U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced to all grantees that the Trump Administration will not enforce Biden-era DEI and Green New Scam policies or requirements. Grantees were forced to comply with directives that were not based in any statute or regulation.
“It’s a new day in America, where common sense is in the driver’s seat. Our roads, rails, skies, and waters will be safer for it. The public wants to see their hard-earned dollars going towards safety and efficiency standards – not woke DEI or American Energy-killing ideas,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
Key Letter Excerpts:
“[President Donald Trump’s] E.O.s direct Federal agencies, where and as consistent with law, to identify and eliminate all orders, directives, rules, regulations, notices, guidance documents, funding agreements, programs, and policy statements, or portions thereof, which were authorized, adopted, or approved between noon on January 20, 2021 and noon on January 20, 2025, and which reference or relate in any way to climate change, “greenhouse gas” emissions, racial equity, gender identity, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” goals, environmental justice, or the Justice 40 Initiative.”
…
“…I write to clarify that the Department will no longer enforce these policies, or any other requirements incorporated into its Federal financial assistance agreements that are inconsistent with the policy objectives of this Administration and cur rent DOT leadership. More specifically, the Department considers any policies or requirements not based in statute or regulation relating or referring to climate change, “greenhouse gas” emissions, racial equity, gender identity, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” goals, environmental justice, and the Justice 40 Initiative that were incorporated into the terms, schedules, exhibits, and attachments of its Federal financial assistance agreements to be null and void and of no effect. Recipients of DOT Federal financial assistance are hereby released of their obligations to comply with these policies and requirements effective immediately.”
Additional Information:
The letter references President Trump’s Executive Orders, including:
- E.O. 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service;
- E.O. 14151, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing;
- E.O. 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government;
- E.O. 14149, Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship;
- E.O. 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity; and
- E.O. 14154, Unleashing American Energy.
In April, Secretary Duffy sent a letter to all federal transportation funding recipients to remind them that federal dollars come with strings attached and compliance with federal law is a clear obligation.