Civil Rights Orgs And Nonprofits Sign Letter Demanding Transparency And Response From The Trump Administration Regarding DEIA Ban – AfroTech
Various civil rights organizations and nonprofits are supporting members of Congress in their efforts to combat attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
According to a press release provided to AFROTECH™, in February 2026, members of Congress had requested records documenting the aftermath of executive orders that dismantled DEIA positions and programs. In the letter, the lawmakers said those actions negatively impacted the federal workforce, with 317,000 federal workers losing their roles since Donald Trump began his second presidential term in 2025.
Requests included records of the number of federal jobs eliminated that were defunded, cut, or reassigned; guidance, memoranda, directives, training materials, and internal analyses that federal agencies are using to interpret executive orders; and communications between the administration and private-sector entities, contractors, or external organizations regarding the implementation of DEIA restrictions, according to the February letter.
The letter was signed by more than 30 members of Congress, led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL). Now 24 civil rights organizations and nonprofits have added their support to the letter.
The signees include, among others:
- African American Policy Forum
- Freedom Economy
- American Association of University Women
- Center for Constitutional Rights
- Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues
- Community Equity Initiative
- Equal Justice Society
- Global Black Economic Forum
“Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across our federal government is essential to strengthening civil rights protections, expanding opportunity, and ensuring equitable federal services for all,” Rep. Pressley said in the press release. “That’s why Congressman Jackson and I led our colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump administration on the impact of his attacks on DEIA and the federal workforce. I’m proud to have the support of this broad, diverse coalition as we fight for the lives and livelihoods of our federal workers and the essential services they provide.”
Tynesia Boyea-Robinson, board chair of Freedom Economy, commented, per the release:
“Freedom Economy is proud to stand with members of Congress in calling for transparency and accountability around executive orders that threaten diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility protections. The reported scale of federal workforce reductions and cuts to critical research funding, including NIH-supported work, should concern anyone who cares about civil rights, economic stability, and American innovation. These decisions have consequences for public-sector capacity, the research infrastructure that drives shared prosperity, and ultimately our nation’s economic growth. Freedom Economy believes the business community, as well as its partners, members, and communities, deserve clear answers.”
The Trump administration had not responded to the letter as of June 29, according to the press release.
