Trump Targets Black Federal Employees With Shocking Move, Trump’s Most Worrisome Executive Orders, Trump Fires Black People En Masse As ‘DEI Employees,’ ‘MAGA Granny’ Rejects Jan. 6 Pardon And More

The Root’s most important political stories from the week.

Trump Goes After Black Federal Employees By Pulling This Shocking Move

Photo: Getty Images Andrew Harnik

Trump’s unprecedented attack on Black federal employees continues. On Wednesday (Jan. 22), workers received emails that threatened consequences if they did not report on co-workers who work in diversity, equity and inclusion positions that may have gone undetected by the federal government. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
‘Origin’ Star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor: Ava DuVernay Is “A Freedom Fighter Posing As A Director”

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

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 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

The ‘MAGA Granny’ Plans to Reject Trump’s Jan. 6 Pardon, and Her Reasons Behind it Might Shock You

Boise’s Pam Hemphill is seen on the steps of the Idaho Capitol in 2020. A former Trump supporter, she has since changed her stance on the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol that she participated in. Photo: Getty Images David Staats

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump made good on his promise to pardon all of the roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 insurrectionists. But while many MAGA supporters like Jacob Chansley, the self proclaimed “QAnon Shaman” and the face of the deadly Capitol riot, celebrated their pardons, one MAGA celebrity is singing a different tune. – Phenix S Halley Read More

The Internet Is Going Nuts Over One TikToker Who Confessed to Spreading Lies About a FAKE Trump Child Support Law

Photo: Getty Images JEFF KOWALSKY

It hasn’t even been a full week into President Donald Trump’s second term and already people are panicking about news that isn’t even real. While Trump was preparing his return to the White House, one TikTok creator decided to take the opportunity to spread what the now-president would call “fake news.” – Phenix S Halley Read More

Rappers And Artists Who Are Still Supporting Donald Trump

Photo: Getty Images Araya Doheny

It’s hard to believe that Black and POC artists are still throwing their support behind Donald Trump, even though he is currently carrying out executive orders and planning to implement policies that will harm these communities. Trump also has a history of racist remarks and discriminatory actions— specifically toward marginalized communities. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Trump Has This Black Congressman (Who Defended Jim Crow) Calling Him ‘Daddy’

Photo: Getty Images Michael M. Santiago

Just when folks thought Rep. Byron Donalds couldn’t sink any lower when it comes to his relationship with President Donald Trump, he keeps proving them wrong. In a Sunday interview with Fox News, Donalds referred to Trump as “daddy” while expressing his excitement for MAGA to return to the White House. – Candace McDuffie Read More

If You’re Skipping Trump’s Swearing-in Ceremony, Watch These 5 Films To Honor MLK Day Instead

Photo: Getty Images Michael Ochs Archives

For many African Americans, the fact that Trump’s Jan. 20 presidential inauguration falls on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day feels like a mean joke. Why? Because for many of us, Trump, for all intents and purposes, will always be the wholly antithesis of King: Whether it was refusing to rent apartments to Black people, calling for the execution of the Central Park 5, pushing his infamous Obama birtherism conspiracy, or questioning Kamala Harris’ Blackness on the campaign trail, the President-elect has a history of promoting racial division instead of unity. – Candace McDuffie 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

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

More Telltale Signs that Trump Is Quickly Running Out of Time

More Telltale Signs that Trump Is Quickly Running Out of Time

With Trump facing continuous protests, lawsuits and dissent within his own party, growing pressure could mean a disastrous ending for him …
A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin's 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin’s 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

In honor of what would have been her 84th birthday, check out the beautiful palace that the Queen of Soul called home! …
Why Serena Williams' Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Why Serena Williams’ Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Serena Williams has unfortunately reignited more talks of potential skin bleaching thank to new posts on social media. And folks online are not happy! …
Lamar Odom's Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

Lamar Odom’s Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

While many know NBA star Lamar Odom for his famous relationship with Khloe Kardashian, his teenage sweetheart is finally opening up about their dynamic …
Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the 'Verzuz' Battle

Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the ‘Verzuz’ Battle

“Verzuz” is back, y’all! From “Sweet Lady” to “When We,” Tank and Tyrese are bringing all their hits to the stage. We curated the best playlist to get you ready to sing and slow dance for the show …
Black People Are Asking Why We Didn't Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black People Are Asking Why We Didn’t Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black folks are pissed after Zohran Mamdani’s wife’s old tweets resurfaced, painting her in a problematic light within the Black community …
The Numbers Don't Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

The Numbers Don’t Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

From the C-suite to entrepreneurship, Black women have had a record-breaking rise in recent years, even as they battle an uneven playing field …
Why a Comedian's Translation of 'The Lion King's' Iconic Opening Song Just Backfired in a BIG Way

Why a Comedian’s Translation of ‘The Lion King’s’ Iconic Opening Song Just Backfired in a BIG Way

The “Circle of Life” chant is one of the most recognizable sounds in Disney movie history! But right now, it’s the center of a $27 million legal war …
Black America Reacts To The Rise Of Black ICE Agents

Black America Reacts To The Rise Of Black ICE Agents

Reviews are mixed on whether maskless Black ICE agents are causing more harm than good in U.S. airports …
Woman Will Become a Doctor at the Hospital Where She Once Cleaned Floors

Woman Will Become a Doctor at the Hospital Where She Once Cleaned Floors

Shay Taylor-Allen shared a now-viral clip of the moment she learned that she would do her medical residency at Yale Hospital –where she once worked as a janitor …
We Finally Know More About The Usher and Justin Bieber Confrontation

We Finally Know More About The Usher and Justin Bieber Confrontation

Usher and Justin Bieber allegedly got into a ‘heated exchange’ during an Oscars after-party. And now we’ve got insight into what really went down! …
Boston's 'Best Social Justice Advocate' Learns Fate After Stealing $224K From the BLM Movement for Vacations, Dinners

Boston’s ‘Best Social Justice Advocate’ Learns Fate After Stealing $224K From the BLM Movement for Vacations, Dinners

Monica Cannon-Grant, named “Bostonian of the Year,” stole donations and rental aid while illegally collecting unemployment as she organized BLM …
Black Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

Black Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

In a shocking turn of events, a Republican judge and DA both agreed a woman’s arrest after taking abortion pills in Georgia was “problematic.” …
'How Long Not Long' – The Promise and Warning of Dr. King's Montgomery Speech Six Decades Later

‘How Long Not Long’ – The Promise and Warning of Dr. King’s Montgomery Speech Six Decades Later

Today, 61 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous Alabama speech, “How Long, Not Long,” reminding us that the arc of the moral universe bends only when we bend it …
Yung Miami Reveals Why She Stood Up for Diddy's Character During Trial

Yung Miami Reveals Why She Stood Up for Diddy’s Character During Trial

Rapper Yung Miami, one half of the rap duo The City Girls, was romantically linked to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs from 2021 to 2023 …
Why Michael B. Jordan's Oscar Win Isn't Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

Why Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Win Isn’t Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

While many are ecstatic over Michael B. Jordan’s long-awaited Oscar win, Judge Joe Brown says it’s not all it’s cracked up to be …
A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

Calif. AG Rob Bonta is investigating whether systemic racism impacted how emergency responders reacted to devastating Eaton wildfires …
Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday with Rihanna, is opening up about the eerie connection he had to her home shooting …
New Twist in Nia Long's Allege Stalker Drama

New Twist in Nia Long’s Allege Stalker Drama

‘The Best Man’ actress seeks court protection for her family following a two-year pattern of alleged harassment and a terrifying weekend encounter …
What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

J. Cole said he was “disgusted” that the world turned on Drake during his beef against Kendrick Lamar …