Upon taking office, Donald Trump wasted no time making good on his promise to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within the federal government.
As part of his broader agenda to shift government priorities, the new Trump administration issued a directive on Tuesday that requires all federal employees in DEI positions to be placed on paid leave by 5 pm Wednesday.
This is part of an effort to eliminate DEI offices across all federal agencies, a bold move announced after Trump signed an executive order in front of a supportive crowd during his inauguration on Monday.
Dismantling DEI Initiatives in Federal Agencies
The letter sent to all heads of government agencies directs them to take swift action against departments that focus solely on DEI programs and initiatives.
Among the immediate steps is the removal of all public DEI-related content, including webpages, and a demand for reporting any efforts to obscure DEI programs under vague language.
Agencies are also tasked with creating detailed plans to terminate DEI programs, with the removal of employees hired under these initiatives due by next Friday.
Trump’s order seeks to remove all DEI-related roles and actions from the federal government by the end of January 2025.
Trump’s Reversal of Biden-Era Policies
Trump’s actions come as a direct reversal of President Biden’s DEI executive order from four years ago, which aimed to address racial inequalities within government institutions.
According to the Trump administration, DEI programs have caused division and wasted taxpayer funds, leading to what they describe as “shameful discrimination.”
Trump’s order asserts that these programs run counter to the foundational American values of hard work, excellence, and merit-based achievement.
Trump’s Broader Agenda of Reversals
The anti-DEI order is only one part of a broader wave of executive orders Trump has signed during his return to power.
These measures target a variety of issues, from national security to climate change and migration policy.
One of his first actions was to rescind 78 executive orders issued during Biden’s tenure, signaling a clear break from his predecessor’s policies.
Among other things, Trump also reversed Biden-era decisions related to gender identity in military service, Cuba’s terrorism designation, and sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
The Trump Administration’s View on DEI and Civil Rights
Trump’s administration has strongly criticized DEI programs, arguing that they violate the spirit of civil rights laws by introducing race and gender-based preferences.
The White House memo states that these programs undermine national unity and are responsible for creating a “corrosive” system of identity-based rewards.
In a direct appeal to the American public, the administration claims that DEI programs have harmed hardworking citizens and discouraged personal achievement in favor of a race-based system.
Trump’s Efforts to Restore ‘Common Sense’ in Government
Trump’s broader strategy, as outlined in his executive actions, focuses on what he sees as restoring “common sense” to government.
This includes efforts to reduce inflation, curb excessive regulation, and ensure that resources are better utilized to benefit American citizens.
Among the policies being rolled back are those related to climate change, migration, and free speech, signaling a major shift in federal government priorities.
With these moves, Trump aims to create a federal landscape that aligns more closely with his vision of fairness and prosperity.
The consequences of these changes will unfold in the coming months as the Trump administration continues to reshape the government according to its new policies.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn