A federal government employee recently uncovered a watchlist containing the names, photos, and work histories of 57 federal health workers, predominantly Black, from major healthcare agencies. This revelation has stirred significant controversy and concern about the possible implications of such a list. The American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative watchdog group, created the list. According to Thomas Jones, the president of AAF, the organization intends to continue adding federal employees to this healthcare watchlist.
The discovery of this watchlist marks the third such catalogue published by the AAF in the past four months. Previous lists targeted Department of Homeland Security workers and Department of Education employees. The AAF's stated mission is to scrutinize senior civil servants who promote what they describe as the "pernicious influence of the DEI ideology" within federal agencies. DEI, which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, aims to eliminate bias and ensure equal opportunities for success.
Critics argue that such watchlists are part of a broader historical trend in the United States aimed at harassing and silencing individuals whose ideologies do not conform to traditional societal norms. This practice echoes tactics employed by right-wing groups like Turning Point USA, known for their controversial professor watchlists. Marcus Board, a critic of these lists, remarked:
“It shuts people down and it silences them, it disempowers them,” – Marcus Board
The roots of DEI extend back to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed workplace discrimination and segregation in public spaces. However, recent years have seen DEI initiatives come under attack by conservative activists, with former President Trump signing executive orders aimed at dismantling inclusivity efforts within the federal government. One federal employee, placed on administrative leave for working in a DEI role, views the watchlist as an effort to purge government employees trying to improve government functionality. Despite being listed, this employee, using the pseudonym James, remains undeterred:
“If anything, we are more dug in in staying in our jobs until we are fired, riffed, or otherwise,” – James
James's defiance exemplifies resilience against what some see as modern-day McCarthyism tactics aimed at purging dissenting voices from government roles. This comparison draws parallels with the Second Red Scare of the late 1940s and 50s when similar methods were used to suppress perceived ideological threats. Online harassment has surged alongside political violence, exacerbated by blurred lines between mainstream media and alternative social media platforms.
The AAF's efforts have not gone unnoticed by influential conservative backers. The Heritage Foundation, known for Project 2025—a right-wing manifesto for governmental overhaul—has partially funded AAF's initiatives. This financial support underscores the ideological battle lines drawn over DEI and its role in modern governance.
Thomas Jones of the AAF stands firm in his organization's mission, dismissing criticism as a diversionary tactic:
“What it really is is a cowardly way to change the subject.” – Thomas Jones
Despite these assertions, those affected by the watchlist express concerns over its impact on their professional lives and societal contributions. A federal employee noted:
“There’s this huge misconception about DEI out there, and frankly, a lot of these attacks are very racist,” – Federal employee
The employee further highlighted the additional challenges faced by Black individuals in America:
“Black people in this country, to get anywhere, had to work 10 times harder.” – Federal employee
These sentiments reflect broader societal concerns about systemic racism and the enduring struggle for equity and inclusion. The tactics employed by groups seeking to oust federal workers resonate with historical instances where similar methods intimidated and discouraged professionals from pursuing their careers. Carroll Rivas commented on the repercussions of such actions:
“Those things were intimidating, and they pushed educators out of the school system,” – Carroll Rivas