DateIssued:January20,2025
Topic:CivilRights WHATDOESTHISEXECUTIVEORDERDO?
Thisorderdeclaresthatdiversity,equity,andinclusion(DEI)effortsare “illegalandimmoraldiscrimination.”
Theordermandatesthatallfederalagencies,department,and commissionheadseliminateallenvironmentaljusticeanddiversity, equity,inclusion,andaccessibility(DEIA)positionsandofficesbyMarch 20,2025.
Theorderalsoendsallequityobjectives,initiatives,orprogramsinthe federalgovernment,“equity-related”grantsandcontracts,andallDEIA performancerequirementsforemployees,contractors,orgrantees.
HOWWILLTHISEXECUTIVEORDERBEENFORCED?
ThisorderrescindsanexecutiveorderissuedbyformerPresidentBiden thatrequiredfederalagenciestosubmit“EquityActionPlans”outlining howtheyweregoingtoachieveDEIAobjectives.
TheorderalsoinstructstheDirectoroftheOfficeofPersonnel Management(OPM)toreviewallexistingFederalemploymentpractices, unioncontracts,andtrainingpoliciesorprogramsandamendthemas necessarytocomplywiththisorder.
TheorderwillbeenforcedbytheAttorneyGeneral,theDirectorofthe OfficeofManagementandBudget(OMB),andtheDirectorofOPM.The orderrequiresallfederalagencies,department,andcommissionheads tosendalistofDEI,DEIA,andenvironmentaljusticepositions,committees, programs,services,activities,budgets,andexpendituresthatwerein effectonElectionDaytotheOMBDirectorsotheycandetermineifthe effortswere“misleadinglyrelabeledinanattempttopreservetheirpreNovember4,2024function.”
HOWDOESTHISIMPACTBLACKCOMMUNITIES?
Intheshort-term,severalofficeshavebeenshuttered,includingthe DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices’OfficesofEqualEmployment OpportunityandDiversity&Inclusion,andtheDepartmentofDefense’s OfficeofCivilRightsandEqualOpportunityPolicy.Morethan150 employeesintheOfficeofEnvironmentalJusticeandExternalCivilRights attheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencywereplacedonadministrative leaveinearlyFebruaryinordertocomplywiththeorder.
ThisorderwillhavenegativeimpactsonBlackworkersforyearstocome. In2023,18%offederalworkerswereBlack.Theorderhasnotonly eliminatedjobsbuthasalsoendedtherecruitmenteffortsthat contributedtothediverseemploymentforceinthefederalgovernment. Additionally,theU.S.MarineCorpsandtheNavyhavestoppedoffering trainingsonsexualassaultpreventionandreporting,citing“recent changeswithintheWhiteHousetoremoveDEIfromallfederal policies.”Thereareover300,000Blackwomenengagedinactive-duty militaryservice,and,nationally,onlyoneoutoffifteenBlackwomenwho aresexuallyassaultedreporttheincidenttolawenforcement.Thispolicy reducesthelikelihoodthatsexualassaultvictimsinthemilitarywill receivejustice.
HOWARECBCMEMBERSRESPONDING?
OveradozenmembersoftheCongressionalBlackCaucus(CBC)have spokenoutagainsttheexecutiveordersthateliminateDEIfromthefederal governmentandcondemntheeffortsasarollbackofcivilrights.Select statementsfromindividualCBCMembersarefeaturedbelow.
Rep.YvetteD.Clarke,ChairoftheCBC:“Tobeclear,diversity,equity,and inclusionareAmericanvalues.Diversitypoliciesworktobenefitall Americanswhohavetraditionallybeenkeptoutofopportunities, includingwhitewomen,veterans,andagingAmericans,notjusttheBlack andminoritycommunitiesthatTrumpandRepublicanswantto scapegoatandvillainizeforpoliticalgain.Wearenotgoingback!”Full Statement
Rep.AyannaPressley:“TheTrumpAdministration’sharmfulexecutive ordersrollingbackdiversity,equityandinclusioninitiativesareanaffront toallofus.Diversityisourstrengthandeveryonewhocallsthiscountry homedeservestothrive.”FullStatement
