Trump Administration

Recent remarks from Trump Administration senior officials signal an expanding federal focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives—particularly where they intersect with corporate hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions.

DOJ Elevates DEI-Related FCA Investigations to “Expedited Priority Treatment”

At the February 19, 2026 annual qui tam conference hosted by the Federal Bar Association, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official emphasized that investigations into DEI-related employment practices are “receiving expedited priority treatment.”… Continue Reading

On February 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued a Notice announcing new minimum wage rates for workers performing work on or in connection with federal contracts covered by the 2014 Obama-era Executive Order 13658, which established a minimum wage for federal contractors and subcontractors. Effective May 11, 2026, the minimum wage for certain federal contracts will be $13.65 per hour for regular employees and $9.55 per hour for tipped employees.… Continue Reading

On December 10, 2025, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in Minnesota federal court against Minneapolis Public Schools (“MPS”) Special School District No. 1, its Board of Directors, and the MPS Superintendent. The Complaint alleges that the Defendants are discriminating against teachers based on their race, color, sex, and national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, based on provisions in the Defendants’ collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the teachers’ union.… Continue Reading

The City of Seattle recently succeeded in securing a partial injunction against the Trump Administration’s enforcement of two executive orders (EOs) under which the Administration threatened to withhold millions in federal grant funding to the City. Judge Barbara J. Rothstein’s decision in the Western District of Washington, if upheld on appeal, has significant implications for federal grant recipients and the conditions that may be imposed on federal funding related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender issues.… Continue Reading

Earlier last month, the Senate confirmed over 100 of President Trump’s nominees en bloc in a 51‑47 party-line vote. The confirmed nominees included Brittany Bull Panuccio as an EEOC Commissioner, Andrew Rogers as Administrator of the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division, Jonathan Berry as Solicitor for the DOL.

EEOC Commissioner Brittany Bull Panuccio

Prior to her May 6, 2025, nomination by President Trump, Panuccio worked as an assistant US Attorney in Florida handling criminal and civil appeals.… Continue Reading

After briefly releasing — and then quickly withdrawing — its regulatory agenda last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) has republished its Spring 2025 unified agenda.  According to the DOL’s press release, the Spring 2025 agenda reflects a focus on transparency, deregulatory actions, and clarifying employer obligations across a range of labor and employment issues.… Continue Reading

Marc Seawright, former Director of Information Governance and Strategy at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), submitted a formal complaint with the EEOC alleging discrimination and harassment based on sex (specifically, gender identity and sexual orientation), as well as a hostile work environment. Seawright, who identifies as a queer transgender man, resigned from his position on June 18, 2025.… Continue Reading

Entities receiving federal funds, including educational institutions, state and local governments, and public and private employers, must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics, according to the latest guidance issued by the Department of Justice.… Continue Reading

A federal judge in Texas issued a decision on May 15, 2025, striking down portions of the EEOC’s Enforcement Guidance on protections against employment discrimination based on gender identity and/or sexual orientation. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, who has served as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas since appointed by President Trump in 2019, found that the EEOC had exceeded its statutory authority in issuing the guidance and granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, thereby vacating the guidance nationwide.… Continue Reading

The 2024 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection window opened on May 20, 2025, and the deadline to file the 2024 EEO-1 Component 1 report is June 24, 2025. Filers should note that the collection window is shorter this year, and that beginning this year, all communications sent to filers will be electronic.… Continue Reading