The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued guidance to federal agencies to shutter diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) offices and terminate related programs following President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
The orders, titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, call for the immediate closure of DEIA initiatives and cancellation of contracts tied to such programs.
In a memorandum dated Jan. 21, 2025, OPM Acting Director Charles Ezell instructed agencies to place DEIA staff on administrative leave with full pay and benefits while dismantling the programs. The memo specifies that all outward-facing DEIA media, including websites and social accounts, be removed by Jan. 22, 2025. Additionally, agencies must provide detailed lists of affected offices, contracts, and personnel to OPM by Jan. 23, 2025.
The memo also warned against attempts to disguise DEIA-related activities under different terms. Employees aware of such actions were urged to report them within 10 days to a designated email address, with OPM emphasizing that failure to report could result in “adverse consequences.”
Karoline Leavitt, President Trump’s press secretary, confirmed the authenticity of the guidance in response to a CBS News report, saying, “To every reporter asking about this: I can gladly confirm.”
Agencies face further requirements by Jan. 31, 2025, including submitting plans for workforce reductions targeting DEIA roles. The directive signals a sweeping rollback of initiatives implemented under Executive Order 14035 during President Joe Biden’s administration.
