Trump's order weakens segregation protections for contractors

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that changes rules for federal contractors regarding segregation. This order, issued in January, removes a clause that required contractors to maintain integrated facilities. The clause was part of a policy established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. Experts say this change is symbolic but significant. It marks a shift away from the federal government's commitment to ensuring that workplaces are diverse and inclusive. Constitutional law professor Melissa Murray noted that the removal of these provisions indicates a retreat from decades of efforts to promote integration. While the change allows for more flexibility, it does not make segregation legal. Both federal and state laws continue to prohibit discriminatory practices. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 still stands, making segregated facilities illegal. Critics worry that the Trump administration's actions undermine progress toward equity. Dariely Rodriguez from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law highlighted that this decision could weaken protections for workers. A spokesman for the General Services Administration said that enforcing duplicative regulations is unnecessary and cited the need for reform. In summary, while the executive order does not abolish existing civil rights laws, it signals a more lenient approach for federal contractors regarding segregation policies.