Trump threatens China sanctions and puts diversity staff on leave – US politics live
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Here is the video clip of the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, pleading with Trump during a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral to protect immigrants and respect gay rights. If you would like something to listen to, today’s episode of our Today in Focus podcast features our senior political reporter Joan E Greve talking through the string of radical executive orders on immigration enacted by Donald Trump on his first day in office. You can listen to it here.
![[‘They fear for their lives’: Bishop confronts Trump on immigration and gay rights – video]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a253954b69723561f0cecfd87e54ad3e3f63e218/0_0_1920_1080/1920.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The Trump administration is ordering federal employees in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program roles to be put on paid leave by Wednesday evening, NBC is reporting. A new memo from the Office of Personnel Management also asks federal agencies to submit plans to dismiss all DEI program employees by 31 January. Websites and social media accounts for DEI programs are to be closed.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it was a “promise kept”, and “another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds.”. She added “President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society.”.
Donald Trump has threatened to ignite a trade war with China after suggesting he intends to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported to the US from the country over the issue of fentanyl. Trump said “We’re talking about a tariff of 10 percent on China based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada.”.
