Florida AG Sues Starbucks Over Alleged Race-Based Hiring [WATCH]

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday that his office has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, alleging the company engaged in unlawful race-based hiring and promotion practices through its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Uthmeier revealed the legal action in a video posted to X, stating that Starbucks’ policies violate Florida’s civil rights laws by prioritizing race over merit in employment decisions.

The lawsuit alleges that the company’s use of DEI programs resulted in discrimination against white employees and applicants, whom the filing refers to as “non-minorities.”

Starbucks used DEI to implement illegal race-based policies for hiring and advancement.

Using DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or humiliate an employee based on race violates Florida’s civil rights law, and we just filed a lawsuit to hold Starbucks accountable. pic.twitter.com/e3pK0GguQ0

— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) December 10, 2025

“Starbucks used DEI to implement illegal race-based policies for hiring and advancement,” Uthmeier wrote in his announcement.

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“Using DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or humiliate an employee based on race violates Florida’s civil rights law, and we just filed a lawsuit to hold Starbucks accountable.”

According to the complaint, the allegations center on a 2020 corporate initiative in which Starbucks pledged that by 2025, 30 percent of its corporate roles and 40 percent of its retail and manufacturing positions would be filled by “people of color.”

Uthmeier’s office argues that the policy amounted to a quota system rather than a nonbinding goal.

The lawsuit claims Starbucks tied executive compensation to meeting diversity targets, imposed race-based requirements on suppliers and board representation, and restricted access to certain networking and mentorship programs based on race.

The filing argues that these practices constitute unlawful discrimination under Florida law.

“These practices constitute reverse discrimination,” the lawsuit states.

The state is seeking a court order to halt the challenged practices, along with affirmative relief, damages, and civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each alleged instance of discrimination against Florida residents.

Uthmeier’s office said the lawsuit follows complaints from Florida-based Starbucks employees and job applicants who said they were adversely affected by the company’s DEI policies.

According to the filing, one employee with 17 years of experience reported that Starbucks paid higher wages to individuals of certain races despite comparable qualifications and experience.

The legal action builds on a prior investigation launched in 2024 by former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.

That investigation cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which held that race-based admissions practices violated federal law.

Portions of that probe were dismissed in November, but Uthmeier’s office said it continued reviewing complaints and evidence.

Starbucks denied the allegations and defended its employment practices.

A company spokesperson told WFLA:

“We disagree. We are deeply committed to creating opportunity for every single one of our partners (employees). Our programs and benefits are open to everyone and lawful. Our hiring practices are inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

The company maintains that it does not use quotas and instead relies on what it describes as “aspirational representation goals.”

The lawsuit was filed in a Florida state court and remains pending.

Starbucks has not yet filed a formal response in court. The case adds to a growing number of legal challenges nationwide targeting corporate DEI policies following recent court rulings and state-level enforcement actions.

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