Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 21, 2024 – “National Partnership for Women & Families strongly condemns the recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump attempting to undo important progress. These orders, some of dubious legality, represent a dangerous overreach of executive power and undermine the principles of freedom, democracy, and fairness upon which this nation was built.
“Many of the executive orders issued yesterday target communities that often have been shut out, such as women and people of color, by eliminating measures aimed at improving opportunities. Cloaked in a narrative of “equality” while denigrating the value of diversity, the orders effectively roll back discrimination protections, dismiss barriers experienced by different communities, and demonstrate a reckless disregard for the well-being of the American people and the rights of women and families, in particular people of color, immigrants and transgender people. Trying to erase or stoke fears about different groups of people is contrary to the individual freedoms at the heart of our democracy, freedoms recognizing that every person is deserving of respect and a fair chance. These actions serve only to further polarize our society, erode hard-won rights, and exacerbate systemic inequality. They also jeopardize the nation’s health and well-being, eliminating tools that have helped limit the spread of disease, lower health care costs, and ensure that Americans get the health care they need when they need it.
“These executive orders are a direct threat to the progress we have made as a nation in securing equal rights for all, promoting social justice and better health, and working to eradicate discrimination and bias. Furthermore, they demonstrate with stark clarity that the incoming administration is not only prioritizing narrow, self-serving interests but also disregarding the vast majority of Americans who seek fairness, justice, and a government that works for all.
“Importantly, these orders, if implemented and left unchallenged, could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations to bypass the legislative process and enact policies that undermine – and in some cases seek to eliminate – constitutional protections. The National Partnership calls on Congress, states, legal experts, and the American people to take immediate action to counter these executive overreaches and safeguard the democratic values that define our nation. We urge all citizens to stay informed, voice their opposition to these dangerous policies, and advocate for a fair and just future for all Americans.”
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