The Trump presidency arrived as a shock to many Black Americans, and to be honest, the aftershock never quite stopped. At one time, it felt impossible for things to get worse than 2020, yet this administration has unleashed a more volatile national climate that has left a lasting impact on the Black community, violence and unrest included.
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Attacks from this era didn’t just make news — they reshaped how many Black Americans moved through the world. In the slides ahead, we unpack attacks at the hands of the Trump administration, and the lasting impact the political violence has had on our communities.
The Erasure of our Black Heroes
Under the Trump administration, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth considered removing the names of civil rights leaders from U.S. Naval ships, including Harriet Tubman and Thurgood Marshall. Folks were shocked, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who said Tubman was “indeed a warrior” and “a commander” who deserves applause, per WBOC.
Dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The Trump administration rolled back federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs through a series of executive orders signed in January 2025. These moves disrupted ongoing efforts to promote workplace equity, racial inclusion, and social justice across government agencies. These changes wreaked havoc on programs that affect us the most.
Federal Programs Shut Down
Executive orders aimed at terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) resulted in the abrupt halt of programs that directly affect Black communities, including workforce training, mentorship initiatives, and equity-focused grants. The rollbacks sent a clear signal that federal support for racial inclusion and representation was being dismantled.
DEI Rollback Left Black Women Vulnerable
Black women in government roles were left vulnerable when the administration swept away DEI programs. Ronicsa Chambers said she felt “hit in the face with a brick” after a conference call informed her that her long-sought Federal Aviation Administration role was over, a position she’d worked toward since 2005.
Plans to reassign her and five other Black women — plus one white man with a disability — never materialized. “As far as we know, we’re the only ones still on administrative leave,” Chambers told ProPublica.
300,000 Black Women Lost Jobs in 2025
While Trump boasts of a strong job market, we know a different story. This year alone, over 300,000 Black women were pushed out of the workforce amid sweeping DEI cuts. The disparity stems from federal rollbacks — like Chambers’ story — as well as systemic racism, with Black folks often taking the brunt of the worst changes. And when funding is slashed, corporations make a beeline for Black women, without fail.
The Dismantling of the Department of Education
The Trump administration targeted the Department of Education, rolling back DEI initiatives and rescinding equity-focused policies. These actions disrupted programs aimed at supporting Black students — Black boys, especially — educators, and staff across the country.
What About Our Young Students?
As Trump seeks to dismantle the Department of Education, Black youth face shrinking support, fewer resources, and stalled programs designed to promote equity and opportunity. Without DOE oversight, enforcement of civil rights laws against discrimination and segregation is sure to decline.
And with Black boys overrepresented in special education, these attacks leave them particularly vulnerable to unequal treatment, a valid concern amongst educators nationwide.
Teachers Take Action Against Attacks
The Root caught up with Stacy Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and leader of the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT). And since Trump declared war on Chicago, the union leader now conducts “Know Your Rights” training and builds mutual aid networks in an effort to protect students. These changes benefit children both today, and in the long run.
Forming Organized Resistance
While Trump unleashed a brutal attack on Chicago amid “Operation Midway Blitz” — an operation led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to brutally target immigrants without documentation — Davis Gates stepped up to protect the youth.
After a Black Hawk helicopter landed in a Black neighborhood and detained children, systems are now implemented in her city to act quickly and “take care of young people.”
Deporting U.S. Citizens
Black folks may have felt they have rightful ties to the U.S., but apparently this isn’t enough to keep ICE from targeting us. Three citizens born on U.S. soil have been deported without due process, due to the immigration status of their parents. Needless to say, separating families is sure to have a long lasting impact.
Deporting U.S. Army Veterans
Godfrey Wade, 65, a U.S. veteran and grandfather from Georgia who arrived in the country at 15, has been held in immigration detention for the past three months after what began as a routine traffic stop. Non-citizen veterans were previously protected from deportation under the Biden administration, but a Trump-era memo removed those safeguards, putting many at risk despite serving the country.
Segregation Could Return
A recent Trump administration change means federal contractors are no longer explicitly banned from maintaining segregated restaurants, waiting rooms, and drinking fountains, per NPR. Though outright segregation and discrimination remain illegal under state and federal law, experts say the federal memo — prompted by the administration’s executive orders on DEI — marks a major shift with wide-reaching implications.
Moving Forward Together
Despite setbacks, the Black community continues to move forward together. From grassroots initiatives to advocacy campaigns and politicians who refuse to stay silent, we’re finding ways to protect ourselves and preserve our legacy. And the best part? That work is creating lasting change we can all support.
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