Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has issued an executive order mandating changes to the language used in city programs that benefit minority groups, in direct response to President Donald Trump’s directives against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
This new directive emphasizes that city programs and services will no longer give preference based on ‘protected-class status’ determined by characteristics such as race or gender.
In his communication, Wilson highlighted the financial implications of non-compliance, pointing out that the city relies on approximately $350 million in federal grant funding for various programs, a significant portion of which is directed towards housing and transportation projects.
These federal grants constitute about 4% of Portland’s annual budget, prompting concerns over the potential repercussions of losing such critical financial support.
Wilson noted that while this decision was not made lightly, it serves the best interests of Portland residents.
He stated, “Losing federal funding would harm the very people that many of our city programs are designed to help.”
This executive order is a reaction to a January 2023 executive order signed by President Trump, which threatened to cut off federal funds for cities with policies that contradict the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Justice suggest that any city policies prioritizing certain races or genders over others could be in violation of this law.
According to the Mayor’s office, this shift could potentially affect around 75 city programs and policies.
Programs that prioritize contracts with minority-owned businesses or require the inclusion of qualified women and people of color in hiring practices could be particularly vulnerable.
Furthermore, there are concerns that this order could also impact initiatives like the Portland Clean Energy Fund, which relies on a voter-approved sales tax on large companies and has allocated over a billion dollars to address climate change issues, especially for marginalized communities.
In a press release regarding the executive order, a spokesperson mentioned that some changes would be straightforward and would involve revising program descriptions to indicate that resources are available to all Portland residents.
It was underscored that this order would not eliminate most of the city’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, although it remains unclear which specific initiatives may be affected.
City Administrator Michael Jordan will oversee the process of updating policy language across various city departments, with work set to commence in the coming weeks.
The city is under pressure to act quickly; by August, it needs to finalize documentation with the federal government to secure $31 million in anticipated federal grants.
Signing these documents would affirm that the city complies with anti-discrimination laws by ensuring no policies are in violation of them.
Previously, the city sought to combat these financial threats through legal challenges, having joined a lawsuit in May against the administration’s restrictions that threaten grant funding based on non-compliance with Trump’s DEI, immigration, and transgender rights directives.
However, this legal challenge remains unresolved, and as grant deadlines approach, the city finds itself grappling with the need to comply with federal requirements.
Accepting federal funding without adjusting city policies on race and gender presents significant risks.
In May, the Department of Justice initiated a program designed to investigate potential violations of federal civil rights laws by recipients of federal funds.
If violations are discovered, the official who authorized the grant agreement could face criminal charges.
Some members of the city council have expressed reservations about conforming to Trump’s order.
Councilor Angelita Morillo conveyed her uncertainties about the implications of such a decision, citing concerns over eroding the rights of vulnerable community members.
She remarked, “It’s a frog in boiling water situation, where we’ll get more and more accustomed to them stripping our vulnerable community members of their rights. At a certain point, we do have to ask, ‘How much more are we willing to concede?’”
Councilor Steve Novick, a former DOJ attorney, supported Wilson’s approach, deeming it a pragmatic decision.
Novick explained, “We are continuing to fight this administration in the courts where that is a viable option. We are not preemptively capitulating on issues where the law is on our side.”
Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney described Wilson’s order as a “necessary” measure to ensure ongoing funding for crucial programs while upholding community values.
“The mayor’s order allows us to do both,” she stated.
Sandy Chung, director of the ACLU of Oregon, stated that she had engaged in discussions with Wilson regarding these funding threats, emphasizing her belief that the executive order is an appropriate strategy.
She noted, “I don’t see it as a capitulation. Jurisdictions should have processes for periodically reviewing programs to ensure they align with federal statutes, like the Civil Rights Act. I don’t see this as something that should be specific to the Trump administration. The city always has this obligation.”
Chung further indicated that she does not believe the order reflects a diminishing commitment from Wilson toward the city’s equity and diversity objectives.
Portland’s actions reflect a broader trend among local governments adapting their policies due to similar funding threats.
Clackamas County dismantled its equity and inclusion office in January, while the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners disbanded its diversity, equity, inclusion, and access committee in February.
Additionally, the Port of Portland revoked its social equity policies in April, and just last week, Washington County’s Board of Commissioners opted to revise its equity policies to maintain access to federal funding.
In his correspondence, Wilson sought to differentiate Portland from other local jurisdictions that have taken more drastic steps, such as entirely removing references to DEI or eliminating related offices.
He wrote, “Some jurisdictions and organizations have gone so far as to purge some, or all, of their references to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We think this goes too far. We believe in our values and remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our offices and employees who support this work.”
Some local governments have opted to take a firmer stance against these federal actions.
Earlier this month, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners joined Portland in a lawsuit against the Trump administration concerning the constitutionality of executive orders restricting DEI programs, but they have refrained from altering their equity-related language during this process.
In a rapid response, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced shortly after Wilson revealed his order that Seattle would also pursue legal action against the Trump administration over the constitutionality of its executive orders limiting DEI initiatives.
image source from：opb
