The Trump administration has launched a sweeping directive targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI) programs within the federal government. On Wednesday, federal employees received emails warning that they could face "adverse consequences" if they fail to report colleagues engaged in DEI-related work. The move follows President Donald Trump's executive order to eliminate all DEI programs in federal agencies.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo earlier in the week instructing department and agency heads to notify employees about the mandate by 5 p.m. Wednesday. A template provided by OPM directed workers to report any recent changes to job descriptions or contracts that might obscure DEI-related roles or activities.
"There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting this information," the email stated. "However, failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences."
The directive aligns with Trump's executive order signed on his first day back in office. The order aimed to shutter DEI offices and initiatives across the federal government, citing claims that such programs "divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination."
The White House has not clarified what the "adverse consequences" would entail or how the mandate will be enforced. Emails containing the reporting instructions were sent to employees across multiple agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Trump administration's actions mark a significant shift in federal employment policy. DEI programs have been integral to hiring practices for decades, aiming to counter systemic bias and ensure equality. However, Trump and many Republicans have argued that such programs lower hiring standards and promote bias against white Americans.
"We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language," the OPM email stated, urging employees to scrutinize recent changes in job titles or descriptions.
The administration's crackdown extends beyond DEI. Earlier this week, Trump issued an executive order freezing federal hiring and revoking protections against discrimination for federal contractors. The now-defunct order, enacted during previous administrations, required federal contractors to implement affirmative action and prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
The Trump administration's focus on DEI has also included broader measures targeting federal workers. Roughly 160 National Security Council officials have been sidelined amid loyalty screenings, and thousands of civil servants could face diminished employment protections as the administration moves to streamline workforce policies.
The reporting mandate has drawn sharp criticism from advocates of workplace diversity and inclusion. Critics argue that the administration's actions undermine decades of progress toward equality in federal hiring and employment practices.
Despite the criticism, the administration has pressed forward, directing federal agencies to place DEI staff on paid administrative leave and prepare for eventual layoffs. "By the end of the workday Wednesday, agencies were to shutter DEI offices and remove those staff from active duty," according to the OPM memo.
The sweeping measures come amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to overhaul federal governance. In addition to targeting DEI programs, Trump has called for loyalty tests among federal employees and a reassessment of civil service protections.
