Photo : AP

President Donald Trump revoked the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1965 via executive order on January 20, rolling back decades-old provisions that banned discrimination and instituted affirmative action in the federal workplace. The act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 24, 1965, to give opportunity to and protect women, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups.

It also prohibited discrimination in the workplace based on race, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, and marital or familial status. The standard applied to federal contractors and came a year after the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Trump's executive order labeled these practices 'illegal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) discrimination and preferences.' His order also extended to the private sector. "I further order all agencies to enforce our longstanding civil-rights laws and to combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs," Trump's executive order stated.

Why Did Trump Revoke the Equal Employment Opportunity Act Of 1965?

President Trump railed against DEI hiring practices that became prevalent after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests during his 2024 election campaign. In his executive order, he justified his repeal of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act Of 1965 as a way to end "illegal preferences and discrimination" in hiring processes. The sweeping measure is in line with Trump's promise to create a...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1wFBVV95cUxPQkt3alVNNXJ3UmNwZkJwM1pO...