President Donald Trump is ending all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government because they discriminate against certain groups of people and waste taxpayers dollars.
Trump signed the order, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” on his first day in office. It directs federal agencies to eliminate DEI-related positions, initiatives and funding within 60 days.
It tasks the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Justice with the removal of DEI programs. Ultimately, it intends to make federal employment practices focus on individual merit rather than diversity-related considerations.
Trump criticized the Biden administration’s Executive Order 13985, which was focused on creating “Equity Action Plans” for employees that prioritized considerations such as race, sex or sexual orientation in hiring or promotion decisions.
The executive order states “Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect.”
Trump said the Equity Action Plans cost taxpayers’ too much and provide minimal public benefit. Further, he described them as discriminatory and counterproductive.
Monday’s orders to dismantle DEI initiatives are a continuation of Trump’s actions during his previous term in office. In 2020, Trump issued an order to counter divisive concepts in workplace training, such as critical race theory. That order prohibited federal agencies from conducting training programs that explored systemic racism or inherent bias, arguing the programs were un-American and that they fostered division.
In 2020, Trump’s directive faced pushback from civil rights groups, businesses, and federal employees. The order was eventually rescinded by President Joe Biden on his first day in office.
