President Donald Trump has embarked on an aggressive campaign to reshape the U.S. federal bureaucracy, focusing on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, halting federal government hiring, and suspending various health agency operations. These actions reflect Trump’s broader agenda to dismantle institutional DEI initiatives, which he and his supporters perceive as counter to a merit-based system. Reshaping these structures is part of a wider push to enforce what Trump believes is a more efficient and fair governance model, but this approach has been met with substantial criticism and concern, particularly from civil rights advocates and those within federal agencies who see these initiatives as critical in addressing systemic inequalities.
Dismantling Diversity Programs
Under Trump’s directive, U.S. agencies have begun to dismantle numerous diversity programs that had been established to promote inclusivity and equity. The Federal Reserve, for example, removed a “Diversity and Inclusion” section from its website, which previously linked to data on the demographic composition of its workforce. This move signals a significant shift in the institution’s approach to acknowledging and addressing workforce diversity. Similarly, the CIA has dissolved its diversity and inclusion office, terminating all associated programs. Furthermore, Stephanie La Rue, who served as a senior official overseeing diversity policies across U.S. intelligence agencies, was sidelined, with all references to her position removed from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s website.
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture eliminated all online information regarding its efforts to enhance racial and gender diversity. This included recommendations from an equity commission, which had been initiated during the Biden administration, aiming to foster better relationships with minority farmers and ensure equitable distribution of farm loans. During her confirmation hearing, Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins stated that she would consider these recommendations. However, she also reiterated her support for merit-based decision-making, which aligns with Trump’s overall stance on federal operations. The removal of these diversity programs marks a significant departure from the past administration’s approach to equity and inclusion.
Shifting Focus in Education
The Department of Education declared it would no longer make diversity training materials public, shifting its focus to what it termed “prioritizing meaningful learning ahead of divisive ideology in schools.” Although the Department of Education does not have direct control over education—since it is primarily managed by local governments—it is responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in schools. Civil rights advocates argue that DEI programs are essential to addressing historical racism and promoting equality in education. They believe that without such programs, systemic biases and disparities will remain unchallenged, further entrenching inequality.
Economic disparities between racial groups persist in American society, with median Black household income in 2023 being approximately 63% of that of white, non-Hispanic households. This statistic highlights the limited improvement in closing the income gap since the 1960s. Critics of Trump’s initiative argue that DEI programs are still necessary to address these persistent inequalities. Trump’s supporters, however, view DEI initiatives as inherently divisive and believe they result in unfair discrimination against other Americans. This push to shift the focus in education from diversity training to what the administration terms “meaningful learning” reflects a broader ideological battle over the role of such programs in addressing historical and systemic inequalities in the U.S.
Broader Campaign Against Federal Workforce
In addition to targeting DEI programs, Trump has launched a broader campaign against the federal workforce as a whole, aiming for a more drastic transformation of federal governance. A memo was distributed to federal employees instructing them to report colleagues who continue to promote DEI efforts using “coded language.” The failure to report such activities could result in “adverse consequences,” further highlighting the administration’s intense crackdown on diversity initiatives. This climate of surveillance and self-policing among federal employees has exacerbated tensions within various agencies, as fears of reprisal have increased. Numerous officials overseeing DEI programs were placed on leave, and their respective offices were also slated for permanent closure by the end of the month.
Trump’s actions extend beyond just targeting DEI programs to encompass a sweeping overhaul of the federal bureaucracy, which he and his supporters often refer to as the “deep state.” This term denotes a supposed shadow government perceived to be working against his administration’s agenda. For instance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) canceled a call with state veterinarians concerning the H5N1 bird flu, following directives from higher-ups to suspend meetings, publications, and employee travel. This suspension of regular operations at health and other federal agencies underscores the administration’s intention to dramatically curtail the activities of the federal workforce and reorient it towards a new set of priorities.
Impact on National Security and Health Agencies
At the National Security Council (NSC), around 160 staff members, including those from the State Department and the Pentagon, were instructed during a brief call to surrender their devices and badges and leave their posts immediately. This unexpected move left many staffers surprised, as they had anticipated new assignments or a motivational address. Instead, the sweeping reduction in personnel was seen as a direct effort to consolidate control and align the staff more closely with Trump’s vision. NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes defended these actions, describing them as a necessary review to ensure that all personnel were fully aligned with the administration’s policies and goals.
Trump’s moves have emphasized his disdain for the federal workforce, including implementing a near-total hiring freeze and issuing an executive order from his first day in office that allowed his administration to fire civil servants at will. This order, known as Schedule F, has enabled Trump to replace these positions with loyalists who are more inclined to support his agenda. The National Treasury Employees Union has challenged this executive order legally, highlighting the contentious nature of Trump’s reforms and the pushback from within federal ranks. This struggle between the administration and federal employees indicates a deep division within the government’s operational structure.
Repercussions and Criticism
President Donald Trump has launched a bold campaign to overhaul the U.S. federal bureaucracy. He is focusing on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, halting hiring within the federal government, and suspending various health agency operations. These measures are part of Trump’s broader mission to eliminate institutional DEI initiatives, which he and his supporters view as opposed to a merit-based system. Restructuring these frameworks aligns with Trump’s vision for a more efficient and fair governance model. However, this approach has faced significant criticism and concern, particularly from civil rights advocates and individuals within federal agencies who see these initiatives as crucial to addressing systemic inequalities. By pushing to remove DEI programs, Trump aims to change the way the federal bureaucracy operates, believing that a shift toward meritocracy will lead to better performance and fairness. Critics argue that such measures could reverse progress made in promoting diversity and reducing inequality within federal institutions.
