Trump Shuts Down Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs: He Calls Them Discriminatory
President Donald Trump has ordered all U.S. government employees working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to be placed on paid administrative leave, according to reports CNN и Air force.

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The White House confirmed that all federal DEI employees must take leave through 22 p.m. ET on January 17, after which the relevant offices and programs will be closed.
In an order signed on January 21, Trump demanded an end to "dangerous, degrading and immoral" programs.
It's unclear how many people the order will affect, said the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents 800 federal workers.
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Since taking office, the 47th president has been quick to deliver on key promises. He repeatedly criticized DEI practices during his campaign, claiming they were discriminatory.
In his inaugural address, Trump promised to "create a society based on merit and not on color."
DEI programs aim to increase inclusion in the workplace for people from diverse backgrounds. DEI advocates argue that these programs address discrimination against certain groups, including racial minorities. Critics argue that such programs can be discriminatory in and of themselves.
On January 21, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management sent letters to government agency leaders demanding that DEI staff be placed on leave. The letter also called for the removal of DEI offices' public websites.
By January 23, federal agencies must compile a list of DEI offices and employees and submit a “written plan” for laying off employees from those offices by January 31.
Trump's executive order, meanwhile, attacked what it called "illegal" DEI and DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) policies, framing them as contrary to American law.
It says the policy could "violate" key civil rights laws that protect Americans from discrimination.
White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt said the move "is another victory for Americans of all races, religions and beliefs."
The executive order requires that hiring, promotion, and performance evaluations “reward individual initiative” rather than “DEI-related factors.” It directs the attorney general to make recommendations within 120 days “to incentivize the private sector” to end similar diversity efforts.
The order repeals a civil rights-era executive order signed by 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson that made it illegal for federal contractors to discriminate in hiring based on "race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin." The order required them to take steps to ensure equal employment opportunity.
Political scientist Alvin Tillery, co-founder of Strategy 2040, a group that promotes DEI policies in the private sector, says repealing the order would have implications for both the federal and private sectors.
In his view, theoretically, a company with all-white employees that now refuses to hire blacks, Hispanics or women could win a federal contract without having to prove that its internal policies meet federal diversity standards.
Critics say it could eliminate training programs aimed at preventing discrimination.
"People will be under-informed about what discrimination is and how it manifests itself," said Les Alderman, a Washington civil rights lawyer who represents federal and congressional officials.
Unions representing federal workers have condemned Trump's executive orders. AFGE says diversity programs have helped reduce gender and racial pay gaps among government workers.
AFGE National President Everett Kelly said the closure of the programs undermines "merit-based public service and turns hiring and firing decisions into loyalty tests."
Federation of Federal Employees National President Randy Ervin said the order was "intended to intimidate and attack nonpartisan government workers."
The executive order, signed on January 21, follows on from one signed by Trump on January 20. It requires all DEI offices, positions, and programs to close within 60 days “to the fullest extent permitted by law.”
Among the positions cut were "chief diversity officers" and "environmental justice" officers.
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In recent weeks, several major U.S. companies, including McDonald's, Walmart, and Meta, have scaled back or eliminated their DEI programs, while Apple, Target, and Costco have publicly supported their DEI programs.
Finally, Tillery noted that while the Biden administration's efforts to increase the number of DEI positions in government were well-intentioned, they have fallen short of their goals.
“DEI work has been underfunded, understaffed, and the people doing it have become heroes who are sorely lacking in resources. Now their efforts are going to be wasted,” he concluded.
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