President Donald Trump has initiated a sweeping rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, ordering the immediate placement of all DEI staff on paid administrative leave and outlining plans for their eventual dismissal. A memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), issued Tuesday, directed all federal agencies to comply with the new policy by 5 p.m. Wednesday, including shutting down DEI-related offices, websites, and social media accounts.
The executive order signed Monday describes DEI initiatives as “radical and wasteful,” arguing that they promote “discrimination” under the guise of equity. Trump’s administration asserts the changes are aimed at returning to a “merit-based” system. “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,” stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Federal agencies are required to submit detailed plans by January 31 to execute reductions in DEI staff and ensure compliance with the new directive. By Thursday, agencies must compile comprehensive lists of DEI offices and employees.
Impact on Federal Workforce
While the administration has not disclosed how many employees will be affected, the move has drawn sharp criticism. Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, accused the administration of undermining the apolitical civil service. “The federal government already hires and promotes exclusively on the basis of merit,” he said, highlighting the role of DEI programs in reducing gender and racial pay disparities. Kelley warned that dismantling these programs could pave the way for politicized hiring practices.
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Trump’s latest actions revive policies from his first term, including a 2020 executive order that prohibited federal DEI training programs. That order was later rescinded by President Joe Biden, who introduced measures to expand DEI initiatives across federal agencies. Advocates argue these programs address systemic inequities, while critics contend they promote reverse discrimination.
Basil Smikle Jr., a political strategist, described the rollback as a setback for underrepresented groups. “There’s a clear effort to hinder, if not erode, the political and economic power of people of color and women,” Smikle stated.
Broader Implications and Corporate Trends
The executive order not only dismantles federal DEI efforts but also revokes a 1965 order signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which barred discrimination by federal contractors. Trump’s order further directs the attorney general to issue recommendations within 120 days encouraging private sector firms to end similar diversity initiatives.
The anti-DEI push aligns with recent trends in the corporate world, where companies like Walmart, Meta, and McDonald’s have scaled back DEI programs, citing legal challenges and changing political climates. However, firms like Apple, Costco, and Target have publicly defended their diversity efforts, underscoring the divided landscape.
Trump’s rhetoric suggests a broader ideological battle over the role of DEI in American society. During his campaign, he characterized such programs as discriminatory and pledged to “forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based.” His administration now frames DEI as contradictory to U.S. civil rights laws, asserting that the initiatives perpetuate division rather than unity.
Uncertain Future for Diversity Initiatives
While the administration touts the policy as a win for equality, critics caution that dismantling DEI programs may deepen inequities and weaken workplace diversity. The long-term effects of these actions on federal employment practices and the private sector remain to be seen.
The directive, which some view as a “loyalty test” for federal workers, underscores the administration’s aggressive stance against perceived political correctness. As agencies prepare for a significant overhaul, the debate over meritocracy versus equity is likely to shape the federal workforce and beyond in the years to come.