Rossein said some people might have confused Johnson’s 1965 order with the 1964 Civil Rights Act he signed into law that went into effect July 5, 1965. That law created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and more widely prohibits employment discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion and sex.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s Executive Order 11246, promoting affirmative action in federal contracting, was among the number of DEI policies targeted by the president.

Just a day after his return to the White House, President Donald Trump is making good on promises to radically remake the federal bureaucracy and end any efforts to create a more diverse or equitable workforce.

President Trump revoked a 1965 rule that prohibited federal contractors from discriminating against employees or job applicants.

The phrase "affirmative action" and much of the executive order Trump is repealing, itself built on one signed by Johnson's predecessor John F. Kennedy in March 1961, which asked government contractors to "take affirmative action" to insure employees and applicants were treated "without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin."

The new president just unwound a landmark anti-discrimination measure implemented amid the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

An executive order signed by President Donald Trump is ordering the release of classified documents surrounding the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King,

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Morry Gash / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In positioning himself as a junior partner to the president and doing his bidding on matters large and small, the Louisiana Republican is diminishing a job that involves leading a coequal branch of government.

Learn about the history of Executive Order 11246 following President Trump’s executive order to eliminate DEI programs and remove DEI employees within a week.

During his oath, Trump did not place his hand atop the Bible, a moment that quickly took over on social media as people watching at home took notice. #BREAKING: Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/VywxkH9E4D

With President Donald Trump’s changes to the federal workforce, focusing on eliminating DEI programs, here’s a look at the differences between Affirmative Action and DEI.