Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

On January 21, 2025, President [Name not provided in the document] issued Executive Order 14173, aiming to eliminate what he describes as illegal discrimination and restore merit-based opportunities across American institutions. This order mandates federal agencies to terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices deemed discriminatory, revoking several past executive orders that promoted diversity and inclusion in federal operations. The order could significantly impact federal and private sectors by reshaping hiring and contracting processes, potentially leading to legal challenges regarding civil rights enforcement and the balance between diversity efforts and merit-based systems.