Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
Targets DEI programs in the private sector by directing agencies to include anti-DEI certification requirements in federal contracts. Requires federal contractors to certify that they do not operate programs that violate federal anti-discrimination laws as interpreted by this order. Partly blocked in court.
Section by Section
What each section does, and how they differ.
Directs all federal agencies to terminate discriminatory and illegal preferences, mandates, policies, and DEI programs and enforce civil-rights laws.
U.S. policy is to protect civil rights and promote individual merit, excellence, and hard work; all agencies must terminate illegal preferences and DEI programs.
Revokes Executive Orders on environmental justice, federal workforce diversity, equal employment, and national security diversity; revokes Executive Order 11246 for 90 days.
Attorney General must submit within 120 days a strategic enforcement plan to deter DEI practices and encourage private sector compliance with civil-rights laws.
Attorney General and Secretary of Education shall issue guidance to educational entities on compliance with Supreme Court decision striking race-based admissions.
Standard severability clause: if a court strikes any provision, the rest of the order stands.
Order does not apply to lawful veteran preferences or Randolph-Sheppard Act protections; does not prohibit First Amendment-protected speech.
Standard boilerplate: preserves existing agency authority, conditions the order on appropriations, and creates no enforceable private rights.