Articles

# Trump Administration Stops Lowering Standards for Police, Firefighters

The White House
February 27, 2025

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.

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