Trump Mandates Closure of All US Federal Diversity Offices
Trump Mandates Closure of All US Federal Diversity Offices.
Staff members have been placed on paid administrative leave following the president's decision to revoke executive orders that support LGBTQ equality.
US federal employees assigned to diversity offices are required to be placed on paid leave by Wednesday evening, following an order from the new administration of Donald Trump to terminate these programs, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“Send a notification to all employees of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility) offices that they are being placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately as the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs,” said a US office of personnel management memo posted on X.
The memorandum, validated by Leavitt, instructed all heads of departments and agencies to notify employees by 5 PM on Wednesday.
On the inaugural day of his second term as president, Trump rescinded several executive orders that had advanced LGBTQ+ equality and enacted new orders that recognized only two genders while terminating government diversity initiatives.
Throughout the presidential campaign, he criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within the federal government and corporate sectors, asserting that they discriminated against white individuals, particularly men.
“The Biden administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the federal government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military,” said one executive order ending such initiatives.
During his campaign, Trump vilified the acknowledgment of gender diversity, specifically targeting transgender individuals, particularly transgender women participating in sports, as well as gender-affirming healthcare for minors.
Addressing a gathering of supporters in Washington on Monday, Trump annulled 78 executive orders, actions, and presidential memoranda that had been enacted by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Numerous rescinded decrees advanced diversity and equality within government institutions, workplaces, and healthcare systems, in addition to supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.
The closure of federal diversity offices and the placement of staff on paid leave under Trump's directive raises concerns about the long-term impact on equality initiatives within the U.S. government. While proponents argue that the move addresses issues of fairness, critics worry it could roll back years of progress in promoting inclusivity and protecting the rights of marginalized communities.
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The rescinding of executive orders aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ equality and gender recognition further fuels debate about the administration's stance on diversity. As these actions unfold, the broader implications for federal institutions and societal equality remain uncertain and contentious.
