Trump Administration Ends Ban on 'Segregated Facilities' in Federal Contracts

The removal of the clause, introduced in 1965, has raised concerns about its symbolic impact and potential legal conflicts with anti-discrimination laws.

The Trump administration has removed a clause in federal contracts prohibiting 'segregated facilities,' such as separate waiting rooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains.
The change stems from a February 15 General Services Administration memo, following an executive order from President Trump rescinding Lyndon B. Johnson's 1965 equal employment opportunity order.
Critics, including the ACLU and civil rights advocates, argue the move undermines decades of federal anti-discrimination efforts and sends a troubling message about government priorities.
Federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the National Institutes of Health, have already begun implementing the changes by excluding the clause in new contracts.
While segregation remains illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and state laws, legal experts warn the change could lead to enforcement challenges and potential court disputes.