Donald Trump weakens anti-discrimination and labor boards by removing Democrats in unprecedented fashion.
Former President Donald Trump has fired key Democratic members from federal agencies that were responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination and labor laws. The move has had a serious impact on the operations of these agencies.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
Trump removed Charlotte Burroughs and Joslyn Samuels from the EEOC, the main agency charged with enforcing civil rights laws in workplaces. The decision left the five-member commission without the necessary quorum, making it unable to enforce anti-discrimination laws.
The move is believed to be part of Trump’s broader strategy to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Trump claims these programs can be discriminatory and undermine merit-based opportunities. Traditionally, EEOC commissioners have a five-year term and are not usually removed by a sitting president, making this decision unusual.
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB):
Similarly, Trump also fired senior Democratic official Gwyn Wilcox, who was the former chairman of the NLRB. The move left the board without the required quorum, leading to hundreds of pending cases being postponed. These cases were related to allegations of violation of labor laws against companies. Gwyn Wilcox, who was the first black woman member of the NLRB, was appointed by President Joe Biden and her term was till August 2028. Labor unions have strongly criticized this decision, as it will hamper the functioning of the board and harm the rights of employees.
Repealing anti-discrimination rules:
Apart from this, Trump also repealed Executive Order 11246, which was implemented by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. This order forced federal contractors to adopt affirmative action policies and prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. By repealing this order, Trump has eliminated the requirement for federal contractors to ensure diversity.
Consequences and potential legal battles:
These decisions by Trump are being seen as a broader strategy against DEI programs, which he considers divisive and discriminatory. However, civil rights organizations and Democratic leaders have strongly criticized it and called it a move that rolls back decades of progress.
These decisions may face legal challenges, as they are quite different from established norms and could have a long-term impact on the enforcement of anti-discrimination and labor laws in the US.
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