Trump ends affirmative action, shifts federal policy toward merit-based practices
By isabelle // 2025-01-23
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  • President Trump signed an executive order ending affirmative action and dismantling DEI programs in federal contracting, hiring, and universities.
  • The order bans race-based discrimination, emphasizing merit-based hiring and education practices.
  • Federal agencies must place DEI employees on paid leave and dismantle DEI offices by January 31.
  • The move aligns with backlash against DEI programs following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race-based college admissions.
  • Major corporations like McDonald’s and Meta have scaled back DEI initiatives, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward meritocracy.
In a sweeping move that marks a historic shift in federal policy, President Donald Trump signed an executive order  rescinding President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 Executive Order #11246, which established affirmative action in federal contracting and hiring. The new directive, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” bans race-based discrimination in federal contracts and publicly funded universities, effectively dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the government and educational institutions. The order, which fulfills a key campaign promise, signals a return to race-neutral practices and a renewed focus on meritocracy. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the move as a “win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds,” emphasizing that the administration is committed to ensuring individuals are hired based on their skills and qualifications, not their skin color.

A bold step toward ending discrimination

The executive order not only overturns affirmative action but also declares DEI programs illegal, advising corporations and federally funded universities to end all forms of racial and gender-based preferences. The administration argues that DEI initiatives, which gained momentum during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, have perpetuated discrimination by prioritizing immutable characteristics over individual merit. “President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit-based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin,” Leavitt said. The order also targets DEI programs within federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Trump instructed the Secretary of Transportation and FAA Administrator to revoke preferential hiring protocols and return the agency to a merit-based system.

DEI employees placed onleave as programs wind down

In a related move, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo directing federal agencies to place all DEI employees on paid leave and dismantle DEI offices by the end of January. Agencies were instructed to cancel diversity trainings, terminate DEI-related contracts, and remove all outward-facing DEI media, including webpages and social media accounts. The memo also warned employees of “adverse consequences” if they fail to report attempts to disguise DEI programs with “coded or imprecise language.” By January 31, agencies must submit written plans for reducing DEI staff, signaling the administration’s determination to root out what it calls “illegal and immoral discrimination programs.” Trump’s actions come on the heels of a growing conservative backlash against DEI, which gained momentum after the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. The ruling, which struck down race-based college admissions, emboldened critics who argue that DEI programs violate anti-discrimination laws by favoring certain racial and gender groups. In recent months, major corporations like McDonald’s, Meta, and Ford have scaled back their DEI initiatives, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward merit-based practices. Conservatives have long argued that DEI programs foster division by assigning blame to certain groups rather than promoting individual achievement and character.

A return to meritocracy

The Trump administration’s bold move to end affirmative action and dismantle DEI programs represents a significant step toward restoring meritocracy in American institutions. By prioritizing skills and qualifications over race and gender, the administration aims to create a fairer, more equitable system that benefits all Americans. While the long-term impact of these changes remains to be seen, the administration’s actions have already sparked a national conversation about the role of race in hiring and education. For many, this marks the beginning of a new era—one where merit, not identity, is the cornerstone of opportunity. President Trump’s executive order to end affirmative action and dismantle DEI programs is a landmark moment in the fight against race-based discrimination. Sources for this article include: HalTurnerRadioShow.com NationalReview.com TheAmericanConservative.com NYPost.com
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