Following the Trump administration's directive to disband diversity programs, federal employees face pressure to report DEI efforts, leading to a climate of anxiety in various agencies concerned about job security and the future of minority involvement in government roles.**
Federal Employees Warned to Self-Report Diversity Initiatives Under New Trump Directive**
Federal Employees Warned to Self-Report Diversity Initiatives Under New Trump Directive**
Thousands of federal workers are instructed to disclose internal diversity efforts, prompting fears of retaliation and confusion about new policies.**
The Trump administration has issued a controversial directive to thousands of federal employees, mandating them to report any ongoing or covert diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within their respective agencies. This move arrives after President Trump’s sweeping ban on DEI offices and programs, aiming to eliminate what he deems divisive practices in the federal workforce.
Internal communications obtained by the BBC revealed that employees received emails instructing them to "report all facts and circumstances" regarding DEI efforts to a specific government email address within ten days. Many staffers interpreted this as an alarming call to betray their colleagues, with one Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employee expressing feelings of fear and being overwhelmed by the new expectations.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) directed heads of federal agencies to inform their staff about this requirement, which led to varying versions of the directive being sent out. For instance, employees at the Treasury Department received a different email that did not include warnings about potential "adverse consequences" for noncompliance, as reported.
This change marks the fallout from Trump's early executive orders, when he abolished DEI programs and placed employees working in related roles on paid administrative leave. Proponents of this initiative, including Trump, argue that focusing on diversity is inherently discriminatory, positing that a merit-based system is more equitable.
Advocates for the ban, such as Yukong Mike Zhao of the Asian American Coalition for Education, praised the president’s actions as a crucial stride towards a color-blind society. However, employees from various agencies have expressed concern that the emails are more of an intimidation tactic, creating a disheartening atmosphere within the workforce.
As the administration rushes to enforce its policies, confusion looms regarding hiring practices, grants, and the continuity of diversity initiatives. Reports indicate that at least one division within HHS has halted all DEI-related activities, while research grants aimed at fostering minority employment opportunities remain in jeopardy. Employees are left grappling with a sense of unease about the broader implications of these controversial orders on their agencies, emphasizing a collective uncertainty about the future.
