Trump administration moves to dismiss transgender workplace discrimination cases

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Trump administration is seeking to dismiss several workplace discrimination cases involving transgender employees, citing a new executive order from President Donald Trump recognizing only male and female genders, according to The Washington Post.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is ending its involvement in more than six cases, marking a significant change in the government’s approach to enforcing civil rights protections.

The cases include allegations of workplace mistreatment, such as transgender employees at the fast food chain Wendy’s being subjected to derogatory language and workers at Lush cosmetics experiencing inappropriate physical contact and explicit remarks. Both companies have denied the allegations, which were both filed in 2024.

In addition to dismissing these cases, the commission has halted investigations into new complaints related to gender identity, according to a source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity.

The wholesale dismissal of multiple cases by a new administration is an unusual step, according to Don Livingston, a former general counsel for the commission under President George H.W. Bush.

Livingston said the affected employees can still pursue legal action through the court system without the agency’s involvement, but Trump has appointed many judges who are sympathetic to his aims.

Trump’s first few weeks back in the White House have produced a whirlwind of rapid-fire, radical changes that have left both US and foreign analysts struggling to keep up.