Trump’s D.E.I. Order Causes ‘Chaos’ Among Corporate Leaders

Published On Jan 23, 2025, 5:01 AM

President Trump's recent executive order targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives, causing widespread fear and confusion among corporate leaders. The order not only places government D.E.I. officials on leave but also revokes longstanding protections against discriminatory hiring practices for private government contractors. It directs federal agencies to investigate civil compliance in the private sector, which could include major publicly traded corporations. This has raised alarms about the sustainability and legality of current D.E.I. programs, particularly those that involve race-based hiring incentives, following recent Supreme Court rulings against similar practices in universities. With uncertainty surrounding these policies, many companies may become more risk-averse in their diversity strategies.