Executive Order 14148: Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, 90 Federal Register 8237 (January 28, 2025). (Full Document) "This article was drafted with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model. All content has been reviewed and edited by Vernellia Randall to ensure accuracy and coherence."

 

President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14148, titled "Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions," revokes numerous policies enacted under the Biden administration. These policies were not just any policies, they were designed to advance racial equity, address systemic discrimination, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across federal agencies. The rescission of these policies signals a shift away from federally mandated racial justice initiatives. It may have profound consequences for marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), as well as immigrants, refugees, and other historically disadvantaged groups.

1, The Profound Impact of Rescinding Executive Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communitie   

One of the most consequential actions taken under EO 14148 is the rescission of EO 13985, signed by President Biden on January 20, 2021, to ensure that federal agencies addressed systemic racial disparities. EO 13985 required agencies to:

  1. Conduct equity assessments to identify barriers preventing underserved communities from accessing federal resources.
  2. Develop and implement equity action plans to reduce racial disparities in areas such as housing, education, health care, and economic development.
  3. Create Chief Diversity and Equity Officers in federal agencies to oversee the integration of racial equity principles.

EO 14148 removes the federal government's explicit commitment to addressing structural inequities by eliminating these mandates. The immediate effect is that agencies will no longer be required to examine or mitigate racial disparities in their policies, potentially exacerbating existing inequities in government services and funding allocations.

2. The Rescission of EO 14091 and the Disbandment of the White House Office on Equity

EO 14148 also eliminates EO 14091, which institutionalized Biden's racial equity initiatives and established the White House Office on Equity. This office was not just a bureaucratic entity, it coordinated racial justice efforts across agencies and provided oversight to ensure federal programs equitably served marginalized communities. By dismantling this office, the Trump administration signals that racial equity is no longer a federal priority, removing an essential accountability structure.

Eliminating agency Chief Diversity and Equity Officers further weakens institutional efforts to address discrimination, likely reducing emphasis on racial justice considerations in policymaking and budget allocations.

3. The Dire Implications for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI)

EO 14148 revokes EO 14031, which focused on advancing equity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). EO 14031 established a federal initiative to address the unique challenges these communities face, particularly in the wake of rising anti-Asian hate crimes. By rescinding these protections, EO 14148 may:

  1. Reduce federal resources for AANHPI communities, including funding for economic development, education, and language access programs.
  2. Weaken federal response to anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Eliminate dedicated representation of AANHPI interests in federal policymaking, decreasing attention to issues like workplace discrimination, immigration barriers, and public health disparities.

4. The End of DEI Initiatives in Federal Agencies

EO 14148 directs federal agencies to cease implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Many of these initiatives were designed to:

  1. Increase diversity in federal hiring.
  2. Reduce racial bias in decision-making.
  3. Ensure fair access to contracts and grants for minority-owned businesses.

The rescission of DEI efforts disproportionately impacts Black and Indigenous communities, as well as Latino, Asian, and immigrant populations, by removing mechanisms aimed at leveling the playing field in government employment, contracting, and service delivery. Federal agencies will no longer be required to track or report hiring, promotions, or resource distribution disparities, making it harder to hold institutions accountable for discriminatory practices.

5. Implications for Environmental and Economic Justice

Several rescinded executive orders were designed to address environmental racism—the disproportionate exposure of communities of color to pollution and environmental hazards. The revocation of EO 14008, which directed federal agencies to center environmental justice in policymaking, will likely:

  1. Reduce protections for communities affected by industrial pollution, hazardous waste sites, and climate change-related disasters.
  2. Roll back funding for initiatives to remediate environmental health disparities in low-income and Black communities.

Additionally, the rescission of EO 14058, which expanded access to government benefits and streamlined services for underserved communities, will disproportionately impact low-income and minority populations who rely on federal assistance programs.

6. Reversal of Immigration and Asylum Protections

EO 14148 also rescinds executive orders related to immigration, including those expanding protections for undocumented immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. These changes will likely:

  1. Increase deportations and restrict asylum eligibility for migrants from Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
  2. Reinstate harsh enforcement measures, disproportionately impacting Black and brown immigrant communities.
  3. End protections for DACA recipients and undocumented students, creating legal uncertainty for thousands of young immigrants.

7. Broader Societal Implications

By rescinding these racial equity-focused policies, EO 14148 signals a broader rollback of civil rights protections. The elimination of federal commitments to racial justice may encourage:

  1. State-level restrictions on DEI efforts, particularly in conservative-led states.
  2. Corporate rollbacks of DEI programs, as federal agencies no longer promote workplace diversity.
  3. A chilling effect on racial justice advocacy, as federal institutions distance themselves from equity-based policymaking.

Conclusion

EO 14148 represents a significant retreat from federal commitments to racial equity, dismantling years of efforts to address systemic discrimination. By rescinding Biden-era executive orders on racial justice, environmental justice, and DEI initiatives, the Trump administration is not only removing protections for marginalized communities but also reversing institutional frameworks designed to hold agencies accountable for racial disparities. The long-term effects will likely deepen economic, social, and political inequalities, disproportionately harming Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latino communities. This potential harm to our most vulnerable populations should be a cause for immediate concern.