One of the first executive orders signed by the 47th president was to end DEI – diversity, equity, and inclusion – programs throughout the U.S. federal government. The signing occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Trump administration made clear references to Dr. King’s famous speech. Within 60 days of his signing, companies and agencies are expected to comply with this order. Many websites and their internal links have been shut down, in compliance. Additionally, companies that most Americans use, such as Walmart and others, have now pulled back from implementing programs that promote and aid DEI. Will a temporary blocking of this ban brought on by a Federal Judge of Maryland be enough to stop this?
Officials of the Trump Administration thought it was poetic that the president signed this executive order to eliminate programs that help and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During Trump’s speech, presented at the 2025 inauguration, he was referred to Dr. King and Trump claimed that he “will make his dream come true.” Trump plans on achieving this through forging a “colorblind” society based only on merit.
Supporters of DEI programs aren’t changing their firm stance that these programs are necessary to accommodate the ever-diversifying, fast-expanding population.
One of Trump’s big campaign promises was to end what the right-wing media refers to as “woke ideology.” Eliminating these programs, which diversify workplaces and academic institutions for equal opportunity in success, is part of the president’s plan to uphold that promise. AP News writer Fernanda Figueroa states that this executive order affects the federal government’s “DEI programs, mandates, policies, preferences, and activities.” Along with the executive order came a 60-day notice for the termination of contracts or grants related to DEI.
The effects of this aggressive order are already showing. The dismantling of federal DEI webpages is occurring; they are being removed and erased from government servers. Many DEI-related staff are on paid leave until their question of whether they have a job or should be looking for another one is answered.
Most of these websites contain resources available to assist underrepresented and marginalized people. Advocates for DEI programs, including those built into the Education Department, fear eliminating equal education opportunities. Historically, in the U.S., before DEI initiatives, anyone who was not a white man had a disadvantage when it came to the opportunity of an education. The disappearance of these websites shows us that federal agencies are complying, and so are many consumer companies.
Many companies in the U.S. are currently pulling back on their previously implemented diversity initiatives that aided the success of the marginalized with their company circle. Some big-time names that have joined this anti-DEI movement are Walmart, Meta Platforms, Amazon, McDonald’s, Google, and Target. Target’s DEI rollback stands out the most because of its notable donations to LGBTQIA+ and Black Empowerment groups. When talking with my partner about this, since we are customers of these businesses, they said, “It makes me feel like I’m not actually wanted and welcome inside their store.”
U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Maryland temporarily blocked the ban that the Trump Administration is trying to implement at federal businesses and agencies this week. The judge found the EO to be an illegal intrusion into the American people’s speech and expression, which likely violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Because of the Trump administration’s order, DEI is left as “too vague” of a definition, making it unclear how to implement those directives.
I wonder if these organizations that have already pulled back on their DEI initiatives will backtrack and reinstate their newly abolished programs with this temporary blocking.
On my way to work, I had another conversation with a delightful Uber driver. We discussed a lot during our 15-minute ride together; however, what he told me would stick with me for a long time. He said, “I’m not worried about our progress going back; I’m ready for the fight.” Instead of feeling helpless, figure out how to support and help – sign petitions, donate, and stay informed. And, for the next four years, if more executive orders are going to be signed, so will the signs of the American protestors endure.
