US President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at revamping the United States government's approach to gender and diversity shortly after taking office. The orders revoked directives from the previous administration, including one by President Biden intended to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. These changes signal a significant policy shift as Trump vows to reshape what he and many conservatives refer to as "woke" culture.
In his inaugural address, Trump declared his intention to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. An administration official confirmed that one of the executive orders would "end DEI inside the federal government," effectively cutting funding for such programmes across all agencies. This move aligns with Trump's broader campaign promises outlined in Project 47, which aims to eliminate federal funding for "radical gender ideology" and other controversial content.
"As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female." – Donald Trump
The order establishing two official genders could have far-reaching implications, both domestically and internationally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cautioned against policies that single out individuals based on gender identity or expression, warning of potential harm to physical and mental wellbeing.
"Rigid gender norms also negatively affect people with diverse gender identities, who often face violence, stigma and discrimination as a result, including in healthcare settings." – World Health Organisation
Trump's administration has made it clear that they aim to dismantle "unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government." Several major US companies like McDonald's, Walmart, and Meta have already scaled back their DEI initiatives since Trump's election. However, companies such as Apple, Target, and Costco have publicly defended their existing programmes in response to the shifting political landscape.
"end DEI inside the federal government" – An administration official
The debate over DEI programmes intensified following racial justice protests sparked by George Floyd's murder in 2020. In a further development, the US Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that universities could no longer consider an applicant's race as part of their admissions process. In addition to these rulings, Trump and fellow Republicans have advocated for banning specific medical treatments for transgender minors.