NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration has launched a sweeping initiative to dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which includes placing all DEI staff members on paid leave effective immediately. According to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management, federal agencies are to inform DEI workers of their leave status as the government moves towards abolishing these offices and related initiatives Business Insider.

This decisive action follows an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office, which accused the previous Biden administration of embedding what it termed "discrimination" programs across nearly all facets of the federal government. The order demands an end to policies, programs, and practices related to DEI within 60 days, as federal agencies are directed to remove all public-facing DEI information, including websites and social media accounts CNN.

In a move that some are labeling a continuation of his previous term's policies, Trump aims to eliminate federal spending on DEI practices, which he claims propagate unfair advantages based on race and gender. Notably, many corporations, facing similar pressures from conservative groups, have begun to scale back or terminate their DEI initiatives as well TIME.

Under the new directive, agencies are also instructed to compile lists of DEI offices and personnel, report actions taken to implement these changes by Thursday, and develop plans to carry out layoffs within these roles HuffPost. Trump’s rhetoric emphasizes a shift towards a merit-based hiring system, devoid of initiatives perceived as pro-diversity, asserting that such practices are discriminatory against non-minority groups, particularly white men.

Despite the administration's efforts, experts caution that dismantling such entrenched programs may be a complex process. The long-standing DEI initiatives have been significant components of federal legislation aimed at rectifying historical inequalities. Therefore, the reality of implementing these sudden changes could face substantial legal obstacles and practical challenges Le Monde.

In conclusion, the Trump administration's aggressive approach to dismantle DEI programs highlights an ongoing ideological battle over diversity practices within the federal framework. As it takes shape, further scrutiny and opposition from civil rights advocates are anticipated as these changes commence.