U.S. Education Department Eliminates DEI Programs, Suspends Staff

The U.S. Department of Education has commenced actions to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to President Trump's recent executive order. This includes placing employees leading DEI programs on paid administrative leave, removing hundreds of related documents from public channels, and dissolving internal councils established under previous administrations. The Department has deemed existing DEI initiatives as 'harmful' and is focusing on shifting the agency's priorities toward 'meaningful learning' rather than what it describes as divisive ideologies. Over 200 webpages containing DEI resources are set to be taken offline, and contracts related to DEI training worth millions have been canceled. Critics argue that these measures could undermine efforts to ensure fair treatment and reduce barriers faced by historically disadvantaged groups. The announcement aligns with a broader trend of federal agencies reevaluating their DEI programs following Trump's directive.