The Trump administration issued a directive on Wednesday, instructing thousands of federal employees to report any attempts to "disguise" diversity initiatives within their agencies. The email, sent in response to President Trump's executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs, warned of "adverse consequences" for non-compliance. This move follows one of Trump's initial actions as president, which aimed to create a more uniform federal workforce by eliminating DEI initiatives.
Federal employees were given a 10-day deadline to "report all facts and circumstances" related to DEI efforts to a newly established government email address. However, some departments received slightly varied versions of the email. For example, the Treasury Department's communication omitted the warning about potential consequences for not reporting DEI initiatives.
Current federal employees, speaking anonymously to the BBC, expressed concerns that the email felt more like an intimidation tactic than a measure to ensure fairness in government operations. This sentiment was echoed by employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who reported feeling "freaked out and overwhelmed" by the directive.
"We're really freaked out and overwhelmed," said an employee at the Department Health and Human Services (HHS).
Following the email, HHS employees noted that hiring processes and research grants had been frozen, leaving the entire department uncertain about their next steps. Meanwhile, a Food and Drug Administration employee mentioned a pause in all DEI-related activities, despite not having received the email.
Critics of DEI practices, including President Trump, argue that such initiatives are discriminatory because they consider factors like race, gender, and sexual identity. Yukong Mike Zhao, president of the Asian American Coalition for Education, supports Trump's stance.
"President Trump's executive orders rescinding affirmative action and banning DEI programs are a major milestone in American civil rights progress and a critical step towards building a colour-blind society," stated Yukong Mike Zhao.
The Office of Personnel Management mandated that agency heads deliver a notice to their staff by 17:00 Eastern Time on Wednesday. This requirement added to the urgency felt within various departments as they grappled with the implications of the executive order. An HHS employee highlighted some of the challenges posed by identity politics in the workplace.
"Identity politics have played into how we function normally and that's not beneficial to the workforce," commented an HHS employee who spoke to the BBC.
Despite these concerns, some employees expressed reluctance about the potential repercussions for their colleagues under the new directive.
"But that doesn't mean I want my colleagues to get fired," added the HHS employee.
Since taking office, President Trump has signed numerous executive orders, including initiatives to freeze federal hiring and mandate a return to office work for government employees. These actions underscore his administration's push towards reshaping the federal workforce landscape.