Wed Jan 22 14:22:04 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration Launches Aggressive Purge of Federal Diversity Programs

**Washington D.C.** – President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated a sweeping crackdown on federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, ordering the immediate suspension and eventual termination of all DEI staff. A memo from the Office of Personnel Management, obtained by CBS News, mandates that all federal DEI employees be placed on paid leave by Wednesday evening and that all related websites and training programs be immediately discontinued. Agencies are further instructed to compile a list of all DEI staff by next Thursday and develop plans for their dismissal by the following Friday.

This aggressive move follows an executive order signed by President Trump, dismantling federal DEI initiatives, which encompass a broad range of programs aimed at addressing systemic racism and promoting equal opportunity. The President has characterized these programs as discriminatory, prioritizing a merit-based hiring system.

Civil rights advocates strongly oppose the administration’s actions, arguing that DEI programs are crucial to addressing historical inequities and promoting fairness. Political strategist Basil Smikle Jr. criticized the administration’s claim that DEI programs diminish merit, suggesting this implies a lack of qualification among women and people of color. He further warned that the move could increase cronyism within the government.

This action builds upon President Trump’s previous attempts to curtail DEI initiatives, including a 2020 executive order banning federal contractors from conducting anti-bias training. While President Biden reversed this order upon taking office, Trump’s renewed offensive coincides with a growing trend in the corporate sector, where several major companies have already reduced or eliminated some diversity programs in response to conservative pressure. The current administration’s approach is considered significantly more aggressive than previous attempts.

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