By Kanishka Singh in WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The administration of Donald Trump has issued a warning to academic institutions and universities about potential cuts in federal funding if they persist with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that the new U.S. president has been actively working to dismantle in his early days in office.
WHY IT’S SIGNIFICANT
Since assuming office on January 20, Trump has issued executive orders aimed at addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in both the federal government and private sector. Advocates for civil rights argue that DEI initiatives play a crucial role in uplifting marginalized communities by addressing long-standing inequities. However, Trump and his supporters have labeled these programs as anti-meritocratic and discriminatory against white individuals and men.
KEY STATEMENTS
In a letter disclosed by Axios on Monday, the Department of Education stated, “The Department intends to take necessary actions to evaluate compliance with relevant statutes and regulations based on the principles outlined in this letter within 14 days from today, including anti-discrimination mandates that serve as a prerequisite for receiving federal funding.” The letter, dated Friday, urged educational institutions to adhere to civil rights laws and desist from attempting to bypass restrictions, which includes discontinuing the engagement of third-party contractors for such purposes. The letter further warned, “Institutions found to be non-compliant with federal civil rights regulations may be subject to potential loss of federal funding.”
CONTEXT
DEI programs have become an integral part of initiatives promoting workplace diversity to ensure more equitable representation for historically marginalized groups, such as African Americans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, individuals with disabilities, and other ethnic minorities in the United States. The momentum behind DEI efforts surged in 2020, including within the private sector, following the tragic death of George Floyd, a Black man who lost his life after a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for an extended period.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Chris Sanders and Lisa Shumaker)
