Trump Targets DEI Programs in Sweeping Executive Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on January 21, 2025, aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies and encouraging private companies to abandon similar practices. The order, issued just one day after his second-term inauguration, claims DEI policies violate federal civil rights laws and undermine national unity.

The executive order revokes several previous executive actions, including those promoting diversity in the federal workforce and addressing environmental justice. It also directs federal agencies to terminate all DEI-related programs, mandates, and policies, labeling them as “illegal discrimination and preferences.” The order further instructs the Attorney General to identify and target private companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions with DEI programs that could face federal lawsuits or investigations.

“Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex,” the order states. It accuses DEI initiatives of prioritizing identity over merit, aptitude, and hard work, particularly in sectors like government, healthcare, aviation, and law enforcement.

Legal experts warn that while the Trump administration cannot directly mandate private companies to abandon DEI policies, the order’s language creates a chilling effect. “It’s a powerful threat that companies are responding to by taking another very close look at their programs,” said Jason Schwartz, a labor attorney and co-chair of Gibson Dunn‘s DEI task force. “Nobody wants to be on that Donald Trump DEI blacklist.”

Kenji Yoshino, a constitutional law professor at NYU, echoed this sentiment, noting that the order’s directive to identify “the most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners” has already caused widespread concern. “Companies just don’t want to be one of those nine,” Yoshino said, referring to the order’s call for potential civil compliance investigations.

Since the order was signed, companies have been scrambling to seek legal advice on revising or scaling back their DEI initiatives. Yoshino cautioned against overreacting, emphasizing that eliminating DEI programs entirely could lead to lawsuits from marginalized groups claiming discrimination. “The reflexive response is often to shut it down to minimize risk, but that’s shortsighted,” he said.

The executive order builds on the Supreme Court‘s 2023 decision to end affirmative action in higher education, which has emboldened conservative legal groups to challenge DEI programs in the private sector. Schwartz noted that these groups now have “the full force and power of the United States government” to bring cases against companies.

Andrea Lucas, the newly appointed acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), has pledged to align the agency’s priorities with the executive order. In a statement, Lucas emphasized her commitment to “rooting out unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination” and promoting “colorblind equality.”

Despite the pressure, some companies, including Goldman Sachs, Costco, and JPMorgan Chase, have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to DEI. However, others, such as Amazon, Meta, and Walmart, have scaled back or reevaluated their initiatives in response to the changing legal landscape.

As the Trump administration prepares to enforce the order, the future of DEI programs in both the public and private sectors remains uncertain. Legal battles are expected to intensify, with the Department of Justice and EEOC likely to play key roles in advancing the administration’s anti-DEI agenda.