White House OPM Orders All DEI Offices To Begin Closing By End Of Wednesday
Federal agencies have been directed to shut down all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs by Wednesday, according to a memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The directive requires agencies to place DEI employees on paid leave, remove public-facing materials related to DEI initiatives, discontinue any associated training, and dismantle all DEI-related programs.
By the end of the week, agencies must also submit detailed lists of DEI personnel, existing contracts tied to DEI initiatives, and workforce reduction plans, signaling a swift and comprehensive rollback of these programs.
This dramatic shift stems from an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, which effectively halts all federal DEI programs and repeals policies from the Biden administration that prioritized DEI hiring and training. Under this executive order, additional measures were introduced, including bans on race- and sex-based preferences in federal workplaces and schools. Trump’s order also mandates that the federal government recognize only two genders: male and female.
Explaining the rationale behind these sweeping changes, Trump argued that such measures are necessary to uphold civil rights and dismantle what he described as “dangerous and demeaning” DEI practices. According to the former president, DEI programs not only violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but also undermine the principle of equality by fostering division.
“Equality must mean equality for everyone,” Trump stated, defending his actions as a safeguard against initiatives that he claims promote preferential treatment based on race or gender. He has framed these measures as an effort to return to what he sees as the foundational values of merit-based opportunity and fairness.
The directive has sparked intense debate, with critics warning that dismantling DEI initiatives may erode progress toward a more inclusive workforce and society. Supporters, however, argue that these programs often exacerbate division and undermine merit-based decision-making. The move is likely to fuel further discussions on the balance between promoting diversity and maintaining equal treatment under the law.
As federal agencies begin to implement these changes, the full impact of this policy shift remains to be seen, with both supporters and detractors bracing for the potential ripple effects across government and beyond.