BY Staff Writer

Washington, D.C., January 22, 2025: The Trump administration has instructed federal agencies to place all employees working in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles on paid leave by 5 p.m. ET today, Jan. 22. This directive, outlined in a memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), comes as the administration moves to dismantle DEI programs across the federal government.

The memo, which was sent to heads of departments and agencies on Tuesday, orders the immediate suspension of DEI-related offices, programs, and activities. Federal agencies are now tasked with ceasing all operations tied to these initiatives, including the removal of relevant websites and social media accounts.

The directive is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scale back programs that promote diversity and inclusion within federal institutions. According to sources within the administration, the move is a response to growing concerns over the perceived politicization of such programs and the allocation of federal resources toward DEI efforts.

The sweeping changes are expected to have significant implications for federal employees working in these roles, many of whom have dedicated their careers to promoting diversity and inclusion within their respective agencies. For some, the sudden removal from their positions has sparked concerns over the future of DEI-related work in the federal government.

While the administration has emphasized that the suspension of these programs is part of a broader effort to focus on merit-based hiring and job performance, critics argue that the decision undermines efforts to address systemic inequality within the federal workforce.

As of today, it remains unclear how long employees will be placed on leave or whether the changes will be permanent. Agencies are expected to provide updates on the status of their DEI programs in the coming days.

This move is part of a series of actions taken by the Trump administration to reshape the federal workforce and reduce the influence of DEI initiatives in government operations. It has already sparked a national debate about the future of diversity and inclusion efforts in the public sector and beyond.

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