The First Anti-DEI Law: South Carolina’s Dangerous New Precedent
How a Trump-era ideology is being codified into law—and why students, educators, and civil rights leaders are fighting back.
On April 2, 2025, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed H.3927—a sweeping bill titled the Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act. Don’t let the name fool you.
Let’s talk about Jada. She’s a first-generation college student at a public university in South Carolina. She found her sense of belonging through her school’s DEI center, which connected her to mentors, scholarships, and mental health support. Now, she’s terrified it will all disappear.
And she’s not alone.
“I think there's mostly anger... I just think there's a lot of discontent about why this is happening and how can this be something that we're letting happen.”
— Millie Bennett, student, College of Charleston“Resources like the Pride Center and the Multicultural Center, these are really important places on campus, and they offer tons of different support for different students all across the board.”
— Emmalyn Gilbreth, sophomore, College of Charleston
Supporters of H.3927 call it a stand against “woke ideology.” But critics see something else entirely: a calculated rollback of civil rights repackaged as a return to “merit.”
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What the Bill Really Does
H.3927 bans public entities in South Carolina—including public colleges, K–12 schools, and state agencies—from requiring or promoting DEI-related policies. It also restricts public contractors and grant recipients from engaging in certain diversity practices and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the State Inspector General and Attorney General.
This bill is explicitly modeled on Executive Order 13950, issued by then-President Donald Trump in 2020. This order sought to bar federal contractors from racial sensitivity training deemed “divisive.” Although President Biden rescinded it, South Carolina Republicans are resurrecting and rebranding the order.
House Majority Leader Davey Hiott calls it “a restoration of merit-based opportunity” and a rejection of “ideological discrimination.”
But critics say this is misleading. The bill doesn’t just prohibit discrimination; it prevents institutions from addressing it.
We’ve covered the Trump Administration’s attacks on DEI extensively. See one example here:
A National Pattern
South Carolina is part of a coordinated national trend:
Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis’s SB 266 banned DEI funding in public colleges, shuttering LGBTQ+ centers and DEI offices statewide.
Texas: SB 17 eliminated DEI offices in higher education, leading to widespread layoffs and program closures.
Alabama: SB 129 banned DEI programs and instruction in all state schools and universities.
Ohio: SB 1 eliminated DEI initiatives while banning faculty strikes and enforcing state-mandated civics curricula.
In each state, the language of fairness is weaponized to dismantle inclusion. These laws do not protect merit; they systematically disempower marginalized communities.
A Familiar Playbook
This is not new. American history is full of laws that pretended to promote neutrality while targeting those fighting for equity:
McCarthy-era loyalty oaths chilled free speech and cost teachers their jobs.
“Massive Resistance” laws in the Civil Rights era defunded integrated schools.
Arizona’s 2010 ethnic studies ban shut down programs under the guise of fighting racial resentment.
Each wave of suppression has been framed as protecting order. Each time, the result has been silencing progress.
Resistance on the Record
South Carolina Democrats and civil rights advocates are fighting back:
Rep. Jermaine Johnson warned that universities will eliminate multicultural programs out of fear, creating a chilling effect.
Rep. Wendell Jones called it an “anti-opportunity bill” that discourages talent and investment.
Rep. JA Moore invoked his father’s civil rights activism, urging colleagues to look beyond partisanship.
Rep. Terry Alexander cautioned, “I'm afraid we're taking this too far, and it's going to come back to haunt us.”
Despite their efforts, the bill passed in an 82–32 vote.
What’s Really at Stake
If signed into law, H.3927 could become the template for a national wave of anti-DEI legislation. Educational institutions could be barred from discussing systemic racism, gender discrimination, or social inequality.
DEI offices may shut down.
Professors may self-censor.
Underrepresented students may feel increasingly isolated.
And it will all be justified in the name of “restoring merit.”
The Bottom Line
This isn’t about merit. It’s about consolidating power, silencing dissent, and rebranding exclusion as equality.
By turning diversity into a scapegoat, lawmakers are manufacturing a climate of fear—one that threatens academic freedom, civil rights, and educational access.
We’ve seen this before.
We know how it plays out.
But this time, we can still resist.
Let South Carolina be the wake-up call, not the blueprint.
Call to Action
If you live in South Carolina or any state considering similar legislation:
Contact your state representatives.
Support DEI practitioners and educators.
Share this article to educate and mobilize your community.
Push back—while we still can.
We just hit 10,000 subscribers—thank you! We’re offering full access to The Coffman Chronicle for just $1 a week ($52/year) to celebrate.
Get exclusive analysis and fearless reporting you won’t find in corporate media.
Bibliography:
Holdman, Jessica. “SC House Passes Bill Banning ‘Illegal’ DEI Across Schools and Government.” South Carolina Daily Gazette, April 2, 2025.
“SC House Passes Trump-Style Ban on DEI Mandates, First State to Do So.” WYFF4, April 3, 2025.
“SC Republicans Scale Back Anti-DEI Bill Because of Cost, Lawsuit Concerns.” Live5 News, March 19, 2025.
“SC House Passes Anti-DEI Bill.” Spectrum News, April 3, 2025.
“SC House Anti-DEI Bill Mirrors Trump Executive Order.” Greenville News, April 4, 2025.
“SC Becomes the First State to Enact Anti-DEI Mandate.” WACH, April 3, 2025.
“Connect to the Capitol Extra: SC House Passes Trump-Style DEI Policy.” WPDE, April 3, 2025.
“House Passes Trump-Style Ban on Radical DEI Mandates Act.” Fox Carolina, April 3, 2025.
“Wisconsin Audits Find Lack of Tracking of DEI Spending at University System and State Agencies.” Associated Press, April 11, 2025.
Trump and his allies at the Heritage Foundation don't want diversity, equity, or inclusion - they want sameness. They want us all moving in one accord - all serving the oligarchy without asking too many questions.
What's with all this pretending the USA does not have a diverse population? Didn't the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Civil Rights prove that acknowledging our diversity and striving for inclusiveness made the nation stronger both socially and economically?