Trump’s Department of Education Ends DEI Initiatives, ‘Biden’s Book Ban Hoax’
President Donald Trump’s Department of Education (DoEd) began eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and squashed what it called “Biden’s Book Ban Hoax” in the first week of Trump’s second term.
In response to Trump’s executive order cracking down on DEI in the federal government, as well as guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the department said it removed or archived hundreds of DEI guidance documents, reports, and training materials from its outward facing communication channels. The DoEd said it also put employees in charge of leading DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave.
“These actions are in line with President Trump’s ongoing commitment to end illegal discrimination and wasteful spending across the federal government. They are the first step in reorienting the agency toward prioritizing meaningful learning ahead of divisive ideology in our schools,” the department said in a press release.
OBTAINED FIRST BY @cbsnews’ @kristincbrown: All federal employees in DEI roles have to be placed on paid leave by 5pm Wednesday as those offices and programs are being ordered shut down, according to @USOPM memo. pic.twitter.com/PhTn4QrQqB
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) January 22, 2025
The department specifically eliminated its Diversity & Inclusion Council, which was established via executive order by then-President Barack Obama. Trump rescinded that Obama-era executive order and issued a new one called “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” which ultimately terminated the council, along with the Employee Engagement Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility Council (EEDIAC) within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Celebrate a new chapter at @usedgov!
They've embraced a fresh start by discontinuing the DEI Council, along with its Equity Action Plan, and redirecting $2.6 million previously allocated for training contracts. All team members involved are now on a well-deserved leave.
Cheers… pic.twitter.com/Fq7X3KB6PQ
— Tiffany Justice (@4TiffanyJustice) January 24, 2025
(Read more from “Trump’s Department of Education Ends Dei Initiatives, ‘Biden’s Book Ban Hoax’” HERE)
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
