The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday that it would investigate the employment practices in Minnesota, specifically looking for evidence of racism and sexism.
Reports suggest that the Minnesota Department of Human Services has asked supervisors to explain why they would hire non-minority candidates in a bid to promote “positive behavior” in hiring. The DOJ press release noted that those supervisors who fail to follow these guidelines could face disciplinary measures.
This employment guide from Minnesota is set to be implemented in June and August of 2025. It outlines “non-violating employment,” which implies that hiring decisions can be justified only if there aren’t qualified candidates from other backgrounds available during the interview process. The intention is to compel supervisors to justify their hiring choices.
The policy identifies “protected groups,” including females, individuals with disabilities, and various racial minorities such as Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, or Alaska Native individuals.
Hermeet Dillon, a former aide for the Civil Rights Division in the Trump administration, remarked that federal law has long prohibited discriminatory employment practices and emphasized that the DOJ will not tolerate such actions.
Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota established an executive order in 2019 to form the “One Council on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Minnesota,” aiming for fairness across the state. He expressed that disparities in the areas of race, geography, and economic status hold Minnesota back from achieving its potential.
In his view, addressing these issues requires collaboration with the communities involved. The council was intended to engage with all Minnesotans, regardless of where they reside.
In March 2021, Walz also launched the Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity. This council later suggested removing educational barriers to employment and ensuring diversity across different sectors.
In 2023, Walz took on the role of Chief Equity Officer, appointing Stephanie Barage, a former vice-chair of the Minnesota Department of Education, to this position.
The DOJ’s scrutiny of Minnesota follows a similar investigation into practices in Chicago, where Mayor Brandon Johnson asserted his administration’s commitment to diversity, which also raised concerns about possible violations of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The current investigation will seek to uncover any patterns of discriminatory practices within Minnesota’s hiring systems.
