GOP AG Sues Starbucks over DEI hiring practices resulting in "more female and less white employees"

Andrew Bailey, the Republican Attorney General of Missouri, alleges that Starbucks, the king of burnt-tasting coffee, is operating on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) race-and-sex-based hiring practices. Of course, this results in "more female and less white" employees and this is a new federal lawsuit, according to The Hill.

The suit was filed on Feb. 11, in which AG Bailey claims Starbucks violated federal and state anti-discrimination laws that unlawfully segregated employees and provided specific training benefits to select groups, pushing the narrative that the company prioritized DEI practices, which are actually unconstitutional.

Bailey cited data between 2020 and 2024, and accused the coffee chain of using quotas to iron out its workforce and board of directors, saying such hiring practices place other employees at a disadvantage. So it isn't only a racist problem, it's also a sexist one.

“With Starbucks’ discriminatory patterns, practices, and policies, Missouri’s consumers are required to pay higher prices and wait longer for goods and services that could be provided for less had Starbucks employed the most qualified workers, regardless of their race, color, sex, or national origin,” Bailey said.

The lawsuit also included a 2021 memo showing that the company aimed to meet specific inclusion and diversity targets. They wanted about 30% of corporate employees to be BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and 40% in retail and manufacturing by 2025.

Bailey's lawsuit follows after public criticism sparked by President Donald Trump's executive order which banned DEI programs in federal agencies. This led to many big companies reducing their own DEI efforts. Additionally, President Donald Trump told U.S. attorneys general to "encourage the private sector to stop illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI."

Even with the lawsuit ongoing, the coffee company has promised to start mentorship programs for BIPOC workers and offer training for career growth for these groups. But, the Missouri AG believes these efforts by the Seattle-based company might break anti-discrimination laws, suggesting they favor certain racial or ethnic groups. "Starbucks' policies harm the many Missourians who work, or would like to work, at Starbucks but have been, are being, or will be discriminated against as future victims on the basis of their race, sex, or inclusion in other protected groups," the complaint claims, according to CBS News.

However, Starbucks disagrees. In their response, the company said, "We disagree with the attorney general, and these allegations are inaccurate. We are deeply committed to creating opportunities for every single one of our partners (employees). Our programs and benefits are open to everyone and lawful."

"Our hiring practices are inclusive, fair, and competitive and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job every time."

Tweet