President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by calling a Washington bishop “nasty” after she urged him to show mercy toward migrants and LGBTQ children.
Additionally, Trump ordered that federal employees working in diversity offices be placed on paid leave by Wednesday evening as part of his administration’s effort to dismantle programs aimed at supporting minority groups.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that all U.S. government employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices would be put on paid leave by 5:00 PM Wednesday.
This move follows Trump’s long-standing criticism of DEI initiatives, which he has argued discriminate against white people, particularly white men.
Trump has also been a vocal critic of gender diversity recognition, including attacks on transgender people—especially transgender women in sports—and gender-affirming care for children. Leavitt defended the move, stating that Trump’s administration was fulfilling his promise to end DEI policies and return to a merit-based system.
Trump, at 78 the oldest person to assume the presidency, has pushed a sweeping agenda in his first days in office, including a series of executive orders aimed at reversing policies from the previous administration on immigration, gender, and climate.
These actions have also included pardons for over a thousand supporters, including individuals involved in the U.S. Capitol riot.
– Bishop’s Call for Mercy –
At Tuesday’s inaugural service, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Washington National Cathedral publicly addressed Trump, urging him to show mercy to immigrants and LGBTQ individuals. Standing at the pulpit, Budde said, “I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.”
Trump responded to the bishop’s comments early the following morning on his Truth Social platform, calling her “nasty” and accusing her of being a “Radical Left hard-line Trump hater.” He also dismissed her sermon as “boring and uninspiring” and demanded an apology, criticizing her as ineffective in her role.
– Actions Against DEI –
Trump’s administration took swift action to dismantle DEI programs, with federal employees in related offices instructed to take paid leave immediately. A memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), obtained by CBS, outlined the directive, which includes halting DEI training, terminating related contracts, and removing associated online materials.
The memo, dated Tuesday, condemned DEI programs as divisive, wasteful, and discriminatory, and ordered their closure by Wednesday evening.
Trump’s focus on these issues marks a dramatic shift from the policies of his predecessor, with a broader effort to reshape the federal government’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
– Trump’s Broader Agenda –
Alongside these domestic changes, Trump has begun making moves on the international stage. He threatened new tariffs on the European Union and indicated a 10 percent tariff on China, citing the country’s role in sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada. Beijing responded by warning that trade wars offer no winners.
Trump’s first days in office have been marked by aggressive actions aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises, signaling a new phase of his presidency.
