On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as the 47th President of the United States in a ceremony marked by tradition, grandeur, and a flurry of executive actions aimed at shaping his administration’s priorities. Among the 25 executive orders signed that day, one particularly controversial decision stood out: the revocation of Executive Order 11246. This move has ignited a heated debate across political lines, raising questions about its implications for workers and the broader landscape of workplace equity.

The Controversial Executive Order: Revoking DEI Programs

Executive Order 11246, established in 1965, has long been a foundational policy aimed at preventing discrimination in federal employment and ensuring equal opportunity for all workers. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin and requires federal contractors to implement affirmative action plans to promote diversity and inclusion in their workplaces. Essentially, this order has been a cornerstone in the fight against workplace discrimination, fostering an environment where underrepresented groups can thrive and achieve equal footing with their peers.

President Trump’s decision to revoke this executive order on January 21, just a day after his inauguration, marks a significant shift in federal policy. The new executive order explicitly dismantles diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within government agencies, signaling a clear departure from decades of efforts to promote workplace fairness and inclusivity. According to reports by The New Republic, this revocation includes the immediate elimination of DEI initiatives, with Department of Labor employees tasked with enforcing these policies reportedly placed on paid leave.