EEOC rescinds 1966 workforce data rule, probes Nike over alleged discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted 2‑1 to eliminate a 1966 regulation that required employers with 100 or more employees to submit EE0‑1 forms reporting the race and gender of their workforce. Chairwoman Andrea Lucas, a Trump‑appointed commissioner, said the rule violates the 14th Amendment by encouraging discrimination against non‑protected groups, chiefly white men. Critics argue that ending the reporting will obscure existing disparities and could “resegregate” the American labor market.

In a separate action, the EEOC opened a federal investigation of Nike, alleging the retailer discriminated against white employees and job applicants. The probe proceeded without a prior employee complaint, a rarity for the agency. Nike had settled a prior EEOC agreement under the Biden administration, but the settlement was withdrawn after President Trump returned to office. The investigation became public in early 2026, raising questions about the agency’s shift in enforcement priorities.

Both moves reflect the Trump administration’s broader effort to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within federal agencies and large corporations.