The Biden administration has pursued an ambitious “equity” agenda, introducing policies that prioritize certain racial groups over others under the guise of promoting fairness. President Joe Biden’s “day one” executive order directed federal agencies to implement equity action plans, embedding racial preferences into numerous programs. While these policies were presented as measures to address systemic inequities, critics argue they have institutionalized discrimination, violating constitutional principles of equality.
As a response to these policies, former President Donald Trump and his allies have pledged to dismantle the “equity” agenda if given the opportunity. This article explores four immediate steps that could be taken to replace Biden’s race-based policies with programs grounded in equal treatment and constitutional principles.
One of President Biden’s first acts in office was to sign the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity, which mandated federal agencies to embed equity-driven initiatives in their operations. This directive has led to over 500 race-based policies across more than 80 agencies. These initiatives have influenced hiring practices, promotions, public benefits, and federal funding programs, resulting in widespread disparities in how resources are allocated.
To reverse this, Trump could issue an executive order rescinding Biden’s directive. By doing so, federal agencies would be reoriented toward promoting equality under the law rather than prioritizing certain racial groups. A new executive order could emphasize individual merit and equal treatment, rejecting the group-based racial stereotyping embedded in the equity agenda.
Such a policy shift would send a strong signal to........