Federal DEI websites go dark after Trump order and threat of ‘consequences’
SUMMARY
Federal websites dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives were taken offline on Wednesday following a White House order. The action came after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo requiring all federal DEI employees to be placed on paid leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday. The memo also instructed agency heads to remove all public-facing DEI media. Agencies like Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and State received instructions to report any changes related to DEI personnel or contracts since the election. Failure to comply within 10 days could result in “adverse consequences.” The DEI-related web pages, which showcased the agencies’ commitments to diversity, were removed, though some health equity-focused pages remained online. The move is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to scale back DEI programs in the federal government, with agencies now under pressure to report any related adjustments promptly.
