President Donald Trump increased the scope of his assault against the government’s anti-racism workplace trainings on white privilege on Tuesday night with an executive order banning government contractors from holding the trainings.
In the order, Trump claimed that trainings that discuss the disproportionate amount of power afforded to white men “perpetuates racial stereotypes and division and can use subtle coercive pressure to ensure conformity of viewpoint.”
“Such activities also promote division and inefficiency when carried out by Federal contractors,” the order said.
The contractors thus “will not be permitted to inculcate such views in their employees,” according to the order.
Trump touted the ban on Twitter on Tuesday.
“Americans should be taught to take PRIDE in our Great Country, and if you don’t, there’s nothing in it for you!” he tweeted.
The order follows Trump’s ban prohibiting federal agencies from conducting workplace sensitivity trainings that explore power structures embedded in the U.S. that favor white men socially and economically. The President and his administration have derided the trainings as “anti-American propaganda.”
Last week, White House budget chief Russell Vought stated that he was directing federal agency leaders to look out for “buzzwords” associated with the trainings.
