Trump Administration Ends Federal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump’s administration has issued an executive order dismantling federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Federal DEI staff were directed to take leave, DEI offices to be dismantled, and affirmative action measures revoked. This move, following Trump’s anti-DEI stance, signals a significant shift in federal hiring and grant practices, sparking national debate over its implications.
Federal DEI Changes: Quick Looks
- Executive Order Overview: Revokes DEI programs and affirmative action in federal contracting.
- Impact on Staff: DEI staff placed on paid leave, with layoffs planned.
- Training and Programs Halted: DEI-related training, grants, and benefits under review for termination.
- Contractor Guidelines: Mandates compliance with merit-based hiring in federally funded programs.
- Corporate Response: Mirrors some private-sector moves to scale back diversity initiatives.
Deep Look
The Trump administration launched a sweeping overhaul of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on Tuesday, signaling a dramatic shift in federal employment and grant practices. Through a series of executive orders and memos, President Trump has directed federal agencies to suspend DEI operations, revoke affirmative action policies, and shift focus toward merit-based hiring.
Dismantling Federal DEI Programs
The executive order requires federal agencies to eliminate DEI-focused offices, initiatives, and training programs. By Wednesday, DEI staff were placed on paid leave, with plans for permanent layoffs in the coming weeks. Agencies must remove all DEI-related public webpages and cancel contracts for anti-bias training.
A government-wide review is underway to ensure all federal contracts and grants align with the new anti-DEI stance. Federal employees are being asked to report any renamed or disguised DEI programs to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with penalties for non-compliance.
End of Affirmative Action in Contracting
Trump’s order also revokes affirmative action policies established by previous administrations, including those dating back to President Lyndon Johnson. Federal grant and benefit programs that prioritized historically underserved communities, such as minority farmers and housing assistance for predominantly Black neighborhoods, are now under review.
Dan Lennington, deputy counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, described the changes as a “seismic shift,” emphasizing that unwinding longstanding diversity programs will require complex bureaucratic processes.
Impact on Federal Workforce
The U.S. federal workforce, which numbers approximately 2.4 million employees, is now required to shift away from diversity and inclusion goals set by the Biden administration. Initiatives like the Chief Diversity Officers Council, demographic tracking, and performance reviews tied to DEI goals have been eliminated. Biden-era policies encouraging the hiring of individuals with criminal records under the Fair Chance Act may also face scrutiny.
Corporate Sector Reactions
The move aligns with recent trends in the private sector, where companies such as Walmart and Meta have scaled back diversity efforts in response to legal challenges and changing political landscapes. Critics of DEI programs, including Trump, argue that such initiatives amount to discrimination against non-minority groups, while proponents view them as vital tools for promoting equity.
Future of Federal DEI Policies
The implementation of these changes faces significant logistical and legal hurdles. Advocates for DEI programs, such as Noreen Farrell of Equal Rights Advocates, argue that deeply embedded federal policies cannot be dismantled overnight. The Biden administration’s ban on salary history inquiries—a measure to address pay disparities—may also prove challenging to repeal due to its bipartisan appeal and popularity at state and local levels.
Criticism and Broader Implications
Civil rights advocates and former Biden administration officials have decried the move as a reversal of progress made toward inclusivity in federal operations. They argue that the policies targeted by Trump’s order sought to expand opportunities for historically marginalized communities rather than discriminate against other groups.
The Trump administration, however, frames the changes as a return to meritocracy, asserting that federal programs under Biden imposed discriminatory practices. The debate underscores a broader national conflict over the role of diversity initiatives in public and private institutions.
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