In a bold move, the Trump administration has ordered all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices to close by Wednesday, initiating a seismic policy shift in how the U.S. government approaches workplace diversity and inclusion.
Key Points at a Glance
- Federal agencies directed to close all DEI offices and place employees on paid administrative leave by January 22.
- DEI-related programs, trainings, and contracts are to be terminated immediately.
- Executive orders issued to focus on merit-based hiring and remove race- or sex-based hiring preferences.
- FAA and other agencies required to review employee qualifications to prioritize safety and excellence over DEI policies.
The Trump administration has issued a directive requiring all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices to be closed by the end of the day on Wednesday, January 22. Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Charles Ezell, announced this sweeping measure in a memo sent to federal agencies, marking a significant rollback of initiatives established under the Biden administration.
Under this new order, DEI employees are to be placed on paid administrative leave while agencies dismantle associated programs. The directive also mandates the removal of all DEI-related public-facing materials, such as websites and social media accounts, alongside the cancellation of DEI-related contracts and training sessions.
This action follows President Donald Trump’s signing of multiple executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI initiatives in the federal government. The administration’s rationale centers on prioritizing non-discriminatory, merit-based hiring while rolling back policies it describes as harmful and divisive.
One order explicitly repeals the Biden-era executive order known as Executive Order 14035, which focused on embedding DEI principles within federal hiring practices. Instead, the administration now emphasizes individual qualifications, competence, and merit as the sole criteria for employment and promotion.
In a memo addressing DEI hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the president emphasized, “Illegal and discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring… harms all Americans, who deserve to fly with confidence.” The memo mandates that the FAA immediately halt DEI-related hiring practices and return to evaluating employees solely on their ability to ensure flight safety and efficiency.
By Thursday, January 23, agencies are required to submit a comprehensive list of all DEI-related programs, employees, and contracts to the OPM. By Friday, January 24, a detailed reduction-in-force plan must also be submitted, outlining how these changes will be executed.
This shift has raised concerns among some federal employees and experts, particularly regarding the long-term implications for workplace diversity and inclusion. Critics argue that dismantling DEI offices and programs may undermine progress toward addressing systemic inequities in government employment.
The administration’s actions extend beyond DEI offices. A separate executive order mandates a thorough review of all federal agencies to ensure compliance with the new merit-based hiring policies, particularly in safety-critical roles such as those within the FAA. The move signals the administration’s intention to overhaul hiring practices across multiple sectors of the federal government.
Supporters of the new policies view the elimination of DEI offices as a return to fairness and neutrality in hiring practices. Critics, however, caution that the rollback could erode efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable workforce. Concerns have also been raised about potential disruptions to federal operations and the morale of employees who have dedicated their careers to DEI initiatives.
The debate over the role of DEI in federal employment highlights broader tensions surrounding workplace diversity in America. As agencies work to implement these sweeping changes, the long-term impact of this policy shift will likely continue to spark discussions and debates across the nation.
