The administration of United States President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to terminate staffers working in diversity-related positions, following an earlier move to place them on paid leave.
This directive marks the latest in a series of right-wing measures implemented by the 78-year-old Republican since his return to the White House.
A memo issued by the US Office of Personnel Management on Friday stated, “Each agency, department, or commission head shall take action to terminate, to the maximum extent allowed by law, all DEI, DEIA, and ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions within 60 days.” These roles were designed to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across federal agencies.
Earlier in the week, Trump had instructed government agency leaders to submit a written plan for reducing employees in DEI offices by Friday. The inclusion of “environmental justice” in this latest directive appeared to introduce a new target.
The Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as “the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment.”
During his presidential campaign last year, Trump criticized DEI policies in government and corporations, claiming they discriminated against white men. He also targeted gender diversity, opposing the inclusion of transgender people in sports and gender-affirming care for minors.
Trump’s administration has already repealed affirmative action in federal contracting, revoking a 1960s-era order established to combat racism. He has also pledged to dismantle policies supporting transgender individuals, declaring that the United States will officially recognize only two genders.
Additionally, previous orders under his administration instructed federal department and agency heads to identify any attempts to obscure DEI programs through “coded or imprecise language.”
