The Story: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocates, or DEI, are criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump for shutting down government diversity programs through an executive order this week, and pressuring the private sector to follow suit.
Civil rights advocates have argued that such programs are needed to address long-standing inequalities and structural racism, as they provide greater opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and other traditionally underrepresented groups. do
The executive orders signed by Trump on Tuesday ended federal DEI programs and put their employees on paid leave.
“Can you imagine Biden doing that? I don’t think so. I don’t think so.”
He and his supporters say the programs are discriminatory and undermine the importance of merit in hiring or promotion.
Separately, Trump has increased pressure on the private sector to dismantle diversity programs by signing an order aimed at preventing firms on government contracts from using DEI programs and hiring based on race and gender.
An order he signed tells government agencies to name nine publicly traded corporations, large nonprofits or associations, foundations, and more, that will be targeted. , excerpt, “Civil Compliance Investigations”.
Cindu Thomas-George is the founder of Shakti Training, a consulting firm that offers professional development experiences that promote DEI. She says she is disappointed.
“I’m really surprised, because Donald Trump is considered a great businessman. And decades of studies have shown that DEI is good for business. DEI is not about affirmative action, it’s about co-creation. It’s about doing. A culture and a workplace where everyone can thrive, no matter what your identity is.”
Meanwhile – Dr. Nicole Event, CEO of Event Consulting Group, a black, queer woman-owned company that helps other firms raise equity, told Reuters that Trump’s orders backfired. can do
“I think people will be more engaged in this work because they see that it’s very articulate. It’s not bogged down in its white supremacy ideology. It’s still in your face. And I think that will encourage people to fight back.”
The order, which required federal agencies to end DEI programs, repealed pre-1965 executive policies aimed at equal employment opportunity, environmental measures designed to protect communities of color, and race, gender, and religion. Based on federal contractors’ “workforce balancing” efforts. .
However, the executive order signed Tuesday states that employment preferences for military veterans may continue.
Full details on how the Trump administration would implement a “civil compliance investigation” of the private sector were not immediately available.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters to address the criticism of civil rights advocates.
