Trump's agenda meets broad resistance from American institutions
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Educational institutions, law firms, broadcasters, nonprofits and corporate shareholders are all currently fighting or rejecting the Trump administration's policies and executive orders.
Why it matters: Widespread pushback against President Trump's agenda is starting to take shape.
Driving the news: Shareholders from major U.S. companies like Apple, Costco, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs and, most recently, Berkshire Hathaway have overwhelmingly rejected anti-DEI proposals pushed by conservative activists.
- While the Trump administration has revoked federal grants and threatened Harvard's tax-exempt status, the university continues to fight back and is suing the administration.
- Nonprofits like the Ford Foundation, the Gates Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation are preparing for a fight, should the administration attempt to pull tax-exempt status, the Wall Street Journal reports.
- Meanwhile, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is suing Trump for attempting to fire members of CPB's board.
- Law firms Jenner & Block, WilmerHale and Perkins Coie are legally challenging Trump's executive order that targeted them for employing or representing his critics and sought to freeze their security clearances.
Plus, individual executives are starting to speak out.
- REI's new CEO Mary Beth Laughton recently apologized for the company's January endorsement of Trump's then-nominee for secretary of the interior, Doug Burgum, for example.
By the numbers: A recent survey conducted by Weber Shandwick and KRC Research found that roughly 6 in 10 Americans describe the state of democracy and democratic institutions as "volatile," with 75% saying businesses should take a stand to "protect democracy."
What they're saying: "At a time when trust in government is waning, business has emerged as a rare beacon of optimism and civility," says Sheila Mulligan, president of Weber Advisory.
- "This gives C-suite leaders greater license — and responsibility — to lead on issues shaping our economy and democracy. But that influence must be exercised with discipline, grounded in business and cultural relevance, stakeholder expectations, and aligned with enterprise values."
Between the lines: Leaders from the tech and pharmaceutical industries have sought to work closely with the administration, but are still getting hit by its policies.
- "You know, they all hated me in my first term," Trump said during a recent commencement address. "And now they're kissing my a**. All of them."
- Yes, but: The incentive to fall in line could be fleeting.
What to watch: The pushbacks we are seeing across sectors could signal that American institutions are feeling more emboldened to realign their corporate values or commitments.
- It could also signal they have no other choice, given the existential implications of these executive orders.
- Regardless, corporations, executives and institutions are beginning to communicate more forcefully than they have since Trump's inauguration.
What's next: Federal agencies must submit their lists of those they believe are in violation of federal civil rights or contracting rules because of DEI-related practices to the White House by May 21.
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