In a decisive move, the Trump administration has taken steps to end affirmative action in federal contracting and dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The sweeping changes, announced Tuesday, are part of a broader effort to eliminate DEI initiatives in federal agencies and contractors, which President Trump has described as “discrimination.”
The executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office revoked policies dating back to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, effectively curtailing DEI programs across the federal government. The order targets a wide range of federal programs, from anti-bias training to support for minority farmers and homeowners, focusing on restoring “merit-based” hiring practices.
The Office of Personnel Management issued a memo Tuesday, directing federal agencies to place all DEI staff on paid leave by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, with plans for a reduction-in-force action against these employees. Additionally, federal agencies have been instructed to remove all DEI-related web pages and cancel any associated training programs and contracts by the following day.
This move follows Trump’s previous executive orders aimed at curbing DEI efforts during his first term, including a 2020 order that banned anti-bias training addressing concepts like systemic racism for federal contractors and grant recipients. While President Biden rescinded that order on his first day in office, Trump’s new initiative signals a more aggressive stance in dismantling DEI programs, extending into the private sector as well.
The memo also outlines plans to monitor and investigate private companies that implement DEI hiring practices, targeting programs that conservative critics claim discriminate against non-minority groups. This latest directive marks a major escalation in Trump’s ongoing campaign against diversity initiatives, which has gained traction in some sectors, with major companies like Walmart and Facebook scaling back their diversity programs in response to conservative-backed lawsuits.
Trump’s actions reflect a deep commitment to reforming federal hiring practices, with an emphasis on returning to policies centered on individual merit and equality. However, the move has drawn criticism from those who argue that such changes will erode progress made in addressing systemic inequalities. As the nation debates the future of DEI, the Trump administration’s aggressive approach could spark a new chapter in the ongoing dialogue over diversity and inclusion in America.
