In a sweeping move to restore merit-based governance and eliminate wasteful spending, the Trump administration on Tuesday directed all federal agencies to dismantle their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This decisive action fulfills a key campaign promise to root out what President Trump has described as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” implemented during the Biden administration.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government’s HR department, issued a memo to department heads ordering all employees working on DEI initiatives to be placed on immediate paid leave. Agencies must also take down DEI-related webpages, cancel diversity training sessions, and terminate any DEI-related contracts by the end of the week.
“Federal employees deserve a workplace that is free from divisive political ideologies and focused on competence and service to the American people,” Trump said in a statement accompanying the executive order.
The memo goes a step further, requiring federal agencies to investigate and report any attempts to disguise DEI initiatives under “coded or imprecise language.” Employees found concealing such programs could face “adverse consequences.” By January 31, all agencies must submit a detailed plan for reducing staff tied to DEI offices.
Trump’s executive order criticizes DEI initiatives as a “massive public waste” that promotes divisiveness and undermines merit-based standards. These programs, which gained traction under President Biden, have been accused of prioritizing racial and environmental “justice” over competency and fairness.
Critics of DEI argue that these initiatives promote identity politics rather than uniting Americans around shared values and excellence. Trump’s order signals a clear departure from the Biden administration’s policies and a renewed emphasis on performance and merit.
On the same day, the White House announced a separate order to overhaul hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation. Dubbed the “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation” action, the directive aims to ensure that FAA employees in critical safety roles are hired and retained based on their ability to meet the “highest possible standards of excellence.”
“The FAA’s focus under Biden was reckless and dangerous,” Trump said, accusing the previous administration of prioritizing “discrimination over excellence” in hiring practices. The new directive mandates a thorough review of personnel in safety-critical positions, with replacements required for those who fail to meet capability standards.
The Trump administration’s actions reflect a broader trend in the private sector, where companies are scaling back DEI programs in response to shifting cultural and legal landscapes. This shift gained momentum after the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in *Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard,* which addressed race-based preferences in college admissions.
Major corporations like Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, and Walmart have already reduced their DEI efforts, citing their ineffectiveness and potential to alienate employees. Iconic brands like Ford, Boeing, and Harley-Davidson have followed suit, signaling a growing recognition that merit-based systems drive better outcomes.
President Trump’s bold move to eliminate DEI programs reaffirms his administration’s commitment to restoring accountability, efficiency, and fairness in government. By focusing on merit and excellence, the Trump administration is sending a clear message: America’s federal agencies exist to serve the public, not divisive ideologies.
As the private and public sectors increasingly reject DEI’s divisive framework, this decision marks a turning point in America’s effort to return to values of unity, competence, and equal opportunity for all.
