President Joe Biden signs executive orders on racial equity

President Joe Biden ordered his Department of Justice on Tuesday to phase out its contracts with private prisons, one of multiple new planks of Biden’s broad-focused racial justice agenda.

Biden signed four additional executive actions after laying out his racial equity plan at the White House. The actions are aimed at combating discriminatory housing practices, reforming the prison system, respecting sovereignty of Tribal governments and fighting xenophobia against Asian Americans, especially in light of the Covid pandemic.

“I ran for president because I believe we’re in a battle for the soul of this nation,” Biden said before signing the actions. “And the simple truth is, our soul will be troubled as long as systemic racism is allowed to persist.”

“I firmly believe the nation is ready to change, but government has to change as well,” he said.

The actions are the latest in a sweeping first-week flex of presidential powers. Here’s what Biden signed Tuesday afternoon, according to a preview provided by senior administration officials:

An executive order directing Biden’s attorney general to not renew DOJ contracts with privately operated criminal detention facilities;
A presidential memorandum directing the Department of Housing and Urban Development to examine the effects of the Trump administration’s regulatory actions that “undermined fair housing policies and laws.” Based on that analysis, the memo also directs HUD to take steps to fully implement the requirements of the Fair Housing Act.
An executive order pushing federal agencies to regularly and meaningfully engage with Tribal governments;
And an executive memorandum directing the Health and Human Services Department and Biden’s Covid health equity task force to consider issuing best practices for advancing “cultural competency” and sensitivity toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of its Covid response efforts. The memo also directs the DOJ to partner with those communities to prevent hate crimes and harassment against them.
“For too many American families, systemic racism and inequality in our economy, laws and institutions, still put the American dream far out of reach,” domestic policy advisor Susan Rice said at a press briefing preceding Biden’s speech and signings.

“These are desperate times for so many Americans, and all Americans need urgent federal action to meet this moment,” Rice said.

“Building a more equitable economy is essential if Americans are going to compete and thrive in the 21st century.”

Rice noted in the briefing that Biden’s order to the DOJ does not apply to private-prison contracts with other agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

That order is “silent on what may or may not transpire with ICE facilities,” she said, while stressing that the latest actions are “just the beginning” of the administration’s racial equity push.

Biden put racial justice issues at the center of his winning campaign against former President Donald Trump. Shortly after being sworn into office, Biden signed an executive order that established his administration’s social-justice focus and revoked some of his predecessor’s policies.

Specifically, the Jan. 20 action canceled Trump’s order limiting federal contractors’ ability to hold workplace diversity and inclusion trainings, which was signed in September.

Biden also ended the Trump administration’s “1776 Commission,” which produced a report highly critical of progressive ideologies in the final days of Trump’s term.

Biden’s order put the Domestic Policy Council, led by Rice, in charge of coordinating “efforts to embed equity principles, policies, and approaches across the Federal Government.”

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[danalbrecht]

If you think the most important thing about somebody is their race, gender or sexuality you are part of the problem.

[john-paul]

Joe Biden: "You can't [legislate] by executive order unless you're a dictator."
October 15, 2020. ABC Town Hall

[realwhatbrains]

"I got hairy legs that turn blonde in the sun. The kids used to come up and reach in the pool and rub my leg down so it was straight and watch the hair come back up again. So I learned about roaches, I learned about kids jumping on my lap. And I love kids jumping on my lap"

[spicynacho]

There’s a reason this has more dislikes than likes

[hannibalharkonnen]

"Some black woman stocks the shelves at the grocery store" - Biden 2020

[OddJobEntertainment]

Alternative title: "Biden's remarks after signing EO on racial equity with no reference to the actual content of the EO because as a 'credible source' we are not obligated to accurately title anything or provide useful information or links to it"

Edit: woow, lotta smooth brain replies. Yes, anyone can get the info themselves from Google and it is all public. My point was, the title is misleading since they do not discuss the contents of the EO in any form. It is just Biden's remarks afterwards. If they are going to report on an EO and title it the way they did, I should leave having some knowledge of what it was, the references needed to further read on it, AND whatever he said afterwards. You're telling me you never had to write a paper in high school? Should we not hold news agencies to at least that standard? But thanks for ignoring the meaning behind my original statement.

[natestrains]

"I learned about roaches" -Joe Biden.

Context- he was talking about how he learned about African Americans as a lifeguard.

[rainyfriday]

Glad we’re finally dropping the facade and using the term “equity” instead of “equality.” Because that’s worked so well in the past.

[ericschooff]

Based on these comments it’s hard to believe Biden was the most popular president of all time. 😆

[hairycat]

is he on federal property? where is the mask? arrest him now.

[alfandeddie]

Already a failure. But that’s his greatest skill.

[joejones]

"you can't legislate by executive orders unless you are a dictator"

[silentonall]

"What am I signing?" -Joe real!

[nickcokkle]

Did I miss the part where they said what the order actually is or what it enacts

[FJB]

Funny this man signs a record number of EO's after once claiming that this is what dictators do. This guy is a disaster.

[slappadabass]

Joe “if you don’t vote for me you ain’t black” Biden

Glad all you black people listened to the rich white man. 😂😂

[anthonyreed]

"When Trump does follow through, or doesn't do, *would* follow through...the exact opposite." - Joe Biden.

[cobra]

"It would be a racial jungle"
-Joe Biden

[LiterallyMark]

"What am I signing." - Joe Biden

[johnnastrom]

The scary thing is that most people have no clue as to what the term "equity" means in this context.