The Donald Trump administration has ordered all federal employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles to be placed on paid leave, according to a new memo from the Office of Personnel Management sent to heads of departments and agencies.
The memo states that all employees in DEI roles will be put on paid administrative leave as the agencies prepare to close all DEI-related offices and programs, and to remove all websites and social media accounts associated with such offices.
This action comes after the US President signed an executive order ending what he called "radical and wasteful" diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in federal agencies, leading to the shutdown of DEI offices and programs.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, "President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit-based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin. This is another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds. Promises made, promises kept."
The memo also instructed federal agencies to submit a written plan for executing a reduction-in-force action concerning employees in DEI roles by the end of the month.
During his first term in 2020, Donald Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal DEI programs. However, Joe Biden later signed actions aimed at promoting racial equality after taking office in 2021.
