White House Press Release - Trump Administration Stops Lowering Standards for Police, Firefighters

President Donald J. Trump declared an end to lower standards in the name of discriminatory "diversity, equity, and inclusion" initiatives — and the Trump Administration continues to make good on that commitment to prioritize merit, not divisive race-based obsessions, in hiring.

Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed several Biden-era lawsuits against police and fire departments who used race-neutral mechanisms — such as standard aptitude tests, physical exams, and credit checks — in their hiring processes, the result of which lowered standards and endangered public safety.

• DISMISSED: United States v. City of Durham (North Carolina)
  • The Biden DOJ alleged discrimination because entry-level firefighter applicants were required to pass a written exam. The city was required to provide compensation and preferential hiring to applicants who were not hired.

• DISMISSED: United States v. Maryland State Police
  • The Biden DOJ alleged discrimination because applicants were required to pass a written exam and basic physical exam. The agency was required to provide compensation and retroactive seniority to applicants who were not hired.

• DISMISSED: United States v. Cobb County (Georgia)
  • The Biden DOJ alleged discrimination because firefighter applicants were required to complete a written exam and credit check. The county was required to provide compensation and preferential hiring to applicants who were not hired.

• DISMISSED: United States v. City of South Bend (Indiana)
  • The Biden DOJ alleged discrimination because police applicants were required to pass a written exam and basic physical exam.

Americans deserve the best of the best keeping them safe — and in the Trump Administration, anything less is unacceptable.