U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday to terminate federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, labelling them as discriminatory and wasteful. The order also directs federal agencies to overhaul hiring and training practices to focus on individual performance and merit.
The executive order, issued hours after Trump’s inauguration, states that DEI programs “forced illegal and immoral discrimination” into federal operations under the Biden administration, citing the earlier Executive Order 13985. Trump’s directive calls for the immediate termination of DEI and “environmental justice” initiatives across all federal agencies.
“Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect,” the order reads, adding that taxpayer dollars should focus on “making America great.”
Key directives in the order
The order tasks the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Attorney General with overseeing the removal of DEI-related programs and mandates. Within 60 days, agency heads must submit a detailed list of DEI positions, initiatives, and associated costs.
The directive specifies that agencies must:
- Eliminate DEI offices, positions, and action plans.
- Identify and review contractors and grantees that provided DEI training or services since 2021.
- Assess the operational and financial impacts of DEI policies implemented during the Biden administration.
Federal employment practices and performance reviews will be revised to exclude DEI considerations. Instead, the focus will shift to rewarding “initiative, skills, performance, and hard work.”
The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy will convene monthly meetings with OMB, OPM, and agency leaders to monitor compliance and recommend further actions.
Implications for federal agencies
The order seeks to redirect resources to align with Trump’s stated vision of equality and efficiency in government operations. It also aims to curb what the order describes as the “economic and social costs” of DEI programs. Agency heads are required to address barriers to implementation and assess the broader impact of prior diversity initiatives.
The order is not without limits. It states that it will be implemented “consistent with applicable law” and “subject to the availability of appropriations.” It also includes a severability clause, ensuring that invalid provisions will not affect the broader execution of the order.
The move represents a significant departure from the Biden administration’s emphasis on equity and inclusion, raising questions about how agencies will navigate the shift and what impact it may have on workforce diversity.
