The Trump administration is telling white men who believe they’ve been discriminated against at work to file complaints with the federal government.
In a video posted this week, EEOC chair Andrea Lucas encouraged white men to report cases where they feel they were treated unfairly because of their race or gender. She said they may be eligible for financial compensation under federal civil rights laws and urged them to contact the agency quickly. The EEOC has also published guidance focused on what it calls “DEI-related discrimination.”
This marks a sharp shift for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Historically, the EEOC was created to protect workers—especially minorities—from discrimination. Over time, its work expanded to include protections based on gender, disability, age, and national origin. Under Trump’s second term, however, the agency’s focus has moved heavily toward challenging diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
At the same time the EEOC is inviting complaints from white men, it has dropped several cases involving transgender workers who alleged discrimination based on gender identity.
Earlier this year, the EEOC and the Justice Department warned employers that certain DEI practices could violate civil rights law. Lucas has argued that discrimination is illegal no matter the intent, even if it’s done in the name of diversity.
Critics say the administration is using the EEOC to push a broader political agenda focused on claims of anti-white bias, while rolling back policies meant to promote workplace diversity. Trump has also reshaped the agency itself, firing Democratic commissioners early and appointing allies, giving his administration more influence over what is meant to be an independent, bipartisan body.
In short: the EEOC is still a civil rights agency—but under Trump, its priorities look very different than they used to.