
President Trump suspends all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, placing employees on paid leave and shutting down DEI offices.
At a Glance
- The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) orders closure of all federal DEI offices by Wednesday
- Federal employees in DEI positions to be placed on paid leave
- Agencies must remove all DEI-related content and report attempts to maintain such initiatives
- Trump administration describes DEI programs as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs”
- Move aligns with broader trend of retreating from DEI efforts in public and private sectors
Trump Administration Takes Swift Action on DEI Programs
The Trump administration has taken decisive action to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a directive to all federal agencies, ordering the closure of DEI offices by the end of Wednesday. This sweeping move comes as part of President Trump’s broader initiative to eliminate what his administration views as discriminatory and unnecessary programs within the federal government.
Under the new directive, federal employees working in DEI-related positions are to be placed on paid leave. Agencies have been instructed to notify affected employees of the closures and to remove all DEI-related media and documents from their operations. This includes taking offline all DEI-related websites and social media accounts by the specified deadline.
Reporting Requirements and Implementation Timeline
The OPM has set a tight timeline for agencies to comply with the new policy. By Thursday, agencies must report to OPM with comprehensive lists of DEI offices, employees, and contracts. Following this, agencies are required to submit plans by Friday for reducing DEI office staff and identify any changes made to obscure DEI connections.
“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 their skills, not for the color of their skin,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The directive emphasizes that agencies must report any attempts to disguise DEI programs with vague language by January 31. Employees who fail to report renamed DEI programs may face adverse consequences, underscoring the administration’s commitment to fully implementing this policy.
Broader Implications and Executive Actions
The suspension of DEI programs is part of a series of executive orders signed by President Trump. These actions include recognizing only two genders in official policy and issuing directives against race- and sex-based preferences in DEI initiatives. The executive order emphasizes civil rights protections and criticizes DEI policies as potentially violating these laws.
“The official policy of the U.S. government to only recognize two genders: male and female,” President Trump stated in one of his executive orders.
Trump’s memo specifically targets DEI hiring practices at agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, advocating for a shift towards merit-based hiring. This aligns with the administration’s broader goal of reforming federal hiring practices to prioritize qualifications over demographic considerations.
Private Sector Trends and Public Response
The federal government’s move reflects a broader trend in both public and private sectors. Several major companies, including Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, and Walmart, have scaled back their DEI efforts in response to political pressures and legal developments. This shift in corporate America mirrors the federal government’s new stance on DEI initiatives.
While the administration pushes forward with these changes, it’s worth noting that public opinion on DEI programs remains divided. Some reports suggest that Americans generally support corporate DEI initiatives, highlighting the complex nature of this issue in the national discourse.
As the implementation of this policy unfolds, its impact on federal agencies and the broader implications for workplace diversity and inclusion efforts across the country remain to be seen. The Trump administration’s actions mark a significant shift in federal policy, reflecting a return to what it describes as a merit-based approach to government employment and services.