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The White House announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump will preserve an Obama-era executive order that bans federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees.

“President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election,” the statement released on Tuesday reads. “The president is proud to have been the first ever GOP nominee to mention the LGBTQ community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging to protect the community from violence and oppression.”

The statement appeared to respond to previous reports indicating Trump was drafting an executive order to reverse the protections, as civil rights groups feared he would do.

While Trump has voicedLuke Gale brought up a century of tries with a second-half hat-trick as Castleford strengthened their grip on top spot in Super League with a 52-16 demolition of struggling Huddersfield.

The England half-back has been integral to the Tigers' impressive start to the season and he continued his fine form with a 24-point haul on his 250th career appearance.

Joel Monaghan also helped himself to a treble while Ben Roberts, Jake Webster, Mike McMeeken and Adam Milner all crossed to inflict more misery on a Giants side without talisman Danny Brough.

Huddersfield had taken an early lead at the Jungle through Ryan Hinchcliffe but they could only respond through tries from Ryan Brierley and Lee Gaskell as Castleford racked up 36 points after the break.

Joel Monaghan touches down for Castleford (PA)

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