Trump Revokes Executive Order 11246, Alters Federal Contractor DEI Policies

On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which revokes Executive Order 11246 from 1965 that required affirmative action for federal contractors. This new order eliminates the requirement for contractors to implement affirmative action programs for minorities and women, while still mandating compliance with existing federal anti-discrimination laws. Critics have expressed concern that this move may lead to misconceptions about the legality of discrimination in hiring practices, despite other federal laws still providing protections. The order also prohibits 'illegal DEI' initiatives across all sectors and sets a framework for the Attorney General to investigate compliance in various organizations. Federal contractors will be required to certify that they are in compliance with anti-discrimination laws, and violations could result in legal consequences. The implications of this executive order are significant, raising questions about the future of diversity initiatives within federal contracting.