Republicans introduce bill to enshrine Trump’s DEI ban in federal government
Republicans introduce bill to enshrine Trump’s DEI ban in federal government
Washington Examiner
Brady Knox | February 4, 2025
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) introduced a bill to enshrine President Donald Trump‘s abolition of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government.
Among Trump’s first executive orders were measures revoking former President Joe Biden’s sweeping moves to entrench DEI programs in the federal government, a point of criticism from Republicans. Cloud and Schmitt want to make Trump’s changes permanent through the Dismantle DEI Act.
The bill would codify Trump’s ban on DEI programs not just in federal agencies but also among federal contractors, grant recipients, and accreditation bodies.
“DEI was never about fairness or opportunity. It was a Trojan horse for left-wing political social engineering that fosters division, not unity,” Cloud said in a statement. “Hiring and promotion should be because of someone’s merit, excellence, and hard work, regardless of race, religion, or creed. The Dismantle DEI Act is about restoring common sense, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and refocusing the federal government on serving all Americans fairly.”
He thanked Trump for putting “an end to these divisive, un-American programs,” saying, “It’s now Congress’s job to follow through and codify the permanent elimination of DEI from our government.”
Schmitt argued that DEI programs “have plagued our federal government, academic institutions, and other aspects of our society, cheapening standards while disregarding merit.”
“Moreover, taxpayer dollars should not be wasted on this poisonous, divisive ideology. These programs have absolutely no business in our federal government, and I am proud to reintroduce this critical bill that will save taxpayer dollars and put a stop to the DEI madness,” he added.
The Dismantle DEI Act would ensure that all federal and federal-adjacent DEI offices are dismantled and close any loopholes, such as renaming or repurposing them. Federal funds would be prohibited from being used in DEI training, grants, or programs, and individuals would be granted the legal right to challenge any violations in court.
Cloud and then-Sen. JD Vance introduced a bill in June to cut DEI programs in the government before Vance was announced as Trump’s running mate. It was co-sponsored by 20 other Republicans in Congress.
“The DEI agenda is a destructive ideology that breeds hatred and racial division,” Vance said at the time. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which would root out DEI from our federal bureaucracy by eliminating such programs and stripping funding for DEI policies anywhere it exists. Americans’ tax dollars should not be co-opted to spread this radical and divisive ideology. This bill would ensure they are not.”
Other congressional Republicans have introduced legislation aiming to codify Trump’s efforts to abolish DEI programs in the federal government. Last week, Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) introduced the DEI to DIE Act, which would have the director of the Office of Management and Budget, the attorney general, and the director of the Office of Personnel Management “coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs,” including DEI, by reviewing all federal “employment practices, union contracts, and training policies or programs.”
The bill would also require the termination of various “equity” initiatives, actions, and programs, along with “equity action plans,” while also ending “all DEI, DEIA, and ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions.”
The Biden administration undertook a sweeping imposition of DEI programs in the federal government, allocating over $16 million for DEI training in 2023 alone.