Trump Strikes a Major Blow to Civil Rights, Rolling Back 1965 Affirmative Action Order
Source: Kevin Carter / Getty
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.
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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 that these contractors take “affirmative action,” meaning they had to actively work to include people from historically excluded groups in their workforce.
This was a direct extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, laws that were passed in response to violent, widespread discrimination against Black people and other marginalized communities.
In revoking this order, Trump has opened the door to a rollback of civil rights protections that have supported significant progress for Black and brown communities.
The new executive order removes the federal government’s role in ensuring DEI policies are upheld, signaling to both government agencies and private companies that they are no longer required to adopt policies that promote racial, gender, or ethnic equity in hiring and employment.
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Why It Matters
This decision represents a significant blow to civil rights, particularly at a time when the country is already grappling with disparities in wealth, healthcare, and education.
The 1965 executive order has been critical in expanding access to government contracts and jobs for Black and brown communities, women, and other marginalized groups. For decades, it has been a tool to help dismantle the racial and gender biases that once dominated hiring practices.
Critics argue that the rollback sends a clear message to businesses, universities, and government contractors: they no longer need to prioritize equity, inclusion, or diversity in their operations.
The message to workers from marginalized communities is equally concerning—it suggests that their progress in the workforce and their fight for equality can be easily undone.
The fear is that this order will embolden those who wish to ignore the longstanding inequalities in hiring and advancement opportunities, ultimately setting back the clock on civil rights gains.
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What Civil Rights Advocates Are Saying
Civil rights advocates are deeply concerned about the broader impact of Trump’s decision.
Rev. William Barber, the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, argued that Johnson’s executive order remains essential today to combat ongoing discrimination.
“This order was a critical tool in the fight against discrimination in its time, and it’s still necessary,” he said.
Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, warned that eliminating these protections would significantly harm women’s progress in the workforce, particularly for women of color.
Frye also highlighted the dangers of what this rollback means for future generations.
“It sends a dangerous message to contractors and corporations that there is no longer any consequence for discriminatory practices,” she said.
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