The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has taken a significant step by moving to dismiss six cases related to gender identity discrimination, citing President Trump’s recent executive order. This marks a departure from the agency’s previous stance on civil rights law, notably a landmark finding a decade ago in favor of a transgender civilian employee. The EEOC’s decision to drop these cases, including ones in Illinois, Alabama, New York, and California, has raised concerns about the future protection of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.

Former EEOC General Counsel David Lopez expressed astonishment at the agency dismissing cases based on subject matter rather than merit, calling it a “complete abdication of responsibility.” The EEOC’s actions follow the removal of Democratic commissioners and the replacement of the general counsel, signaling a shift towards enforcing Trump’s executive order on gender. Acting Chair Andrea Lucas emphasized defending the binary reality of sex and removed initiatives supporting diversity, such as the pronoun app.

Despite a rise in discrimination charges based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the EEOC’s recent actions have drawn criticism from former commissioners and LGBTQ rights groups. This move by the Trump administration to downplay protections for marginalized groups has been met with disapproval, with concerns raised about the impact on vulnerable communities and the rights of American workers in the workplace.