Author: Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration asked U.S. federal agencies on Friday to eliminate roles and responsibilities related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to a memo circulated by the Office of Personnel Management.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Trump, a Republican, has issued a series of executive orders seeking to end the DEI program since taking office on Monday.
DEI programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBT people, and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates argue that such programs, which are largely supported by Democrats, are necessary to address long-standing inequalities and structural racism.
Trump and his allies say the DEI programs unfairly discriminate against other Americans and weaken the importance of applicants’ merits in hiring or promotion.
KEY QUOTE
“Pursuant to that order, each agency, department, or commission head shall take steps to terminate, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all DEI, DEIA, and ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions within sixty days,” it says in the memorandum. .
CONTEXT
Trump also pressured the private sector to join his attack on DEI. Civil rights advocates say his effort marks a significant step back in decades-long efforts to ensure equality in federal employment and contracting.
It was not immediately clear from the memo how many DEI employees each federal agency has.
