A new executive order signed Tuesday demands the immediate cessation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies. President Donald Trump directed that all federal employees working on DEI initiatives be placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately.
Immediate Actions Taken
The White House announced that all federal DEI workers must be on leave by 5:00 PM EST (10:00 PM GMT) the following day. Shortly after, the affected offices and programs are to be permanently shut down. The executive order, also signed Tuesday, labeled DEI programs as “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral.”
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing 800,000 federal workers, stated the order’s impact is not yet clear. However, since his inauguration, Trump has moved quickly to fulfill key promises, including a crackdown on DEI. In his inaugural address, he vowed to “forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based.”
Broader Implications of the Executive Order
A preceding executive order mandated the closure of all DEI offices, positions, and programs within 60 days. DEI initiatives aim to promote workplace inclusion for people from diverse backgrounds. Supporters argue these programs address historical discrimination, while critics claim they foster reverse discrimination.
On Tuesday, the Office of Personnel Management sent memos to federal agencies, instructing them to prepare plans for terminating DEI employees. The White House confirmed the memo’s authenticity through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Agencies must submit detailed lay-off plans by month’s end.
The executive order also denounced DEI and DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) policies as “illegal.” Trump’s administration argues these policies violate civil rights laws meant to protect against discrimination.
Key Provisions and Reactions
The order specifies that federal hiring and promotions must prioritize individual merit rather than DEI-related factors. Within 120 days, the attorney general must recommend ways to encourage private-sector organizations to eliminate similar initiatives.
Additionally, the order revokes a civil-rights-era policy signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. That policy banned federal contractors from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, later expanding to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Critics warn this revocation may allow discriminatory hiring practices in both federal and private sectors. It may also remove anti-discrimination training programs, potentially fostering workplace bias.
Political scientist Alvin Tillery highlighted the potential consequences. “A company could now pursue federal contracts without proving compliance with diversity standards,” he said. Civil rights attorney Les Alderman added, “This rollback risks widespread misunderstanding of what constitutes discrimination.”
Responses From Federal Unions and Conservatives
Federal employee unions condemned the order, arguing it undermines progress. The AFGE credits DEI programs for narrowing gender and racial pay gaps in government jobs. National Federation of Federal Workers president Randy Erwin called the move an “intimidation tactic” targeting non-partisan civil servants.
Conversely, conservative leaders praised the action. Yukong Mike Zhao, president of the Asian American Coalition for Education, described it as “a milestone in civil rights progress,” arguing that “woke DEI programs are racism disguised.”
Private Sector Reactions
Several major companies, including McDonald’s, Walmart, and Meta, have recently reduced or ended their DEI programs. Meanwhile, others, like Apple and Target, continue to defend their initiatives. Alvin Tillery noted that while the Biden administration’s DEI efforts had noble intentions, they lacked sufficient resources. “The DEI teams were underfunded and understaffed. Now, we’re going to see those positions eliminated entirely,” he concluded.