FOREX
Federal DEI programs cut; trans rights rolled back by Trump
President Donald Trump wasted little time taking action on two culturally controversial issues he campaigned on, signing executive orders ending federal diversity programs and restricting gender definition to two sexes — male and female.
In an order that described diversity, equity and inclusion policies as “discriminatory,” the administration mandated federal agencies and departments to terminate all DEI and environmental justice roles and offices.
“Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect, and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great,” the order said.
The President also rescinded an executive order signed by former President Joe Biden that sought to overturn Trump’s own ban on the federal government and its contractors from conducting racial bias training. It was among a slew of DEI-related orders rescinded Monday.
Trump has described these programs as “anti-White,” amid a rising backlash against corporate diversity policies fueled by conservative activists and heightened by the Supreme Court’s decision to end race-conscious admissions at US colleges in 2023.
“The executive orders and rescissions from tonight spoke to broad-based policy priorities,” said Samia Kirmani, a co-leader of the corporate diversity practice for law firm Jackson Lewis PC. “I think what we will see in the coming days, weeks months is how that’s being implemented.”
‘Biological Reality’
The Trump administration will assess the number of new DEI hires and the cost of Biden’s diversity and environmental justice programs as part of the order.
As well as targeting DEI as promised, Trump moved on another hot-button issue for his supporter base by issuing an order that only recognizes the male and female sex. Previously the Biden administration had broadened the definition beyond sex to include gender identity, and allowed US citizens to select “X” as a gender on their passports.
The order mandates that agencies will use the term “sex,” not “gender” and would have the secretaries of State, Homeland Security and other agencies ensure that official documents, including passports and visas, reflect sex according to the definition detailed in the order.
The order was cast as intended to protect women from gender ideology. “Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being,” the order said.
Trump campaigned on rolling back transgender protections, including in women’s sports. His campaign highlighted the issue, spending millions on anti-trans ads and at rallies, where Trump regularly claimed transgender athletes had an unfair advantage over their competitors.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
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