Just minutes into his lengthy inauguration speech, Donald Trump made his administration's stance on LGBTQ+ rights clear.
Now, two days on, and the new president has issued another shock statement, demanding that the Bishop of Washington issue him with an apology after she begged for him to 'have mercy' on members of queer communities during a service.
What has Trump said about the LGBTQ+ community?
After taking the reigns from outgoing leader Joe Biden and being officially sworn into the White House, 78-year-old Trump wasted no time in signing off several executive orders, including one which states there are 'only two genders'.
Advert
The policy reads, in part: "Agencies will cease pretending that men can be women and women can be men when enforcing laws that protect against sex discrimination.
"These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality."
The order will also bring to an end 'wasteful' government programmes which promote diversity and inclusivity, as well as 'defending women from gender ideology extremism'.
Prior to Monday's ceremony (20 Jan), Trump promised to order all federal agencies to end programmes that 'promote … gender transition at any age', and pledged to cut funding from hospitals providing gender-affirming care.
Advert
He also promised that federal law would rule that the US government not legally recognise trans people and rescind federal LGBTQ+ non-discrimination policies, like housing, healthcare and employment.
Mariann Edgar Budde asks for 'mercy'
As Trump steps back into the Oval Office, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde asked the father-of-five to show 'mercy' to LGBTQ+ people and immigrants in a speech made yesterday (21 Jan).
Advert
"Mr President, millions have put their trust in you," she addressed the president during a service. "And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God.
"In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.
"And the people, the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labour in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals - they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals."
In a final plea, she asked Trump to 'have mercy on those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away' and for the president to 'help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here'.
Trump hits back
In the early hours of this morning, however, Trump - who is the first convicted felon to serve in the role as president - hit back at the Bishop's comments, branding Budde 'not compelling or smart' and claiming she 'owe[s] the public an apology'.
Advert
Writing on his Truth Social platform at 1.00am (UK time), he slammed the clergywoman: "The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater."
Trump went on: "She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.
"She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.
Advert
"Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!"
Budde is yet to respond to Trump's criticism.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected], or Mindline Trans+ on 0300 330 5468 - this line is open 8pm–midnight Mondays and Fridays and is run by trans volunteers.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, News, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+
Rhianna Benson