President Donald Trump’s recent executive order ended all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, putting hundreds of workers on paid leave and canceling millions of dollars in contracts.
Key Facts:
- The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is in charge of implementing the order, led by Elon Musk.
- 395 federal workers involved in DEI programs have reportedly been sidelined, according to a senior administration official.
- About $420 million in DEI-related contracts have been halted or canceled.
- Agencies were instructed to take down DEI resources, place employees on leave, and start planning for potential workforce reductions.
- Two related executive actions aim to remove race- and sex-based preferences in higher education and hiring.
The Rest of The Story:
Right after President Trump signed the order on his first day in office, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) told agencies to immediately shut down any DEI-focused offices.
Workers in those roles were informed they would be placed on paid leave.
Government websites, social media accounts, and programs relating to DEI had to be removed or canceled.
This came alongside a separate directive discouraging the renaming or disguising of DEI activities.
Many offices were given strict deadlines.
By Jan. 23, they needed to provide lists of affected employees and relevant contracts dating back to November 2024.
By Jan. 24, agency heads had to submit plans for reducing their DEI workforce and detail any contract changes that might hide connections to DEI.
Trump’s first-day initiatives also included withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement and a directive stating only two genders will be recognized by the federal government.
BREAKING: Trump says his government will be eliminating any and all forms of DEI and only recognize 2 genders pic.twitter.com/pxKnY5e0e2
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 20, 2025
The DEI executive order effectively reverses a Biden-era order that supported diversity initiatives.
As a result, agencies are determining how to meet OPM’s deadlines and whether any of these affected employees may stay with the government in different capacities.
Received this from a TSA agent at an airport in Colorado. He tells me they were instructed to remove all DEI signage from their operation areas within the airport following Trump’s executive order. He filmed them shredding it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LFoE7Bvz6Z
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 24, 2025
Commentary:
Ending DEI programs is a positive step that will reduce the federal budget and curb unnecessary spending.
These initiatives often push ideas that divide rather than unite, so removing them spares taxpayers from funding a harmful agenda.
Every dollar saved can be put toward areas that truly help Americans.
By closing down entire DEI offices, the administration is sending a strong message that government resources should focus on merit-based practices and fiscal responsibility instead.
The Bottom Line:
The immediate shutdown of DEI offices is one of the most sweeping administrative changes under the new administration.
Federal agencies now have to respond quickly to comply with Trump’s order, with some employees and programs already suspended.
Depending on how these plans proceed, the federal workforce could look very different in the near future.
This approach is also likely to spark legal and public debates over the value and future of diversity efforts in government.
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