U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term on January 20, 2025, by signing executive orders addressing various environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related issues. Most notably among these orders was the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within executive branch departments and agencies in addition to the repeal of DEI directives from the Biden administration. Trump also prevented the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs from pushing contractors to balance their workforce based on race, sex, gender identity, sexuality, or religion. This act is undermining the goal of the federal office to prevent discrimination and support equitable opportunity.
One such executive order Trump titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” which prohibits the U.S. federal government from acknowledging transgender people. In particular, the phrase “restoring biological truth” evoked massive controversy throughout the country. Although many feel Americans are left with a sense of hopelessness, legal action has been taken to potentially reverse Trump’s actions. The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Lambda Legal on behalf of the National Urban League, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that Trump has compromised their rights to free speech by forcing them to adopt Trump’s DEI views. This lawsuit is not the first of its kind. On February 3, 2025, The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors, the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore argued that the funding they rely on to provide social services has been compromised.
In addition to changes in DEI legislation at the federal level, state-level actions are being taken to either strengthen or reduce Trump’s executive orders. Attorney generals on the Republican side are pressuring large companies like Costco to repeal DEI policies, while groups of Democratic attorney generals argue that DEI initiatives remain legal, citing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The conflict of opposing federal and state directives and a sharp contrast between Democratic and Republican views leaves companies caught facing uncertain DEI-related policies.
Scientists who research and write about DEI topics, as well as scientists who are LGBTQ+, are faced with compounding executive orders from the Trump administration due to termination of federal funding. These bans are based on research topics, including DEI, gender and sex, as well as green energy projects. Both the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) are at risk as they help award universities and colleges billions of dollars per year to help students fund their research. If organizations and institutions do not challenge Trump’s new policies, scientific research in the U.S. may be at great risk over the next few years.
With Trump’s executive orders just recently enacted, there is much left to be disputed. As many groups and organizations have filed lawsuits, loopholes through these legislations may soon be uncovered if they are not revoked. Although Trump’s legislative agenda may seem daunting, it is important to bear in mind that Congress has the ability to revoke any executive order the Trump administration creates. With Congress structured nearly a fifty-fifty split between Democrats and Republicans, there is hope for democracy.
