Progress and Precarity: The State of Civil Rights in America and the Future Under a Trump Presidency
Since the mid-20th century, America has been on a path toward expanding civil rights across race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, ability, and age. Through decades of effort by activists, lawmakers, and everyday Americans, the nation has seen significant strides in areas including racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ+ protections, disability rights, voting access, and more. Yet, with President Trump’s re-election, many of these advancements face an uncertain future. This article will delve into the trajectory of America’s civil rights, the nuanced rights not always at the forefront of public discourse, and the potential regression in an era that questions whether progress can be taken away.
1. Racial Justice and Anti-Discrimination
Advancements and Ongoing Struggles
The fight for racial justice has seen landmark changes, starting with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and extending through recent movements like Black Lives Matter. Policies addressing police reform, voter suppression, and racial disparities in the criminal justice system have been championed in the past two decades, with some state-level changes that seek to reduce excessive sentencing and promote equal voting access. However, racial inequality remains embedded in many aspects of American life, with wealth disparities, education gaps, and healthcare access often heavily influenced by race.
Potential Challenges Under Trump
Trump’s administration previously rolled back certain anti-discrimination policies and criticized movements focused on racial justice, often downplaying systemic racism. New federal approaches may reverse efforts toward police reform, restrict voting access through identification laws, and curb civil rights investigations into racial discrimination in housing, employment, and education. This could stall, or even reverse, the hard-won progress made toward addressing systemic inequities.
2. Women’s Rights and Reproductive Justice
Strides in Gender Equality
From securing voting rights to the #MeToo movement, women’s rights have expanded significantly. Efforts to protect against workplace harassment, provide equal pay, and improve reproductive health access have all marked the journey toward gender equality. The Women’s Health Protection Act has sought to cement reproductive rights nationally, and family leave policies have seen incremental advancements in state legislatures.
Threats of Reversal
The Trump administration has supported more conservative judicial appointments, potentially impacting rulings on reproductive rights, healthcare, and workplace discrimination. New efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act could reduce healthcare access for low-income women, and a stricter approach to federal funding may affect initiatives focused on women’s health, family planning, and childcare support. This is a significant risk to maintaining gender equality in the workplace and in healthcare.
3. LGBTQ+ Rights: Equality at a Crossroads
Achievements and the Struggle for Comprehensive Protection
The legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015 marked a historic moment for LGBTQ+ rights, followed by significant strides in workplace protection through Bostock v. Clayton County in 2020. However, LGBTQ+ advocates continue to push for the Equality Act, which would offer explicit protections across housing, healthcare, and public accommodations.
Potential Challenges to LGBTQ+ Protections
Trump’s previous presidency saw the rollback of protections for transgender individuals, including military restrictions and changes to Title IX that affect transgender students. Further policies could undermine healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially transgender people, who face higher rates of discrimination. Without codified protections like the Equality Act, federal leadership may prioritize religious exemptions over LGBTQ+ rights, risking a rollback of recent progress.
4. Disability Rights and Accessibility
Historical Progress for the Disability Community
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was a landmark law that improved accessibility, anti-discrimination protections, and accommodation requirements for people with disabilities. Programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act have provided essential services, and advocacy continues for better employment opportunities, mental health support, and inclusive education.
Risks Under the Current Administration
If healthcare reforms or Medicaid funding reductions are pursued, access to critical support for individuals with disabilities could be compromised. Additionally, weakened enforcement of ADA regulations may threaten public accommodation and accessibility standards, reversing years of progress toward creating a more inclusive society. This could disproportionately affect the disabled community’s economic opportunities, housing access, and educational resources.
5. Voting Rights and Democracy
Progress in Expanding Voter Access
Voting rights were bolstered by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and recent efforts have focused on expanding voter access through same-day registration, mail-in ballots, and early voting. Some states have taken measures to ease voter ID requirements and provide multilingual ballots, fostering a more inclusive democracy.
Challenges and Potential Regressions
The Trump administration may push for stricter voter ID laws, limit mail-in voting options, and support gerrymandering, potentially disenfranchising minority communities, the elderly, and students. Without federal protections like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, access to voting could face significant restrictions, undermining the democratic process and limiting representation for historically marginalized groups.
6. Indigenous Rights and Sovereignty
Advancements for Indigenous Sovereignty
In recent years, there have been critical victories for Indigenous communities, including greater control over tribal lands and recognition of treaty rights. The Supreme Court's McGirt v. Oklahoma decision in 2020 acknowledged the sovereignty of tribal lands in Oklahoma, a milestone for Indigenous rights in the U.S.
Concerns Under Trump
Federal policies on natural resource extraction could pose significant risks to tribal lands, undermining treaty protections. A Trump administration may also prioritize infrastructure projects like pipelines, which have previously led to clashes with Indigenous groups. Environmental deregulation could impact land preservation efforts, jeopardizing both cultural sites and ecological protections on Indigenous lands.
7. Immigrant Rights and Inclusion
Efforts to Reform Immigration
Programs like DACA, which provided relief for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for individuals fleeing unsafe conditions, have offered avenues toward stability for immigrant communities. Immigration reform has aimed to balance national security with human rights, although comprehensive reform remains a contentious issue.
Risk of Retrenchment in Immigrant Protections
The Trump administration's approach to immigration emphasizes border security, restrictive entry policies, and potential limitations on legal pathways to citizenship. Terminating DACA or imposing stringent restrictions on family-based immigration could affect millions of families, disrupting communities across the country. These actions may exacerbate labor shortages, economic disparities, and humanitarian concerns.
8. Economic Justice and Workers’ Rights
Recent Progress Toward Wage Equity and Workers’ Rights
The push for a higher minimum wage, paid family leave, and workplace protections has gained momentum, with some states raising minimum wages and supporting collective bargaining rights. Programs aimed at affordable housing and reducing income inequality also seek to support economic justice, though significant gaps remain.
Economic Policy Shifts Under Trump
A deregulatory approach could impact worker safety, wage equity, and union power. Deregulation of industries might lead to fewer protections against workplace discrimination and reduced oversight of safety standards. This approach may increase corporate profits but could also worsen economic disparities, making it more challenging for low-income workers to achieve financial stability.
9. Environmental Justice: Linking Climate and Social Equity
Gains in Environmental Awareness and Policy
Environmental justice links community health with sustainable practices, focusing on areas disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental degradation. Recent initiatives have sought to prioritize clean energy, pollution reduction, and conservation efforts in minority and low-income communities, addressing both climate change and social equity.
Environmental Reversals and Community Impact
Trump’s environmental policy emphasizes energy independence through expanded fossil fuel production. The rollback of environmental regulations could lead to higher pollution in marginalized communities, impacting health, economic opportunities, and long-term environmental quality. The Trump administration’s focus on deregulation could stall environmental justice efforts and hinder climate resilience.
Conclusion: The Precarious State of Progress
Though America has made strides toward greater equality and justice, these advancements are not guaranteed, and the Trump administration’s policies may place many of these rights at risk. From voting rights and racial equity to immigration and LGBTQ+ protections, the scope of potential regression is vast. This moment highlights how fragile progress can be in a democracy when civil rights are not fully codified and protected.
While America has come far, the work to solidify these gains and protect against reversals is ongoing. As activists, lawmakers, and everyday citizens mobilize to safeguard these rights, the next four years will be a critical period to determine whether America will continue its journey toward justice or take a step back on its promise of liberty and equality for all.
