Trump ends federal DEI programs with executive order, placing staff on paid leave. Agencies directed to dismantle diversity offices by January 22.
Trump Dismantles Federal DEI Programs, Orders Immediate Closure
On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This directive requires all DEI offices across federal agencies to close within 60 days.
Additionally, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memorandum instructing agencies to comply by 5 p.m. on January 22, 2025.
The executive order targets what Trump described as “radical and wasteful” initiatives. He aims to restore a merit-based system in federal hiring practices. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This marks another victory for Americans of all backgrounds. Promises made, promises fulfilled.”
Key Directives in the Executive Order
- Immediate Actions: All federal DEI employees will be placed on paid leave starting January 22, 2025.
- Office Closures: Agencies must dismantle all DEI offices and remove related public-facing content by the same deadline.
- Reduction Plans: Agencies are required to submit plans for laying off DEI staff and report expenditures related to DEI programs by next week.
Background and Broader Implications
Trump’s order reverses policies implemented during the Biden administration. These policies mandated diversity plans and established a Chief Diversity Officers Council.
Biden’s initiatives aimed to promote equity in hiring and track demographic data across the federal workforce. Trump’s new policy also calls for a review of grants and contracts tied to diversity or environmental justice programs.
This move has sparked mixed reactions. Advocates for merit-based hiring applaud the decision as a step toward fairness.
Dan Lennington of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty called it a “seismic shift” in government operations. However, critics argue it undermines efforts to address systemic inequities in federal employment and funding.
Federal DEI Closure Will Affect Approx 2.4 Million Employees
The closure of DEI offices affects approximately 2.4 million federal employees and could have broader implications for minority-focused programs nationwide. Some experts predict legal challenges as agencies navigate the dismantling of entrenched diversity initiatives.
As federal agencies begin implementing these changes, further updates are expected in the coming weeks.