Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Place DEI Employees on Leave and Dismantle Offices
In a controversial move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sunday directing all federal agencies to place employees involved in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs on paid administrative leave. This decision marks a significant step in the administration’s effort to dismantle initiatives it claims are divisive and ineffective.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has instructed federal agencies to notify DEIA employees by 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, about their leave status. Agencies are also required to take the following actions immediately:
The directive also includes provisions to prevent agencies from covertly maintaining DEIA programs under alternative names.
The Trump administration has labeled DEIA initiatives, heavily promoted during President Joe Biden’s tenure, as fostering division and unnecessary government spending. “These programs have embedded discriminatory practices within the federal government, harming efficiency and morale,” a senior administration official stated.
Agencies are required to submit detailed compliance reports by noon on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Additionally, they must develop reduction-in-force plans targeting DEIA personnel by the end of January.
The administration is not stopping there with federal agencies. It has planned to investigate private companies’ DEIA practices through the Department of Justice. The federal grant and contract criteria are also being amended to exclude DEIA-related considerations, further stretching the executive order’s reach.
Critics argue that dismantling DEIA programs undermines progress toward workplace inclusivity and diversity. Several advocacy groups and former government officials have raised concerns about the impact of this directive on federal employees and the broader message it sends.
“This is a step backward for inclusivity and fairness in federal institutions,” said a representative from a prominent civil rights organization. “DEIA programs were designed to ensure equity, and dismantling them risks creating an environment of exclusion.”
Although the directive has been issued, challenges remain. Some DEIA programs have become deeply entrenched in the operations of federal agencies, and bipartisan support exists for specific initiatives. Analysts suggest that the administration may face legal challenges and resistance from within certain departments.
This move reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape federal policies and programs to align with its priorities, but its long-term impact on federal governance and workplace culture remains uncertain.
This development continues to spark debate across political and professional circles, with further updates expected as agencies submit compliance reports in the coming days.
