Donald Trump issued an executive order on Martin Luther King Day, dismantling two significant orders signed by President Joe Biden on his first day in office. The rescinded orders aimed to advance racial equity for underserved communities and combat discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. The move has drawn swift reactions from civil and human rights advocates, who have vowed to protect minorities and challenge what they see as a regressive agenda.
The executive order directs the secretaries of state and homeland security to ensure that official documents such as passports and visas reflect only two sexes: male and female. It further mandates the removal of what it describes as "all radical gender ideology guidance, communication, policies, and forms." This policy shift is seen as a direct affront to transgender rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that have gained traction in recent years.
“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
Many corporations, including Costco and Apple, have maintained their commitment to DEI, despite some companies rolling back related initiatives. Rights advocates argue that the rollback of DEI measures will undermine progress made in addressing systemic prejudices. These sentiments were echoed by Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who described the executive order as containing "harmful provisions."
“We refuse to back down or be intimidated. We are not going anywhere, and we will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we’ve got,” – Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign
The Trump administration plans to review and potentially end what it terms "discriminatory programs," including environmental justice grants and diversity training initiatives. The executive order, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," underscores its focus on eliminating policies perceived as undermining traditional gender roles.
“Agencies will cease pretending that men can be women and women can be men when enforcing laws that protect against sex discrimination,” – The order
Civil rights organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice have expressed their determination to resist these changes, emphasizing their commitment to combating hate and discrimination.
“We will continue our relentless efforts to protect immigrant rights, combat voter suppression, and confront hate and discrimination in all its forms,” – Asian Americans Advancing Justice