Melania Trump shows 'menacing' look to Donald as he bursts with 'impatience' after bishop's speech

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Donald Trump has made big promises about his presidency instigating the start of a new chapter, but his policies have been met with trepidation by many.

At the inauguration ceremony, the ex-reality TV mogul didn't mince words on immigration and slammed 'gender ideology', stating, "it is the policy of the United States to recognise two sexes, male and female." In a bold sermon that directly addressed a visibly shocked Trump and his entourage, Bishop Mariann Budde spoke out against his hardline stance, saying it has caused a palpable fear among some LGBTQ+ Americans.

She declared to Trump that the familiar world order "as we know it is now over" and warned of a "face a world of hard competition". "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," urged Budde

.

"There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in both Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives."

Commenting on Trump’s and his vice, JD Vance's reactions, body language expert Judi James observed, "Trump's first roasting came early and from the unexpected source of a pulpit. As the bishop begged for mercy for immigrants, transgender and gay children etc there was a bristling among Trump's group as a whole", reports the Mirror.

Judi elaborated: "Trump managed something close to a poker face but he managed to leak out feelings of impatience and brewing irritation via some of his subtler non-verbal signals.

"He starts by implying he is going to keep his thoughts to himself via a cut-off gesture as he glances downward. When the bishop talks about 'people who pick crops and labour in poultry farms' he taps his order of service in a metronomic ritual of impatience. His mouth falls slightly open and then his jaw slews to the right and he turns his torso to look to the side in the most emphatic reaction before looking down at his program again.

"Melania's response is subtler but rather more menacing. She narrows her eyes and arches her back slightly as she leans back in her seat. She manages a poker face but then glances quickly twice at her husband via a side-eye gesture.

"Vance is more open in his display. When the children are mentioned, he glances at his wife in a more obvious gesture of rejection and his eyes come back to the front with a partial, wry smile. He turns to his wife twice then raises his brows in an expression of mock surprise before studying his program. At one point he tries to catch Trump's eye in a tie-sign signal that suggests a desire to show unity and support."

Following a flurry of executive orders by Trump, including one denouncing "gender ideology" and affirming "it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female," she appeared to address the president directly, stating: "Millions have put their trust in you.

"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," Budde remarked during her sermon. She highlighted the fears of LGBTQ+ youth across political spectrums, saying, "There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in both Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives."

On the topic of immigration, she continued, "They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation - but the vast majority... are not criminals". Emphasizing their contributions, she added, "They pay taxes and are good neighbours, they are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues and temples."

She implored the president, "I ask you to have mercy, Mr President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing warzones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here," she concluded.

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