President Trump nominated Florida assistant U.S. attorney Brittany Panuccio for one of three vacant Commissioner seats at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Why it matters: If Panuccio is confirmed, the EEOC would regain a quorum with a 2-1 Republican majority and enable the agency to fully embark on its agenda, which includes serving as the vanguard of the Trump administration’s anti-DEI crusade.
Panuccio’s background: Panuccio worked as an associate attorney at high-profile law firm Jones Day and as a special counselor at the U.S. Department of Education
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During her tenure at the Education Department Panuccio was “instrumental,” according to then Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, in issuing Title IX guidance that increased protections for college students accused of sexual assault.
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Panuccio has no other identifiable civil rights legal experience but likely aligns with acting EEOC Chair Lucas and the Trump administration’s views on DEI, religious discrimination, and gender identity.
What’s next: The current backlog on nominations means Panuccio may not be confirmed for weeks or months. If Panuccio is confirmed, expect the EEOC to jumpstart its agenda, which includes prioritizing religious discrimination, unwinding protections for gender identity, and pursuing the private sector over perceived unlawful DEI practices.
