WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is drawing sharp criticism after Chair Andrea Lucas publicly encouraged white men who believe they were discriminated against at work to file complaints, signaling a major shift in federal civil rights enforcement under the Trump administration.
In a post on X this week, Lucas urged white male employees to contact the EEOC if they believe they faced discrimination based on race or sex, stating they “may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws.” The message aligns closely with President Donald Trump’s broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which the administration argues unfairly disadvantage white workers.
The outreach followed a widely shared Compact magazine essay criticizing DEI policies, amplified by Vice President J.D. Vance. Since taking office, Lucas has refocused the EEOC’s mission on what she calls “DEI-related discrimination,” emphasizing enforcement of Title VII claims brought by white employees. The agency’s website now highlights this priority, reflecting a clear departure from its traditional emphasis on protecting historically marginalized groups.
Legal experts say the shift could lead to a surge in claims, particularly after a 2025 Supreme Court ruling lowered evidentiary thresholds for some discrimination cases. Employment attorneys are advising companies to reassess hiring and promotion policies in response.
Democratic lawmakers and civil rights organizations accuse the EEOC of politicizing enforcement and undermining decades of progress. Data cited by critics shows women still earn about 85 percent of men’s pay, while Black unemployment remains more than double that of white men, raising concerns that rolling back DEI could worsen existing disparities.
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