The Saturday Scene: Trump fires his Attorney General, doctors strike next week, and the case for Europe grows

The long Easter weekend has arrived. Just because it's been a short week doesn't mean less has happened in the world. There has been a lot of news, both good and bad, this week.

There are some issues that are worth spending time reflecting on. The Prime Minister's increasingly brazen and rapid move towards European reintegration, as well as the US President's dismissal of close allies, seem to indicate the emergence of two political realities, which we explore below.

As always, please get comfortable, grab a hot drink, and join us as we dissect this week's news and stories through an LGBTQ+ lens.

The World This Week

Majority of Americans back trans equality, new survey finds

A survey conducted in February 2026 for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, released this week to mark Transgender Day of Visibility, delivers a striking counter-narrative to the relentless legislative assault on trans lives across the US.

85% of Americans say trans people should have the same rights and protections as everyone else, with 89% backing equal access to healthcare, 79% supporting workplace protections, and 83% favouring protections for trans students. Support cuts across party lines, with majority backing recorded among Republicans, independents and Democrats alike.

The data also shows that 41% of US adults now say they personally know a transgender person, a higher figure than previously recorded, and those with direct contact are consistently more likely to be supportive. Politicians driving anti-trans legislation are, on this issue, running well ahead of where much of their own electorate actually stands.

Trump fires Pam Bondi

Donald Trump announced Thursday that Attorney General Pam Bondi is leaving her position, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stepping in as acting attorney general.

The public statement was warm. The reality was less so. Sources told CNN that Trump had grown frustrated with Bondi on multiple fronts, including her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and her failure to successfully prosecute enough of his political opponents.

Bondi is the second Cabinet member to be fired by Trump this term, following Kristi Noem's departure as Homeland Security Secretary last month.

Trump is reportedly considering EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin as a permanent replacement.

Resident doctors will strike next week

Resident doctors in England will strike from 7 April until 13 April, following the BMA's rejection of the government's pay offer. The BMA rejected a proposed deal that included a 3.5% pay rise, arguing it failed to address years of real-terms pay cuts, and noted that with inflation running at 3.6%, the offer would amount to yet another real-terms reduction.

The BMA's resident doctors committee chair said talks had been making progress until the government "shifted the goalposts" in the final two weeks, with pay increases now spread over three years rather than delivered upfront. The strike falls over Easter, which adds to the pressure on NHS services and on patients.

The BBC and Scott Mills

The BBC sacked Radio 2 breakfast host Scott Mills on 27 March following what it described as "new information" relating to his conduct. It has since emerged that the BBC fired Mills after learning that an alleged victim in a 2016 police investigation was a boy under 16.

Mills was questioned under caution by police in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. A file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which found the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

The BBC has confirmed it was made aware of the police investigation in 2017 but took no action at the time, and is now reviewing what was known internally. Mills has said he fully cooperated with the investigation and has asked for privacy.

The Ipsos poll: Britain still prefers Starmer to Farage, just

New data published this week by Ipsos makes for instructive reading. When presented with a binary choice, the British public would prefer a Labour government under Starmer to a Reform UK government under Farage by 40% to 32%, an 8-point lead that is up from a 2-point lead for Farage in February.

That sounds like good news for Labour. But dig into the detail and it is more complicated. Starmer's personal net favourability stands at -42. Farage is at -29. And 67% of Britons think things in the country are heading in the wrong direction.

Despite preferring Labour when forced to choose, the public are more likely to expect Reform to win a majority or be the largest party at the next election (28%) than Labour (19%). Andy Burnham remains the only politician on the Ipsos list with a net positive favourability rating.

Analysis: Europe is Labour's way forward.

Labour's campaign was based on one simple promise: change. This promise, coupled with some clever campaigning and prioritising of certain constituencies, secured Labour a historic landslide victory. In the lead-up to the 2024 general election, the signs were there months before polling stations opened that a Labour-led government was on the cards.

After 14 years of Tory prime ministers coming and going, and the erosion of trust in politics caused by scandals during the pandemic, Labour's promise of change was eagerly embraced.

Consequently, the expectations were so high that they became unmanageable.

What's more, to this day, the government has been struggling to communicate effectively where the country is headed.

For LGBTQ+ communities, the next few years are going to be important with regards to equality legislation and the protection and enhancement of LGBTQ+ rights in this country. Queer people are quite right to expect more from the government. This includes taking action to ban all forms of conversion therapy, ending the harmful delay to the EHRC's new guidance, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ rights are properly enshrined in law.

However, it seems that the government is starting to find its feet with regard to international politics. The Prime Minister's response to Iran, and his refusal to join Trump's war, are commendable.

Since the departure of Morgan McSweeney, the way is now free to embrace a progressive way forward – and that way is Europe.

Starmer's recent announcement in favour of closer relations with the EU is the only way forward. 63% of the UK's population are in favour to rejoin the European Union. Support for rejoining is even stronger among 18-25 year olds, at 86%.

The government is tiptoeing towards closer relationships by joining the EU's defence initiative and rejoining Erasmus+, but if it wants to make the case for radical change, the missing piece in its agenda is to rejoin the Single Market.

Labour's reform agenda is more ambitious than the public acknowledges, but achieving economic recovery — a recovery that is felt in people's pockets and in the way our public services are funded — requires embracing the largest trading bloc, which comprises countries with which we share much more than just mutual trade.

If Labour opens the doors and announces a path to rejoining, I believe this could change the outcome of the next general election.

This week on Scene

Community

Rainbow Migration joins tens of thousands in London march against the far right
Rainbow Migration, which supports LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum, joined one of the largest anti-far-right marches seen in London in years on 28 March, as part of the Together Alliance's mass mobilisation. A significant moment of solidarity.

Olly Alexander becomes patron of the Sussex Beacon
Olly Alexander has been named a patron of Brighton-based HIV charity the Sussex Beacon, deepening his commitment to the community following his run at this year's Brighton Half Marathon.

LGBT Foundation launches national campaign celebrating everyday LGBTQ+ joy
LGBT Foundation is inviting LGBTQ+ people and allies across the UK to share moments of everyday joy, hope and unity as part of a new national campaign. A welcome counter to the weight of the week.

News

Equity report reveals surge of hate against drag artists in London
A new survey by performers' union Equity found that 28% of respondents reported an increase in transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism or far-right sentiment in their working lives, with drinks and stones thrown at performers during shows. The figures are stark and alarming.

Drag Race star Stacy Layne Matthews living in her car after being told to leave family home
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 fan favourite Stacy Layne Matthews has revealed she is currently living in her car after her mother told her she was "not welcome" at home. The response from fans has been one of outpouring support.

Noah Schnapp goes public with new boyfriend three years after coming out
Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp has officially gone public with his new boyfriend, a joyful milestone three years after coming out as gay in January 2023.

Christian group criticises Plymouth City Council over Progress Pride flag plans
A Labour-run council has come under fire from a Christian group after announcing plans to fly the Progress Pride flag from a prominent civic building during key LGBTQ+ awareness dates. The flag wars continue.

Caster Semenya condemns Olympic sex testing as "disrespect for women"
Two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya has spoken out against the IOC's reinstatement of sex-verification testing for female athletes, calling the policy "a disrespect for women" and warning of its harmful impact on competitors worldwide.

Trans advocate Steph Richards responds to backlash over endometriosis charity appointment
Trans activist Steph Richards appeared on Good Morning Britain this week to address a wave of gender-critical backlash following her appointment as Parliamentary Engagement Officer at Endometriosis South Coast.

Tennessee librarian sacked after refusing to move LGBTQ books
A county librarian in Tennessee was dismissed following an 8-3 board vote after she refused an order to relocate more than 100 LGBTQ-themed books from the children's section to the adult shelves. A quietly devastating story.

Until next Saturday

Thank you, as always, for joining me this Saturday morning to reflect on what is going on in the UK and around the world. If there's a story you think we should have covered, or if you'd like to share your opinion, please get in touch by writing to us at team@scenemag.co.uk.