Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing
This executive order directs the White House and federal agencies to end what it describes as “radical and wasteful” DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) initiatives, and environmental justice efforts across the federal government. It replaces DEI-oriented policies with a focus on equal dignity and individual merit in hiring, training, and program decisions. Within 60 days, agency heads are required to terminate DEI offices and related programs to the maximum extent allowed by law, and to provide the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with a detailed inventory of pre-2024 DEI structures and activities, including contractors and grant recipients. The order also creates ongoing interagency oversight (including monthly meetings chaired by the White House Domestic Policy staff) to monitor costs, barriers, and alignment with the stated policy. It emphasizes that agency employment practices should reward individual performance and should not consider DEI factors, and it preserves the usual legal and budgetary constraints. In short, the order seeks to roll back federal DEI initiatives, curb related reporting and funding practices, and replace them with a framework focused on merit and equal dignity, while establishing a structured, top-down review and reporting process to oversee the transition.
Key Points
- 1Termination of DEI-related offices, programs, and training: Eliminates DEI/DEIA offices, “equity action plans,” and related personnel and activities to the maximum extent allowed by law, including chief diversity officer roles, and DEI-related performance requirements for employees and contractors.
- 2Prohibition of DEI factors in federal employment: Federal employment practices and performance reviews should reward individual initiative and merit, and must not consider DEI or DEIA goals, policies, mandates, or requirements.
- 3Thorough inventory and reporting requirement: Agencies must provide the OMB with a list of all DEI/DEIA/environmental justice positions, committees, programs, services, budgets, and expenditures as of November 4, 2024, and an assessment of potential relabeling; plus lists of federal contractors and grantees connected to DEI training or funding since January 20, 2021.
- 4Operational impact assessment and alignment actions: Agencies must assess the operational impact and costs of prior DEI programs and, if needed, recommend actions (including potential Congressional notifications) to align programs and practices with the order’s policy of equal dignity and respect.
- 5Ongoing oversight and monthly policy meetings: The President’s Domestic Policy staff will convene monthly meetings with the Director of OMB, the Director of OPM, and deputy agency heads to review costs, barriers, progress, and areas for further action to advance the policy.