Federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives faced an unprecedented shake-up as President Donald Trump launched his second term with a decisive agenda to end racial and gender preferences within the government. On Monday, Trump rescinded one of President Biden’s hallmark executive orders, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, setting the stage for a dramatic 48 hours that would systematically dismantle the DEI framework built over Biden’s four-year term.
The contrast between administrations could not be more striking. Biden’s 2021 executive order was introduced as a cornerstone of his presidency, championing equity-based practices across federal agencies. Trump’s response upon retaking the presidency? The swift reversal of these policies and the implementation of a merit-based approach that left little room for ambiguity.
On Monday, Trump signed a second executive order, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (EO 24). This order directed federal departments to coordinate with agencies like the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to terminate all DEI-related offices, programs, grants, and performance requirements. DEI positions, including Chief Diversity Officers, were placed squarely on the chopping block.
BREAKING: Trump says his government will be eliminating any and all forms of DEI and only recognize 2 genders pic.twitter.com/pxKnY5e0e2
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 20, 2025
But the most seismic shift came Tuesday, when Trump signed a third executive order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. This directive not only repealed DEI initiatives but reached back decades to overturn Executive Order 11246, signed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. LBJ’s order, which had laid the groundwork for affirmative action in federal contracting, was long considered untouchable. Its rescission represented a significant ideological shift, ending an era of racial quotas and affirmative action plans tied to federal contracts.
By 5:00 PM Wednesday, the effects were already being felt. Federal workers across departments began receiving notices that DEI offices and initiatives were being shuttered, and personnel were placed on paid administrative leave. Trump’s approach made clear that this was not merely about policy shifts but a wholesale rejection of Biden-era priorities.
Trump orders all federal DEI employees to be placed on leave by 5:00PM Wednesday, and all DEI offices to be shutdown.
The woke nonsense is being shutdown right out of the gate.
The days of pronouns and 87 genders are over. Sanity and merit is now the law of the land.🔥 pic.twitter.com/eb89PZJVsv
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) January 22, 2025
The backlash from agencies attempting to relabel DEI practices is expected, but Trump’s actions align with a voter base demanding change. In a recent Fox poll, eliminating DEI ranked as the sixth-highest priority among voters, with strong support for returning to merit-based systems.
While this aggressive pivot will undoubtedly face legal challenges and bureaucratic resistance, Trump’s intent to fulfill his campaign promises—ending DEI being a central one—signals that the battle for the direction of federal policy is far from over. As the administration marches forward, the dramatic overhaul of DEI initiatives will likely remain one of the most polarizing and consequential moves of Trump’s historic second term.