The Latest: Trump administration directs all federal DEI staff to be put on leave

Donald Trump began his presidency with a dizzying display of force, signing a blizzard of executive orders that signaled his desire to remake American institutions while also pardoning nearly all of his supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Here's the latest:

Trump moves to dismantle DEI efforts, pardons Silk Road founder on first full day

On the first full day of his second term, Trump defended his decision to grant clemency to Jan. 6 rioters, suggested there was a place in his movement for the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and directed that federal staffers who work on DEI efforts be put on leave.

He also met with Republican congressional leaders and issued a pardon to the founder of an underground website for selling drugs whom supporters likened to a “libertarian political prisoner.”

Trump administration directs all federal DEI staff to be put on leave

Trump’s administration is directing that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave, and that agencies develop plans to lay them off, according to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management.

Tuesday’s memo follows an executive order that Trump signed his first day ordering a sweeping dismantling of the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs that could include anti-bias training and funding for minority farmers and homeowners.

▶ Read more about the administration’s efforts to dismantle federal DEI programs

Trump and congressional GOP leaders have first date, with cookies at White House

On the one side of Trump sat Speaker Mike Johnson. On the other was Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

And other GOP leaders joined for the meeting in the Cabinet Room.

It was more of a date than a marriage, said one person familiar with the private meeting, and granted anonymity to discuss it.

Trump floated many ideas on the priorities ahead — for tax cuts, disaster aid, regulatory reforms and the upcoming March deadline to fund the government — with no clear preference for their various strategies, only that they get the job done. Policy aides Stephen Miller and James Braid joined the talk.

The GOP leaders were given chocolate chip cookies and commemorative coins.

It was all carrot, no threat of sticks, for now, the person said. They’re confident they’ll have a second date.