Trump Administration Removes Federal Ban on Segregated Facilities in Contractor Agreements

The decision, tied to an executive order, eliminates a Civil Rights Era clause while maintaining existing anti-segregation laws.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has instructed federal agencies to exclude the 'Prohibition of Segregated Facilities' clause from new contracts, following an executive order by President Trump.
The clause, established during the Civil Rights Era, required federal contractors to maintain integrated workplaces and explicitly banned segregated facilities such as restrooms and waiting rooms.
While segregation remains illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and state laws, critics argue the removal undermines anti-discrimination efforts and sends a troubling symbolic message.
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, have condemned the change, warning it could weaken enforcement mechanisms and conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.
Supporters of the move claim the clause is redundant given existing laws, while federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security have already begun implementing the changes.