TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with 12 other state attorneys general, issued a joint statement Friday condemning former President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives.
The statement accused Trump of misleading the public about the purpose of DEIA policies and criticized his claims that such programs contributed to a recent plane crash, calling the assertion an “insult” to grieving families and military personnel.
“President Trump’s executive orders are unnecessary and disingenuous,” the statement read. “These orders have nothing to do with combating discrimination. Instead, the administration is targeting lawful policies that benefit all Americans.”
The attorneys general argued that DEIA programs help create fairer workplaces and educational opportunities without diminishing individual merit, countering Trump’s claims that such initiatives lead to lower standards or race-and-sex-based hiring preferences.
As legal battles over diversity policies continue, the attorneys general vowed to defend civil rights protections, stating they would oppose any efforts to roll back policies designed to combat historical inequities and promote inclusivity.
