Trump’s DOJ Shuts Down Sewage Fix in Black Alabama County, Calls It a ‘Distorting DEI Lens’

The U.S. Department of Justice has officially ended a 2023 settlement agreement with the Alabama Department of Public Health regarding longstanding sanitation issues in Lowndes County, a rural, predominantly Black area in the state’s Black Belt region. The move reflects a broader shift under the Trump administration, which has sought to dismantle federal programs associated with “environmental justice” and “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated, “The DOJ will no longer push ‘environmental justice’ as viewed through a distorting, DEI lens.”

The original agreement had paused federal civil rights investigations in exchange for Alabama health officials committing to address failing sanitation systems and suspending criminal penalties for residents forced to “straight pipe” raw sewage due to a lack of proper infrastructure. Now, that agreement has been terminated, with the Justice and Health and Human Services departments declaring the end of the partnership “effective immediately.”

Alabama health officials acknowledged the end of the agreement but noted they will continue to assist with septic system installation until current funding runs out. “ADPH will support and be available to provide technical assistance to other organizations that may choose to engage in this work,” said spokesperson Ryan Easterling.

Catherine Coleman Flowers, a native of Lowndes County and founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, responded with concern but also hope. “The people of Lowndes County exposed this issue to the American public,” she said. “I pray that today’s action means that this administration will make sanitation a priority for all who are affected throughout rural America.”

The DOJ's decision follows an executive order from President Trump titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” which prohibits federal engagement in DEI-related initiatives. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ is actively working to close similar investigations. Another ongoing EPA probe—launched under President Biden—targets the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and its alleged discrimination in Clean Water Act funding. The status of that case remains uncertain following today’s announcement.

Link: AL.com