Some big U.S. companies are backing away from strict diversity rules when picking board members. American Express, Deere, and Johnson & Johnson have all dropped their board diversity requirements, at least according to a conservative shareholder group. Now, Goldman Sachs is set to follow, planning to scrap diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria—things like race, gender identity, and sexual orientation—when looking for new directors.

So, what’s behind this move? It’s a mix of things. First, there’s a lot more political heat on DEI lately, with conservative groups arguing that these policies are just another form of discrimination. The legal landscape’s shifting too. Some recent court decisions—like the one that blocked Nasdaq’s board diversity rule—mean there’s less pressure from the outside for companies to stick to these targets.

There’s also a shift in how some companies see governance. Some people say getting rid of demographic quotas lets boards focus on who’s most qualified, period. And then you’ve got shareholder activism. Small but vocal groups, like the National Legal and Policy Center, have pushed hard to get rid of DEI policies. In Goldman’s case, that pressure apparently led straight to this change.

But this isn’t just about boardrooms. A lot of big firms are rethinking their diversity policies across the board—hiring, company culture, you name it. Supporters say ditching these requirements helps companies avoid legal headaches and keeps the focus on expertise. Critics, on the other hand, worry this will undo years of progress and make boards less diverse, especially for women and underrepresented groups.#PredictionMarketsCFTCBacking #StrategyBTCPurchase #Write2Earn