All articles tagged with #dei
IBM has agreed to pay about $17 million to settle U.S. DOJ allegations that its diversity, equity and inclusion practices in federal contracting involved false claims about hiring and promotion practices. IBM denies discriminatory conduct, and the settlement is described as not an admission of liability. The case fits a broader post‑Trump crackdown on DEI initiatives in government contracting under the False Claims Act.
President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting racially discriminatory DEI practices by federal contractors and their subcontractors, requiring a DEI-discrimination clause in contracts under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, directing the OMB to issue compliance guidance and identify risky sectors, and allowing contract termination, suspension, or debarment for noncompliance. The order also directs the Attorney General to pursue False Claims Act actions and to align Federal Acquisition Regulations to enforce the ban, framing DEI as costly and counter to merit-based, efficient government contracting; it forms part of a broader effort to end DEI across the federal government.
Rachel Lindsay criticizes ABC and The Bachelor franchise on her Higher Learning podcast, arguing the series has treated people of color as “risks” and highlighting ongoing DEI debates around Taylor Frankie Paul’s canceled Bachelorette season. She says she watched an unaired first episode where contestants were aware of Paul’s past arrest, and notes newer allegations that emerged after filming. Lindsay also points to perceived double standards in fan reactions to Black leads versus controversial white leads, suggesting the season’s turmoil and Paul’s probation could cast a long shadow over the franchise’s future and its diversity initiatives.
Despite Rev. Jamal Bryant’s announcement that the Target fast ended, Black women organizers say the boycott remains alive and leadership will decide when it ends; Target says it is not pledging new DEI commitments. Minnesota organizers and national figures like Mallory and Turner insist the movement continues, citing broken promises and ongoing economic harm to Black women.
Leaders of a yearlong boycott over Target's diversity initiatives say they're ending the protest after Target reaffirmed its plan to invest $2 billion in Black-owned businesses, completing a long-standing commitment. The retailer says no policies were reversed despite conversations with leadership, and CEO Michael Fiddelke is framing the moment as a reputational reset. Analysts say the boycott had limited impact on sales, which were already under pressure, while Target emphasizes growth for diverse communities and the broader consumer base.
Ed Martin, a longtime Justice Department official aligned with the Trump administration, has been formally accused by Washington, DC’s disciplinary counsel of ethical violations related to a letter he sent to Georgetown Law criticizing its diversity initiatives and stating the DOJ would not hire graduates from the school. The complaint also alleges he improperly contacted judges directly, triggering a disciplinary process that could lead to sanctions or loss of his license. The case represents one of the first major bar-ethics actions against a high‑profile Trump-era official.
Scouting America says it will roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies, including discontinuing the Citizensihp in Society badge, under a Pentagon-backed deal to preserve on-base access and support for its next four-year jamboree. The group maintains it will continue to welcome all youth, including girls and transgender participants, and has not reverted to the Boy Scouts of America name, despite criticism from critics like Pete Hegseth.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon will review Scouting America's partnership and could pull support if the organization doesn’t overhaul policies, including measures affecting transgender youths and adding a Military Service merit badge; Scouting America says it will implement reforms (such as waiving registration fees for military families and launching a Military Service badge) while keeping its name and continuing to serve girls, noting a long history of military ties and evolving inclusivity.
Ron DeSantis, backed by Donald Trump, is spearheading a red-state campaign to replace the current college accreditors with a conservative-led alternative, funded in part by a $1 million Education Department grant; several states are weighing or passing bills to switch to the new accreditor, arguing for less DEI-driven evaluation and more competition, while critics warn the move could politicize accreditation and disrupt access to federal student aid.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast alleging sex discrimination for hosting a two-day networking event for about 250 female employees at a Connecticut casino, excluding men; Coca-Cola itself is not named as a defendant. The case, a test of Trump-era DEI skepticism, centers on whether excluding a protected class from an employer-sponsored event violates federal law; attendees were excused from duties and had hotel costs covered.
As America nears its 250th anniversary, the White House’s rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and moves to reshape how Black history is taught collide with critics’ warnings that civil-rights protections are at risk; federal agencies and cultural institutions have revised or removed Black history content, DEI offices are downsized, and debates over how history is preserved and narrated intensify.
Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to Costco CEO in 2024 and has steered the retailer toward visible, sometimes controversial positions—backing DEI policies and suing the Trump administration over tariffs. Analysts say Costco’s loyalty (more than 90% member renewal) and low turnover make it more resilient to blowback, allowing the company to take stands many peers avoid. The leadership emphasizes a bipartisan reputation and internal culture, helping Costco weather political headwinds while maintaining its value-focused brand.
A federal appeals court in Richmond’s 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a bid to block President Trump’s executive orders to end DEI programs at federal agencies and government contractors, overturning a district injunction. The panel said the challenge could be addressed by how agencies apply the orders to grant recipients rather than striking them down, effectively allowing enforcement to continue. Plaintiffs Baltimore, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the AAUP are reviewing the ruling; the White House did not immediately comment.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is probing Nike for alleged discrimination against White employees, citing Nike’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion targets. The agency’s subpoena seeks information back to 2018 on race-based workforce quotas, layoffs and promotions allegedly influenced by race, and 16 mentoring programs that were race-restricted. Nike says it’s cooperating and called the action a surprising escalation. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas says the agency is renewing its focus on evenhanded enforcement of Title VII, reflecting a broader shift in enforcement priorities under the current administration’s stance on DEI initiatives.
The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index shows a 65% drop in Fortune 500 participation, from 377 companies in 2025 to 131 in 2026. Of 1,450 participating firms, 534 earned a top score of 100, representing nearly 6 million U.S. employees. The decline mirrors a broader anti-DEI movement, with major names like Walmart, Ford, and Lowe’s exiting, citing political climate and contracting considerations.