Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony was marked by tradition, the presence of established political figures. But also with a number of executive actions reflecting his administration’s priorities. The new president signed 25 executive orders on the day he took office, and a particular one stood out – the revocation of Executive Order 11246, known as Equal Employment Opportunity.
This order, which was signed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, has served as a key policy in preventing discrimination in federal employment while ensuring equal opportunities for all.
It bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin thus obliges federal contractors to adopt diversity-focused affirmative action plans.
Revoking the Equal Employment Opportunity order doesn’t mean discrimination is now legal. However, it certainly means it is a step toward weakening defenses against racism and other biases.
Trump spoke openly about his plan to revoke the Equal Employment Order before heading to the White House. He said it was necessary to backpedal DEI programs because they are “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral.”
Trump, and other republicans, believe the DEI policies (diversity, equity, and inclusion) disadvantage people in majority groups in an unfair way.
Just so things are clear: this was an awful EO but it does NOT make discrimination legal. The CRA is still the law of the land. Trump wants us to think he has the power to make laws go away. He does not. EOs don’t do that. https://t.co/dPvyyXXXkp
— Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) January 23, 2025
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While revoking the order, Trump can’t revoke the Equal Employment Opportunity Act since it represents a law that was passed by Congress and signed by former president Richard Nixon in 1972.
Nonetheless, Trump’s action triggered criticism.
“Good for straight white males. Bad for everyone else,” someone posted on the social media.
Basil Smikle Jr, a political strategist and policy advisor, commented: “There’s this clear effort to hinder, if not erode, the political and economic power of people of color and women.
“What it does is opens up the door for more cronyism.”
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