(AURN News) — Progressive Democrats in Congress are demanding answers from President Donald Trump over what they call an “unprecedented assault” on diversity, equity and inclusion and accessibility programs across the federal government.
In a letter led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and signed by more than 30 lawmakers, including Reps. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., members accused the administration of coordinating a rollback of civil rights protections through four executive orders signed last year.
The lawmakers cite nearly 317,000 federal job losses in 2025, including positions tied to civil rights enforcement and accessibility compliance.
They also point to a 72% drop in corporate mentions of DEI among Fortune 500 companies and the administration’s decision to cut funding for certain National Institutes of Health research grants tied to equity initiatives.
The letter demands detailed records by Feb. 23.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
