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In a significant move under the new Trump administration, the White House confirmed that federal employees working in diversity offices will be placed on paid leave as part of the shutdown of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that all DEIA employees must be notified of their paid administrative leave by Wednesday evening. The order follows Trump’s campaign promise to end DEIA initiatives within the federal government.
The move is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate policies and programs that promote diversity and equality in the government, workplaces, and healthcare. In his first day in office, Trump revoked 78 executive orders issued by his predecessor, Joe Biden, including those supporting DEI policies. The new administration has also decreed the official recognition of only two genders and is terminating government diversity programs.
Trump's stance against DEI programs, which he criticized as discriminatory and wasteful, was highlighted in an executive order from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The memo directed agency heads to cancel DEI training programs, terminate related contracts, and remove any public materials promoting such initiatives. The memo also urged agencies to investigate any efforts to conceal DEIA programs by using ambiguous language in contracts or personnel descriptions. Failure to comply with these orders could result in consequences for employees and agencies.
The impact of these changes extends beyond government initiatives, as Republican opposition to DEI programs has also reached corporate America. Many major companies, which had established diversity programs following the Black Lives Matter movement, are scaling back or eliminating these initiatives, including major names like Meta, Walmart, Ford, and others.
The Trump administration’s actions signal a shift in priorities, with a focus on merit-based hiring practices and a reduction in government-backed programs aimed at addressing racial and gender disparities.
*With information from AFP News
