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.
Trump’s executive order directs the Office of Management and Budget to streamline federal contracting, enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with civil rights laws. The order specifically bars federal agencies from pressuring contractors to meet diversity quotas based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, or religion. The White House characterized DEI policies as divisive and counterproductive, suggesting they undermine progress toward a colorblind and competence-based workplace established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The executive order also dissolves the mandate for affirmative action imposed by Johnson’s 1965 order, which previously required federal contractors to ensure equal employment opportunities for minority groups. Trump has emphasized that merit, rather than identity, should guide hiring and workforce decisions within federal agencies and their contractors.
The move aligns with Trump’s broader promise to eliminate DEI mandates across government and private sectors. In his remarks at a rally in Washington, D.C., Trump reaffirmed his intention to dismantle President Joe Biden’s DEI initiatives and reinstate a merit-based system. This follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2023 to strike down affirmative action in college admissions, a ruling Trump has cited as a model for his administration’s policy goals.
Private sector companies have also reduced DEI practices following Trump’s election, signaling broader cultural shifts away from identity-focused hiring and corporate policies. Trump’s administration continues to position itself as a leader in promoting workplace competence and efficiency over diversity-driven mandates.
