The revocation of the employment Act by Donald Trump raises important implications for workers’ rights and protections moving forward.
Trump makes swift changes after returning to office
President Donald Trump wasted no time making changes after taking office on January 20. Within hours, he signed 25 executive orders.
These included halting the TikTok ban, changing immigration laws, and reaffirming the belief in two genders.
One of the most controversial moves was the revocation of the Executive Order 11246 (1965), which impacted government diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
What is the Employment Act that Trump revoked?
The Employment Act in question, Executive Order 11246, was established to protect workers from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
This law aimed to create a level playing field for underrepresented minorities, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, by promoting fairness in hiring and workplace treatment.
The order states: “As a part of this plan, each agency shall identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of 500 million dollars or more, State and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars.”
Trump’s order to revoke the act ends the DEI programs in government agencies, specifically targeting Department of Labor employees.
The order mandates that any DEI initiatives be dismantled immediately.
The new plan and its impact
Trump’s new proposal aims to halt hiring practices based on race and sex.
The order also directs agencies to conduct investigations into large corporations, associations, and institutions.
These investigations will target companies, non-profits, and foundations with assets of $500 million or more, and institutions with endowments over $1 billion.
Critics have met this order with backlash, claiming it favors certain groups over others.
Some argue it could lead to cronyism and undermine diversity efforts.
Public reaction to the order
The executive order has sparked significant criticism.
One person on Twitter expressed concerns, saying: “Good for straight white males. Bad for everyone else.”
Many are calling for the order to be reversed.
Political strategist Basil Smikle Jr. commented that the order could “hinder” the political and economic power of people of color and women.
Support for Trump’s decision
Not everyone opposes Trump’s decision. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy (Republican) defended the move, stating: “The best way to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race or gender is to stop discriminating.”
He argued that most Americans do not focus on race or gender as much as those in Washington do.