Donald Trump issued an executive order rescinding two orders signed by Biden on his first day in office four years ago, one to promote racial equity in underserved communities and another to combat discrimination based on gender identity or sexuality Orientation discrimination.

An executive order titled "Protecting Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" directs the federal government to eliminate "all radical gender ideology guidance, communications, policies, and forms."

"As of today, it is the official policy of the United States Government that there are only two sexes, male and female," the president said in his inaugural address.

The order directs the Secretary of State and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that passports, visas and other official government documents reflect male and female as the only two genders. Institutions would also be banned from promoting gender transition and prisons would be instructed not to use taxpayer funds for gender transition services.

"In enforcing laws that prevent sex discrimination, institutions will no longer pretend that men can be women and women can be men," the order states.

The other order contradicts one signed by Joe Biden on his first day in office, which ordered the federal government to “review any existing orders, regulations, guidance documents, policies, programs, or other agency actions that may violate transgender people.” "right.

The Trump administration plans to review and potentially end what the official called "discriminatory programs," including environmental justice grants and diversity training programs.

The rollback of DEI and Trump's inauguration coincide with this year's Martin Luther King Day holiday, which honors the civil rights leader.

Civil and human rights advocates and groups immediately vowed to protect minorities and challenge Trump's agenda.

"We refuse to back down or be intimidated. We are not going anywhere and we will fight against these harmful provisions with all our might," Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ rights advocacy group in the United States, said in a statement.

Human rights advocates say any rollback of DEI and transgender rights implemented by Trump would deal a blow to hard-fought efforts to ensure equitable policies and undermine progress in addressing decades of systemic bias that has denied marginalized groups equal opportunity. .

"We will continue to work tirelessly to protect immigrant rights, combat voter suppression, and confront all forms of hatred and discrimination," Asian Americans Advancing Justice said in a statement.

Many businesses have distanced themselves from DEI measures, with some canceling DEI initiatives and programs in recent weeks. Meanwhile, companies like Costco and Apple remain steadfast in their commitment to DEI.

Reporting contributed by Reuters