Human Rights Watch Report Reveals Severe Decline in US Civil Rights Enforcement Under Trump

A new comprehensive report indicates that the United States federal government has significantly stepped back from its traditional role in safeguarding civil rights nationwide. Released on Thursday by the nonprofit Human Rights Watch, the 112-page analysis covers government civil rights activities from January 2025 through the start of 2026, encompassing the opening months of President Donald Trump’s second term.

According to the research group, federal agencies tasked with halting discrimination have experienced severe staff reductions. Furthermore, top-down directives issued by President Donald Trump have intentionally de-emphasised the federal government's responsibility in protecting civil rights across the country.

“While claiming to protect all Americans, the administration is rolling back systems that communities have long turned to for relief,” Trey Walk, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated.

Agencies Examined in the Report

The analysis specifically evaluates four key federal entities dedicated to civil rights: the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, the Office of Civil Rights at the Education Department, the Fair Housing Office at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. To compile the findings, Human Rights Watch engaged with current and former federal employees, attorneys, complainants, and community groups involved in discrimination cases, while also reviewing relevant court filings and federal directives.

Shifts in Federal Policy Under Trump

The second term of President Donald Trump introduced a strong backlash against initiatives associated with the “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) movement. President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed DEI as “racially discriminatory” and campaigned on the platform that a “definite anti-white feeling” exists in the nation. Since taking office, his administration has actively worked to dismantle policies perceived as granting unfair advantages to women and minorities.

Consequently, agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice suspended ongoing investigations into sexual harassment and transgender rights. Instead, they opened new inquiries, including one targeting the footwear giant Nike over alleged discrimination against white employees. Additionally, the Department of Justice announced in May 2025 that it would halt investigations and reform agreements involving police departments accused of racial discrimination in locations such as Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Findings on Staffing and Enforcement Reductions

The report details an overall weakening of federal bodies due to job cuts and resignations. The Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice saw its attorney count drop significantly from approximately 365 lawyers in January 2025 to a quarter of that number by the end of the year, driven by what Human Rights Watch described as an effort to undermine career staff. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice defended the agency, stating that the division remains dedicated to protecting all Americans and has added 100 personnel since the 2025 departures to focus on religious liberty, Second Amendment rights, and other administration priorities.

Other departments faced similar reductions. The Office of Fair Housing decreased from 31 staffers to 11 by mid-2025, resulting in 115 prepared complaints being quashed. Meanwhile, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights saw seven of its 12 offices shuttered and half of its workforce depart, leading to the dismissal of about 90 percent of its nearly 10,000 received complaints between May and September 2025.

Impact on Communities

The reduction in federal oversight has left many discrimination victims without institutional support. Community housing groups reported that the Department of Housing and Urban Development no longer responds promptly to anti-LGBTQ discrimination reports. Similarly, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has drastically curtailed its investigations, failing to pursue notable incidents such as a reported mock “slave auction” on Snapchat involving students in Springfield, Massachusetts.