WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is making significant moves to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, with the latest actions reflecting strong beliefs around merit versus identity. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at curbing what his administration calls discriminatory practices within the federal workforce.
One of the most immediate effects of this new directive was the order to place all federal DEI staff on paid leave. According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), agencies had until 5 p.m. Wednesday to notify DEI employees of their status, as well as to take down all public-facing DEI webpages.
This action follows Trump’s broader strategy aimed at eradicative DEI initiatives, which he and his allies have labeled as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs.” The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, cited Trump's campaign promise to restore merit-based hiring practices, stating, “President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit-based society where people are hired based on skills, not for the color of their skin.”
Under the memo, federal agencies are tasked with drafting written plans for laying off DEI personnel by the end of the month, and must also compile comprehensive lists detailing their DEI operations as they stood on Election Day 2024.
Trump’s actions represent the culmination of efforts he began during his previous tenure, where he attempted to abolish various DEI programs. Prior to the Biden administration, which sought to promote these initiatives mandatorily, Trump’s administration had imposed restrictions on anti-bias training for contractors, citing it as promotion of divisiveness. His second term’s foundation appears to build upon this framework.
This latest executive order rescinds several initiatives set forth by Biden, which had included comprehensive diversity plans, annual progress reports from federal agencies, and the establishment of the Chief Diversity Officers Council to oversee diversity practices. Biden’s administration aimed to embed diversity as an integral part of the federal workforce, comprising approximately 2.4 million employees.
Critics of these executive orders express deep concern about the ramifications for thousands of federal employees and contractors whose work has focused on improving diversity and equity. The order also opens the door for the federal government to review and potentially nullify billions of dollars allocated to programs intended to assist historically marginalized groups.
Trump’s new direction also threatens the funding of programs aiding minority farmers and homeowners, with advocates arguing these are foundational to promoting equal opportunity and addressing historical injustices.
Experts suggest the resistance to undoing such deeply installed policies will be substantial, noting, “Federal agencies have deeply embedded policies and procedures which can’t simply be switched off overnight,” as expressed by Noreen Farrell, Executive Director of Equal Rights Advocates.
While the immediate actions appear clear, the long-term impacts are uncertain. Historically, DEI initiatives have gained traction across several industries; now, prominent companies such as Walmart, Meta, and McDonalds are reportedly reevaluated their diversity strategies, reflecting the broader shift initiated by Trump.
During his inauguration week, Trump reiterated his stance on gender identity, declaring the policy of the U.S. government would only recognize two genders: male and female. This has heightened concerns among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups who perceive this ruling as potentially damaging to rights and recognition of gender identity.
The controversy around DEI programs continues to evoke intense debate about the future of civil rights policies within the federal government and corporate America. Proponents of DEI argue it enables inclusion and mitigates systemic inequities, contrasting sharply with Trump's insistence on merit as the singular criterion for employment and advancement.
Advocacy groups have come forward to voice their opposition to the sweeping measures, framing them as self-sabotaging. A statement from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats declared, “Trump & MAGA Republicans claim diversity is a weakness, but it’s our greatest strength—an asset our competitors don’t have.”
The implementation of these orders is anticipated to occur swiftly but is expected to meet various layers of challenges, including potential legal roadblocks, procedural hurdles, and backlash from civil society.
While Trump appears determined to reshape federal workforce diversity policies, the actual dismantling of systemic programs may prove more complex than anticipated. The coming days will likely provide more clarity on how federal agencies manage this sudden transition and the reactions from various stakeholder groups as they navigate this new directive.