Trump Administration Cracks Down on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in Federal Contracts

The Trump administration is doubling down on its assault on civil rights and democratic norms by imposing strict new restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within federal contracting. Executive Order 14398, combined with the updated Federal Acquisition Regulation clause 52.222-90, explicitly prohibits federal contractors from using federal funds to conduct DEI training or initiatives that the administration deems “divisive” or “un-American.”

According to legal analysis from Morrison Foerster, these policies place contractors in a bind: comply with the new rules and abandon DEI efforts that promote racial and gender equity, or risk losing lucrative government contracts. The administration’s guidance targets programs designed to address systemic discrimination and foster inclusive workplaces, framing them as politically motivated and harmful to “patriotic” values.

This crackdown fits a broader pattern of authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration, which has repeatedly sought to dismantle civil rights protections and undermine democratic accountability. By weaponizing procurement rules, the administration not only stifles progress on racial and gender justice but also chills free speech and open dialogue within federally funded entities.

The implications are vast. Federal contractors, from small businesses to major corporations, rely on government contracts for significant revenue. The new prohibitions threaten to roll back years of DEI advancements, making workplaces less equitable and less reflective of America’s diversity. Moreover, this policy shift signals to other government agencies and private sector actors that DEI programs are expendable and politically risky.

In a time when the nation faces urgent challenges around racial justice and inclusion, the Trump administration’s move is a direct attack on efforts to build a fairer society. Federal contractors and civil rights advocates must resist these authoritarian tactics and push back against policies that undermine transparency, accountability, and democratic values.

For anyone tracking the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to erode civil rights and democratic norms, this latest executive order and regulatory update are a stark reminder: authoritarianism does not just come in overt power grabs but also in the quiet dismantling of the tools we use to fight inequality and promote justice.