Washington, D.C., January 20, 2025 — President Donald Trump today signed an executive order aimed at terminating the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and policies introduced by the Biden administration. Trump criticized these programs for being wasteful and discriminatory, claiming they fostered division and misused taxpayer dollars.
Termination of DEI Programs and Positions
In the executive order, Trump condemned the Biden administration’s efforts to push DEI initiatives into nearly every aspect of the federal government, from airline safety to the military. The order singles out the Biden administration’s Executive Order 13985, which aimed to promote racial equity and support underserved communities, as a driving force behind these policies. Trump called these programs “illegal and immoral,” arguing that they led to substantial public waste and unnecessary discrimination.
“The American people deserve a government that serves everyone with equal dignity and respect, not one that spends precious taxpayer resources on divisive and wasteful initiatives,” said Trump in his statement. “This ends today.”
Elimination of DEI Positions and Funding
Under the new executive order, the Trump administration will terminate all federal positions, programs, and funding related to DEI and “environmental justice” initiatives. This includes high-ranking positions such as “Chief Diversity Officers” and the elimination of any “Equity Action Plans” or DEI-related grants and contracts.
The order also directs federal agencies to submit a comprehensive report within 60 days, listing all DEI-related positions, budgets, and expenditures from November 2024 onward. Agencies will be required to assess the financial and operational impact of DEI programs initiated under the Biden administration and recommend ways to realign their activities with Trump’s policy of equal dignity and respect.
Strengthened Oversight and Reporting Mechanism
To ensure the effective implementation of the order, the Trump administration has established a monthly reporting system. Key officials, including the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), will report to the President on the progress of DEI program eliminations and offer recommendations for further action.
The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy will lead these monthly meetings and track the economic and social costs of DEI policies within federal agencies. This oversight mechanism aims to ensure compliance with the new directive and identify any barriers to its execution.
Reactions and Controversy
The executive order has sparked significant debate. Supporters of the move argue that it will reduce bureaucratic inefficiency and restore fairness within the government by eliminating programs that focus on race and identity politics. Critics, however, contend that the elimination of DEI programs will undermine efforts to address systemic inequalities and may harm minority communities.
Democratic leaders and civil rights organizations have voiced strong opposition to the order, claiming that it disregards the need for diversity and inclusion within government and society.
President Trump’s executive order represents a stark reversal of the DEI policies implemented during the Biden administration. It signals a major shift in the federal government’s approach to diversity and inclusion, with the Trump administration emphasizing individual merit and performance over race-based considerations. The full impact of this executive order will unfold in the coming months, as federal agencies work to comply with its directives and as the nation continues to debate the future of diversity and inclusion policies.
