Story perspectives

Trump's Plan Aims to End Affirmative Action Nationwide

2/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Heritage Foundation's transition plan under U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to end affirmative action.
The plan targets Minnesota's affirmative action policies, and the Justice Department files a lawsuit claiming discrimination.
Legal experts warn that a ruling in favor could dismantle decades of civil rights progress.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority has previously ruled against affirmative action in higher education, possibly extending to workplace policies.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court's 2003 ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger upheld affirmative action, allowing race to be a factor in university admissions to promote diversity. This decision followed decades of civil rights struggles, beginning with President Kennedy's 1961 executive order against racial discrimination. The Heritage Foundation's current efforts to dismantle such policies in Minnesota threaten to reverse progress made since then, echoing past challenges to civil rights.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Heritage Foundation's transition plan under U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to end affirmative action.
The plan targets Minnesota's affirmative action policies, and the Justice Department files a lawsuit claiming discrimination.
Legal experts warn that a ruling in favor could dismantle decades of civil rights progress.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority has previously ruled against affirmative action in higher education, possibly extending to workplace policies.

1 / 2