President Trump Takes Bold Action to Protect Civil Rights and Restore Merit-Based Opportunity

President Trump Signs Historic Executive Order to End Illegal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs

President Donald J. Trump has taken a historic step to protect civil rights and expand individual opportunity by signing an Executive Order that terminates radical DEI preferencing in federal contracting and directs federal agencies to relentlessly combat private sector discrimination. This comprehensive order is the most important federal civil rights measure in decades.

Ending DEI Discrimination in Federal Workforce and Contracting

The Executive Order terminates “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) discrimination in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending. Federal hiring, promotions, and performance reviews will now reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work, not DEI-related factors. This will ensure that the best and brightest candidates are hired and promoted, regardless of their race, sex, or other protected characteristics.

Promoting Civil Rights in the Private Sector

The Executive Order also directs all departments and agencies to take strong action to end private sector DEI discrimination, including civil compliance investigations. It mandates the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education issue joint guidance regarding the measures and practices required to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. This will help to ensure that private sector employers are not engaging in illegal discrimination.

Restoring the Values of Individual Dignity, Hard Work, and Excellence

The Executive Order reaffirms the fundamental American values of individual dignity, hard work, and excellence. It ends the Biden-Harris Administration’s anti-constitutional and deeply demeaning “equity” mandates, which have undermined these values and created a culture of division and resentment. This Executive Order will help to restore a level playing field for all Americans, regardless of their race, sex, or other protected characteristics.

President Trump Delivers on His Promise

President Trump promised to terminate DEI in the federal government, protect equal opportunity, and force schools to end discriminatory admissions policies, and he has delivered. Every man and woman should have the opportunity to go as far as their hard work, individual initiative, and competence can take them. In America, excellence, grit, and determination is our strength.