Trump Administration Rolls Back Decades of Progress and Upends Civil Rights Protections, Enforcement, and Rule of Law
The Trump administration has launched an all-out assault on equity, civil rights, racial justice, and the rule of law. The onslaught of Executive Orders and other policies issued during the first month of the administration, the gutting of federal agencies, and the withholding of funds allocated by Congress have and will continue to cause significant harm to low-income consumers, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. These actions threaten core civil rights and consumer protections and chill freedom of speech.
Progress made to close the Racial Wealth Gap and redress systemic discrimination in the housing and credit markets is at risk. New forms of digital discrimination, amplified by artificial intelligence, will flourish. These actions follow years of well-funded attacks on race and equity-conscious programs and policies, largely funded by private groups to water down civil rights protections.
This issue brief covers three policy changes or other actions that are particularly harmful and undermine the economic stability of low-income consumers, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, along with a call to action by NCLC and other civil rights organizations:
- The Trump Administration’s abolishment of equity-based initiatives and programs, including those designed to provide economic opportunity for all families.
- The Trump Administration’s attempt to destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will fuel discrimination and predatory and abusive lending in financial markets.
- The Trump Administration’s tear-down of HUD makes housing more expensive for renters and homeowners and provides a foundation for discrimination to flourish.
Much is at stake for low-income consumers, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities as pivotal agencies and programs are decimated by the current administration. The actions of the Trump Administration will have long-term sustained impact and devastating consequences for many vulnerable communities even if quickly overturned. States must provide a firewall against the erosion of civil rights on the federal level. Quick action is necessary to stem the bleeding and foster a government that works for all people.
See all resources related to: Equity & Racial Justice