*Within just 24 hours of assuming his second presidency, Donald Trump has taken a significant step by dismantling a cornerstone of affirmative action: Lyndon Johnson’s Executive Order 11246.
This order, which mandated racially diverse hiring among federal contractors, had withstood the test of time through five Republican presidencies. However, Trump’s decision to rescind it reflects a broader effort to eliminate “illegal preferences and discrimination” across the federal government. concludes for Semafor. Continue reading our summary for more.
Anticipating Trump’s action, Democrats were aware that he would not only seek to dismantle Joe Biden’s diversity agenda but also erase the policy legacy established during the 2020 “racial reckoning.” In response to the abrupt changes, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated, “I’m going to take this issue, working with the civil rights groups, head on. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are American values. It’s about economic opportunity for everyone.”
In the initial days of Trump’s administration, the focus of Democratic leaders shifted largely to condemning other pressing issues, such as the pardons of January 6 rioters and cuts to healthcare benefits, before addressing the fallout from Trump’s decisions on affirmative action. Critics were alarmed by indications that the administration might lead to significant layoffs of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officials within the government.
While Democrats championed a tangible aim of eradicating systemic racism, Trump’s actions suggest instead a push towards colorblindness in federal law and a revival of arguments against affirmative action. The philosophical shift indicates a broader conservative desire to see initiatives aimed at diversity and inclusion dismantled entirely. Jeremy Carl, a scholar from the Claremont Institute, articulated this sentiment, proclaiming that Trump had “led an army through the citadel’s front gate and lit the whole place on fire.”
The Biden administration had aimed to embed “racial equity” into every policy goal, yet this mission was conspicuously absent from Biden’s 2024 campaign messaging.
With a shifting public perception against DEI efforts, Democratic leaders have struggled to reclaim the issue of affirmative action, especially after the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that curtailed such practices in higher education.
Following Trump’s executive orders, several Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns that these moves would regress progress made by non-white Americans in various sectors, particularly in education and employment. Illinois Rep. Chuy Garcia highlighted the significant strides that Latinos have made due to affirmative action, a sentiment echoed by Alabama Rep. Shomari Figures, who condemned Trump’s actions as tyrannical and detrimental to historically marginalized communities.
The notion of rescinding Johnson’s order has been part of a longer conservative narrative that questions the legitimacy of racial preferences in federal policies. Despite previously enjoying limited traction, this idea has gained momentum in Republican ranks, with some viewing it as foundational in dismantling what they perceive as systems of oppression against white individuals.
Sen. John Kennedy from Louisiana pithily articulated the conservative stance, citing the need to cease discriminating based on race and gender to foster a true meritocracy. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds echoed similar views, arguing that DEI initiatives have become divisive rather than unifying, and called for a return to a more inclusive understanding of diversity.
As Trump embarks on this second presidential term, the opposition strategy for Democrats will involve posing critical questions about the alignment of Trump’s initiatives with the pressing economic issues facing Americans, like the high cost of living. Jeffries pointed out that the public’s dissatisfaction was rooted in economic concerns rather than the specifics of diversity policies. He prepared to defend affirmative action within the context of its economic rationale, underscoring the potential competitive disadvantages that may arise from Trump’s policies.
Both parties are poised for a larger ideological confrontation about the future of racial equity in America. This debate will influence not only political discourse but the everyday lived experiences of millions of Americans.
Read David Weigel’s full piece at Semafor.
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