Trump Halts 2-Year BAE Bias Inquiry, Shielding $8 Billion in Federal Contracts

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 19

Jan. 21 — one day after taking office — Trump ordered the Labor Department to stop most work by the civil rights office investigating BAE Systems, abruptly ending a two-year workplace-bias probe.
Investigators had been preparing a resolution that could have required seven-figure payouts and reforms at BAE or put roughly $8 billion in annual federal contracts at risk.
The inquiry had found evidence that male managers at a Norfolk, Virginia, shipyard sought sexual favors for promotions and overtime, while Black women were paid less and promoted less often than men.
The shutdown came under Trump’s executive order purging federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, a move investigators said cut off contact with workers before remedies could be secured.