FAA's new grant requirements remove Biden-era environmental, DEI mandates

Among the removed orders are 'Equal Employment Opportunity,' signed by Lyndon Johnson in 1965, which aimed to prevent discrimination based on race, creed, color, or national origin; and 'To Address Environmental Justice In Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,' signed by Bill Clinton, which directed federal agencies to include environmental justice in their mission.

The three EOs from Biden focused on racial equity and support for underserved communities, combating discrimination on gender identity or sexual orientation, and tackling the climate crisis. These will be replaced by orders from Trump that emphasize freedom of speech, merit-based opportunities, and ending DEI programs.

In response to these changes, Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, questioned the allocation of federal funds to states that do not align with federal immigration enforcement or have DEI policies. "Do [states] want to get in line, or do they want cash for [their] projects?" he asked during a segment on Fox News, challenging states to comply with the new guidelines.