- Federal agencies and schools roll back DEI programs after new policy directives.
- Critics warn these moves weaken inclusion and erase support for marginalised groups.
What happened: DEI programmes rolled back across sectors after executive orders
In early 2025, the U.S. administration issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives across federal departments. Agencies were ordered to shut down DEI offices, cancel contracts, and remove related content from official platforms.
Educational institutions have also been affected. Dozens of universities face investigations for their DEI activities, and legislation has been introduced in multiple states to limit or eliminate diversity-focused programmes.
Meanwhile, some private companies—particularly law firms—have quietly scaled back or removed public references to DEI in response to the political shift. These actions include removing social justice language, cutting references to equity efforts, and rebranding diversity-related events and departments.
Also read: Meta faces backlash over DEI and moderation cuts
Also read: Cornerstone’s CPO turns DEI into action
Why it’s important
The rollback of DEI policies raises concerns about equity and representation, particularly in sectors that have relied on these frameworks to support underrepresented communities.
Critics argue that the removal of DEI programmes in education limits access and opportunity for students from marginalised backgrounds. In the private sector, the retreat from diversity initiatives risks undermining progress in building inclusive workplaces.
This wave of anti-DEI measures marks a significant shift in public and institutional attitudes toward inclusion efforts—potentially stalling or reversing years of advancement in workforce equity and cultural representation.
