Trump rescinds measure used to fight workplace discrimination for 60 years | CNN Business

CNN - Jan 23rd, 2025

President Donald Trump has rescinded a longstanding executive order, originally signed by President Lyndon Johnson, which prohibited government contractors from engaging in discriminatory hiring and employment practices. The new directive requires employers to certify that they do not have what Trump has labeled as 'illegal' diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This move affects a vast number of businesses and organizations that employ around a quarter of the U.S. workforce. Federal agencies have been instructed to identify targets for investigations into DEI initiatives, extending potentially to publicly-traded companies, large nonprofits, and major foundations.

The rescission of Executive Order 11246 raises concerns about the future of diversity efforts, as it had been a significant driver in promoting diverse hiring practices across the economy. Critics argue that without the enforcement mechanisms of the previous order, businesses might scale back their diversity initiatives, fearing new legal repercussions. Although Trump portrays the change as a shift towards merit-based employment, critics worry it signals a retreat from equal opportunity practices. The implications of this move could lead to fewer checks on discriminatory practices, potentially reducing diversity in workplaces across the nation.

Donald Trump Labor Department Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Executive Order 11246 Lyndon Johnson Federal Investigations Employment Discrimination

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively covers a significant policy change by the Trump administration, providing a comprehensive overview of the rescission of Executive Order 11246 and the introduction of new requirements for government contractors. It accurately reports the main facts and includes perspectives from both critics and supporters, though it leans slightly towards highlighting the concerns of critics. The lack of primary sources and detailed explanations of certain terms limits the article's transparency and source quality. Nonetheless, the article is timely, relevant, and likely to engage readers interested in diversity policies and government actions. It has the potential to influence public opinion and provoke debate, particularly given the controversial nature of the policy change. Overall, the article is clear and accessible, though it could benefit from more detailed sourcing and transparency.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports that President Trump rescinded Executive Order 11246, which prohibited discrimination by government contractors, and replaced it with a requirement for employers to certify they do not have 'illegal' DEI programs. This claim is supported by multiple sources. However, the article lacks specific details on how the new order will be implemented and enforced, which could affect the overall precision. Additionally, while the article correctly notes the historical context and impact of EO 11246, it does not provide a clear definition of what constitutes an 'illegal' DEI program under the new order, leaving room for ambiguity.

Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including concerns from critics about the potential negative impact of the rescission on diversity efforts and the defense of merit-based employment by Trump's administration. However, it leans slightly towards highlighting the concerns of critics without equally emphasizing the administration's reasoning or potential benefits of the new order. This could lead to an imbalance in how the information is perceived by the reader, although it does provide some defense of the new order through quotes from individuals like Craig Leen.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points and claims. It uses straightforward language and provides sufficient context for readers unfamiliar with the topic. However, the lack of specific definitions for terms like 'illegal DEI programs' could lead to some confusion among readers seeking a deeper understanding of the implications of the new order.

Source quality

The article cites individuals like Jocelyn Frye and Craig Leen, providing insight into the perspectives of public interest groups and former government officials. However, it does not reference specific documents or direct statements from the Trump administration or other primary sources that would enhance the reliability of the reporting. The reliance on secondary sources and the absence of direct quotes from current administration officials slightly diminishes the source quality.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of the sources of its information, as it does not provide direct links or references to the executive orders or official statements. It also does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or clarify the methodology used to gather the information. This lack of transparency can hinder the reader's ability to fully assess the credibility of the claims made in the article.