President Trump has Revoked a 1965 Executive Order, Put Federal DEI Workers on Leave, and Taken Down Diversity Websites
For the past several years, the federal government has promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as a way to build a more representative and effective workforce. However, President Donald Trump has taken swift action to reverse this approach, describing such programs as “radical,” “illegal,” and “discriminatory.”
Executive Orders to Dismantle DEI Programs
On Monday, Trump issued an executive order terminating all federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies and programs. This sweeping directive bans any initiatives under these frameworks, regardless of how they are labeled. A follow-up executive order on Tuesday went further, rescinding decades-old orders from previous administrations, including President Lyndon B. Johnson’s landmark 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity order and President Bill Clinton’s environmental justice policies aimed at protecting low-income and minority populations.
What Was the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity Order?
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the civil rights movement, Executive Order 11246 required federal contractors to implement nondiscriminatory hiring practices. It also introduced affirmative action, a policy designed to improve opportunities for historically marginalized groups, such as women and minorities. The order played a significant role in addressing employment discrimination and advancing workplace equality.
Trump’s decision to revoke this order marks the end of a policy that has been in place for nearly 60 years. His administration has argued that such initiatives unfairly favor certain groups, aligning with long-standing conservative opposition to affirmative action.
Immediate Actions Ordered by Federal Agencies
Following Trump’s executive orders, federal agencies have been directed to take swift action to dismantle DEIA-related operations. According to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), agency leaders were instructed to:
- Place DEIA office employees on paid administrative leave by Wednesday evening.
- Issue notices to employees asking them to report any disguised DEIA efforts, using a government-provided email address for such reports.
- Remove DEIA-related content from websites and social media accounts, cancel trainings, and terminate contracts tied to these programs.
The memo also warned that failure to comply with these directives could result in “adverse consequences.”
A Historic Shift in Federal Policy
By rescinding these DEIA programs and overturning orders like the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity directive, Trump’s actions mark a significant departure from decades of federal efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. His administration frames these initiatives as unnecessary and discriminatory, while critics argue that dismantling them will undermine progress toward workplace equality and civil rights.
This dramatic policy shift underscores the ongoing debate over the role of diversity and inclusion in government and society. As these changes take effect, their impact on federal hiring practices and workplace culture will likely be closely scrutinized.
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