What Trump’s anti-DEI moves mean for Nevada employers

Nevada business owners have undoubtedly seen the many news reports indicating that, on only his second day in office, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) designed to eliminate affirmative action (AA) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government. White House fact sheets about the EO indicate that it not only ceases all DEI efforts within the federal government and among federal contractors, but it also “directs all departments and agencies to take strong action to end private sector DEI discrimination, including civil compliance investigations.” What does this mean for Nevada employers?

Radical shift

The EO’s call for “strong action” includes directing all federal agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), to prepare reports identifying “the most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners” and otherwise implement “strategies to encourage the private sector to end illegal DEI discrimination and preferences.”

Presumably, this indicates the president will expect the EEOC to investigate, issue adverse findings on, and pursue litigation to halt any private industry programs that seemingly give preference to minorities in the hiring process.

Key points

This radical shift from the prior administration’s policies has left many wondering: What will become of anti-discrimination laws going forward, and are companies’ existing anti-discrimination policies now contrary to law? Here, a few points are worth noting: