Trump Escalates Campaign to End Inclusive Hiring

He Orders Govt Staff to Inform on Colleagues Who Hide Diversity Schemes or Face Consequences

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WASHINGTON - The Trump administration on Jan. 22 urged government employees to inform on each other and their departments to root out any attempts to hide diversity programmes.

The latest escalation in US President Donald Trump's campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) comes a day after he pressured the private sector to join the initiative and told government employees in offices administering such programmes they would be placed on paid leave.

Mr. Trump also issued a series of executive orders to dismantle DEI programmes on his first day in office on Jan. 20, marking a complete reversal from his predecessor Joe Biden, who prioritised DEI programmes and initiatives across the federal government.

DEI programmes attempt to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people and other traditionally underrepresented groups.

Civil rights advocates have argued such programmes are necessary to address longstanding inequities and structural racism.

Mr. Trump and his supporters say DEI programmes end up unfairly discriminating against other Americans and weaken the importance of candidates' merit in job hiring or promotion.