Advocates oppose Trump’s termination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs
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The Trump administration has removed the requirement for an explicit prohibition of segregated facilities in new government contracts, following a directive from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA regulation change was in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government. Despite the change, segregation is still illegal in the U.S and contractors are still subject to laws on civil rights and nondiscrimination.
‘People will fight back’: Advocates react to Trump’s ‘war on DEI’
The Trump administration has eliminated the requirement of explicitly prohibiting segregated facilities in new government contracts.
This change by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) responds to a Trump executive order aimed at scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion in the federal government.
Anti-DEI order leads federal agencies to remove segregation prohibition from contracts
Post Trump’s executive order, amendments are being made to federal agency contract terms, leading to the elimination of the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity executive order enacted by former President Lyndon B. Johnson. This order mandated that government contracts include nondiscrimination language.
Following this, contract terms no longer include 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, which covered restrooms, drinking fountains and transportation.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump criticized the change on X, labeling it as a clear message. The Council on American-Islamic Relations also shared their disapproval.
GSA representative Stephanie Joseph defended the change, stating that the existing Federal Acquisition Regulation imposed an “unnecessary burden” on American companies working with the government.
Contributing: Reuters
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
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