In the two weeks since President Trump was inaugurated, there has been a lot of news to break down for clients and news reporters who have reached out. Partner Alex Hontos has been the go-to resource with his incredible knowledge on the topics and what Trump’s recent EOs mean for clients, the economy and all sectors and industries that will be caught with the new changes.
Alex is a partner in the firm’s Minneapolis office and chairs Dorsey’s Government Contracts Practice. He also co-chairs the Higher Education and Academic Research practice. Alex is a former Justice Department attorney that represents recipients of Federal funding, including colleges/universities/academic research institutions and government contractors in the defense, healthcare and IT spaces.
Of the DEI executive order, Alex gave reporters invaluable insight into implications and the triple effect of what will happen to companies after-the-fact.
“Given the uncertain and evolving state of Federal anti-discrimination laws, the EOs’ certification requirements, in particular, may be difficult for Federal contractors and grantees with existing affirmative action programs/plans and other government-mandated requirements, such as small business subcontracting plans and other anti-discrimination principles,” says Alex.
Below are news links where Alex talked to CBS National News, Black Press USA, and Minneapolis Star Tribune so you can read the full pieces:
CBS National News: Trump doesn’t only want to end DEI. He’s also voiding a Civil Rights-era anti-discrimination rule. Read the full article.
Black Press USA - The Voice of the Black Community: Trump’s First Week Back in Office Marked by Racist Actions, Rollback of Worker Protections. Read the full article.
The Minnesota Star Tribune: Minnesota’s more than 20,000 federal workers fear for their jobs after Trump’s first week. Read the full article.
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On January 27, 2025, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order pausing all federal grants, which caused a shockwave across the country on how companies should proceed. Alex Hontos was quick to comment and breakdown what the pause means to help clients understand it more.
“The impact on private industry will be profound and disruptive. Clients with research and development grants are concerned about impact to operations and programs. At a minimum, there may be delays in getting paid for existing work performed for the federal government,” explains Alex.
Alex was interviewed on the popular and highly-credibly Bloomberg Law Podcast with host and former attorney, June Grasso. Listen to the full interview to learn more.
*Note: Since the initial Executive Order on pausing federal grants, Trump has issued rescinding it, reversing course. Dorsey & Whitney will continue to track this development and will update clients as new developments happen on the topic.