WASHINGTON—A firestorm has erupted as national civil rights leaders demand urgent meetings with Congress, pushing back against former President Donald Trump’s aggressive efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent executive actions by the Trump Administration that seek to undo decades of bipartisan support for civil and human rights,” leaders wrote in a scathing letter addressed to top Democratic and Republican congressional figures.
The letter, sent Wednesday, targeted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). It follows a high-profile meeting last month where about 20 civil rights leaders strategized against Trump’s latest executive order slashing DEI programs.
Trump Takes a Sledgehammer to DEI—And Civil Rights Groups Are Fighting Back
Fulfilling a key campaign promise, Trump signed an executive order in January eliminating DEI initiatives within the federal government. He and his allies argue such programs foster discrimination against white Americans and erode merit-based systems.
“My administration has taken action to abolish all discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion nonsense,” Trump declared at the World Economic Forum, calling DEI policies “absolute nonsense” in government and the private sector.
The executive order also rescinded multiple diversity initiatives from the Biden administration, asserting that DEI programs promote division rather than equality.
Outrage Boils Over as Trump Blames DEI for Deadly Plane Crash
The backlash reached a boiling point when Trump seemingly linked DEI policies to a recent aircraft collision that claimed 67 lives near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Civil rights leaders blasted the statement as a “dog whistle” meant to stoke division and hate.
“This rhetoric is deplorable,” the letter to Congress read, warning that such comments dangerously inflame public sentiment against marginalized communities.
Among the organizations condemning Trump’s moves are the National Council of Jewish Women, the National Women’s Law Center, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.
The Corporate Reckoning—Will Big Business Cave to Trump’s Agenda?
The battle over DEI is spilling into the corporate world, where major companies are being pressured to follow Trump’s lead. Some, like Target, have already begun scaling back diversity initiatives in the wake of his executive order.
Civil rights leaders warn that corporations ditching DEI programs will face fierce backlash.
“For those in the boardroom worried about what to call it—stop worrying about the name and start focusing on action,” said Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute.
Statistics show the fight is far from over: Black Americans, who make up 12% of the U.S. population, hold just 5% of senior management positions, while Hispanic Americans are similarly underrepresented. Meanwhile, non-Hispanic white Americans—61% of the population—occupy over 70% of high-level executive roles.
NAACP Chief’s Chilling Warning: ‘It Will Be You Next’
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, cautioned that Trump’s crusade against DEI is just the beginning.
“I would like to remind all Americans—it will be you next,” Johnson warned, suggesting that today’s rollback on diversity initiatives could pave the way for broader attacks on equal opportunity policies.
Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network is now mobilizing a 90-day commission to examine corporations profiting from Black consumers while simultaneously withdrawing DEI efforts. Findings are set for release on April 4—the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
As Trump’s policies send shockwaves through government and business sectors alike, civil rights leaders are making one thing clear: they’re not backing down.
