Diversity initiatives have been halted.
On Monday, President Donald Trump signed executive orders aiming to define the U.S. government’s recognition of only two sexes—male and female—and to end what he described as “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies. These orders are part of his broader initiative to “restore sanity” to government policy, according to senior White House officials who briefed the public prior to Trump’s swearing-in.
The first executive order focuses on gender and sex, mandating that the federal government use “sex” rather than “gender” in official documents. It directs agencies like the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that identification documents, including passports, reflect the biological sex of the holder. The order also prevents the use of taxpayer funds for gender-transition health care and requires that single-sex spaces, such as prisons and shelters for sexual assault victims, be based on biological sex rather than gender identity. Additionally, it calls for the removal of any federal guidance that conflicts with this policy, including documents related to transgender equality and youth support in schools.
The second executive order targets DEI policies within the federal government, claiming they are discriminatory and should be eliminated within 60 days. This order also addresses equity-focused programs and grants, with a particular emphasis on environmental justice. Trump’s administration will hold regular meetings to discuss the impact and costs of these policies. Trump noted the timing of signing the order on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, emphasizing that it was meant to honor the civil rights movement’s vision of a society where people are judged by their character, not their race or gender.
Trump’s stance on DEI policies has been consistent in recent years, as he and many conservatives have criticized such initiatives as discriminatory. Proponents of DEI, however, argue that these programs are essential for fostering racial and social inclusivity in various institutions. As some major corporations, such as Meta and McDonald’s, announce the scaling back of their diversity initiatives, civil rights groups, like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, have expressed concern that these executive orders could roll back progress on racial justice. They warn that prohibiting efforts to address inequality could set back advances in civil rights and open the door to discrimination based on race or sex.
