DOGE Cuts Over $100 Million in DEI Funding at Education Department

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has announced the termination of over $100 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants from the Department of Education as part of a larger effort to cut what it deems wasteful spending. In total, DOGE is eliminating 89 contracts valued at approximately $881 million, with the DEI funding aimed at training educators on complex historical issues related to oppression and privilege. Critics of DEI programs, including Nicki Neily of Parents Defending Education, argue that these initiatives enforce ideological conformity and do not improve educational outcomes. The cuts follow a broader trend initiated under former President Trump, who signed an executive order aimed at ending DEI programs across federal agencies. Supporters of the cuts believe that resources should instead focus on improving basic educational skills, with comments highlighting a perceived decline in student literacy. The move has sparked discussions about the future of educational funding and the role of DEI in schools.