The executive orders aim to repeal “radical gender ideology guidance” and review diversity initiatives in federal policies and programs.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders reversing protections for transgender rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, created during the administration of former President Joe Biden.
The move, announced on Trump’s first day back in office, sparked immediate backlash from civil rights groups.
One of the commands is titled “Defending women from gender ideological extremism and bringing biological truth back to the federal government,” Directs federal agencies to remove policies that support gender identity protections.
It confirms this “There are only two genders, male and female.” It authorizes agencies to update official documents such as passports and visas accordingly. It also prohibits taxpayer funding of gender transition services in prisons. Trump highlighted the matter during his inauguration speech.
The executive order states the following: “Efforts to eliminate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being. The erasure of sex in language and politics has a devastating impact not only on women but on the viability of the entire American system.
The second order rescinds Biden’s 2021 executive action, which required federal agencies to review policies that could negatively impact transgender individuals. Instead, Trump’s directive calls for a review of diversity and equality initiatives, which he described as discriminatory. The review could lead to the termination of environmental justice grants, diversity training, and other similar programs.
Civil rights groups were quick to condemn these measures. “We refuse to back down or be intimidated… We will resist these harmful rulings with everything we have.” Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement:
Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a prominent advocacy organization, also criticized the rollback, vowing to protect vulnerable communities and continue fighting discrimination.
These changes reflect a broader national trend. While some companies have scaled back DEI programs, companies like Costco and Apple remain committed to diversity policies. Meanwhile, other companies, including Meta, McDonald’s, and Walmart, have significantly reduced their DEI initiatives. Meta recently spun off its DEI division, citing the changing legal and political landscape. McDonald’s scaled back diversity goals for senior leadership, and Walmart announced plans to eliminate some diversity requirements and initiatives.
The Trump administration framed the policy changes as an attempt to remove perceived bias in government initiatives. Human rights organizations threatened to challenge the orders through judicial procedures and public advocacy.
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