In a significant policy shift, the Trump regime has rescinded a longstanding prohibition against “segregated facilities” in federal contracts, effectively altering anti-discrimination measures that have been in place for decades.

This change stems from President Donald Trump’s revocation of Executive Order 11246, originally signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, which mandated equal employment opportunities and explicitly banned segregation by federal contractors.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has acknowledged the policy update, stating that it aligns with the recent executive order. Despite the removal of this explicit ban, federal and state laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, continue to prohibit segregation and discrimination.

Critics argue that eliminating the explicit prohibition sends a troubling message and could weaken enforcement tools designed to combat discrimination. Civil rights advocates express concern that this policy shift may lead to a resurgence of discriminatory practices in workplaces associated with federal contracts.

This development is part of a broader pattern of actions by the Trump administration aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies and among government contractors. On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14173, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which revokes previous mandates promoting DEI and prohibits federal contractors from implementing affirmative action measures.

Proponents of the administration’s actions argue that these measures are necessary to eliminate what they perceive as reverse discrimination and to restore merit-based practices. However, opponents contend that such changes undermine decades of progress toward equal opportunity and may exacerbate systemic inequalities in employment.