Donald Trump has wasted no time in dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. A recent memo from the Office of Personnel Management directs all federal agencies to place DEI employees on paid administrative leave and submit plans for eliminating their positions by the end of January. This action, confirmed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, marks a significant rollback of progress made under previous administrations and raises serious concerns about the future of diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce.
Need to Know:
- The Purge: The Trump administration is ordering the immediate placement of all federal DEI employees on paid administrative leave with a plan to eliminate their positions entirely.
- Executive Order: This action stems from Trump’s executive order, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” which aims to overturn executive actions by President Biden that promoted DEI within the federal government.
- Biden’s DEI Efforts: Former President Biden’s administration implemented Executive Order 13985 to address systemic racism and achieve equity across the federal government. This included establishing diversity officers, employee resource groups, targeted recruitment in underserved communities, internships, fellowships, and mentorships.
- Disproportionate Impact: While the exact number of affected employees is unknown, it’s clear that Black and Brown individuals will be disproportionately affected due to their federally protected inclusion in federal government roles.
Takeaways:
- Undoing Progress: This move directly undermines years of effort to create a more diverse and inclusive federal government, reversing positive steps taken under previous administrations.
- “Loyalty Tests” over Merit: As stated by Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees National, this appears to be a move toward prioritizing loyalty over merit in federal hiring, potentially eroding the strength and competence of the civil service.
- Targeting Black Employees: The phrasing used during Trump’s campaign, about “ridding the federal government of Black people and filling it with white loyalists,” indicates a deeply troubling motivation behind these actions.
- Smokescreen for Undoing Merit-Based Workforce: This is a smokescreen for undoing a merit based workforce, thus turning the government into a place where only those who are in line with certain individuals can work there, as opposed to those who are the best people for the job, thus hurting American progress by putting unqualified people in key roles.
Implications for American Progress, Culture, and Society:
- Setback for Equity: Eliminating DEI programs will hinder efforts to address systemic inequalities within the government, which can have ripple effects across society. The federal government is supposed to be the model that corporations and smaller organizations take after, so this would create a culture of non-diversity, hurting progress and making the American population and economy weaker as a whole.
- Erosion of Trust: Such actions can erode public trust in the federal government by signaling a lack of commitment to fairness and equal opportunity. When the most powerful institution of the country does not fairly represent its citizens it leads to trust issues amongst the people.
- Damage to Civil Service: Politicizing federal employment based on loyalty rather than merit will weaken the civil service and potentially lead to decreased efficiency and competence within government agencies. This could cause important services and institutions such as the police force and the army to become less competent and reliable, thus being more of a danger to the American citizens rather than a safeguard.
- Reinforcing Divisive Rhetoric: This move reinforces divisive rhetoric related to race and identity, which can further polarize American society. This could lead to increases in hate crimes and discrimination based on things such as skin color, religion and cultural background thus dividing the American people and hurting the population as a whole.
Trump’s targeting of DEI initiatives within the federal government represents a significant setback for American progress, undermining efforts to create a more just and equitable society. These actions not only threaten the diversity and competence of the federal workforce but also send a damaging message about the value placed on inclusion and equality in America. It is essential to stay informed and advocate for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of government.
Read Trump’s DEIA Executive Order HERE.
