January 22, 2025
On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," effectively revoking several longstanding directives aimed at promoting equal employment opportunities and diversity within federal agencies and among government contractors.
The executive order specifically rescinds:
Executive Order 11246 of 1965, which mandated affirmative action and prohibited employment discrimination by federal contractors.
Executive Order 12898 of 1994, focusing on environmental justice for minority and low-income populations.
Executive Order 13583 of 2011, which established a coordinated government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce.
Executive Order 13672 of 2014, extending protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The new directive instructs federal agencies to discontinue policies or programs that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in hiring or contracting, emphasizing a shift toward merit-based practices.
In response, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) criticized the move, stating that it undermines decades of progress in promoting diversity and affirmative action within the federal government.
This development has significant implications for federal contractors and agencies, signaling a substantial change in compliance requirements and workforce planning strategies.
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