The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) distributes substantial Federal financial assistance for thousands of projects, programs, and activities operated or initiated by diverse
entities, including but not limited to State and local governments. DOT administers this
Federal financial assistance to support the development and maintenance of the Nation’s transportation infrastructure, pursuant to statutory authority and in accordance with binding contractual
agreements in the form of Federal financial assistance agreements, usually grants, cooperative
agreements, and loans.
As part of President Trump’s agenda to end illegal discrimination, inefficient climate change policies,
and other harmful initiatives in Federal programs, the President has issued several Executive
Orders (E.O.) including those titled as follows: E.O. 14170, Reforming The Federal Hiring
Process And Restoring Merit To Government Service; E.O. 14151, Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing; E.O. 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government; E.O. 14149, Restoring
Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship; E.O. 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination
and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity; and E.O. 14154, Unleashing American Energy.
These E.O.s direct Federal agencies, where and as consistent with law, to identify and eliminate
all orders, directives, rules, regulations, notices, guidance documents, funding agreements, programs,
and policy statements, or portions thereof, which were authorized, adopted, or approved
between noon on January 20, 2021 and noon on January 20, 2025, and which reference or relate
in any way to climate change, “greenhouse gas” emissions, racial equity, gender identity, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” goals, environmental justice, or the Justice 40 Initiative.
Between noon on January 20, 2021 and noon on January 20, 2025, DOT incorporated these types
of policies into the terms, schedules, exhibits, and attachments of the Department’s Federal financial assistance agreements. Accordingly, I write to clarify that the Department will no longer
enforce these policies, or any other requirements incorporated into its Federal financial assistance agreements that are inconsistent with the policy objectives of this Administration and current
DOT leadership. More specifically, the Department considers any policies or requirements
not based in statute or regulation relating or referring to climate change, “greenhouse gas” emissions, racial equity, gender identity, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” goals, environmental justice,
and the Justice 40 Initiative that were incorporated into the terms, schedules, exhibits, and
attachments of its Federal financial assistance agreements to be null and void and of no effect.
Recipients of DOT Federal financial assistance are hereby released of their obligations to comply
with these policies and requirements effective immediately.
This letter does not impose new conditions or requirements but instead serves merely to provide notice that DOT will not enforce or require adherence to any of the aforementioned policy requirements the prior administration incorporated into the Department’s Federal financial assistance agreements. The Department has removed those requirements from its Federal financial assistance agreements, and inserted language that requires compliance with already existing legal requirements, as applicable based on existing court decisions-including, among others, existing legal requirements related to immigration enforcement and the prohibition of discrimination-not the type of new sweeping policy requirements imposed by the prior administration.
As a reminder, the Department offers technical guidance and support for all recipients of DOT Federal financial assistance through its program offices. Should you require clarification regarding your obligations, you are encouraged to contact your designated DOT representative.
The Department remains committed to advancing a transportation system that serves the public interest efficiently and unleashes economic prosperity and a superior quality of life for American families and supports our partnership to achieve these goals.
Sincerely, Sean Duffy