The Republican lawmakers are introducing bills that rollback diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the United States. President Joe Biden’s advisers are warning that a Donald Trump victory in 2024 would only accelerate this process. Trump’s allies, led by former White House adviser Stephen Miller, are using civil rights-era laws to combat “anti-white racism” and targeting programs that provide economic opportunities for communities of color, DEI initiatives from 2020’s “racial reckoning,” and even sports leagues like the NFL. If Trump is re-elected, they plan to eliminate government programs that attempt to redress decades of racist policies.
According to a report from Axios, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung stated that all staff, offices, and initiatives connected to Biden’s policies will be immediately terminated if Trump wins in November. Former Rep. Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of the Biden campaign, emphasized the need for Black voters to pay attention to Trump’s plans, warning that he would gut programs that give communities of color economic opportunities and make life harder for Black and brown folks. There is concern among Democratic strategists about GOP plans to target Black men in the next election and fears that Black voters may stay home or vote for third-party candidates.
Stephen Miller, known for pushing white nationalism and xenophobia, is leading the effort to combat DEI initiatives. His right-wing nonprofit group America First Legal has filed numerous lawsuits against “woke” corporations, accusing them of discriminating against white men. These lawsuits, many citing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, are laying the legal groundwork for Trump’s Justice Department to eliminate programs aimed at countering racism. The Biden-Harris campaign’s director of Black media, Jasmine Harris, expressed concern for Black Americans, stating that Trump’s actions will make their lives worse by using laws from the Civil Rights Movement against them.
The Heritage Foundation has also joined the effort to roll back DEI initiatives with Project 2025, a playbook outlining policies for the next conservative administration. The initiative includes reshaping the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to focus on returning to “lawfulness.” Trump has promised his supporters that he will eliminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the federal government, reaffirming his commitment to this goal. With polling showing a slip in Biden’s support from Black voters, Democrats are concerned about the potential impact of Trump and Miller’s plans to target communities of color.
The warning about Trump’s plans comes amidst a backdrop of increasing racism from the former president and his supporters, raising concerns for Black Americans. The report and recent examples of racism serve as a reminder that Trump is willing to use laws from the Civil Rights Movement against communities of color to further his own agenda. The stakes of the upcoming election are raised for Black voters, who must consider the potential implications of a Trump victory on their lives and the programs that support economic opportunities and equity for their communities.
