Trump Orders Sweeping End to Federal DEI and Affirmative Action Early in Second Term

In a rapid series of executive actions taken days into his second term, President Donald Trump has initiated a sweeping effort to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the U.S. federal government. The move, signaled immediately upon his return to office, represents a significant policy reversal from the previous administration and underscores a determined push for a profound cultural shift within federal institutions and potentially across the nation.

Unpacking the Executive Orders

The core of this policy overhaul began with an executive order signed by President Trump just hours after his inauguration on Monday. This initial order specifically targeted and ended DEI programs operating within the federal government itself. These programs, which have aimed to foster a more representative and inclusive workforce, have faced increasing criticism from conservative circles. Activists, including prominent figures such as Christopher Rufo, have been vocal proponents of the view that these initiatives are inherently discriminatory.

The administration did not stop there. On Tuesday, the efforts escalated with further directives. A major component of Tuesday’s actions involved moving to end affirmative action policies specifically within federal contracting. Affirmative action, a concept aimed at redressing historical discrimination by favoring applicants from groups that have been disadvantaged, was a policy first initiated at the federal level by President Lyndon Johnson decades ago. The decision to terminate it in federal contracting marks the reversal of a long-standing practice intended to ensure opportunities for minority-owned businesses and underrepresented communities.

Further cementing the administration’s intent, Tuesday’s directives also included specific instructions regarding federal employees tasked with overseeing DEI initiatives. All federal staff whose roles were primarily focused on DEI were directed to be placed on paid leave immediately, with the clear intention of eventual layoff. This administrative step effectively signals the immediate cessation of dedicated resources and personnel for these programs across departments.

A Sharp Departure from Previous Policy

These actions represent a clear escalation of efforts seen during President Trump’s first term and stand in direct opposition to the policies advanced by former President Joe Biden. The Biden administration had actively utilized federal levers, including executive orders and agency directives, to promote DEI initiatives specifically aimed at benefiting historically marginalized communities within the federal workforce and in society more broadly through contracting and grant policies.

President Trump has consistently advocated for an alternative approach, emphasizing what he terms “merit-based” hiring and advancement. Proponents of this view argue that focusing solely on individual qualifications and performance, rather than considering demographic factors, creates a fairer system and avoids potential issues of “reverse discrimination” that critics often attribute to DEI programs. This philosophical difference forms the bedrock of the administration’s justification for the rapid dismantling of existing structures.

Broader Context: A National Backlash

The federal government’s pivot away from DEI does not occur in a vacuum. It coincides with a significant and growing backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts that has been gathering momentum across corporate America and other institutions. This broader movement intensified substantially following a pivotal 2023 ruling by the Supreme Court. The court’s decision effectively ended affirmative action policies in university admissions, a landmark judgment that reshaped the legal landscape surrounding race-conscious policies.

That Supreme Court ruling subsequently spurred a wave of legal challenges and lawsuits targeting corporate diversity initiatives. Critics argue that some corporate DEI programs could potentially violate civil rights laws by favoring certain groups, mirroring the arguments made against university admissions policies. The Trump administration’s actions at the federal level now align with and amplify this existing national trend of questioning and challenging DEI frameworks.

Immediate Operational Impact

While the full implications of these directives will unfold over time, initial effects are already being observed. According to reporting by AP News, several federal departments have wasted no time in responding to the new mandate. Within hours or days of the executive orders, these departments had already begun removing their webpages and online resources specifically focused on DEI initiatives. This rapid removal suggests departments are quickly moving to comply with the new directive and signals the immediate erasure of the visible infrastructure supporting these programs.

The speed and breadth of these actions — hitting programs, policies, and personnel simultaneously — underscore the administration’s determination to implement this cultural and policy shift rapidly. The dismantling of federal DEI and the end of affirmative action in contracting represent a significant turning point, reorienting federal hiring, promotion, and procurement practices towards the administration’s “merit-based” philosophy and away from policies designed to promote demographic representation and address historical inequities. The long-term consequences of this fundamental shift for the composition and culture of the federal government remain a subject of ongoing observation and debate.