The U.S. Transportation Department announced on Wednesday that it is rescinding part of its long-standing civil rights regulations that prohibited actions resulting in an unintentional disparate impact on protected groups. The move marks a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to enforcing anti-discrimination policies and aligns with recent actions taken by the Trump administration.
The decision follows a statement issued by the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday criticizing guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Justice Department argued that the EEOC’s approach to addressing “disparate impacts” on protected groups focuses primarily on outcomes rather than an employer’s intent, making it an inappropriate basis for determining discrimination.
The policy change is consistent with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April 2025 directing federal agencies to stop enforcing laws and regulations that target policies or practices solely because they produce unequal outcomes. Supporters of the move argue that discrimination claims should be based on intentional conduct, while critics warn that the rollback could weaken protections against systemic discrimination.
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