On Tuesday, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on President Donald Trump suspending the U.S. Coast Guard’s Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response, and Accountability policy.
“It is appalling that the Trump Administration has abruptly suspended the Coast Guard’s anti-harassment policy – a policy developed as the result of repeated incidents of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation,” said Thompson. “To make matters worse, the lack of clarity in the communications announcing the suspension will undoubtedly lead to confusion and purposeful misinterpretation.
“It is inexcusable that the Trump Administration would wantonly change a policy that will inevitably put women and minorities in the Coast Guard – who risk their lives defending our waterways around the clock – at greater risk,” Thompson added.
President Donald Trump and the White House issued the following statement on their purpose for this order and policy.
“As Chief Executive and as Commander in Chief, I am committed to meritocracy and to the elimination of race-based and sex-based discrimination within the Armed Forces of the United States,” said Trump. “No individual or group within our Armed Forces should be preferred or disadvantaged on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color or creed.
“Unfortunately, in recent years civilian and uniformed leadership alike have implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and their attendant race and sex preferences within the Armed Forces,” Trump added. “These actions undermine leadership, merit, and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness. They also violate Americans' consciences by engaging in invidious race and sex discrimination.”
The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security have 180 days to create a report documenting their progess and explaining how this order will be fulfilled.
