Trump’s statements on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives signal an administration that will target them both in government and private organizations.
President-elect Donald Trump’s statements and appointees have indicated an interest in ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government while challenging their use in private organizations.
If his first term is any indication, he will likely use executive orders to end the promotion of DEI or critical race theory within federal agencies. Specifically, he could use the federal government to reform education, bar diversity training within the federal government, and use the Department of Justice (DOJ) to sue over perceived reverse discrimination in employment and college admissions.
His nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, has expressed opposition to DEI, as has his pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr.
Trump’s decision to nominate Harmeet Dhillon to lead the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division indicated a willingness to bring lawsuits against corporations and universities employing race-based policies.
Dhillon graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She leads Dhillon Law Group and served as a legal adviser for Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign.
“Throughout her career, Harmeet has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our Free Speech, representing Christians who were prevented from praying together during COVID, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers,” he said on Truth Social earlier this month.
Dhillon’s firm represented James Damore, the Google employee who alleged that the company had a bias against white men and conservatives.
John Shu, a constitutional law expert who served in both Bush administrations, told The Epoch Times that “Harmeet—who, if confirmed, would be the first Indian-American and Sikh American to serve as Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division—is a very experienced lawyer who cares deeply about America and America’s future.”
Regarding DEI, he said, “Harmeet will follow the law and existing Supreme Court precedent.”
