The Trump administration is asking federal employees to report colleagues who go against orders to get rid of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs from their agencies. NBC News obtained emails reportedly sent to federal employees, stating that they could face repercussions if they do not report programs that may have gone unnoticed by supervisors.
The email directs employees to notify the Office of Personnel Management.
What did the email say?
“We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language,” the email stated. “Failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences.”
The White House hasn’t said what the consequences would be or how the directive will be enforced.
How does this connect to Trump’s executive order?
The warning comes as President Trump issued an executive order on Monday, Jan. 20, to end DEI and accessibility “mandates, policies, programs, preferences and activities in the federal government, under whatever name they appear.”
A memo from the Office of Personnel Management went out Tuesday, Jan. 21, directing heads of departments and agencies to put employees in DEIA offices on paid administrative leave, no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22. It also required the agencies to submit a plan by the end of the month for layoffs in DEIA offices.
It’s not yet clear how many federal employees will be laid off.
The memo said DEIA programs “divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars and resulted in shameful discrimination.”
This is a reversal of the Biden administration’s efforts to further inclusion initiatives in the workplace. Joe Biden signed an executive order when he took office asking government agencies to promote chief diversity officers and hold DEI training.
Advocates say diversity programs are still necessary to address inequality.
