Contractors face greater scrutiny from anti-DEI executive orders

Government Executive
Nick Wakeman
24 January 2025

President Trump’s slate of executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs have several provisions that will apply to government contractors, including enforcement pressure if companies don’t go along.

Along with rolling back executive orders that date back to Lyndon Johnson's presidency, the White House is also suspending enforcement activities at the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

In a Thursday Sam.gov notice, the General Services Administration told agencies to suspend enforcement of DEI provisions in federal contracts.

Contractors also are being told not to consider race, color, sex, religion or national origin in their employment and procurement practices.

This pressure on contractors is part of the Trump administration’s desire to eliminate DEI activities throughout both the private sector and government agencies.

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