Trump Administration Repeals Segregation Clause in Federal Contracts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has removed a long-standing clause from federal contracting regulations that explicitly prohibited segregated facilities, a significant shift in policy that could have wide-reaching implications for federal contractors.

The change, communicated in a memo from the General Services Administration (GSA), affects all civil federal agencies and stems from President Trump’s executive orders concerning federal contractors and non-discrimination. The previously existing clause, part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) since the 1960s, mandated that contractors maintain integrated environments, prohibiting segregated waiting rooms, drinking fountains, and other facilities.

“This change is symbolic, but its meaning runs deep,” said Professor Mary Murray, a constitutional law expert at New York University. “The exclusion of these provisions suggests a retreat from the federal government’s historical commitment to civil rights and integrated workplaces designed to combat segregation.”

The clause in question, known as the “Prohibition of Segregated Facilities,” required contractors to ensure that their workspaces, dining areas, and other amenities did not separate employees based on criteria including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. This clause represented a culmination of the civil rights movement’s efforts to dismantle segregation in American workplaces.

Despite the removal of this clause from federal contracts, federal and state laws outlawing segregation remain in effect, meaning all businesses—whether or not they hold government contracts—are still legally obliged to comply with anti-discrimination regulations.

The implications of this change have alarmed some in the contracting community. One federal worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears of retribution, expressed shock upon learning about the updates to the FAR. “This feels like a subversion of democracy,” the worker said. “Changing the contracting rules without the usual public comment period feels rushed and underhanded.”

NPR reached out to the GSA for clarification on the decision-making process behind this policy change but did not receive a specific response regarding the lack of public discourse prior to its implementation. GSA spokesperson Will Powell stated, “GSA has taken immediate action to fully implement all current executive orders and is committed to following new presidential directives.”

Legal experts speculate that the elimination of the segregation clause may be linked to the repeal of Obama-era executive orders, particularly those that expanded definitions of non-discrimination to include protections for gender identity. One attorney at the Wiley law firm, specializing in federal contracts, noted, “This clause was amended during the previous administration to align with broader civil rights protections, and it appears that the current administration is reversing that trend.”

The historical context surrounding this decision has resonated with many who fought against segregation. Professor Murray recalled her father’s experiences with racial segregation in the 1980s, noting, “Many people think we’re far removed from these issues, but they are still relevant today.”

With state and federal anti-discrimination laws remaining intact, the immediate enforcement of this policy will be the responsibility of individual federal agencies. They have been advised to begin implementing these procedural changes in their contracting practices.

In a notable example, a recent notice from the National Institutes of Health regarding a contract for scientific equipment mentioned that the segregation clause was no longer being considered in award decisions.

This revocation of federal contracting regulations marks a notable point in the ongoing national conversation about civil rights, workplace equality, and the future of segregation in America. While immediate legal mandates against segregation still exist, the broader implications of these changes will be closely monitored by civil rights advocates and legal scholars alike.