President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring all personnel involved in federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to be put on immediate paid administrative leave.
The White House confirmed that federal employees tasked to work for DEI programs are to be relieved of their duties as of 5:00 PM EST (10:00 PM GMT) on Wednesday. The offices and initiatives associated with them would thus be closed permanently.
In an executive mandate issued Tuesday, Trump branded these programs pernicious, degrading, and unethical.
The exact number of people affected is not clear. However, the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents around 800,000 federal employees, recognized the sweeping effects of this order.
Since his ascension to the presidency, Trump has shown an unrelenting determination to deliver on pivotal campaign assurances employing a series of unilateral measures to do so during his campaign, he persistently criticized DEI practices, asserting they perpetuated forms of reverse discrimination. In his inaugural speech, the president vowed to craft a nation founded on impartiality and driven by merit.
DEI initiatives aim to cultivate inclusivity within professional environments by fostering representation from diverse backgrounds. Advocates argue that such efforts rectify systemic inequities and historical underrepresentation, particularly affecting racial minorities. Opponents, however, contend that these initiatives can engender reverse biases.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management released a memo to agency heads asking for them to send DEI staff off on administrative leave. The policy also covered further requirements, including public-facing DEI-related websites were to be taken down immediately.
Thursday is the deadline that all federal agencies must compile an exhaustive listing of DEI personnel and offices. Agencies are also required to submit comprehensive plans for how they would plan to cut employees in their DEI offices by January 31.
In labeling DEI and DEIA diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies as “unlawful,” the executive directive by Trump argued they violate core civil rights protections crafted to protect Americans from discrimination. The order explained that these efforts had the potential to violate core civil rights statutes.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the move was a victory for people of all races, religions, and backgrounds, highlighting why it fulfilled Trump’s campaign promise to transform federal DEI operations.