Human Rights Watch says Trump administration dismantled federal civil-rights enforcement

Human Rights Watch released a report accusing the Trump administration of severely weakening federal civil-rights enforcement through extensive staff reductions and policy shifts. Interviews with ex-government workers and analysis of court documents reveal that the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division shed about 75% of its attorneys and withdrew previously negotiated police reform deals in cities such as Louisville and Minneapolis.

The Department of Education dismissed nearly half its workforce in one day, closed seven of twelve field offices, and has resolved none of the record number of discrimination complaints filed by Black and Latino students before the administration took office. The Housing and Urban Development Department’s fair-housing division dropped at least 115 complaints without findings, while the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reached staffing lows not seen in 40 years. Trey Walk, a U.S. program researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the administration is rolling back protections without providing alternatives, even as the Supreme Court issues rulings that reshape voting-rights and representation safeguards.