EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas posted a social media video urging white men who believe they were discriminated against because of race or sex to file claims with the agency, warning that filing deadlines can be strict. The clip, reposted by Vice President J.D. Vance, has drawn at least 5 million views and intensified debate over the EEOC's role. Former commissioner Chai Feldblum criticized the outreach as beyond the agency's traditional, neutral function of responding to charges rather than soliciting them. The move comes amid other controversial leadership changes at the EEOC since the start of the current administration.
EEOC Chair Urges White Men To Report Race- or Sex-Based Workplace Discrimination — Sparks Debate
Andrea Lucas, member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, at her confirmation hearing on June 18 in Washington, D.C. (Tom Williams / Getty Images)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Andrea Lucas has posted a short social media video urging white men who believe they were discriminated against because of their race or sex to contact the federal agency and consider filing a claim.
In the clip, Lucas asks whether viewers who are white males have experienced workplace discrimination based on race or sex and encourages them to contact the EEOC promptly, noting that "time limits are typically strict for filing a claim." The video was reshared by Vice President J.D. Vance and has been viewed at least 5 million times on X since it was posted.
What the EEOC Has Done
The EEOC's website now includes a resource titled What To Do If You Experience Discrimination Related To DEI At Work, reflecting the agency's focus on complaints tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The five-member bipartisan commission, created in 1965 to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, generally requires employees to file a charge with the EEOC before pursuing a lawsuit in federal court.
Responses And Controversy
Former EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum, an Obama appointee who served nearly a decade, said she was "seriously taken aback" by Lucas' public appeal and argued it goes beyond the agency's customary role. "EEOC doesn’t go out looking for discrimination," Feldblum told NBC News, adding that the commission typically responds to charges rather than actively soliciting complaints.
Feldblum acknowledged that the EEOC issues guidance on legal interpretations — for example, when it clarified that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity can constitute sex discrimination — but she emphasized that issuing guidance is different from running campaigns that encourage specific groups to file charges.
"We would put out information. We would not solicit charges," Feldblum said.
Critics view Lucas' outreach as part of a broader shift at the agency since President Donald Trump began his second term. Within days of that term's start, two Democratic commissioners, Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels, were removed before their terms expired; Samuels filed a lawsuit that is currently paused pending other Supreme Court proceedings. Feldblum was also asked to step down from the Ability One commission one day into the administration and has since helped form EEO Leaders, a group of former commissioners and lawyers aiming to counter what they describe as misleading legal guidance coming from the current EEOC.
Leadership And Priorities
President Trump appointed Lucas as acting EEOC chair; she was confirmed as chair last month. Her official EEOC biography states she wants to root out "unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination," confront what it calls "anti-American national origin discrimination," and defend the "biological and binary reality of sex." Supporters of Lucas argue the outreach helps individuals who may otherwise be unaware of their rights and filing deadlines; opponents say it risks politicizing an independent enforcement agency.
Note: This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.
