Public transit is a lifeline for countless Americans. Trump is derailing our protections | Lateefah Simon and Guillermo Mayer
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has removed rules that held transportation agencies responsible for unintentionally discriminatory outcomes. This change means federally funded transportation projects no longer have to be reviewed for fairness regarding their impact on racial minorities, reversing decades of civil rights protections.Key Facts
- The Department of Transportation will no longer enforce accountability for unintentional discrimination in transportation projects.
- Before this change, projects had to be checked for fairness to avoid unfair impacts on racial minorities.
- This rollback affects highways, public transit, and aviation projects funded by taxpayer money.
- An example from 2009 involved the Oakland BART project, which was investigated and penalized for neglecting neighborhoods of Black and Latino residents.
- The previous rules allowed communities to hold agencies accountable for discrimination, even if accidental.
- The Trump administration is reversing similar protections across other federally funded programs like housing and employment.
- Transportation has historically been central to civil rights struggles, including fights against segregation and for accessibility.
- Critics argue that removing these rules removes important tools for protecting equal access to jobs, healthcare, and education.
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