Trump Letting Go of ‘DEI’ Employees, Trump Ends Remote Work for Federal Workers, Trump’s Scary Executive Orders, Pardoning Jan. 6 Insurrectionists, Reaction to Elon Musk’s Gesture, Black America’s Reaction to Rappers Performing For Trump and More Trump News

Catching you up on all the news relating to Donald Trump this week.

Trump Is Firing Black People En Masse As ‘DEI Employees’

Photo: Getty Images CHIP SOMODEVILLA

Black folks: Trump has wasted no time going after diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the federal level. According to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management, his administration is ordering all federal employees in DEI roles to be put on paid leave by Wednesday night. — Candace McDuffie

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Fashion Icon Andre Leon Talley’s Best Style Statements

Read More

Trump Canceling Remote Work for Federal Workers Could Cause Serious Problems for Everyone

Photo: Getty Images Anna Moneymaker

President Donald J. Trump has been quite busy since his second inauguration on Jan. 20. He wasted absolutely no time in the Oval Office, signing dozens of executive orders on day one which represent the new Trump-era of America. — Phenix S Halley

Read More

Here’s Trump’s Most Worrisome Executive Orders … and Yes, They’re Worst Than You Can Imagine

Photo: Getty Images Anna Moneymaker

With President Donald J. Trump back in the White House, he got straight to business cranking out 26 executive orders, 12 memoranda, and 4 proclamations on his first day. — Phenix S Halley

Read More

Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On People Who Criticized Rappers For Performing at Trump’s Inauguration

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

Fans are not letting the rappers who performed for President Trump at his inauguration hear the end of it. Artists such as Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy have faced a barrage of criticism from the internet, but Stephen A. Smith is here to defend them. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Black America Reacts to Trump Pardoning All Jan. 6 Insurrectionists

Photo: Getty Images Andrew Harnik

Welp… it’s official. President Donald J. Trump celebrated his second term doing exactly what he promised he would do. Among a series of executive orders signed by the president, Trump most notably either pardoned, commuted the prison sentences, or vowed to dismiss the cases of all roughly 1,500 people charged with crimes connected to the infamous Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, according to the White House. — Phenix S Halley

Read More

Mixed Reaction to Elon Musk’s Shocking Salute at Trump’s Presidential Inauguration

Photo: Getty Images Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg

It’s official: Donald Trump is the new President of the United States and is already busy signing dozens of executive orders that will change the country’s fabric. While Trump was suppose to be the main on Monday, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stole the show during his speech at the Presidential inauguration. While nothing he said seemed to stick, his hand gesture that looked similar to a Nazi salute went viral on social media, leading to some frustrated and disheartened reactions from both Black and White people online. — Noah A. McGee

Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

All the Fly Fashions Fans Are Popping Out With to See New Michael Jackson Movie

All the Fly Fashions Fans Are Popping Out With to See New Michael Jackson Movie

Fans are showing up and showing all the way out to go see the new Michael Jackson movie. But if you don’t know what to wear, don’t worry—we got you! …
From the 'Red Record' to the iPhone: 15 Times Journalism Saved Black Lives

From the ‘Red Record’ to the iPhone: 15 Times Journalism Saved Black Lives

Take a look at the investigative work that has and continues to shape the Black experience in this country …
How Ryan Clark Went From NFL Star to Media Mogul

How Ryan Clark Went From NFL Star to Media Mogul

The Emmy-winning analyst is bridging the gap between authenticity and expert analysis, one viral conversation at a time …
Can Democrats Flip Senate From Republicans? The Four Key Seats They Need

Can Democrats Flip Senate From Republicans? The Four Key Seats They Need

Democrats haven’t had a clear majority in the U.S. Senate in years… but now, a perfect storm is brewing which would finally put them at an advantage …
Brian McKnight Stirs Up New Drama With Son, and Fans Are Fed Up

Brian McKnight Stirs Up New Drama With Son, and Fans Are Fed Up

Drama is still brewing between Brian McKnight and his oldest son, and the singer’s latest lawsuit has outraged the internet. Here’s what we know …
Exclusive: ACLU Animator Dishes on New Series That Educates Kids on Their Constitutional Rights

Exclusive: ACLU Animator Dishes on New Series That Educates Kids on Their Constitutional Rights

After launching “Know Your Rights University” with the ACLU, Black animator Brandon Lake spoke with us about what it took to get to this point …
The Gut-Wrenching Crisis of Deed Theft in New York, Snatching Black Families from the Homes They’ve Owned for Generations

The Gut-Wrenching Crisis of Deed Theft in New York, Snatching Black Families from the Homes They’ve Owned for Generations

Long-standing Black homeowners in Brooklyn are being targeted by deed theft scams that have led to the loss of their most valuable asset …
This 82-Year-Old Black Fitness Influencer's Workout Routine Will Shock You

This 82-Year-Old Black Fitness Influencer’s Workout Routine Will Shock You

82-year-old fitness influencer Annie Judis is motivating folks to stay healthy with her impressive workout routine …
Who Is D4vd? The Texas Singer Being Investigated for Murder

Who Is D4vd? The Texas Singer Being Investigated for Murder

D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything that led to his arrest …
With Virginia Redistricting Win, Democrats Are Playing Hardball, and They May Have One Black State Senator to Thank

With Virginia Redistricting Win, Democrats Are Playing Hardball, and They May Have One Black State Senator to Thank

Twenty-five years after Republicans redrew Virginia voting maps to shut out a Black female senator, it seems the Democrats are back with a vengeance in 2026 …
Black Woman Changes Her Race on Hinge and the Results Reveal a Startling Truth

Black Woman Changes Her Race on Hinge and the Results Reveal a Startling Truth

If you’re a Black woman failing to get matches on dating apps, it might be because the apps algorithm is hiding your profile …
Solange Debuts New Shaved Hairstyle, But You'll Never Guess How Mom Tina Knowles Responds

Solange Debuts New Shaved Hairstyle, But You’ll Never Guess How Mom Tina Knowles Responds

Solange has never shied away from trying new styles and new looks. And this time around, her mother Tina is sharing some interesting insight about her latest choice! …
Expert: Abuse Rarely Starts With Bruises—Here’s How to Recognize It and Leave Safely

Expert: Abuse Rarely Starts With Bruises—Here’s How to Recognize It and Leave Safely

We spoke with a gender-based violence prevention expert about how abuse starts long before violence becomes visible. She outlines early warning signs and steps for safely leaving …
New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren't Looking Good

New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren’t Looking Good

Things are steadily going on a downward spiral for Ivana Ortiz, the woman accused of shooting Rihanna’s LA home in March. Here’s the latest …
Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

In an exclusive interview, Scott Evans details his journey as an influential Black media figure and his ultimate duty to the Black community …
Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Critics are arguing with a movie that was never trying to be what they wanted …
Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

“Shopping while Black” strikes again after a Black woman went viral being chased out of a Zara store for alleged theft, which police later determined was baseless …
Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor's Recreation of One of Her Iconic '90s Looks

Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor’s Recreation of One of Her Iconic ’90s Looks

Teyana Taylor has paid homage to Janet Jackson before, but this time around she’s recreating yet another iconic look! And now Janet herself and fans all over are speaking out about it …
How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

16.5 million uninsured. Toxic air. Global famine. The high price of Trump’s 2026 budget is paid in American lives— and its only getting worse …
Popular Civil Rights Nonprofit’s Shocking Connections to the Ku Klux Klan Alleged in DOJ Indictment

Popular Civil Rights Nonprofit’s Shocking Connections to the Ku Klux Klan Alleged in DOJ Indictment

After the FBI severed ties with Southern Poverty Law Center in October, an 11-count indictment against the civil rights nonprofit is now raising serious alarms …