The Trump administration sent emails to thousands of federal employees on Wednesday, instructing them to disclose any attempts to conceal diversity initiatives in their agencies or face repercussions. This directive followed President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs across the government. Employees were asked to report all relevant information to a new government email address within 10 days.
Concern arose among some workers who viewed this as a requirement to betray their colleagues to the White House. An employee from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expressed feeling anxious, stating, "We're really freaked out and overwhelmed."
The Office of Personnel Management directed agency heads to inform their staff by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, providing an email template that many employees received that same night. Variances were noted in emails among different departments, such as the Treasury Department omitting the warning of consequences for failing to report DEI initiatives.
Critics, including President Trump, argue that DEI practices are discriminatory as they consider characteristics like race, gender, and sexual orientation. Despite opposition from some employees fearing retribution, Trump's decision to rescind affirmative action and ban DEI programs was applauded by critics of DEI practices.
While advocating for diversity in the workforce, an HHS employee criticized the influence of identity politics, believing it hinders organizational functionality. However, the employee clarified that such criticism did not equate to desiring colleagues' dismissal, stating, "But that doesn't mean I want my colleagues to get fired." The impact of the DEI orders and the email on agency operations was described as causing "very calculated chaos."
Employees within federal agencies expressed concerns over the freeze on hiring and research grants, leaving them uncertain about future steps. They worried about the broader implications of the DEI order, including its effect on grants supporting minority recruitment in scientific fields outside government agencies.
Although some employees reported a pause in DEI-related activities, they were advised to continue with their duties. Despite this, there was a prevailing sense of apprehension about the overall impact on their work.