Executive Order Tracker: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Actions

Executive Order Tracker

Below are brief analyses of relevant Administrative Actions—including Executive Orders (EOs), Proclamations, Memoranda, and Guidance—issued by President Trump, ordered with the most recent Actions first. Expand each item by clicking on it to learn more. 

Every day we are doing in-depth analysis of these Administrative Actions. If you’d like to learn more about what these mean for you and your business, don’t hesitate to contact us regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Executive Orders, and information for additional subjects can be accessed using the links below.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)  |  Energy  |  Federal Government  |  Financial Services  |  Health Care
Higher Education  |  Immigration  |  Trade  |  Recission of Biden EOs  |  Additional Recissions  |  Other EOs

Addressing Risks from Susman Godfrey

April 9, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Directs the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Susman Godfrey.

    Requires government contracting agencies to require government contractors to disclose any business they do with Susman Godfrey and whether that business is related to the subject of the government contract. Further directs heads of all agencies to review all contracts with Susman Godfrey or with entities that disclose doing business with Susman Godfrey and take steps to terminate any contract for which Susman Godfrey has been hired to perform any service.

    Provides that nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the action authorized by section 4 of EO 14230 of March 6, 2025 (“Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP”), which directs the Attorney General to investigate the practices of large law firms who do business with Federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take “any additional actions the Attorney General deems appropriate in light of the evidence uncovered.” 

    Directs the heads of all agencies to provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Susman Godfrey. In addition, the heads of all agencies must provide guidance limiting government employees from engaging with Susman Godfrey employees and agency officials must refrain from hiring employees of Susman Godfrey.
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Attorney General; the Director of National Intelligence; all relevant heads of executive departments and agencies; and Director of OMB
  • Topics: Law firms; security clearances; government contracts
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14250: Addressing Risks from WilmerHale

March 27, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Directs the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at WilmerHale.

    Requires government contracting agencies to require government contractors to disclose any business they do with WilmerHale and whether that business is related to the subject of the government contract. Further directs heads of all agencies to review all contracts with WilmerHale or with entities that disclose doing business with WilmerHale and take steps to terminate any contract for which WilmerHale has been hired to perform any service.

    Within 30 days of the date of this order, all agencies must submit to the OMB Director an assessment of contracts with WilmerHale or with entities that do business with WilmerHale and any actions taken with respect to those contracts in accordance with this EO. 

    Provides that nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the action authorized by section 4 of EO 14230 of March 6, 2025 (“Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP”), which directs the Attorney General to investigate the practices of large law firms who do business with Federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take “any additional actions the Attorney General deems appropriate in light of the evidence uncovered.”

    Directs the heads of all agencies to provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of WilmerHale. In addition, the heads of all agencies must provide guidance limiting government employees from engaging with WilmerHale employees and agency officials must refrain from hiring employees of WilmerHale.
  • Notes: This EO is subject to ongoing litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (case number: 1:25-cv-00917). On March 28, 2025, the court issued a temporary restraining order with respect to Sections 3 and 5 of the EO. Section 3 of the EO, in part, requires government contracting agencies to terminate contracts with WilmerHale and Section 5 of the EO orders agency heads to limit official access of WilmerHale employees from federal government buildings, limit government employees from engaging with WilmerHale employees, and from hiring WilmerHale employees. 
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Attorney General; the Director of National Intelligence; all relevant heads of executive departments and agencies; and Director of OMB
  • Topics: Law firms; security clearances; government contracts
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14246: Addressing Risks from Jenner & Block

March 25, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Directs the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Jenner & Block. 

    Requires government contracting agencies to require government contractors to disclose any business they do with Jenner & Block and whether that business is related to the subject of the government contract. Further directs heads of all agencies to review all contracts with Jenner & Block or with entities that disclose doing business with Jenner & Block and take steps to terminate any contract for which Jenner & Block has been hired to perform any service. 

    Within 30 days of the date of this order, all agencies must submit to the OMB Director an assessment of contracts with Jenner & Block or with entities that do business with Jenner & Block and any actions taken with respect to those contracts in accordance with this EO.

    Provides that nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the action authorized by section 4 of EO 14230 of March 6, 2025 (“Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP”), which directs the Attorney General to investigate the practices of large law firms who do business with Federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take “any additional actions the Attorney General deems appropriate in light of the evidence uncovered.”

    Directs the heads of all agencies to provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Jenner & Block. In addition, the heads of all agencies must provide guidance limiting government employees from engaging with Jenner & Block employees and agency officials must refrain from hiring employees of Jenner & Block. 
  • Notes: This EO is subject to ongoing litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (case number: 1:25-cv-00916). On March 28, 2025, the court issued a temporary restraining order regarding sections 1, 3, and 5 of the EO. Section 1 of the EO explained the administration’s rationale for implementing the EO. Section 3 of the EO, in part, requires government contracting agencies to terminate contracts with Jenner & Block and Section 5 of the EO orders agency heads to limit official access of Jenner & Block employees from federal government buildings, limit government employees from engaging with Jenner & Block employees, and from hiring Jenner & Block employees.
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: The Attorney General; the Director of National Intelligence; all relevant heads of executive departments and agencies; and Director of OMB
  • Topics: Law firms; security clearances; government contracts
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

What To Do If You Experience Discrimination Related to DEI at Work

What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work

March 19, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) released these two technical assistance documents focused on educating the public about unlawful discrimination related to DEI in the workplace and what to do if an individual experiences discrimination related to DEI at work.  
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: The general public including employees, potential and actual applicants, interns, and training program participants
  • Topics: DEI; workplace discrimination
  • Learn More: Visit the links below for additional information:

Removing Discrimination and Discriminatory Equity Ideology From the Foreign Service

March 19, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Directs the removal of the “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility” Core Precept from Foreign Service tenure and promotion criteria. Directs that the following actions are forbidden:
    • Foreign Service recruitment, hiring, promotion, or retention decisions upon an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; and
    • Employees who, while acting in an official capacity, promote, advocate for, or otherwise inculcate support for discriminatory equity ideology.

    Further directs that if any current Foreign Service members have knowingly and willfully engaged in “unconstitutional or otherwise illegal discrimination based upon race or other protected characteristics, including actions motivated by discriminatory equity ideology,” then the Secretary of State or other agency head authorized by law to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system must:

    • With respect to Foreign Service Members appointed by a Secretary whom that Secretary finds to have engaged in such discrimination, “take appropriate action; and
    • With respect to Foreign Service Members appointed by the President, determine whether to refer any findings of discrimination for the President’s consideration or take appropriate action under the Secretary’s own authority.
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Secretary of State; any agency head whose agency is authorized by law to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system
  • Topics: DEI; foreign affairs; government workforce
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14237: Addressing Risks from Paul Weiss

EO 14244: Addressing Remedial Action by Paul Weiss

March 14; March 21, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Directs the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Paul Weiss.

    Requires heads of all agencies to review all contracts with Paul Weiss or with entities that disclose doing business with Paul Weiss and take steps to terminate any contract for which Paul Weiss has been hired to perform any service. Within 30 days of the date of this order, all agencies must submit to the OMB Director an assessment of contracts with Paul Weiss or with entities that do business with Paul Weiss and any actions taken with respect to those contracts in accordance with this EO.

    Provides that nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the action authorized by section 4 of Executive Order 14230 of March 6, 2025 (“Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP”), which directs the Attorney General to investigate the practices of large law firms who do business with Federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take “any additional actions the Attorney General deems appropriate in light of the evidence uncovered.”

    Directs the heads of all agencies to provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Paul Weiss. In addition, the heads of all agencies must provide guidance limiting government employees from engaging with Paul Weiss employees and agency officials must refrain from hiring employees of Paul Weiss.

    Revokes EO 14237. The EO notes that Paul Weiss agreed to “committing to merit-based hiring, promotion, and retention, instead of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies” and dedicating $40 million in pro bono services to support Trump Administrative initiatives, including helping military veterans, "fairness in the justice system," and other issues. 
  • Notes: On March 20, 2025, President Trump rescinded this EO after Paul Weiss agreed to not pursue DEI efforts and to dedicate $40 million in pro bono services to support Trump Administrative initiatives, including helping military veterans, "fairness in the Justice System," and other issues. 
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: The Attorney General; the Director of National Intelligence; all relevant heads of executive departments and agencies; and Director of OMB
  • Topics: Law firms; security clearances; government contracts
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website:

EO 14230: Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP

March 6, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Directs the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Perkins Coie.

    Directs the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to review the practices of representative large, influential, or industry leading law firms for consistency with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

    Directs the Attorney General to investigate the practices of large law firms who do business with Federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take "any additional actions the Attorney General deems appropriate in light of the evidence uncovered." 
  • Notes: Sections of this EO are subject to a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (case number 1:25-cv-00716), including the sections that:
    • Set forth the purpose of this EO, including claims that Perkins Coie has engaged in "dishonest and dangerous activity", worked "to judicially overturn popular, necessary, and democratically enacted election laws", and "racially discriminates against its own attorneys and staff";
    • Require the heads of agencies to take steps to terminate any contract for which Perkins Coie has been hired to perform any service and assess contracts with Perkins Coie or with entities that do business with Perkins Coie; and
    • Limit official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Perkins Coie and refrain from hiring employees of Perkins Coie.
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: The Attorney General; the Director of National Intelligence; all relevant heads of executive departments and agencies; Director of OMB; the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and State Attorneys General
  • Topics: Law firms; security clearances; government contracts
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety

January 30, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior four years to “achieve uncompromised aviation safety . . . .” The review must be consistent with the Presidential Memorandum entitled “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation.” 
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
  • Topics: Aviation; DEI
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14185: Restoring America's Fighting Force

January 27, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Sets forth the policy of the administration that the Armed Forces should operate free from any preference based on race or sex. 

    Requires the removal of DEI offices, sub-offices, programs, elements, or initiatives within the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. Prohibits the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense from promoting, advancing, or inculcating an enumerated set of “un-American, divisive, discriminatory, radical, extremist, and irrational theories ...”  
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Topics: Defense; DEI; gender; race 
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation

January 21, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Orders the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to immediately return to “non-discriminatory, merit-based hiring, as required by law.” Directs all DEI initiatives, including “dangerous preferencing policies or practices” be immediately rescinded in favor of hiring, promoting, and otherwise treating employees on the basis of individual capability, competence, achievement, and dedication. Directs the same individuals to “review the past performance and performance standards of all individuals in critical safety positions and take all appropriate action to ensure that any individual who fails or has failed to demonstrate requisite capability is replaced by a high-capability individual." 
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
  • Topics: DEI
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14173: Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

January 21, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Explains that DEI and DEIA policies violate civil rights laws and that it is the policy of the administration to “combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.” Provides for the termination of all discriminatory and illegal preferences (i.e., DEI preferences), mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, and consent orders. Requires agencies to enforce civil-rights laws and combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities. Terminates a number of previously issued EOs related to DEI. 
  • Notes: This EO is the subject of four pending federal lawsuits, one filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (case number: 1:25-cv-333), one filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (case number: 1:25-cv-00471), one filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (case number 3:25-cv-1824), and one filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (case number 1:25-cv-2005).

    On February 21, 2025, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction with respect to (1) the EO’s directive that every contract or grant award require the counterparty or grant recipient agree that it is compliant with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws and that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate applicable federal anti-discrimination laws (Section 3(b)(iv) of the EO) and (2) the EO’s directive that requires the Attorney General to submit a report that identifies a plan of specific steps and measures to deter DEI programs or principles that constitute illegal discrimination or preferences and to identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigation of enumerated private entities (Section 4(b)(iii) of the EO). 

    Additionally, the preliminary injunction prohibits the government from requiring any grantee or contractor to make any certification or from bringing any False Claims Act enforcement action, or other enforcement action, premised on the aforementioned certification provision. On March 14, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit stayed the district court’s preliminary injunction pending appeal (case number: 25-1189).
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: All executive departments and agencies; Director of OMB; Attorney General; and Secretary of Education
  • Topics: DEI
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14170: Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service

January 20, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Requires the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, in conjunction with others, to create a federal hiring plan that, in part, prevents the hiring of individuals based on their race, sex, or religion. 
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy
  • Topics: DEI; federal workforce
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14168: Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government

January 20, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Provides that it is U.S. policy to recognize two sexes, male and female, and that “[t]hese sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.” Requires the Executive Branch to enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this “reality” and establishes definitions to govern Executive interpretation of and application of Federal law and administration policy.

    On February 19, 2025, the Administration released guidance entitled, "Defining Sex: Guidance for Federal Agencies, External Partners, and the Public Implementing Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government".

    On March 5, 2025 CMS issued an alert to hospital providers “to the dangerous chemical and surgical mutilation of children, including interventions that cause sterilization.” CMS explained that it may begin to take “steps in the future to align policy, including CMS-regulated provider requirements and agreements,” to prevent this type of care. 

    On March 5, 2025, HRSA issued an alert to stakeholders that it will review its policies, grants, and programs in light of the aforementioned CMS alert. HRSA specifically referenced that it will review its Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program for consistency with the CMS alert described above. Based on this review, the agency explains that it may “re-scope, delay, or potentially cancel new grants in the future depending on the nature of the work and any future policy change(s) HRSA may make.” 

    On March 6, 2025, SAMHSA alerted its “colleagues and grantees” stating that it will review its policies, grants, and programs in light of the concerns discussed in the March 5, 2025 CMS alert and may begin to take steps in the future to appropriately update its policies “to protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation.” SAMHSA said it may also consider “re-scoping, delaying, or potentially cancelling new grants in the future depending on the nature of the work and any future policy change(s) SAMHSA may make.” 

    On March 17, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs, citing this EO, announced that it will phase out medical treatments for gender dysphoria.      
  • Notes: The provision of this EO that would require transgender individuals to be housed in Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities based on their biological sex and that would prevent the BOP from generally providing gender-affirming care is subject to a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (case number 1:25-cv-00286). 

    The provision of this EO that would condition or withhold federal funding based on the fact that a healthcare entity or health professional provides gender affirming medical care to a patient under the age of 19 is subject to a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland  (case number 8:25-cv-00337). The court subsequently issued a preliminary injunction on March 3, 2025.

    This EO is the subject of pending federal lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court of Columbia (case number 1:25-cv-00471), the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (case number 3:25-cv-01824), the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (case number 1:25-cv-00691), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire (case number 1:24-cv-00251), and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (case number 1:25-cv-01918).

    The provisions of this EO that would condition or withhold federal funding based on the fact that a healthcare entity or health professional provides gender affirming medical care to a patient is subject to a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington (case number 2:25-cv-00244). Of note this preliminary injunction only applies to Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. In a subsequent order, on March 17, 2025, the court clarified that the preliminary injunction encompasses all gender affirming services for individuals with gender dysphoria (e.g., therapy, mental health care) and patient care provided during research studies. 
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Secretary of HHS; Secretary of State; Secretary of Homeland Security; Director of OPM; Attorney General; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs; Secretary of Labor; General Counsel and Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and Director of OMB
  • Topics: Gender; sex
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14151: Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing

January 20, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Requires the Director of OMB, assisted by the Attorney General and the Director of the OPM to terminate all DEI and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government. Also provides that Federal employment practices, including Federal employee performance reviews, “shall reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work and shall not consider DEI or DEIA factors, goals, policies, mandates, or requirements.” 
  • Notes:  This EO is the subject of four pending federal lawsuits, one filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (case number: 1:25-cv-00333), one filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (case number: 1:25-cv-00471),  one filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (case number 3:25-cv-01824), and one filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (case number 1:25-cv-02005). 

    On February 21, 2025, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction regarding the provision of the EO that would require agencies and departments to terminate equity-related grants or contracts. Additionally, the preliminary injunction prohibits (1) the federal government from pausing, freezing, impeding, blocking, canceling, or terminating any awards, contracts, or obligations and (2) from bringing any False Claims Act enforcement action, or any other enforcement action, based on the aforementioned termination provision. On March 14, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit stayed the district court’s preliminary injunction pending appeal (case number: 25-1189).

    Section 2(b) of this EO that directs the termination of “equity-related” grants or contracts is subject to a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 2:25-cv-02152).
  • Agencies Receiving Instructions: Director of OMB; Attorney General; and Director of OPM 
  • Topics: DEI
  • Learn More: Visit The White House website.

EO 14148: Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Action

January 20, 2025 — Details ⮟
  • Overview: Rescinds various Biden Administration policies on DEI and advancing equity:
    • Executive Order 13985 of January 20, 2021 ("Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government")
    • Executive Order 13988 of January 20, 2021 ("Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation")
    • Executive Order 14020 of March 8, 2021 ("Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council")
    • Executive Order 14021 of March 8, 2021 ("Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free From Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Including Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity")
    • Executive Order 14031 of May 28, 2021 ("Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders")
    • Executive Order 14035 of June 25, 2021 ("Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce")
    • Executive Order 14045 of September 13, 2021 ("White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics")
    • Executive Order 14049 of October 11, 2021 ("White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities")
    • Executive Order 14050 of October 19, 2021 ("White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans")
    • Executive Order 14075 of June 15, 2022 ("Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals")
    • Executive Order 14091 of February 16, 2023 ("Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government")

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