Federal agencies told to move to eliminate DEI offices and positions within 60 days
4 min readFederal agencies have been ordered to begin dismantling diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) offices and positions within the next 60 days, according to a memo issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Friday. The memo directs federal agencies to eliminate these roles “to the maximum extent allowed by law,” in a move that aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on DEI programs. Agencies have until January 31 to submit plans for a “reduction-in-force” (RIF), detailing how they will carry out these cuts. However, the memo also indicates that agencies should begin issuing RIF notices immediately.
This directive comes just days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning DEI initiatives across federal agencies. In addition to ending DEI programs, the White House has instructed federal employees working on these initiatives to be placed on administrative leave, with an emphasis on removing DEI-related positions from government work. The president has also made moves to cut high-profile military personnel and prohibited the use of DEI in hiring and federal contracting.
The memo additionally requests a list of any job or contract descriptions that were altered since the November election to conceal DEIA-related connections. Federal agencies must report these changes, or they risk facing “adverse consequences,” according to internal emails sent to federal employees earlier this week, as reported by CNN. The effort to eliminate DEIA offices represents a significant overhaul of federal government practices regarding diversity and inclusion.
Examples of federal DEI offices include the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion, and the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Policy at the Department of Defense. These offices, which focus on fostering inclusive workplaces and promoting equal opportunities, are now at the center of the administration’s efforts to dismantle DEI in the federal workforce.
The move has sparked strong opposition, particularly from labor unions representing federal employees. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union for federal workers, has criticized the initiative, arguing that it is part of a broader effort to undermine the civil service. “These attacks on DEIA are just a smokescreen for firing civil servants, undermining the apolitical civil service, and turning the federal government into an army of yes-men loyal only to the president, not the Constitution,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley stated in a recent statement.
While the Trump administration has taken a firm stance against DEI programs, former President Joe Biden had signed a series of executive orders expanding workplace protections for marginalized groups, including pregnant people, military spouses, rural communities, and caregivers. Biden’s policies aimed to broaden the scope of DEI to ensure more comprehensive protections for diverse groups, while Trump’s actions seek to reverse these changes and reduce the emphasis on diversity in federal institutions.
Critics of DEI programs argue that these initiatives are discriminatory and exacerbate racial divides by prioritizing one group over others. They claim that efforts to address racial inequality through DEI programs often disadvantage White Americans and create division rather than unity. On the other hand, supporters of DEI programs contend that these initiatives are essential to addressing systemic inequality and ensuring that marginalized groups have equal access to opportunities. Industry experts emphasize that DEI is not about disadvantaging certain groups but about creating more equitable workplaces for all.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce DEI in government have been framed as part of a broader ideological push to reject what they perceive as politically motivated practices in the federal workforce. These actions are in line with Trump’s broader political agenda, which has focused on limiting the influence of progressive policies in government institutions.
As expected, legal challenges are already emerging in response to the Trump administration’s DEI crackdown. Civil rights and advocacy organizations are preparing to contest these measures in court, anticipating multiple legal battles as Republicans push to dismantle DEI initiatives. These legal challenges will likely play a critical role in shaping the future of DEI policies, both in government agencies and across private sector workplaces.
The confrontation over DEI initiatives highlights the political divide surrounding issues of racial and social justice, particularly within the context of government employment practices. While President Trump’s actions represent a clear effort to scale back DEI efforts, the legal and political consequences of these moves will likely unfold over the coming months as the battle for the future of diversity and inclusion in the U.S. workforce intensifies.
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