Executive Actions Affecting DEI

Restoring America’s Fighting Force

An EO directing the abolishment of all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices within the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with regard to the US Coast Guard. It also directs DOD to undertake an internal review and report on actions taken in pursuit of DEI initiatives. A fact sheet on the EO can be found on the White House website.

Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunity

An EO ordering all agencies to enforce civil-rights laws and combat private sector diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It instructs agency heads to take appropriate actions to discourage DEI and other “discrimination and preference” initiatives in the private sector and report on recommended actions for enforcing civil-rights laws. Additionally, the EO rescinds several Biden-era executive actions related to DEI, directs all executive departments and agencies to terminate “discriminatory and illegal” preference initiatives and requires a report to state and local educational agencies that receive federal funds regarding compliance with Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181 (2023), which held that race-based affirmative action programs are unconstitutional. A fact sheet on the EO can be found on the White House website.

Insights

• US DOL Order Directing Departments to Cease Enforcement of Affirmative Action Requirements of EO 11246
• Trump DEI Order: How Could the Administration’s Plans to Target Private Sector Impact Employers?
• President Trump Eliminates Affirmative Action and Anti-Discrimination Requirements on Federal Contractors

Note: As of February 21, 2025, certain provisions of this EO are subject to a nationwide injunction.

Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation

An EO directing the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administrator to immediately discontinue all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. It also directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administrator to undertake a review of the past performance and performance standards of all individuals in critical safety positions and take all appropriate actions to replace any individual who has failed to demonstrate the requisite capability. A fact sheet on the EO can be found on the White House website.

Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing

An EO directing OMB to terminate all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); and environmental justice-related initiatives, positions, grants, contracts and performance metrics in the federal government, as well as review and revise all existing federal employment practices to comply with this order.

Note: As of February 21, 2025, certain provisions of this EO are subject to a nationwide injunction.