
In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 21, 2025, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” effectively dismantling longstanding federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs.
In his inaugural address, Trump committed to “forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based,” and this order is intended to be the first step in that direction, as reported by the BBC.
This executive order mandates the immediate closure of all DEIA offices within federal agencies, placing employees in these roles on paid administrative leave. The directive requires agencies to terminate DEIA-related programs within 60 days, emphasizing a return to merit-based employment practices.
A memo from the US Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday directed agencies to inform DEI staffers “no later than 5:00pm EST on Wednesday” that they were being placed on administrative leave immediately as “the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs,” as reported by CNN.
A notable aspect of this order is the revocation of Executive Order 11246, established in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Executive Order 11246 prohibited employment discrimination by federal contractors and mandated affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
The Trump administration’s stance is that DEIA initiatives have led to discriminatory practices against majority groups, particularly white Americans. By rescinding these programs, the administration aims to promote a merit-based system, asserting that employment and contracting decisions should be based solely on individual qualifications and performance.
Critics argue that dismantling DEIA programs undermines decades of progress in civil rights and workplace equality. They contend that such measures are essential for addressing systemic discrimination and promoting diverse and inclusive work environments. The revocation of Executive Order 11246, in particular, has raised concerns among civil rights advocates who view it as a rollback of fundamental protections against employment discrimination.
Jocelyn Frye, president of the advocacy group National Partnership for Women & Families, told Axios before Trump’s order was issued, “It would significantly erode a civil rights enforcement tool that has been essential, in particular for women’s progress,” as reported by Axios.
In response to the executive order, federal agencies are now tasked with reviewing and eliminating DEIA initiatives, a process that may involve significant restructuring. The broader implications for federal contractors and private sector companies remain to be seen, as the administration has signaled intentions to scrutinize and potentially challenge DEIA practices beyond the federal workforce.
This development marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the role of diversity and inclusion efforts within government and the private sector, setting the stage for potential legal challenges and policy discussions in the months ahead.