Executive Order 14148
Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions
Signed on January 20, 2025
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14148, which revokes numerous executive actions from the previous administration. The order eliminates policies on racial equity, climate action, healthcare access, workplace protections, voting rights, and immigration reform. It directs agencies to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and orders a review of federal policies for further revocation.
🔗 Read the Executive Order on the Federal Register
🔗 Read the White House Announcement
What You Should Know
Civil rights and anti-discrimination protections have been rolled back.
The order eliminates key executive actions that advanced racial equity and inclusion, including Executive Order 13985, which promoted equity in federal agencies, and Executive Order 14031, which focused on improving opportunities for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation (Executive Orders 13988 and 14021) have also been revoked. These changes weaken efforts to address systemic inequities and reduce protections for marginalized communities.
Environmental protections and climate policies have been dismantled.
The order revokes Executive Orders 13990 and 14008, which prioritized environmental protection, clean energy investment, and climate resilience. It also removes federal oversight on climate-related financial risks and sustainability measures (Executive Orders 14030 and 14057). These rollbacks reduce efforts to combat climate change, eliminate environmental safeguards, and weaken protections for public health and natural resources.
Healthcare access and pandemic preparedness are being undermined.
Multiple executive orders related to pandemic response and healthcare expansion have been revoked, including Executive Orders 13987, 13996, and 14070, which focused on COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, and strengthening the Affordable Care Act. Eliminating these policies weakens public health infrastructure and could make healthcare less accessible, particularly for low-income individuals.
Workplace protections and labor rights have been weakened.
The order revokes Executive Order 14003, which strengthened labor protections for federal workers, and Executive Order 14055, which ensured continuity for workers under government contracts. Removing these protections makes it easier for employers to weaken worker rights, reduce job security, and limit workplace safety standards.
Voting rights and immigration policies have been reversed.
The order eliminates Executive Order 14019, which expanded voter access, and Executive Order 14012, which improved legal immigration pathways. These changes could make it harder for eligible voters to participate in elections and increase barriers for immigrants seeking legal status or asylum.
Who Wins?
Corporate interests and deregulation advocates
Rolling back environmental, labor, and financial regulations benefits large corporations by reducing oversight and allowing greater profit margins at the expense of worker and consumer protections. Removing climate-related financial policies makes it easier for businesses to ignore environmental impacts.
Opponents of diversity and civil rights initiatives
The rescission of executive orders promoting racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and workplace inclusion is a win for groups that oppose government-led diversity initiatives. Ending DEI programs in federal agencies aligns with the broader political movement against equity-based policies.
Right-wing politicians and voter suppression advocates
Eliminating policies that expanded voter access benefits politicians who support restrictive voting laws. The rollback of immigration-related executive orders aligns with efforts to limit pathways to citizenship and reduce protections for immigrants and asylum seekers.
Who Loses?
Marginalized communities and underserved populations
The elimination of racial equity and anti-discrimination policies disproportionately affects people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and low-income communities. These groups face increased barriers to equal opportunity, federal support, and protection from discrimination.
Workers and labor unions
Rolling back executive actions that safeguarded worker rights and job security weakens workplace protections, making it easier for employers to reduce wages, cut benefits, and limit worker organizing. Federal employees and contract workers are particularly affected.
The environment and public health
Removing climate and environmental regulations weakens protections against pollution, increases reliance on fossil fuels, and slows efforts to combat climate change. Revoking healthcare-related policies limits public health preparedness and access to medical care.
Voters and immigrant communities
Rescinding executive actions that expanded voting rights and improved immigration processes makes it harder for eligible voters to participate in elections and increases legal obstacles for immigrants seeking lawful status or family reunification.
Executive Order 14148 represents a broad rollback of policies designed to promote equity, environmental sustainability, public health, and worker protections. The elimination of these executive actions benefits corporate interests and conservative political agendas while disproportionately harming marginalized communities, workers, and future generations. These changes shift federal policy away from inclusion, public welfare, and environmental responsibility, reinforcing systemic inequities and deregulation efforts.
Take Action
Stay informed and challenge misinformation.
Misinformation is often used to justify rollbacks of civil rights, environmental protections, and labor policies. Research claims, fact-check information, and educate others about the real impact of these policy changes.
Support organizations advocating for civil rights, climate action, and workers’ rights.
Many organizations are working to protect racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental sustainability, and labor protections. Supporting these groups through donations, volunteering, or advocacy helps counteract harmful policy reversals.
Demand accountability from elected officials.
Contact representatives to express opposition to policy rollbacks that harm workers, marginalized communities, and the environment. Support legislative efforts to restore protections and expand voting access, healthcare, and climate action.
Misinformation and fear-based rhetoric are often used to justify harmful policies. Always verify sources, seek out expert analysis, and stay engaged in efforts to protect civil rights, public health, and environmental sustainability. Holding leaders accountable and advocating for fact-based policies is essential to ensuring a fair and just society.
