Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) introduced legislation to codify President Donald Trump’s order to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from the federal government.
The “Dismantle DEI Act” prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion actions in a future administration, prevents federal funding for DEI training, and ensures that all diversity offices are terminated.
Cloud said in a statement that DEI was a “Trojan horse for left-wing political social engineering that fosters division, not unity.”
He explained that hiring and promotion should be based on merit and hard work, “regardless of race, religion, or creed.”
“The Dismantle DEI Act is about restoring common sense, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and refocusing the federal government on serving all Americans fairly,” Cloud said. “I’m grateful to President Trump for reversing these harmful policies on Day 1 of his Administration. His leadership put an end to these divisive, un-American programs, and it’s now Congress’s job to follow through and codify the permanent elimination of DEI from our government.”
Schmitt asserted that taxpayer dollars should “not be wasted on this poisonous, divisive ideology,” emphasizing that such programs “have absolutely no business in our federal government, and I am proud to reintroduce this critical bill that will save taxpayer dollars and put a stop to the DEI madness.”
One of Trump’s first executive orders upon his inauguration reversed the diversity, equity, and inclusion programs implemented by the Biden administration. “Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect, and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great,” Trump’s order said.