The Justice Department is dropping cases that aimed to force police and fire departments to address alleged discriminatory hiring practices, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi. This move marks the latest action by the Trump administration to reduce government support for diversity initiatives.
A Justice Department official confirmed the abandonment of four cases, including one that resulted in a settlement over discriminatory hiring practices at the Maryland State Police. The department had been accused of using tests that unfairly affected Black and female applicants. This decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reverse diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which Republicans argue undermine merit-based hiring.
“American communities deserve firefighters and police officers selected for their skills and commitment to public safety—not to meet DEI quotas,” Bondi said in a statement.
In the Maryland case, the Biden administration had reached an agreement in October to change how applicants are tested. Investigations revealed that the police department’s written test discriminated against Black candidates, while its physical fitness test was biased against female applicants. The Biden administration determined these tests disproportionately disqualified Black and female candidates, violating federal laws against discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, or religion.
Chad Mizelle, Bondi’s chief of staff, criticized the Biden administration’s actions, stating on social media that it aimed to punish departments for using race-neutral hiring practices. He argued that there was no evidence of intentional discrimination by the departments involved.
The Maryland State Police did not immediately comment on the matter.
Other cases involved police and fire departments in North Carolina, Georgia, and Indiana, according to Mizelle.
President Trump had signed an executive order on his first day in office, directing federal agencies to end all “equity-related” grants or contracts. He followed up with another order requiring federal contractors to certify that they do not promote DEI programs.
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