Kenneth Wolfe Leads DOL's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

Kenneth Wolfe, director of the Department of Labor’s faith center, was appointed to lead the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in 2026. The appointment followed the agency’s April release of a 2027 budget proposal to eliminate the OFCCP.

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The OFCCP, charged with enforcing anti-discrimination clauses in federal contracts, has seen authority shrink under Donald Trump. In 2025 he issued the order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” directing agencies to end “diversity, equity, and inclusion” actions and to “combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.” A March 2026 order, “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors,” barred contractors from DEI activity, further limiting enforcement.

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Wolfe runs the DOL’s worship services and now oversees the OFCCP, a combination that has drawn scrutiny. Keir Bickerstaffe, a former DOL attorney of 16 years who left in January 2025, has described the OFCCP’s prior enforcement tools and the impact of staff reductions.

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The OFCCP oversaw roughly 20 %–25 % of the U.S. workforce, analyzing contractor data for discrimination. Its staff of labor economists, statisticians, and litigators could file lawsuits, negotiate settlements, and require policy reforms.

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The DOL’s 2027 budget proposal lists the OFCCP for termination, reflecting a broader effort to curb DEI initiatives. The 2025 and 2026 executive orders directed agencies to discontinue DEI programs and to restrict contractors from such activities.

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Observers note that the OFCCP’s staff has been reduced under Donald Trump, limiting its enforcement capacity. The appointment of a faith-center director to head the office has been described as controversial, raising concerns about a conflict of interest for an agency responsible for enforcing equal-employment laws.

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The 2027 budget proposes eliminating the OFCCP, yet Wolfe’s appointment indicates the office will remain active for now. No DOL statement explains how these actions will be reconciled.

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• “The OFCCP could get settlements on behalf of an entire class of people, it could seek changes to company policies and practices to eliminate discrimination,” — Keir Bickerstaffe, former DOL attorney

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• “diversity, equity, and inclusion” — 2025 executive order

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• “combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.” — 2025 executive order

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• “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” — 2025 executive order

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The OFCCP’s future depends on whether the 2027 budget amendment passes and how the department fills staffing gaps. Litigation and congressional oversight may shape the agency’s ability to monitor contractors and enforce anti-discrimination statutes.

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