For more than ten years, military veterans working for the State Department have found camaraderie in a volunteer resource group that offers mentorship, discussions on mental health and other matters, and opportunities for community service activities tailored to their unique experiences. However, President Donald Trump’s executive order to terminate what he deems as “discriminatory and illegal” government diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies has led to a temporary halt for Veterans@State and numerous other affinity groups within federal departments.
According to an email obtained by NBC News, the board of Veterans@State stated, “We are mandated to cancel all planned events, meetings, announcements, or other activities.” A spokesperson for the State Department mentioned on Monday that all employee organizations have been informed of a temporary suspension of activities to ensure compliance with executive orders. Among the affected groups are those dedicated to women, LGBTQ employees, individuals with disabilities, and a Christian group named GRACE, established during Trump’s initial term.
Throughout the federal government, employees involved in DEI efforts within their respective departments have expressed apprehension and concern over Trump’s directive. The Department of Veterans Affairs, a significant employer of military veterans in the federal government, recently placed 60 employees who focused on DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave and terminated related contracts.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that the decision to eliminate DEI practices fulfills “promises made, promises kept.” She stated, “President Trump pledged to eradicate DEI practices from our federal government and restore America to a merit-based society where individuals are hired based on their abilities, not their skin color. This is a victory for Americans of all backgrounds.”
However, for employed veterans like those at the State Department, the crackdown on their employee group has caused confusion and frustration. Some current and former members of Veterans@State, which includes Devin Banks, a retired Air Force officer who served in Afghanistan and Somalia, emphasized that the group’s activities were conducted during lunch hours and did not utilize taxpayer funds. Banks argued that veterans, who have made significant sacrifices for their country, deserve recognition and support, not to be labeled as DEI hires.
Another State Department employee who is a disabled veteran shared her reliance on the assistance provided by veterans’ support groups.
The employee, who prefers to remain anonymous due to concerns about potential retaliation, emphasized the significance of various affinity groups within the agency and across the federal government throughout her professional journey. She stressed the importance of maintaining all employee groups, not solely those dedicated to military veterans, as they play a vital role in boosting morale and fostering a sense of camaraderie among staff members.
Expressing the value of having a support system to connect with others who can relate to shared experiences, including injuries and mental health challenges post-service, she highlighted the profound impact of these groups in combatting feelings of isolation. These sentiments were echoed by a veteran who served as an office director at the State Department between 2012 and 2024, underscoring the critical role these affinity groups play in bridging communication gaps between veteran employees and the agency at large.
Established in 2014, the State Department’s veteran employee group has emerged as one of the most active and impactful, providing a platform for the agency’s approximately 7,100 employee veterans engaged in civil service, foreign service, and contract roles to unite and support one another. The founding member emphasized the group’s function as a vital intermediary, facilitating collaboration and understanding between veteran employees and the broader organizational framework.
Any potential dismantling of employee affinity groups within the State Department was cautioned against, with warnings of its detrimental effects on the agency’s diplomatic efforts and the invaluable contributions these groups offer to both employees and the organizational mission. The transformative experiences and skills acquired by veterans during military service were highlighted, with an emphasis on their adeptness in cross-cultural communication, strategic planning, and crisis management – attributes that are invaluable in diplomatic roles.
The successes of the Veterans@State group over the years were underscored, including improvements in recruitment outcomes and advancements in professional development initiatives. By leveraging their unique perspectives and experiences, veterans play a crucial role in ensuring that diplomatic solutions are exhaustively explored before resorting to military interventions. The potential loss of this essential infrastructure was warned against, as it would deprive American diplomacy of indispensable insights precisely when they are most needed.
