On January 22, 2025, just two days after taking office, President Donald Trump revoked the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity Act, a law originally designed to promote fairness and protect underrepresented groups in the workplace. The act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson, prohibited workplace discrimination based on race, sex, religion, and other factors, and ensured equal opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others.

Trump’s executive order, which targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, places government DEI employees on paid leave and discourages private companies with government contracts from hiring marginalized individuals. The order brands DEI practices as “illegal discrimination and preferences” and mandates federal agencies to identify large corporations and institutions that could face civil compliance investigations for their DEI efforts.

This move has been met with opposition, with critics arguing that it undermines efforts to address systemic inequality. Political strategist Basil Smikle Jr. condemned the idea that DEI initiatives suggest women and people of color lack merit, calling it a harmful implication. The order allows for military veterans to continue receiving employment preferences, but enforcement details for the investigations remain unclear. Trump’s decision marks a significant shift in federal policies regarding workplace diversity and equity, reflecting a broader agenda to reduce government involvement in such programs.