Trump halts federal diversity initiatives, puts employees on leave
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announced on platform X that President Donald Trump has suspended employees of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices within the federal government and placed them on paid leave.
This announcement also confirmed information from the federal Office of Personnel Management. It directed that "all employees of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility) offices that they are being placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately."
On Monday, after assuming the presidency, Trump signed an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. As reported by AFP on Tuesday, a message appeared on X stating, "The agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices, and program."
According to Reuters, civil rights advocates argue that such programs are necessary to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. Trump and his supporters, however, claim that DEI programs result in unfair discrimination against other Americans and undermine the role of merit in hiring or promotion decisions.
The history of diversity programs dates back to 1965 when then-President Lyndon Johnson signed an order on equal employment opportunities. This order ensured that private companies with government contracts would not discriminate against job applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Trump signed dozens of executive orders and other legal measures on Monday, including those ending the acceptance of refugees and suspending the right to asylum. Among other acts was the reinstatement of the recognition of two biological sexes and the removal of policies intended to promote inclusivity and protect minorities from discrimination.
