Trump Strikes a Major Blow to Civil Rights, Rolling Back 1965 Affirmative Action Order
Former President Donald Trump has taken a bold step in undermining decades of civil rights progress by signing an executive order that directly attacks the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government and private sector.
The order reverses key protections established by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s landmark 1965 executive order, which required federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for people of color, women, and other marginalized groups in hiring, promotions, and job training.
What the Order Does
Trump’s executive order effectively revokes a vital piece of legislation that has helped dismantle systemic discrimination in federal employment and contracting.
Johnson’s 1965 order was a response to the widespread racial and gender inequality of the time, ensuring that federal contractors could not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, or national origin.
It mandated …