WASHINGTON: Federal employees in the United States working in diversity offices will be placed on paid leave starting Wednesday, January 22, 2025, as part of a directive from the new administration under Donald Trump, which has ordered the closure of these programs, confirmed White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

An official memo from the US Office of Personnel Management, shared on social media, stated: “Notify all employees in DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) offices that they are to be placed on paid administrative leave immediately as the agency moves to shut down all DEIA initiatives and programs.” The memo also required that all department and agency leaders inform their workers by 5.00 pm on January 22.

The decision affects federal employees working in DEIA offices, who will be placed on paid leave “immediately,” as confirmed by Leavitt. This step is part of a broader effort by the new administration to reduce DEI positions within federal agencies, a move Trump promised to undertake on his first day in office. Trump has already made cuts to high-profile military roles and halted the use of DEI in hiring and federal contracting. Some major companies are also taking similar actions amid pressure from conservative groups and customers.

On Tuesday, the US Office of Personnel Management issued instructions for agencies to inform DEI employees by 5:00 pm EST on Wednesday, placing them on administrative leave as the agencies take steps to close all DEIA offices and programs. The memo also directs agencies to remove relevant websites, social media accounts, and cancel any DEI-related training sessions.

This move follows Trump’s signing of an executive order on Monday that bans DEI programs. During a call with reporters, an official explained that the order would dismantle the “DEI bureaucracy,” which includes environmental justice programs, equity grants, and action plans.

Additionally, the White House released a fact sheet detailing an order to eliminate DEI requirements in federal contracting. The order mandates that the Office of Management and Budget streamline federal contracts for better efficiency, speed, and reduced costs. It also bars the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs from pushing contractors to balance their workforce based on race, gender identity, or religion.

Under President Joe Biden, government workplace protections were expanded to include a broader group of Americans, including pregnant individuals, military spouses, rural communities, and caregivers.

Critics argue that DEI programs are discriminatory, claiming they tackle racial issues by creating disadvantages for other groups, particularly White Americans. However, supporters and industry experts stress that DEI has been misunderstood and politicized, despite its longstanding presence.

The Trump administration’s push against DEI is also being led by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, headed by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense, have dedicated offices and initiatives focused on diversity, including funding for minority-owned business development and diversity recruitment.

This effort to dismantle DEI programs is likely to face legal challenges, with civil rights groups preparing for lawsuits in response to the administration’s push.