Less than two full days after being sworn in, President Donald Trump has begun dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been tasked with carrying out this sweeping initiative, signaling a sharp departure from the policies of the Biden-Harris administration.
White House Orders Immediate Leave for DEI Employees
On Tuesday, the White House issued an order directing all DEI hires across federal agencies to take an immediate leave of absence. This directive effectively dismantles many of the social equity frameworks instituted under the last administration. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a follow-up memo requiring affected employees to vacate their offices by Wednesday’s end.
Comprehensive Steps to Eliminate DEI Initiatives
Charles Ezell, acting director of OPM, outlined specific actions for agency heads:
- Notify employees about the closure of DEI programs and identify whether initiatives are being concealed through coded language or subterfuge.
- Place Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) staff on paid administrative leave immediately.
- Remove all DEIA-related online presences, including websites and social media accounts.
- Cease DEI-related training programs and terminate contracts tied to DEI initiatives.
- Stop the review or implementation of documents linked to President Biden’s 2021 executive order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce.
Federal Departments Ordered to Submit Compliance Reports
Acting agency heads must report to OPM within 24 hours of completing the outlined steps. Reports must include:
- A comprehensive list of DEIA personnel as of November 5, 2024.
- An inventory of active DEIA-related contracts through November 5, 2024.
- Details of any internal plans designed to comply with the rescinded Biden executive order.
By Friday at 5 p.m., agencies must also submit written plans to reduce their workforce, starting with DEIA employees. Additionally, agencies must list any contract or personnel descriptions altered to obscure their DEIA-related purposes.
Trump Signs Executive Order to End DEI Programs
The OPM memo follows an executive order signed by President Trump on Monday, directing all federal departments to shut down their DEI initiatives. This move fulfills a key campaign promise to end what conservatives view as discriminatory, affirmative action-based policies.
According to Fox News, the executive order establishes that the U.S. government will officially recognize only two genders, male and female. At the signing ceremony, Trump stated the order would “serve as a bedrock supporting equality of opportunity for all Americans” and ensure laws are “enforced for the benefit of all citizens.”
Executive Order Criticizes DEI Policies as Civil Rights Violations
The executive order harshly criticizes DEI and DEIA programs, claiming they promote illegal race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of diversity. Trump’s statement argued that such policies undermine civil rights laws and devalue the principles of merit, aptitude, hard work, and determination.
Citing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the order alleges that DEI policies adopted by federal agencies, corporations, financial institutions, and educational organizations threaten public safety and fairness by prioritizing group identity over individual merit.
Trump Administration Declares Focus on Meritocracy
By dismantling these programs, the Trump administration aims to restore neutrality, efficiency, and fairness across federal agencies and other critical sectors of American society. Supporters of the move praise it as a necessary correction to ideological overreach, while critics warn of long-term negative consequences for inclusivity and representation.
Department of Government Efficiency to Oversee Implementation
The Department of Government Efficiency, led by a handpicked advisory team, will oversee the execution of the order across all federal agencies. Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell has pledged strict compliance, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to merit-based governance.
A New Chapter in Federal Policy
President Trump’s swift action to dismantle DEI programs signals a dramatic shift in federal policy, setting the tone for his administration’s approach to governance. While the full impact of these changes remains uncertain, the move underscores Trump’s determination to prioritize efficiency, fairness, and meritocracy in government operations.