President Donald Trump is taking significant steps to eliminate DEI programs at the federal level.
A memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, issued Tuesday evening, instructed that all federal DEI employees be placed on leave by Wednesday night.
Learn more below.
What Does DEI Mean?
The term “DEI” stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, while “DEIA” adds Accessibility. Under the Joe Biden administration, executive orders were signed to expand federal workplace protections, covering groups such as pregnant workers, military spouses, caregivers, and others.
What DEI Programs Exist in the U.S.?
Former President Biden made significant efforts to incorporate diversity and inclusion practices within the federal workforce, the nation’s largest at approximately 2.4 million employees. These programs included “environmental justice initiatives” and various “equity initiatives.” However, the origins of DEI programs trace back to the Civil Rights Movement.
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 800,000 federal workers, argued that diversity …