Tue Feb 04 03:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Republican AGs Demand Costco Abandon DEI Policies, Citing Discrimination Concerns

**COLUMBUS, OH** – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, along with 18 other Republican state attorneys general, is demanding that Costco Wholesale Corporation abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within 30 days. In a letter to Costco CEO Ron Vachris, the AGs argue that the policies are discriminatory and pose significant legal risks to the company.

The letter alleges that Costco’s DEI initiatives violate principles of equal opportunity and merit-based employment, instead promoting divisive practices. The AGs point to other corporations, including Meta, Ford, and Amazon, that have either discontinued their DEI programs or withdrawn from related initiatives like the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s corporate equity index. They contrast this with Costco’s recent shareholder vote, where 98% rejected a proposal to investigate the business risks of its DEI programs.

The move follows a previous executive order by President Donald Trump targeting DEI policies within federal agencies, contractors, and the private sector. While Costco’s motto is “Do the right thing,” the AGs contend the retailer’s continued adherence to its DEI policies is legally problematic. The letter demands either a repeal of the policies or a detailed explanation justifying their continued implementation.

Attorney General Yost, who is term-limited and launching a gubernatorial bid in 2026, is a prominent figure in this initiative. The letter represents a significant escalation of the ongoing political debate surrounding DEI initiatives in corporate America.

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