Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order rescinding President Lyndon B. Johnson's Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action in federal government contracting. The new policy eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements in the federal workforce and contracting, shifting the focus to a merit-based system. The administration noted this change as a commitment to rewarding individual skills, performance, and hard work over identity-based hiring quotas.
President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on January 20, 2025, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The order aims to protect women’s rights, preserve single-sex spaces, and reaffirm the biological distinctions between men and women.
Former President Donald Trump commented on remarks by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde at the National Prayer Service, describing the event as “not too exciting.” Budde, known for her left-wing activism and criticism of Trump, used her platform to focus on LGBTQ issues, immigration, and other progressive causes.
A new Washington state bill, Senate Bill 5123, introduced this legislative session, seeks to expand protected classes under the state's nondiscrimination law for public schools. Sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), the legislation would add "gender identity," "ethnicity," "homelessness," "immigration status," and "neurodivergence" to the existing protections.
President Joe Biden announced that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) should be considered the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, despite others declaring that ERA could not be certified.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) issued several executive orders that eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from state universities and allow for religious exemptions for school vaccine requirements.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized a Republican-backed bill seeking to prohibit biological men from participating in federally funded K-12 women’s sports. Jeffries argued on MSNBC’s All In that the legislation could lead to harmful outcomes for children, claiming it risks enabling predators under the guise of enforcing the law.
