Portland mayor orders city to align program wording with Trump’s DEI rules to keep federal funds

In an executive order released Thursday, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson instructed the city to adhere to federal anti-discrimination statutes as outlined by the federal judiciary.

According to city spokesperson Cody Bowman, the order’s goal is to change the language in the city’s policies and programs so that they can certify grant applications as needed to keep as much money as possible while the Trump administration modifies the requirements for being eligible for federal grant funding.

According to Bowman, the city is now overseeing over $349 million in federal grant funds and anticipates signing contracts for an additional $31 million in the upcoming weeks.

Wilson wrote in a letter to groups that receive federal funding through the city that, in most cases, city programs and services cannot give preference to groups with protected-class status based on characteristics like gender or race in order to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws as they will be interpreted under President Donald Trump.

Any phrasing adjustments, according to Wilson’s letter, would make it clear that programs supported by federal funds would be accessible to everyone, regardless of protected class status. Wilson simultaneously restated his dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion—three terms that Trump has made anathema.

To be clear, Wilson penned. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that we hold dear in Portland. We proudly utter those phrases.

By making city government more accessible and inclusive, the mayor said that Portland would keep running the great majority of programs that benefit all Portlanders, including women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, and those with disabilities.

According to Bowman, the order will allow the city to keep its sanctuary status and keep up its involvement in many lawsuits challenging executive orders issued by the Trump administration.

Elana Pirtle-Guiney, the president of the city council, stated that she and her fellow council members remained unified in our dedication to Portland’s values and that she supported the mayor’s order.

According to Pirtle-Guiney’s statement, this step is required to guarantee that Portland can maintain its share of federal funding for vital housing initiatives, street safety projects, and programs aimed at preventing gun violence in the city.

At 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, the executive order went into force.

Correction: To ensure that awards fulfill federal criteria, the city will amend program and policy language. This has been reflected in the amended story. Only the terminology used in grant applications would change, according to an earlier version of the story.

For The Oregonian, Lillian Mongeau Hughes writes about mental health and homelessness. For advice or inquiries, send her an email atlmhughes@oregonian.com. Or follow her on X at @lrmongeau or Bluesky@lmonghughes.bsky.socialor.

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