Executive Order Removes Civil Rights Protections
President Trump's "Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy" order isn't about merit—it's about rolling back decades of progress. Here's what Texas can do to protect our citizens.
President Trump's "Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy" order isn't about merit—it's about rolling back decades of progress. Here's what Texas can do to protect our citizens.
Let's cut through the political spin and talk about what this order really means for working families in Texas:
Removes programs that help qualified workers from all backgrounds get a fair shot at good jobs
Cuts safeguards that prevent discrimination in hiring and promotion
Eliminates programs that help underrepresented communities access education and job training
Reduces monitoring of companies that receive federal contracts
As a Marine veteran, I learned that the strongest units are diverse units. When you bring together people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, you get better results. That's not political correctness—that's military effectiveness.
"In the Marines, we didn't care about your background when the bullets started flying. We cared about whether you could do the job. But we also knew that having Marines from all walks of life made us stronger, smarter, and more effective."
This isn't some abstract policy debate. This order will hurt real Texas families in real ways:
Many diversity programs specifically help veterans transition to civilian careers. Cutting these programs means fewer opportunities for the men and women who served our country.
Programs that help working mothers and fathers advance in their careers are now at risk. That's fewer opportunities for the people who are already working the hardest.
Many federal programs help connect rural Texans with job training and educational opportunities. This order puts those lifelines at risk.
Minority-owned and women-owned small businesses rely on federal contracting opportunities. This order makes it harder for these businesses to compete and grow.
Here's the good news: Texas doesn't have to sit back and let Washington dictate our values. As your governor, I would work to ensure that Texas remains a place where everyone gets a fair shot at success.
Ensure Texas law protects all workers from discrimination
State-funded programs for underrepresented communities
Ensure state contracting processes are fair and inclusive
Help veteran-owned and minority-owned small businesses thrive
This fight isn't about left versus right—it's about right versus wrong. It's about whether we're going to build a Texas that works for everyone, or just for those who already have connections and advantages.
I believe in merit. I believe the best person should get the job, period. But I also believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to show what they can do. That's not about lowering standards—it's about making sure everyone has access to the same playing field.
Texas has always been a state where hard work pays off, regardless of where you come from or what you look like. We're not going to let Washington politicians change that.
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