Trump Admin Ends Biden DEI Mandates For Transportation Funding

Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced early Wednesday morning that the Trump administration will no longer enforce Biden-era DEI or Green New Deal policies for grantees.

Grantees were required to follow directives that had no basis in law or official regulation, according to the letter.

“It’s a new day in America, where common sense is in the driver’s seat. Our roads, rails, skies, and waters will be safer for it,” said Duffy. “The public wants to see their hard-earned dollars going towards safety and efficiency standards – not woke DEI or American Energy-killing ideas.”

The DOT’s letter rescinding the Biden-era DEI directive cites a total of six executive orders issued by the Trump administration to justify the policy reversal.

In the letter, the secretary expanded upon President Donald Trump’s executive orders.

“E.O.s direct Federal agencies, where and as consistent with law, to identify and eliminate all orders, directives, rules, regulations, notices, guidance documents, funding agreements, pro­grams, and policy statements, or portions thereof, which were authorized, adopted, or approved between noon on January 20, 2021 and noon on January 20, 2025, and which reference or relate in any way to climate change, ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions, racial equity, gender identity, ‘diver­sity, equity, and inclusion’ goals, environmental justice, or the Justice 40 Initiative.”

Duffy further clarified “that the Department will no longer enforce these policies, or any other requirements incorporated into its Federal financial assis­tance agreements that are inconsistent with the policy objectives of this Administration and cur­rent DOT leadership.”

In his words, “the Department considers any policies or requirements not based in statute or regulation” to be “null and void and of no effect.”

This includes anything referring to “climate change, ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions, racial equity, gender identity, ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ goals, environmental justice, and the Justice 40 Initiative,” particularly if they were embedded in federal financial assistance agreements through terms, schedules or exhibits. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Inside The Biden EPA’s Double Down On DEI Ahead Of Trump’s Return)

NEW: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is launching an immediate and full investigation into the allegations of DEI hiring practices at the FAA. pic.twitter.com/hOYJKW7XD1

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 13, 2025

“Recipients of DOT Federal financial assistance are hereby released of their obligations to comply with these policies and requirements effective immediately,” the letter added. (RELATED: Business Experts Sound Alarm On DEI Initiatives In Corporate America)

He concluded by declaring that the reversal is “effective immediately,” and recipients of DOT federal funding are no longer required to comply with these policies or requirements.

The secretary issued a letter to all recipients of federal transportation funding, reminding them that accepting federal money comes with conditions and that following federal law is a mandatory requirement in April.