Trump Admin Nixes $420 Million In Contracts, Saves Millions More Canceling ‘DEI’
President Donald Trump’s executive order terminating all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs has already impacted 395 government employees, according to a senior administration official who spoke to Fox News on Saturday.
In addition, the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, announced on X (formerly Twitter) Friday that approximately $420 million in current and impending contracts—primarily focused on DEI initiatives—had been canceled, Fox added.
Following Trump’s signing of the order on Inauguration Day, the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) instructed agency and department heads to begin shutting down all DEI offices by the close of business Wednesday. Employees in those offices were placed on paid leave, though it remains unclear when or if they will face termination.
Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management Charles Ezell issued a memo to department and agency heads on Tuesday evening, outlining strict directives for the termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The memo required that by the close of business on January 22, agencies must inform all employees about the DEI shutdown.
Additionally, employees directly involved in DEI were to be placed on paid leave immediately, all DEI-related websites and social media accounts were to be taken down, related contracts or training canceled, and employees were instructed to report any attempts to disguise DEI programs through coded or vague language.
By noon on January 23, agency and department heads were required to provide OPM with detailed lists of all DEI offices, employees, and contracts active as of November 5, 2024.
