Durham Firefighters Discrimination Case Dismissed by Trump Admin, Calls DEI Hiring ‘Divisive’
WASHINGTON, DC – The Trump administration dismissed a federal lawsuit on Thursday (Feb. 27) accusing the Durham Fire Department of using a written hiring exam that disproportionately disqualified Black applicants, reinforcing its stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public safety hiring.
The lawsuit, United States of America v. City of Durham, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, alleged that Durham’s firefighter exam violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by not being job-related or necessary for business operations, according to a Department of Justice release. The dismissal ends the quest for a consent decree from the court that would have:
- Changed the test
- Required Durham to hire 16 Black applicants with retroactive seniority and hiring bonuses in lieu of pension credits
- Provided a $980,000 settlement to Black applicants disqualified by the challenged test
However, Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the dismissal, stating, “American communities deserve firefighters and police officers chosen for their skill and dedication to public safety – not to meet DEI quotas.” A White House statement echoed this position, declaring that President Trump is “ending lower standards in the name of discriminatory DEI initiatives” and prioritizing merit-based hiring.
The complaint noted that the written test in question had been used “since at least 2015.” The test was multiple choice, with:
- 15 reading questions
- 20 math questions
- 20 writing questions
- 15 map reading questions
- 30 questions on competency and human relations
There was an additional section from 2015-2017. Failure to score at least 70% prevented applicants from advancing to the interview phase.
Durham, a Democratic stronghold known for progressive policies, had been working toward a consent decree to overhaul the hiring process before the case was dropped. The dismissed lawsuit is one of several similar cases abandoned by the DOJ under the Trump administration, including actions against the Maryland State Police, Cobb County (GA), and the South Bend Police Department (IN).
Despite the federal case being dismissed, the controversy over firefighter hiring standards in Durham continues, leaving questions about the future of equitable hiring practices in the city’s public safety sector.
Photo: City of Durham