Rights and Protections Lost Under the Trump Administration

This document details the major rights, protections, and programs rolled back or eliminated under the Trump administration in 2025, with references to specific Executive Orders (EOs), bills, and official actions.



1. Revocation of Biden-Era Executive Orders

Date: January 20, 2025
Instrument: Executive Order (EO)
Source

Summary:

President Trump revoked dozens of Biden administration executive orders, including those that:

  • Advanced racial equity through the federal government
  • Promoted non-partisan voter registration activities
  • Advanced safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence
  • Advanced effective and accountable policing and criminal justice practices
  • Protected the census and affirmed apportionment counts include all people

2. Redefinition of Sex and Gender in Federal Policy

Date: January 20, 2025
Instrument: Executive Order (EO)
Source

Summary:

Issued an EO defining ‘sex’ in binary terms, mandating all federal policies and documents align with this definition, and prohibiting funding or promotion of “gender ideology.”

  • Directed agencies to remove references to nonbinary people
  • Prohibited recognition of gender identity different from sex assigned at birth
  • Forced transgender women into men’s prisons and detention centers

3. Elimination of DEI/DEIA Programs

Date: January 20, 2025
Instrument: Executive Order (EO)
Source

Summary:

EO ending all federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI/DEIA) programs, policies, and activities. Listed federal grantees who received funding for DEI/DEIA or environmental justice since January 20, 2021.


4. Pardons for January 6 Insurrectionists

Date: January 20, 2025
Instrument: Presidential Proclamation
Source

Summary:

Proclamation commuting sentences and granting unconditional pardons to individuals convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol events.


5. Ending FCC Promotion of DEI and Regulatory Rollbacks

Date: January 21, 2025 & March 12, 2025
Instrument: FCC Announcements, Executive Order (EO)
Source

Summary:

  • FCC ended promotion of DEI per Trump’s EO
  • Launched “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative to remove regulations deemed “burdensome,” undermining public input and judicial oversight

6. Rollback of AI Guardrails

Date: January 23, 2025 & April 3, 2025
Instrument: Executive Order (EO), OMB Guidance
Source

Summary:

  • EO rolling back Biden-era AI guardrails
  • OMB guidance omitting civil rights enforcement and transparency in federal AI use

7. Consolidation and Weaponization of Federal Data

Date: March 20, 2025
Instrument: Executive Order (EO)
Source

Summary:

EO consolidating federal public data, increasing surveillance and tracking of individuals regardless of citizenship status


8. Elimination of Digital Equity Act Funding

Date: May 8, 2025
Instrument: Executive Announcement
Source

Summary:

Announced intent to end $2.75 billion in Digital Equity Act grant funding, impacting broadband access for over 24 million people


9. Barriers to Voting and Voting Rights Rollbacks

Dates: January 25, 2025 – March 25, 2025
Instruments: DOJ Filings, Executive Orders (EOs)
Source

Summary:

  • DOJ reversed position in Louisiana v. Callais (Jan 25)
  • DOJ dismissed lawsuit against Virginia’s voter purge (Jan 28)
  • CISA froze all election security work (Feb 14)
  • DOJ withdrew from Texas vote dilution case (Mar 6)
  • DOJ dismissed suit against Alabama voter purge (Mar 14)
  • EO requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, creating barriers for marginalized groups (Mar 25)

10. Delay of Prison Phone Rate Protections

Date: June 30, 2025
Instrument: FCC Announcement
Source

Summary:

FCC delayed rules implementing the Martha Wright Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, which bans predatory prison phone rates


11. Rollback of AI Safeguards Against Discrimination and Misinformation

Date: July 23, 2025
Instrument: Executive Order (EO)
Source

Summary:

EO to “prevent woke AI,” removing federal safeguards against misinformation, discrimination, and climate impacts; revived efforts to gut state/local AI laws


12. Undermining Civil Rights Enforcement and Rule of Law

Ongoing
Instruments: Appointments, Administrative Actions
Source

Summary:

  • Installed anti-civil rights officials in DOJ and other agencies
  • Nominated loyalists to federal bench
  • Engaged in actions undermining due process, including deporting citizens without due process, arresting protestors, and suppressing data on social/health disparities

Sources

This list is based on public reporting and may not be exhaustive.

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