse to gain supporters. What do Americans love right now? The Tiktok. Take it away briefly, give back making it look like he “saved” it, he’s the hero. Sad.
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INSANE!!!
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I get paid over $220 per hour working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I would be able to do it but my best friend earns over $35,000 a month>>>> WorkHighs.Com
this is a big …
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Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Image/ Scott Olson/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, News, Politics
Ellie Kemp
Melania Trump makes wild claim about brutal act Obamas did when Donald Trump first entered office
The incoming First Lady discussed the difference between moving into the White House the first and second time around
In just four days time, President-elect Donald Trump will make the White House his home again – along with the help of his First Lady Melania Trump, of course.
Shortly after 8am on January 19, 2021, the Republican nominee and his family will leave the place they called home for four years previously and will make the prestigious residency their own again – and Melania certainly knows how.
Reflecting on the handover from Trump’s first time in office back in 2017, the 54-year-old seemed to take a swipe at former POTUS Barack Obama and the former First Lady, Michelle Obama, as she sat down with FOX News’ Ainsley Earhardt to discuss her upcoming documentary, as well as the transition back into the White House.
Melania Trump has discussed what it’s like moving into the White House ahead of her second stint (FOX News)
The incoming First Lady tends to steer clear of the spotlight – although she did release a memoir back in October, which detailed how she first met Donald Trump in a New York City nightclub, among other anecdotes.
The Slovenian model even managed dodge the majority of her husband’s 2024 presidential campaign, but did spark ‘body double’ rumors after making an appearance on election day.
While the name of the film is yet to be released, her ‘truly unique story’ is set to be told in a new Amazon Prime Video movie, which releases on the streamer and in cinemas in ‘the second half of 2025’.
During Melania’s and Earhardt’s conversation, the soon-to-be First Lady was asked what the difference is between moving into the White House this time compared to last. Have a listen:
“The difference is I know where I will be going, I know the rooms where we will be living, I know the process,” she replied.
Melania then seemed to make somewhat of a claim about the handover from the Obamas, saying: “The first time was challenging, we didn’t have much of the information, the information was upheld [withheld] for [from] us from previous administration.
“But this time I have everything, I have the plans. I could move in, I already packed – I already selected the furniture that needs to go in.
“So, it’s [a] very different transition this time, second time around.”
Melania made somewhat of a dig about the way the Obama’s handed the White House over to them back in 2017 (FOX News)
Melania was then asked whether she knew how she is going to decorate the rooms, to which she explained she wasn’t going to make too many changes, but that she does still intend to.
President Biden and his family are currently still living in the White House, Melania confirmed, but will be moving out on January 20.
“What happens on January 20, the transition team has only five hours to move [the] Bidens out and to move us in,” she explained. “Everything has to be planned to the minute.”
Conversation24 Comments
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The first time she looked quite lost, which was understandable. Americans are used to see American First Ladies. She wasn’t only quite unexpectedly the first, first Lady from an immigrant background. She was also the first First Lady Americans had see in the raw. She would have been quite uncomfort…
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First time huh? I guess if Grover Cleveland’s wife were alive, she’d dispute that…
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She’s just jealous cause Michelle looks better than she does. Michelle has more charisma than Trump’s wife is just jealous. Michelle looks better to.
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I think millions would disagree!
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Stop drinking look what it’s doing to you
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Michelle showed her true colors when she reacted poorly to a gift from Melania. No class
Featured Image Credit: Fox News/Pool/Getty
Topics: Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Barack Obama
Joe Yates
Donald Trump makes bizarre admission about Melania’s feet after inauguration speech
Donald Trump commenting on wife Melania’s feet shortly after his inauguration speech certainly wasn’t on my Bingo card for 2025
Donald Trump delivered a second speech and made a comment about wife Melania’s feet which he admitted he was probably ‘going to get hell’ for.
Yesterday (January 20), Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, delivering his inaugural speech in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC.
Shortly after his inauguration, the 78-year-old delivered a second speech during which he not only thanked his wife, Melania, but also gave a very public shout out to her feet, no less.
Delivering remarks in the emancipation hall shortly after giving his inaugural speech, Trump thanked the crowds but took a moment to praise ‘a First Lady who has been incredible’.
He said: “I shouldn’t say this, I’m going to get hell when I say this, but her feet hurt. Absolutely aching. You know, those heels.
“And we thought we were leaving, we were going home. ‘Sir would you be able to go down and say hello to some of your other fans?’ And I said, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that’.”
Trump went on to say Melania told him she ‘loves [him] so much’ but her feet were ‘hurting,’ the president then checking how far they’d have to walk.
#prayformelaniasfeet? (CBS News)
“Maybe 400 or 500 yards – that’s five football fields,” he continued. “I said, ‘Can you make it?’ She said, ‘We’re going to make it no matter what. We’re going to make it because we have to’.”
Trump explained the pair then went to the helicopter and said bye, with Melania’s fashion troubles not ending there either with her hat nearly ‘blowing away’ too.
And it’s not taken long for viewers to flock to social media to weigh in.
One Twitter user said: “TRUMP IS TALKING ABOUT MELANIA’S FEET. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
“When he said ‘I’m gonna get hell for saying this, but her feet are absolutely…’ with that pause, I genuinely thought he was about to go down that road,” another added.
A third commented: “Oh bring her some crocs! I get sore feet too!”
And it’s not the only rogue moment you may’ve missed if you tuned into Trump’s inauguration day – there were eight ‘uncomfortable’ interactions during the event.
A failed kiss, billionaires on the front row and Kamala Harris and Joe Biden too – oh and Hillary Clinton certainly didn’t hold back either.
Conversation1 Comment
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I get paid over $220 per hour working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I would be able to do it but my best friend earns over $35,000 a month>>>> WorkHighs.Com
this is a big …
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Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/Scott Olson
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Melania Trump, Fashion, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck
People point out worrying reality for Caitlyn Jenner after she congratulates Donald Trump on becoming president again
Donald Trump is clamping down on the rights of transgender people as he repeals many of Joe Biden’s previous policies
Caitlyn Jenner has been slammed for supporting Donald Trump as the president is set to sign off a new raft of orders impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
President Trump was inaugurated for the second time in Washington, D.C. on Monday (January 20), joined by wife and first lady Melania, as well as some of the biggest names in technology including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi.
Jenner is a long-time Republican supporter, having attended fundraising events for Trump’s 2024 election campaign and even his election night party.
The former Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete announced in 2015 that she was a trans woman.
Caitlyn Jenner and Donald Trump pictured in New York in 2022 (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Among the hundreds of executive orders he’s ushering in, Trump is clamping down on the rights of transgender people as he winds back many of Joe Biden’s previous policies which promoted diversity and equality.
Trump’s orders affecting LGBTQ+ people
In his inaugural address, Trump declared he will ‘end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life’.
“We will forge a society that is color blind and merit-based. … As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” he said.
So, the US government will use the term ‘sex’ rather than ‘gender,’ while ordering that identification documents issued by the government, including passports and visas, be based on what it described as ‘an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female’.
Trump has revoked at least a dozen of Biden’s policies to promote diversity and equality (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Trump said the use of male and female would be ‘unchangeable.’
He then repealed 78 executive orders signed by Biden, including measures ‘supporting racial equity and combating discrimination against gay and transgender people.’ Another combatted discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Trump’s administration is also looking to limit the scope of the 2020 US Supreme Court ruling, Bostock v Clayton County, which – in a major victory for transgender rights – the high court found civil rights protections against discrimination ‘on the basis of sex’ applied to sexuality and gender identity.
And during Sunday’s pre-inauguration rally, Trump vowed to ‘keep all men out of women’s sports.’
Backlash to Jenner’s comments
Despite all this, Jenner took to X to celebrate Trump’s inauguration by writing: “Congratulations Mr. President. Thanks be to God!” with three US flag emoijs.
The post has since been viewed 30 million times, and many people were critical.
Caitlyn’s tweet sparked major backlash (X/Caitlyn Jenner)
One person wrote: “Yet he wants to take away your rights to be a trans woman,” as a second added: “He literally just ordered for you to not exist…”
“Boy oh boy, wait till you hear about the bill he just signed,” a third commented.
A fourth chipped in: “How can you be a transgender and still support someone that thinks the only two genders are male and female and basically wants to erase all the struggle you’ve been through.”
