In a sweeping move by the Trump administration, federal employees at several agencies have been instructed to eliminate personal pronouns from their email signatures. This mandate aligns with two executive orders issued by President Donald Trump immediately after taking office on January 30, 2025.
ABC News reported that in his first official act, President Trump signed orders aimed at dismantling diversity and equity initiatives in federal agencies, citing a return to "biological truth."
The affected bodies include high-profile agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Department of Energy (DOE). These federal departments were directed to adjust all communications to exclude pronouns.
The administration's decision stemmed from newly signed executive orders. These documents emphasize ending what they described as "radical and wasteful DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs" throughout the federal workforce.
The CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry communicated through an internal message that pronouns, alongside any other restricted information, must be eradicated from email signatures by the evening of the first Friday following the directive.
Similar instructions were cascaded down to the DOT employees, overshadowed by national news of a plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the same day they received the directive. The urgency and timing of these orders reflect the administration's broad initiative to reshape federal communication policies.
Furthermore, the Office of Personnel Management issued memos to ensure compliance across all platforms, ensuring that even automated systems like Microsoft Outlook are revised to prevent pronoun suggestions.
Internal response to the new policy has ranged from compliance to dismay. A long-term CDC employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, voiced frustrations about the dramatic change: "In my decade-plus years at CDC I've never been told what I can and can't put in my email signature," a stark reflection of the mood among some staffers.
While the enforcement specifics for other federal entities remain unclear, the named agencies are moving swiftly to align with the new guidelines as detailed in their respective memos.
These directives from high levels of government have not only logistic but also cultural implications within the federal workforce. As departments adjust their official communication tools, the broader impacts on workplace environment and employee morale are yet to be fully realized.
The language used in the executive orders, referring to a restoration of "biological truth" in federal operations, marks a significant shift in the administration's approach to gender identity issues.
This phraseology mirrors earlier national debates on gender and science, rekindling discussions across various sectors of society.
Analysts suggest that the resonance of these orders will extend beyond operational changes, possibly influencing public discourse around diversity and inclusion within governmental frameworks.
The timeline set for these sweeping changes was remarkably short, giving agencies just a few days to comply.
This rapid implementation underscores the administration's commitment to its policy goals but also presents significant challenges for internal communications infrastructure.
As federal agencies rush to revise their communications, the broader effects of these orders will manifest in the coming weeks and months. Observers are keenly watching for further developments, especially any legal challenges or adjustments that may arise as a result of these policy changes.