Trump orders end to federal enforcement of "disparate impact" civil rights protections, removing a key tool against systemic bias in jobs, housing, and lending. Critics warn the move could worsen inequality and face major legal challenges.
President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to stop enforcing civil rights laws based on "disparate impact", a legal principle that targets unintentional policies that disproportionately harm protected groups like women and minorities. This change affects areas like employment, housing, education, and lending.
What is Disparate Impact?
"Disparate impact" refers to policies that seem neutral but result in unequal outcomes for certain groups. It was first recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971 (Griggs v. Duke Power), and later added into law by Congress in 1991. The concept has been widely used to hold employers and institutions accountable even when discrimination isn’t intentional, encouraging more inclusive practices.
Why is Trump Opposed?
In an April executive order, Trump argued that disparate impact lawsuits undermine merit-based decisions and are part of a broader agenda to prioritize diversity over qualifications. He believes these rules unfairly assume discrimination exists when group outcomes differ, even for legitimate reasons.
What Do Advocates Say?
Civil rights groups argue that the disparate impact standard is crucial to uncover and address systemic discrimination. They say the removal of this tool could worsen existing inequalities and make it harder to hold organizations accountable for biased outcomes.
Examples of Disparate Impact:
- Physical tests that disproportionately screen out women or older workers
- Refusing to hire individuals with criminal records, which can disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic applicants
- Loan denial policies based on credit scores, which may impact minority groups more heavily
- Such policies are legal if they're necessary for the business, like requiring law degrees for lawyers.
What Does the Order Do?
Trump's directive tells federal agencies, including those overseeing employment, housing, and lending to stop using disparate impact in enforcement and reconsider existing cases and settlements. That could undo past agreements that required anti-discrimination reforms.
What Happens Next?
The move is likely to halt some government investigations and discourage new ones. Legal challenges are expected from civil rights groups and Democratic officials, arguing the executive order goes beyond Trump’s legal authority. Many of his recent executive actions have already faced lawsuits.
Republicans are hailing President Donald Trump’s newly passed tax legislation as a historic cut—but buried within it is a federal fee hike for electric and hybrid vehicles that critics say punishes clean energy consumers and risks stalling EV progress.
The Trump administration has frozen funding and revoked visa rights at Harvard, sparking legal battles and debate over academic freedom, international students, and the future of U.S. universities.
Donald Trump is reportedly considering lifting all Biden-era limits on Ukraine’s military operations, including strikes inside Russia, as Western officials signal growing support for Kyiv following intensified Russian attacks.
A Memorial Day gathering at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park turned tragic as gunfire erupted, leaving two dead and nine injured, authorities said.
U.S. President Donald Trump voices frustration over renewed attacks in Ukraine and slow peace talks.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says rising energy prices are the main economic concern for her government.
UK coastal waters are experiencing record-breaking temperatures, up to 4°C above average, in what experts call a “super intense” marine heatwave — a possible harbinger of extreme summer weather ahead.
Republicans are hailing President Donald Trump’s newly passed tax legislation as a historic cut—but buried within it is a federal fee hike for electric and hybrid vehicles that critics say punishes clean energy consumers and risks stalling EV progress.
Pope Leo XIV met with Napoli’s soccer team at the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate their Serie A victory. Napoli clinched the title, known as the "Scudetto" after beating Cagliari, finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan.
Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov met with Green Climate Fund Executive Director Mafalda Duarte to explore deeper cooperation on climate initiatives, including plans to open a regional GCF office in Uzbekistan.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
In a region long defined by conflict and complex history, AnewZ set out to hear the voices that matter most- those of the people.
With less than a week until Poland’s decisive 1 June run-off, every new survey suggests the country is heading for its tightest presidential finish in a generation.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says rising energy prices are the main economic concern for her government.
Pope Leo XIV met with Napoli’s soccer team at the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate their Serie A victory. Napoli clinched the title, known as the "Scudetto" after beating Cagliari, finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan.
The FBI is launching new investigations into two high-profile cases: the leak of a 2022 Supreme Court draft decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House.
Japan has lost its decades long status as the global top creditor to Germany. A recent report suggests that a weakening yen, appreciating euro and American tariffs are responsible.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says rising energy prices are the main economic concern for her government.
UK coastal waters are experiencing record-breaking temperatures, up to 4°C above average, in what experts call a “super intense” marine heatwave — a possible harbinger of extreme summer weather ahead.
Republicans are hailing President Donald Trump’s newly passed tax legislation as a historic cut—but buried within it is a federal fee hike for electric and hybrid vehicles that critics say punishes clean energy consumers and risks stalling EV progress.
Pope Leo XIV met with Napoli’s soccer team at the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate their Serie A victory. Napoli clinched the title, known as the "Scudetto" after beating Cagliari, finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan.
Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov met with Green Climate Fund Executive Director Mafalda Duarte to explore deeper cooperation on climate initiatives, including plans to open a regional GCF office in Uzbekistan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment