Target to roll back DEI policies following Trump’s executive order

Target announced Friday, Jan. 24, that it will cancel several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The news follows an executive order that President Donald Trump signed earlier this week asserting that DEI programs “violate the civil-rights laws of this nation.”

The Minneapolis-based retailer joins a growing list of corporations—including Walmart, Meta, McDonald’s, John Deere, Molson Coors and Tractor Supply—that have scaled back or eliminated their DEI goals in recent months. Some companies like Costco and Apple have resisted calls to end their DEI programs.

In 2020, Target’s CEO Brian Cornell said the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer motivated him to expand the company’s DEI efforts. At the time, Target had committed to addressing racial inequality and increasing diversity within its workforce.

Target posted a “Fact Sheet” on its website titled “Target’s Belonging at the Bullseye Strategy.” It outlines the actions Target will take in the coming months.

The company’s plans include concluding its three-year DEI goals, ending its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives in 2025, as originally planned. They also plan to halt all external diversity-focused surveys, including the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.

“We remain focused on driving our business by creating a sense of belonging for our team, guests and communities through a commitment to inclusion,” the company said in a statement on its fact sheet.

Over the years, Target faced backlash from conservative groups over past initiatives. Nearly two years ago, the big-box retailer removed items from its Pride collection after criticism over products like “tuck-friendly” swimsuits for transgender people. Some of that apparel was found in kids’ sections, but a spokesperson for Target denied that the swimsuits were marketed to children.