The US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a directive to federal agencies to dismiss employees working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within 60 days. This move is a part of a series of firm actions taken by Trump since beginning his second term in office.
This order follows the previous decision to place these staff members on paid leave and require agency heads to submit plans for reducing DEI office employees by the end of Friday.
The US office of personnel management outlined the decision in a memo, cited by news agency AFP, stated: “Each agency, department, or commission head shall take action to terminate, to the maximum extent allowed by law, all DEI, DEIA, and ‘environmental justice‘ offices and positions within 60 days.”
The memo specifically targeted roles associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility (DEIA), and environmental justice initiatives, marking a major transition in federal policy.
The Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as ensuring fair treatment and involvement of all individuals, “regardless of income, race, color, national origin, tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment.”
During his presidential campaign last year, Trump criticised DEI initiatives as discriminatory against white men, a claim he has used to gather support for his broader rollback of progressive policies.
The 78-year-old Republican, has also pledged to drop policies aimed at supporting transgender people, declaring that the county would only be recognizing two genders.
Furthermore, the administration encouraged federal agencies to ask employers to inquire employees for any ways to “disguise” DEI programmes using coded imprecise language.
He also demonized any recognition of diversity in terms of gender, targeting transgender people, particularly women in sports and gender affirming care for children
Trump has already ended what he referred to as”radical” affirmative action in awarding federal contracts, overturning an order implemented back in the civil rights era of 1960s to combat racism.
His latest directive forms part of a broader series of measures aimed at reshaping federal priorities aligning with his conservative platform.