The Trump administration sent emails to federal employees warning that they could face consequences if they fail to report co-workers whose jobs pertain to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI / DEIA) to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The emails continue to go out the next day.
The warning claims that officials in some agencies are attempting to “disguise” DEI programs by using “coded” language. Employees are given 10 days to report coworkers that their supervisors might have missed.
By forcing employees to report people in their office who may work in positions related to gender or racial equity, diversity initiatives, etc., the administration may also uncover supervisors who attempted to protect their staff’s jobs rather than fall in line with the new administration.
Employees were directed to notify the Office of Personnel Management if they are “aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies.”
NBC News
This continues the GOP’s assault on minorities through the weaponization of false narratives around “diversity” and “woke-ism.” It may be the first time since the Red Scare that federal workers were told to report on each other.
About DEI
DEI is used by Republicans to refer to any program, job, or support offered specifically for Americans of a particular race, gender, or sexual orientation. A college’s Women’s Center or Multicultural Affairs Center would be considered a DEI program, according to the Heritage Foundation (the hub for Project 2025).
DEIA is an extension of DEI to include the word “accessibility.” DEIA was first seen in an executive order Trump signed the night prior.
