Factbox-Key directives in Trump DEI executive order for government, private sector By Reuters
Author: Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order late on Tuesday directing heads of government agencies to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at federal agencies, federal contractors and in the private sector, the White House said.
Here are some key guidelines from the order:
REPEALS PAST EXECUTIVE ACTIONS
The order seeks “an end to unlawful discrimination in the federal government.”
It repeals executive policies dating back to 1965 on equal employment opportunity, environmental actions designed to protect communities of color, and efforts by federal contractors to “balance the workforce” based on race, gender and religion.
Civil rights and diversity advocates argue that such policies are necessary to address long-standing inequality.
PRIVATE SECTOR ‘ENCOURAGES’ TO ABOLISH DEI
In one section, the order urges the private sector to “end DEI’s unlawful discrimination and privileges.” It is added that “the heads of all agencies, with the help of the Attorney General, will take all necessary actions regarding the operations of their agencies in order to advance the policy of individual initiative, excellence and hard work in the private sector.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SUBMIT REPORT
The order requires the US attorney general to consult with government agencies and submit a report within 120 days “containing recommendations to enforce federal civil rights laws and take other appropriate measures to encourage the private sector to end unlawful discrimination and privileges , including DEI”.
The report would identify the “most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners” in each sector of concern and outline measures to deter DEI programs or policies that constitute “unlawful discrimination,” the order said.
As part of the plan, each agency would have to identify up to nine “potential civil compliance investigations of public corporations, large nonprofit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of $500 million or more, state and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with donations through billion dollars.”
The order does not elaborate on possible regulatory measures or penalties.
EDUCATION REPORT
The order states that within 120 days of Tuesday, the attorney general and the secretary of education will jointly issue guidance to all education agencies that receive federal funds regarding compliance with a 2023 ruling in which the U.S. Supreme Court rejected affirmative action at enrollment in universities.
