Trump intensifies crackdown on immigration, diversity

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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the deployment of 1,500 more US troops to the Mexican border, as he steps up a crackdown on illegal immigration and diversity programs at the start of his second term.

The 78-year-old Republican – who has promised a “golden age” for America – has halted the influx of refugees and threatened to take legal action against local authorities who fail to deport migrants.

As part of his right-wing initiatives upon returning to office, the billionaire also ordered that US government employees participate in diversity programs — envisioned as ways to combat racism and sexism. should be immediately placed on paid leave.

Trump held what was reportedly his first phone call with a foreign leader since taking office on Monday, speaking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who, according to the kingdom’s foreign ministry, wants to increase trade with the United States. What was promised?

And in the latest round of appointments, Trump announced that fast-food executive Andrew Puzder — who has previously faced questions over his business and private conduct — will be the new U.S. ambassador to the European Union.

He named his longtime Secret Service bodyguard Sean Curran — who was shot and ear-splitting by an assassin during the presidential campaign last July — who was with him — as the security agency, which the president and other top officials. Protects

But there have been surprising speed bumps as Trump moves through Washington.

Elon Musk, a close adviser and the world’s richest man, revealed the rising tensions when he criticized a mega-project of AI investment that Trump himself has publicly announced in a televised White House speech. The announcement was made at the event, which featured Silicon Valley’s top tycoons.

And Trump raised questions when he threatened Russia with sanctions if it did not accept an unspecified Ukraine peace deal – which he had previously claimed he could broker within 24 hours. will

In his first televised interview since taking office, Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that his predecessor, Joe Biden, left him “a lot of work to do.”

As Los Angeles continues to burn from wildfires, he has also floated the idea of ​​ending federal disaster aid and disbanding FEMA, the government’s disaster management agency.

“I want the states to solve their own problems,” he told Hannity.

Migrants and the fight for diversity

Trump, whose administration includes more than a dozen former Fox News employees, discussed his barrage of executive orders and his plans for the first 100 days.

But it was a typically divisive conversation, with Trump probed for leading an unprecedented effort to reverse his 2020 election loss — calling Democrats “stupid” and claiming that ” What they’re really good at is deception.”

Since re-entering the White House, Trump has focused heavily on tougher immigration measures.

White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt confirmed that Trump is sending 1,500 troops to add to the more than 2,000 troops already on the Mexican border.

According to a State Department memo, he has already been cleared to enter the United States as part of a similar crackdown. Stopped the influx of refugees.

Trump’s second major target is on everything related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

He ordered relevant government websites and social media accounts to be offline and federal workers involved to go on paid leave.

Trump also ended what he called “radical” affirmative action on federal contracts, repealing an order designed to combat racism that dates back to the civil rights era of the 1960s. .

One of Trump’s first acts as president on Monday was to pardon more than 1,000 supporters who stormed the US Capitol, attacked police and smashed the seat of American democracy after his 2020 loss.

A row at the national cathedral between Trump and the bishop, who during his sermon at a service on Tuesday asked him to show “mercy” to “terrified” immigrants and LGBTQ people.

Trump called Bishop Marian-Edgar Bade a “scumbag” and he later told The New York Times that he felt compelled to speak out.

“Was anyone going to say anything about the turning point in the country?”