Court Blocks Executive Order Banning Certain Forms of Diversity Training for Federal Contractors
January 07, 2021
In September 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, which prohibited certain diversity training programs for federal employees and contractors. However, a federal judge has issued a nationwide injunction blocking enforcement of the Order. The injunction prevents the Department of Labor and other executive departments from enforcing the Order as to any government contractors and grant recipients. As a result of this court ruling, federal contractors may return to implementing diversity and inclusion trainings as they see fit, without fear of running afoul of the Order. The Trump administration may attempt to appeal the court’s decision, but it is unlikely any decision from the appellate court would be issued before the inauguration on January 20, 2021. President-elect Biden has expressed opposition to the Order, and it is unlikely his Department of Justice will continue to seek its enforcement in court.
