Trump admin orders federal DEI staff to be placed on paid leave by Wednesday

Details: The OPM's memo instructs agencies to take offline all websites and social media accounts associated with DEI by the Wednesday deadline.

• The next action is for agencies to report on steps taken to implement the order by 12pm Thursday ET.
• This includes providing a "complete list" of DEI offices and workers as of Election Day 2024, according to the memo.
• The agencies must provide a written plan for "executing reduction-in-force action" for DEI employees by 5pm Friday ET, the memo says.

What they're saying: "President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a media statement.

• "This is another win for Americans of all races, religions and creeds. Promises made, promises kept."

• Trump in Monday's order calling for the termination of all federal government DEI programs described the Biden administration initiatives to increase diversity, equity and inclusion as "illegal and immoral discrimination programs."

Zoom out: Companies have in recent months responded to Republican lawmakers and activists railing against DEI by rolling back programs.

Go deeper: Americans are fine with corporate DEI

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.