President Donald Trump has signed an executive order revoking affirmative action policies and diversity requirements that have shaped federal hiring and contracting practices for nearly six decades. The sweeping directive dismantles standards established under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 order, which mandated equal opportunity for women and people of color in federal employment and contracts.
“The Federal Government is charged with enforcing our civil-rights laws. The purpose of this order is to ensure that it does so by ending illegal preferences and discrimination,” the order states. It directs federal agencies to terminate existing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs and compile lists of private companies, universities, and large foundations for potential investigations into their DEI practices.
The move could have profound implications for higher education institutions, many of which have adopted DEI initiatives to foster inclusive campus environments and increase access for historically marginalized groups. Universities that receive federal funding may face heightened scrutiny and possible legal challenges if their programs are deemed noncompliant with the new directive.
Civil rights advocates have decried the order, warning that it undermines decades of progress in combating discrimination. Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, stated, “It would significantly erode a civil rights enforcement tool that has been essential, in particular for women’s progress.”
The order also signals a broader push against diversity programs in the private sector. Trump’s directive explicitly targets corporate DEI policies, which have already faced backlash from conservative groups and lawsuits alleging “anti-white racism.”
For colleges and universities, the reversal raises questions about the future of diversity efforts. Institutions reliant on federal funding may be forced to reassess admissions policies, faculty recruitment strategies, and student support initiatives.
As the order takes effect, higher education leaders and advocacy groups are bracing for its impact on campus diversity and civil rights protections, emphasizing the need for vigilance in preserving equitable access to education.
