Fearing action by Trump, Golden Gate Bridge operator considers removing DEI references
Denis Mulligan, general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, noted in a Friday memo, first reported by the San Francisco Standard, that federal grant recipients found to be promoting DEI initiatives may face penalties or be forced to return their federal funding.
Mulligan said in the memo he wants to remove a resolution the district board approved in 2020 that condemns racism and states that it should be 'safe and free of discrimination.' While he acknowledged that the resolution does not violate federal anti-discrimination law, he said the policy authorized 'anti-discrimination efforts focused on specific racial groups' and contained language that 'could be construed as inconsistent' with federal guidance.
'We're the Golden Gate Bridge. We're a symbol of our country so we'll be under scrutiny for our grants, arguably more so than the typical agency in the Bay Area,' Mulligan said in an interview Tuesday.
But at least one board member said he is opposed to Mulligan's proposal.
Board member and San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio said in a statement that 'rescinding resolutions that simply condemn racism and affirm dignity in the workplace would be deeply disappointing.
'These commitments aren't political — they're moral,' Engardio said. 'It should not be controversial to affirm that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and free from discrimination. The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of connection. Let's not let it become a symbol of retreat.'
The memo comes amid the Trump administration's recent targeting of DEI programs. Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked the president from threatening to withdraw federal funding to San Francisco public schools over diversity programs. Several local nonprofits have also shared similar fears, while Bay Area tech giants and universities look to scale back DEI programs over related concerns.
In an interview, Mulligan told the Chronicle that the 2020 resolution explicitly commits the district to the inclusion of 'Black people, Indigenous people and people of color,' language that he believes may raise a red flag to the federal government, by spelling out certain ethnicities and not others.
His memo also recommends rescinding a 2023 resolution allowing the district to consider social equity in its procurement processes, out of similar fears regarding DEI language. The recommendation only applies to a small number of procurements that are not funded by state or federal administrations, Mulligan added.
On Friday, the district's 19-member board of directors plans to discuss the recommendations to rescind the two resolutions, as well as the memo's proposal to remove language like 'implicit bias' or 'equity' from the district's 2024 strategic plan.
Mulligan believes the board will vote in favor of the recommendations, calling it 'the preferred path to go down' following conversations with legal counsel and staff.
But Mulligan said that the bridge's symbolism is exactly what makes it a potential target for the Trump administration.
In February, the White House announced plans to eliminate the Presidio Trust, the federal entity responsible for overseeing San Francisco's treasured national park. The executive order did not mention DEI-related reasons, but rather claimed the agency was 'unnecessary' and stated that the administration would eliminate the trust 'to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.' The trust, however, does not rely on federal funding for operations.
Mulligan noted that the bridge district plans to sign a new $400 million grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration, and has plans to sign several certifications and insurances with the Federal Transit Administration as early as next week. Under the Biden administration, the FHA announced it would award the $400 million grant to the district to fund improvements on the bridge's seismic resilience.
The bridge district has not received any formal threat from the Trump administration regarding the language in the two resolutions or the strategic plan, according to Mulligan. These preemptive actions aim to ensure that grant allocations and subsequent construction plans proceed smoothly, he said, adding that the funding allocations will also create hundreds of jobs.
Mulligan explained an alternative to removing DEI messaging could involve suing the Trump administration if funding were withheld, but that the option would create additional delays with appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court.
'If you have other options,' he said, 'I would recommend that you not bet $400 million on how the Supreme Court is going to rule.'
'Ultimately, it's a business decision — a business decision that doesn't change who we are,' Mulligan added.
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