Trump’s Executive Order Terminates Federal DEI Programs
FIRST ON FOX: In a significant move that has already had immediate ramifications, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that terminates all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. A senior administration official disclosed to Fox News Digital that this decision has sidelined 395 government bureaucrats.
Cancellation of Contracts and Department Overhauls
As part of this drastic recalibration of government policy, Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, announced on X that approximately 0 million in existing and impending contracts, predominantly linked to DEI initiatives, have been subsequently canceled.
Immediate Actions Following the Executive Order
Upon signing the order on his inauguration day, the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) promptly communicated to heads of agencies and departments about the required closure of all DEI offices. This procedure must be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday, and all government employees assigned to these offices are to be placed on paid leave. Currently, the uncertainty surrounding their potential termination remains unresolved.
OPM Memo Outlines Action Steps
Acting Director of the OPM, Charles Ezell, issued a memo on Tuesday evening to agency leaders. This directive required agencies to inform employees of the DEI shutdown by the close of business on January 22. Additionally, those directly involved in DEI programs were to be placed on immediate paid leave. The memo also outlined that agencies must cease all DEI-related websites and social media accounts, terminate any associated contracts or training, and encourage employees to report any attempts to disguise DEI programs using vague or coded language.
The agencies were given a deadline of noon on January 23 to provide OPM with lists of their DEI offices, employees, and contracts that were active as of November 5, 2024.
Reduction-in-Force Plans Required
Further, by 5 p.m. on January 24, agency heads are required to submit a written plan to OPM detailing how they intend to execute a reduction-in-force action regarding DEI employees. They must also provide a list of all contract descriptions or personnel position descriptions that have undergone changes since November 5, 2024, to obscure their connection to DEI programs.
Public Support for Ending DEI Programs
Polling data indicate that the public largely supports this initiative; three in ten voters believe that ending DEI programs is extremely important as the federal deadline looms.
Context of the Executive Order
This executive order is part of a broader agenda Trump initiated during his first day in office, which included numerous other significant measures. These actions range from the government officially recognizing two genders to withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement. Furthermore, Trump issued two additional directives targeting DEI. One order aims to eliminate workplace and higher education discrimination through race and sex-based preferences disguised as DEI initiatives, while another memo seeks to revoke a Biden administration policy that prioritized DEI hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration.
Revoking Biden’s Diversity Initiatives
Moreover, Trump’s latest executive order rescinded President Joe Biden’s initiative titled “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” This previous executive order, characteristic of Biden’s administration, was signed on his inaugural day.
Conclusion: Trump’s executive order to dismantle federal DEI programs signals a critical shift in government policy and has been met with mixed reactions from different segments of the population. With agency employees now on paid leave and significant contracts being canceled, the implications of this decision will likely be felt long into the future.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News’ Brooke Singman and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
