Trump halts federal DEI offices, sparking national debate
President of the USA, Donald Trump, has suspended employees of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices in the federal government, placing them on paid leave, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on platform X.
This announcement confirmed a message from the federal Office of Personnel Management, which instructed "all employees of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility) offices that they are being placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately."
On Monday, after assuming office as President of the USA, Trump signed an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. As reported by AFP on Tuesday, a message appeared on X stating that "the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and program."
According to Reuters, civil rights advocates argue that such programs are necessary to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. Meanwhile, Trump and his supporters claim that DEI programs lead to unfair discrimination against other Americans and undermine the importance of merit in hiring or promotion.
The history of diversity programs dates back to 1965, when then-President Lyndon Johnson signed an order on equal employment opportunities, ensuring that private companies receiving government contracts would not discriminate against job applicants based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
On Monday, Trump signed dozens of executive orders and other legal acts, including those ending the acceptance of refugees and suspending the right to asylum. Other acts included the reinstatement of the recognition of two biological sexes and the removal of policies regarding inclusivity and the protection of minorities from discrimination.
