60 Years of Progress in Expanding Rights Is Being Rolled Back by Trump: For many Americans, Donald Trump’s flurry of executive orders in the early days of his second term might seem like an unprecedented effort to undo democracy itself—stripping away the rights and freedoms of countless citizens.
But the truth is, this isn’t new.
As much as it may feel like a sudden shift, the reality is that throughout U.S. history, the country’s path toward greater equality, democracy, and individual rights hasn’t been linear. In fact, it’s been a constant push and pull between ideals of progress and the forces trying to roll those rights back, often at the hands of those who believe full citizenship should be limited by race, gender, ethnicity, or class.
A look back at history reveals this truth. One of the most glaring examples of this conflict was the Jim Crow era after Reconstruction. The political and legal advancements made by African Americans during the Civil War were brutally swept aside by decades of disenfranchisement, segregation, and discrimination. From the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, the promise of democracy for all seemed more like a distant dream, rather than a reality.
Today, we find ourselves in a similar fight.
Trump’s administration, particularly since his second inauguration, seems intent on undermining the hard-won rights and liberties that have expanded over the last few decades. This effort is framed as a challenge to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. But, at its core, it’s part of a broader attack on America’s commitment to equality.
A Pattern of Progress and Rollbacks
The U.S. has seen some of its most significant strides toward African American rights during pivotal moments in history—during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War II, and even the Cold War. These were times when America faced enemies that contradicted its supposed liberal values, like the British monarchy or fascist dictatorships. In those moments, Americans came together to highlight their commitment to human rights and democracy.
Yet, once the pressures of war and global conflict faded, those same illiberal values resurfaced. After the Revolutionary War, and later after the Civil War, momentum for equality stalled, and many of the freedoms gained were slowly reversed. Even after the end of the Second World War, the momentum for civil rights didn’t automatically stick. In fact, it was only through efforts like the “Second Reconstruction” during the Cold War that civil rights for African Americans, women, disabled persons, and other marginalized groups were expanded once again.
However, this era of progress was never without its detractors.
More Than Just Anti-DEI
Since the end of the Cold War, we’ve seen a troubling trend emerge: The Republican Party, especially under the leadership of Donald Trump, has increasingly sided with forces that seek to undo the progress of the Second Reconstruction. This rollback isn’t just about opposing specific policies; it’s about challenging the very notion that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities.
Take, for example, the 2012 gutting of the Voting Rights Act by a Republican-dominated Supreme Court. This landmark 1965 law was designed to end racial discrimination in voting, one of the key victories of the Second Reconstruction. It was a law that aimed to make good on America’s promise to its citizens—ensuring that every American, regardless of race or background, had a say in the political process.
Trump’s rise to power in 2016 played a significant role in pushing these illiberal values to the forefront, from his claims about the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s presidency to his inflammatory rhetoric about Mexican immigrants and Muslim-majority countries. His attacks on diversity programs like DEI can be seen as a continuation of this broader ideological fight.
But here’s the thing: Many of the DEI programs that Trump targets have worked. They’ve helped expand opportunities for people of all races, genders, and backgrounds, allowing more individuals to contribute to the growth and productivity of the nation. These policies have created environments where people from historically underrepresented groups—whether racial minorities or women—can access the same opportunities for success.
In turn, this doesn’t just expand equality—it actually contributes to the economic and social productivity of the country. Studies have shown that diverse teams, whether in the workplace or in government, lead to more creative solutions, better decision-making, and increased overall productivity. The goal of these policies has never been to “lower standards” but to open doors to the qualified, talented people who may have been overlooked or denied opportunities in the past.
Undoing 19th-Century Advances
Trump’s attack on DEI is just one aspect of his broader agenda to unravel the progress made since the Civil War. His administration has even gone so far as to target birthright citizenship—something that was a key victory of the First Reconstruction following the Civil War. The 14th Amendment guarantees that anyone born in the United States automatically becomes a citizen, no matter their parents’ immigration status. This provision was put in place to ensure African Americans were included in the promises of citizenship and equality after the Civil War and the Dred Scott decision.
Taking aim at these protections threatens the very foundation of American democracy.
The Power of Pushback
So, what does all this mean for the future of American democracy? How far can the Trump administration go in rolling back decades of progress?
The good news is that there’s strong pushback. Legal challenges have already been filed, and many of these cases are likely to end up in the Supreme Court. But this time, the landscape is different. The groups who benefited from the Second Reconstruction—racial and ethnic minorities, women, immigrants, the LGBTQ community—are far more numerous and have far more resources to fight these attacks. They’re not just fighting for their rights, but for the future of an America that promises opportunity for all.
In the end, these policies aren’t just about making a political point. They have real-world implications for productivity, equality, and opportunity in America. Diversity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. When we bring people from all walks of life into the fold, our nation becomes stronger, more innovative, and ultimately more productive.
Key Takeaways:
- History repeats itself: The battle for equal rights in the U.S. has always been a struggle between progress and rollback.
- Diversity drives productivity: DEI initiatives contribute not only to fairness but to overall productivity and innovation.
- Legal challenges ahead: The pushback against these rollbacks is already underway, with the potential for significant court decisions in the future.