Justice Department Drops Biden-Era DEI Lawsuits Against Police and Fire Departments

Attorney General Pam Bondi cites lack of evidence for intentional discrimination and prioritizes merit-based hiring practices.

The Department of Justice dismissed four lawsuits alleging discriminatory hiring practices in police and fire departments filed under the Biden administration.
The lawsuits challenged the use of aptitude and physical fitness tests, citing statistical disparities in success rates for Black and female applicants.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the tests were race-neutral and emphasized the importance of hiring based on skill and public safety, not DEI quotas.
Cases involved departments in Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Indiana, with proposed settlements including millions in monetary relief and hiring changes.
The move aligns with the Trump administration's broader rollback of DEI initiatives and focus on merit-based employment practices.