Nike probed by Trump appointee over claims of bias against white workers

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s probe seen as latest effort by Trump administration to roll back diversity and inclusion policies.Published On 5 Feb 2026Nike is being investigated in the United States over claims that it discriminated against white workers through its diversity and inclusion policies.The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said on Wednesday that it had filed a court motion to compel Nike to produce information related to allegations of “intentional race discrimination” against white employees.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison for trying to assassinate Trumplist 2 of 4US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman on Friday, Tehran confirmslist 3 of 4US Supreme Court rejects challenge to California redistricting maplist 4 of 4Ukraine says first day of peace talks with Russia ‘productive’end of listThe allegations relate to a suspected pattern of discrimination in “hiring, promotion, demotion, or separation decisions, including selection for layoffs; internship programs; and mentoring, leadership development and other career development programs”, the US government agency said.The agency said it took the action after Nike had failed to respond to a subpoena for various information, including the criteria used in selecting employees for redundancies and setting executives’ pay.EEOC chair, Andrea Lucas, an ardent critic of racial diversity initiatives who was appointed last year by President Donald Trump, said US anti-discrimination law is “colour-blind” and protects employees of “all races”.“Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to enforcing our nation’s civil rights laws, the EEOC has renewed its focus on even-handed enforcement of Title VII,” Lucas said in a statement, referring to a section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, colour, religion or sex.Nike, based in Beaverton, Oregon, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The EEOC’s action is seen as the latest move by the Trump administration to roll back policies promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.