December 6, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Was Trump’s speech at The National Prayer Breakfast setting the stage for anti-LGBTQ discrimination?

The National Prayer Breakfast was held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday amid reports of an executive order President Donald Trump might be readying to sign which would allow for discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

After the story broke on LGBTQ Nation, Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked at a White House press conference if there was any truth to the reports, to which he declined to answer. The White House later said through a spokesperson to NBC News that an executive order allowing for “religious freedom” style discrimination wasn’t “the plan at this time.”

They put out a statement saying they would not overturn the executive order signed by former president Barack Obama protecting federal employees, and those working for federal contractors, from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, this left open the possibility for a new executive order that would carve out a religious exemption to that law.

When text from a rumored draft of the order was published by The Nation on Wednesday, White House officials told ABC News the draft appears to be among the hundreds of executive orders that are circulating and that they were drafted by either the Trump transition team, the White House policy team or possibly even by outside groups. They added that they do not all reflect the administration’s thinking or likely policy.

One official would not say who drafted the potential order published by The Nation, but did not dispute its authenticity.

“We do not have plans to sign anything at this time but will let you know when we have any updates,” said Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a White House spokesperson.

Sanders also told BuzzFeed News, “We still do not have any plans to take action on this topic at this time” when asked about a possible executive order limiting LGBTQ rights.

LGBTQ rights organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Center for Transgender Equality remained on alert.

Meanwhile, there are also concerns about the First Amendment Defense Act, or FADA, which would similarly allow for discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, private business, and healthcare, provided the person refusing to offer goods and services can cite a religious conviction as their motivation for so doing. Trump has promised to sign it if it passes Congress, which is set to introduce it.

When President Trump took the podium, following a host of religious speakers, he pledged to protect “religious freedom,” making the statement repeatedly throughout his speech.

Freedom of religion is a sacred right,” Trump said. “But it is also a right under threat all around us, and the world is under serious, serious threat, in so many different ways. And I’ve never seen it so much and so openly as since I took the position of president.”

He then pledged to take action.

“My administration will do everything in its power to defend and protect religious freedom,” he said.

Trump touched on the temporary travel ban on seven Muslim majority countries, claiming it was necessary for the safety and security of the American people.

“Terrorism is a fundamental threat to religious freedom. It must be stopped, it will be stopped. It may not be pretty for a while, but it must be stopped,” he said.

“In recent days, we have begun to take necessary action to achieve [the goal of keeping the country safe]. Our nation has the most generous immigration system in the world. But these are those and there are those that would exploit that generosity to undermine the values that we hold so dear. We need security,” Trump added.

“There are people who would seek to enter our country with the purpose of spreading violence or oppressing other people based upon their faith or their lifestyle. Not right,” he said.

He said we need to “help ensure that those admitted into our country fully embrace our values of religious and personal liberty, and that they reject any form of oppression and discrimination.”

Trump also once again, like he did when introducing his running partner Mike Pence, during his convention speech, and during a speech to religious leaders in Orlando, promised to do away with the Johnson Amendment, which prevents religious organizations from helping or hurting political parties or candidates.

“It was the great Thomas Jefferson who said, ‘The God who gave us life, gave us liberty.’ Jefferson asked, ‘Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?’ Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs. That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution,” Trump said.

“America will flourish as long as our liberty, and in particular our religious liberty, is allowed to flourish. America will succeed as long as our most vulnerable citizens, and we have some that are so vulnerable, have a path to success. And America will thrive as long as we continue to have faith in each other and faith in God,” Trump said while wrapping up his speech.

He said at the beginning of his talk that he hopes to return “seven more times with you.”

You can watch Trump’s full remarks at The National Prayer Breakfast below.

 

in NEWS
Related Posts

Los Angeles Payroll Report Shows That Significant Numbers of City Employees Aren’t Local

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

City Controller Mejia’s Report Calls Attention to City Workers Place of Residence By Dolores Quintana In the realm of payroll,...

Protest Erupts in Los Angeles Over City’s Approval of Rent Hike Approval

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Residents and Advocacy Groups Unite Against City Council’s Decision By Dolores Quintana In Los Angeles, residents took to the streets...

Billie Eilish Sarcastically Responds to Unexpected Outing at Variety Awards

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Hitmakers Awards Ceremony Interview Aftermath Prompts IG Response By Dolores Quintana In a recent interview with the entertainment industry trade...

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Accuses California Apartment Association of Antisemitism

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Tensions Rise as AHF Calls Out Alleged Antisemitic Language, Unconventional Tactics By Dolores Quintana Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a...

Los Angeles City Council Approves Police Permits for Airbnb Hosts and Short-Term Rentals

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

New Law Targets Party Houses and Crime, Introduces Permitting Requirement The Los Angeles City Council has given the green light...

Suspect in Custody: Los Angeles Man Linked to Serial Homeless Murders and San Dimas Slaying

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Authorities Seek Information on Additional Crimes Suspect May Have Committed By Dolores Quintana On December 1, a press conference was...

(Video) Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular successfully brought the holiday spirit to the city’s residents. A large crowd happily sledded,...

Ladytron’s Surprise Gift: ‘All Over By Xmas’ Drops, Unveiling a Festive Classic Decades in the Making

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Liverpool’s Electronic Pioneers Deliver a “Majestic Glam Stomp” for the Holidays By Dolores Quintana At the stroke of midnight, Ladytron,...

Los Angeles County to Open CARE Court One Year Earlier Than Planned

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Program Seeks to Solve Mental Health Crisis Among the Unhoused By Dolores Quintana In a collaborative effort led by Los...

Alarming Surge in Hate Crimes: Los Angeles County’s Troubling Report Reveals Disturbing Statistics

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Report Reveals Alarming Trends and Urgent Need for Action By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations...

Sutton Stracke To Host The Abbey’s 14th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Commemorate World AIDS Day and Raise Funds To Help Those in Need By Dolores Quintana Decking the Halls with heartfelt...

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Esquire’s Culinary Picks: Unveiling the Best New Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

Esquire Magazine Spotlights Most Memorable New Eateries  Esquire Magazine has released its year-end lists of the best new restaurants in...

Westfield Century City Unveils Enchanting 25 Days of Christmas Festivities

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

A Winter Wonderland With Festive Delights at Westfield Century City By Dolores Quintana Even though it’s only the week after...

Silencing Classrooms: The Alarming Surge of Educational Gag Orders Across U.S. States

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

PEN America’s Report Unveils Disturbing Trends in 2023 Legislation By Dolores Quintana Mostly conservative lawmakers all over the United States...