U.S. companies that scale back workplace diversity efforts to avoid scrutiny from the Trump administration may be exposing themselves to more discrimination lawsuits by workers, experts said.

Just days into his new administration, President Trump brought his war on diversity, equity, and inclusion to the C-suite, making businesses leaders in Boston and beyond wonder if they need to comply with orders aimed at eliminating DEI practices in the private sector, or press on.

On Monday, the president signed an executive order putting an end to all federal DEI initiatives, calling them “illegal,” “immoral,” and “discriminatory.” Within 60 days of the announcement, agencies must “coordinate the termination” of all programs.

Costco shareholders voted down an anti-DEI proposal just days after President Trump issued sweeping new rules for federal agencies.

Costco shareholders rejected a proposal to evaluate any risks posed by its diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena has announced it is launching a 13.3 billion euro takeover bid for larger peer Mediobanca in a surprise move that could reshape the country’s banking sector

By Valentina Za and Gianluca Semeraro MILAN (Reuters) -State-backed Monte dei Paschi di Siena on Friday joined in the consolidation wave sweeping Italian banking with a surprise 13.3 billion euro ($14 billion) all-share offer to buy merchant bank Mediobanca.