Leaders from multiple congressional caucuses, including the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), have strongly criticized President Trump’s early actions in office, highlighting his efforts to roll back civil rights protections and weaken enforcement for American workers. According to CAPAC Chair Rep. Grace Meng, Trump’s policies are opening doors for workplace discrimination, undermining progress made in protecting historically marginalized communities.

Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, also condemned the administration’s directives. “Since Day One, President Trump has been undermining civil rights enforcement for American workers,” Takano said, pointing out that the White House has directed federal agencies to abandon efforts to protect LGBTQI+ workers and others from discrimination.

Congressional leaders assert that Trump’s administration is targeting federal offices promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), severely limiting their ability to address systemic discrimination. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, warned that firing commissioners at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will leave millions of Americans vulnerable to workplace discrimination.

The controversy intensified after Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI programs across federal agencies. His administration labeled these programs as promoting a “corrosive identity-based spoils system,” further fueling concerns among civil rights advocates.

As described by Peoplesworld, in response, worker advocacy groups and unions have begun legal actions. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) recently filed a lawsuit, challenging what they call unlawful interference in workers’ rights. AFGE President Clarence Kelley emphasized the critical role of inspectors general in holding the government accountable and expressed concern over Trump’s mass firings of independent oversight officials.

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.

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