ACLU Report Criticizes Trump's Executive Orders on DEI and Transgender Recognition

In November 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a report titled "Trump on DEI and Anti-Discrimination Law," analyzing the impact of recent executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and anti-discrimination laws. The report highlights two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025: Executive Order 14151, which mandates the termination of all DEI-related activities within federal departments, and Executive Order 14168, which withdraws federal recognition for transgender individuals.

Executive Order 14151, titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," requires federal departments to eliminate all activities related to DEIA. This directive led to the dissolution of DEIA-related positions, removal of DEI references from federal resources, and restrictions on federal grants associated with DEI topics. Additionally, federal agencies compiled lists of employees involved in DEI initiatives, resulting in mass layoffs and administrative leaves, even among those not directly working in DEI roles.

Executive Order 14168, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," withdraws federal recognition for transgender individuals. It mandates that federal departments recognize gender strictly as a male-female binary determined at conception, ceases funding for gender-affirming care, and prohibits transgender individuals from using single-sex federally funded facilities congruent with their gender identity. Following the order, the Trump administration deleted mentions of LGBTQ+ resources across federal government websites.

In response to these executive orders, several civil rights organizations, including the National Urban League, National Fair Housing Alliance, and AIDS Foundation of Chicago, filed a lawsuit on February 19, 2025, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit, titled National Urban League v. Trump, challenges the constitutionality of Executive Orders 14151, 14168, and 14173, arguing that they infringe upon rights to free speech and due process.

On February 21, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Adam Abelson granted a nationwide preliminary injunction, partially blocking the enforcement of certain provisions of Executive Orders 14151 and 14173. However, on March 14, 2025, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit lifted this injunction, allowing the provisions involving federal contractors and grantees to proceed.

The implementation of these executive orders has led to significant societal implications. The Department of Education accused educational institutions of discriminating against white and Asian students and ordered a halt to DEI-related activities, affecting hiring, financial aid, and campus life. Federal agencies compiled lists of employees involved in DEI initiatives, leading to mass layoffs and administrative leaves, even among those not directly working in DEI roles. The U.S. military disbanded student affinity groups and renamed the USNS Harvey Milk, reflecting a broader rollback of recognition for minority contributions.

The ACLU's report emphasizes the potential reversal of decades of progress in promoting racial and gender equality due to these executive actions. The organization calls for intensified legal and policy advocacy to counteract these measures and uphold the principles of a multiracial democracy.

The ACLU's report serves as a critical analysis of recent executive actions affecting DEI initiatives and transgender recognition. It underscores the need for vigilant legal and policy responses to preserve civil rights advancements and maintain the integrity of a diverse and inclusive society.