The Insidious Legacy of President Trump's Executive Orders: A Threat to Free Speech and Social Justice

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the insurrection at the Capitol, it has become increasingly clear that President Trump's lies, racist, and incendiary statements have fueled a culture of discrimination and bias. In response, civil rights groups have sounded the alarm about the need to educate everyone on the ongoing battle against systemic prejudice and bias driven by powerful structures in our society.

One of the most egregious examples of this insidious legacy is President Trump's executive order targeting critical race theory (CRT). Issued last September, this order had far-reaching implications for government agencies, nonprofits, and any institution that received federal contracts or planned to apply for them. The stated purpose was to 'combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping,' but in reality, it aimed to censor language and teachings deemed 'divisive' or 'anti-American.'

The consequences of this order were devastating. It had a chilling effect on free speech and the dissemination of truthful information about systemic and structural inequalities, ultimately undermining workplace equality for people of color, women, and LGBTQ individuals. As Janai Nelson '96, associate Director-Counsel of the NAACP LDF, so aptly put it, 'The anti-truth and anti-diversity Executive Order is one of the most damaging and dangerous actions undertaken by the Trump administration.'

Furthermore, this order was an extraordinary and unprecedented act by the Trump administration to undermine efforts to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In response, civil rights groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, filed a lawsuit in October, arguing that the executive order violated free speech, due process, and equal protection clauses of the Constitution.

The implications of this order went beyond just education; it had far-reaching consequences for social justice as a whole. As Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, pointed out, 'Racism lies at the core of every insurrection mounted against our nation.' The order's attempt to silence discussions about systemic racism and inequality was nothing short of an attack on free speech.

In conclusion, President Trump's executive order targeting critical race theory is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of protecting free speech. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to educate ourselves and others about discrimination and bias, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.

List of executive orders from trump