The anti-DEI agenda: navigating the impact of Trump’s second term on diversity, equity and inclusion

What is it about?

This viewpoint article examines the impact of President Donald Trump’s second term on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the United States and beyond. Trump’s anti-DEI agenda, driven by three key executive orders, dismantled federal DEI programs, rescinded prior orders promoting equal opportunity, and dismissed gender as purely ideological. This created a climate of fear and uncertainty, leading several major corporations to quietly dismantle their own DEI programs. The article explores the consequences of this anti-DEI agenda, including its effects on the federal government, higher education, the private sector, and the broader global conversation around fairness and equity. The authors offer diverse perspectives on the lasting impact of this policy shift, highlighting the contrasting experiences and responses in different contexts, including South Africa’s enduring commitment to DEI initiatives, and Canada’s increasing alignment with US restrictive immigration policies. The paper «authors conclude with calls to action, urging continued activism, legal defense, and corporate commitment to DEI initiatives to mitigate the ongoing backlash.

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