Trump's anti-DEI executive orders target employee resource groups, federal workers say

Source: NBC News

Jan. 27, 2025, 6:43 PM EST


From cultural musicians being banned from performing to diversity-related posters being taken down, federal agency workers say that professional groups meant to support employees, many of whom are from marginalized backgrounds, are under threat from President Donald Trump’s executive order that seeks to end government employee diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Several workers across federal agencies told NBC News that their employee resource groups (ERGs), which are voluntary, employee-led affinity groups, have been put on pause, with meetings and events abruptly canceled to comply with the executive order. Others involved in the ERGs said they pre-emptively shut down their groups themselves or removed the email distribution lists out of fear that any potential noncompliance with the directive could threaten their jobs.

The impact, workers say, has been devastating and it’s already begun to change the work environment for the worse. “I’ve been here for four years, and in that time, we’ve made progress to help employees just have a better lived work experience,” said one Treasury Department employee who belongs to an LGBTQ-related ERG but requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. “Four years later in the snap of fingers, our work is being completely undone. … It’s one step forward, two steps back. I feel despair at the moment.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the move was an example of “promises made, promises kept.” “President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin,” she said. “This is another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/trump-anti-dei-orders-target-federal-employee-groups-rcna189212