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New York Times countersues EEOC over DEI promotion dispute
The EEOC brought the case in May, alleging the newspaper bypassed an 11-year veteran for a deputy editor role despite his qualifications.
The New York Times has filed a countersuit against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accusing the agency of retaliating against the paper for its coverage of President Donald Trump’s administration. In the filing, the Times asked a Manhattan federal court to dismiss the EEOC’s lawsuit and declare that the agency’s actions violate the newspaper’s constitutional rights to free speech and due process.
The Times said its aspirational diversity goals played no role in its decision to promote a multiracial woman to deputy editor instead of a white man. The paper also denied the EEOC’s allegations and argued that it chose the selected candidate because she was more qualified for the role.
According to the EEOC complaint, the case was filed on behalf of Bryant Rousseau, an 11-year Times veteran who sought a promotion to deputy real estate editor in early 2025. The EEOC said Rousseau, described as qualified, was not advanced to the final hiring stage, where it alleged a less qualified multiracial female was selected over other candidates.
The dispute comes as the EEOC has escalated high-profile actions related to workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Insurance Journal notes the EEOC has also investigated diversity efforts at Nike and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and has sued a Coca-Cola bottler over an event it said excluded men.