Amidst sharp policy shifts in Washington, federal agencies have subtly altered their diversity programs following President Donald Trump's new executive orders.
The Daily Caller reported that these executive actions specifically aim to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal bodies.
President Trump issued these executive orders on a Tuesday, directly targeting the DEI initiatives established during former President Joe Biden's administration.
The orders present a stark reversal from previous policies that encouraged such initiatives.
The orders call an end to what the White House described as "anti-constitutional and deeply demeaning ‘equity’ mandates" from the Biden-Harris tenure, heralding a return to "individual dignity, hard work, and excellence."
Reacting to the directives, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made significant role changes by Thursday. Lisa Boykin, initially appointed as ATF’s first chief diversity officer in 2021, saw her title changed to "senior executive."
This title change at the ATF represents a direct response to the administration’s call against DEI positions within federal agencies, reflecting the broader strategy to comply with new federal guidelines.
Aidan Johnston, a critic of the ATF’s decision, accuses the agency of circumventing the law. Johnston argues, "ATF has always been a corrupt, tyrannical agency that is unworthy of American tax dollars," underlining the controversy this rebranding has sparked.
Similarly, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) adjusted its public-facing content related to DEI. The agency's "Diversity and Inclusion" webpage was renamed to "Special Emphasis Programs," shortly after the executive orders were signed.
By the early morning of January 23, the CBP website redirected from its newly named "Special Emphasis Programs" page to an equal opportunity employment section, indicating an attempt at compliance while continuing DEI initiatives in a different guise.
The SEPs aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and engaged workforce, subtly sustaining the goals previously set under DEI programs. This suggests some federal bodies are exploring ways to maintain their diversity objectives under new nomenclature.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also confirmed the shutdown of its DEI office in December, aligning with the broader government stance against such initiatives. This closure indicates a more explicit compliance with the executive orders.
President Biden's previous orders in 2021 had been designed to enhance DEI throughout the federal government, setting up what now appears to be a sharp policy reversal. The contrast between administrations emphasizes the fluctuating priorities dependent on executive philosophy.
Officials from CBP deferred to the White House for comments on the webpage removal and other queries related to the continuation of their programs. However, the White House did not immediately respond to inquiries.
Giancarlo Canaparo of the Heritage Foundation praised President Trump’s executive actions. Canaparo explained, "Trump’s executive orders end racial preferences in the federal government, in federal contracting, and grant-writing."
He further noted, "If that was all Trump did, those would be some of the most significant presidential actions for race neutrality in recent memory." This sentiment underscores the broader legal implications of the policies.
Moreover, Canaparo also mentioned how these orders harness "the full enforcement power of the federal government against private discriminators," highlighting an expansive approach to enforcing these new policies across sectors.