DEI is on Trump’s chopping block. view how Democrats are fighting back.
Jessica Guynn
Ahead of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, stake and inclusion measures in the federal government, state lawmakers are raising their voices in defense of DEI.
More than 30 state elected Democratic officials from around the country signed a note to Trump, pledging to protect DEI. State legislatures have been ground zero for anti-DEI attacks.
“Anti-DEI rhetoric and policy goals are risky, destructive, and discriminatory. Ultimately, they erect barriers to our American dreams,” the open note obtained by USA TODAY said. “As we hold ourselves accountable to defending and extending the benefits of DEI, we also hold you accountable to achieving the same objective.”
The push to complete diversity initiatives that Republicans claim focus on race and gender at the outlay of person merit is a top priority of correct-wing foundations, ponder tanks and political operatives in statehouses across the country.
The anti-DEI campaign is expected to gain more ground now that it is at the center of the president’s economic and cultural agenda.
“Florida, Texas and other states have already abolished DEI. Private companies, such as Meta, are following suit,” Christopher Rufo, a DEI critic and a elder fellow at the conservative-leaning ponder tank Manhattan Institute, told USA TODAY. “The period is now.”
Democrats declare the government-driven push to boost diversity in cubicles and executive suites is essential to wiping out decadeslong inequities and ensuring equal chance for women and marginalized groups.
Parity in the business globe is a long way off. A USA TODAY investigation of the country’s largest companies found that the top ranks are predominantly white and male, while women and people of color are concentrated at the lowest levels with less pay, fewer perks and comparatively little chance for advancement.
Raumesh Akbari, the Tennessee Senate’s Democratic chief, said advancement and prosperity depends on “ensuring equitable opportunities for all.”
“By upholding the values of diversity, stake, and inclusion, we can continue to construct a population where everyone has the chance to achieve, reflecting the factual spirit of America,” Akbari said in a statement.
(This narrative has been updated to add recent information.)
