The Department of Education is taking significant steps to reshape its focus, moving away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The agency recently announced its plan to phase out DEI programs, following a directive from former President Donald Trump.
According to an advocacy group, the department has allocated over $1 billion toward DEI initiatives since 2021. Now, this shift marks a new chapter in prioritizing education over what some see as divisive ideologies.
In a statement from the department, it was emphasized that these changes align with Trump’s dedication to ending what he described as illegal discrimination and needless spending in government.
The statement highlighted that this move is the beginning of a broader effort to prioritize meaningful learning and distance schools from divisive ideologies.
Trump’s executive order, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” was issued as an initial step to counteract the Biden administration’s approach. T
he Department of Education responded promptly, announcing new senior appointments who are set to implement Trump’s educational directives. Denise Carter is serving as the acting Secretary of Education, stepping in for Miguel Cardona, as Linda McMahon awaits Senate confirmation for the role.
Among the department’s first actions was the immediate dissolution of the Diversity & Inclusion Council, which was initially established under President Barack Obama in 2011. The department has also canceled contracts worth more than $2.6 million related to DEI training and services. Employees involved in these initiatives have been placed on paid administrative leave as part of the restructuring process.
The department identified over 200 web pages on its site for removal, describing them as platforms that encouraged schools to promote what they deem harmful ideological programs. The Employee Engagement Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility Council, operating under the Office for Civil Rights, is another entity that has been disbanded.
Trump’s executive order accused the Biden administration of embedding what he called “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” under the guise of DEI. He labeled it a concerted effort, starting from Biden’s first day in office. In response, nearly every federal agency had submitted DEI-focused plans, which Trump argued led to public waste and discrimination.
With the new directive, Trump declared that the era of such programs is over. He emphasized the need for a government that treats every American with dignity and focuses on making America excel, using taxpayer resources wisely. Following this, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued a memo to put all DEI federal employees on paid leave while dismantling these programs.
On the same day, the Trump administration sent memos to various federal agencies, calling out attempts to disguise DEI programs through vague language. Employees were prompted to report such practices, with warnings of consequences for non-compliance.
New appointments within the Department of Education include Rachel Oglesby as chief of staff, previously with the America First Policy Institute and a key figure in policy for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Jonathan Pidluzny, also from the America First Policy Institute, joins as deputy chief of staff for policy and programs. Steve Warzoha, having been part of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, takes on the role of White House Liaison.
The advocacy group Parents Defending Education reports that the department has invested over $1 billion in DEI initiatives since 2021, impacting 296 school districts across 42 states and the District of Columbia. This funding included over $489 million for DEI hiring practices, which focused on recruitment based on race.
Additionally, more than $343 million was directed toward DEI programming, including youth activism initiatives. The department also allocated over $169 million for DEI projects targeting mental health training and social-emotional learning.
Recently, Trump signed another executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” This order aims to halt federal funding for educational institutions that promote DEI policies, which he argues undermine traditional American values and civil rights.
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Note: Politicians, bureaucrats, academicians, and most media folks, suggest most of you best do your research and educate yourselves on the details of envelopment operations for that is what Donald is bringing to American government at every level (see message below). At least dig your foxholes deeper and add overhead cover. Have a nice day. Soldier/Cop, Retired
OUR LAST HOPE, A TRUE BATTLE CAPTAIN!
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As one of the army officers charged with finding a true Battle Captain among all those army officers serving this nation from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam Conflict, I can testify that we only found one officer who made the grade of ‘Battle Captain’. And, he like Donald Trump was not a professional soldier. A year before the Battle of Gettysburg he was a college professor, yet most historians credit him for saving the Union Forces left flank and forcing General Lee to commit his forces to a frontal attack which failed. The Battle of Gettysburg is generally credited as the turning point of the Civil War and lead to the surrender of the Confederate Forces two years later.
Donald Trump has proven that he is indeed a Battle Captain. He has turned the attacks on our flanks and now I am confident he will succeed in an overwhelming envelopment of all the forces trying to destroy America. God bless and protect Donald Trump, and God Bless and protect America as we help Donald Trump make America great again. I leave you with one question. Are you willing to fight for America, your family, and/or yourself?
Soldier/Cop, Retired
The next step is to dissolve the Department of Education entirely. All teachers and parents should be allowed to blend ideas of a curriculum that returns us to the foundations of education.
We don’t have enough money for Shop Classes, Music or Art, but we have enough for Ethnic studies and DEI Initiatives, Gender Studies and all the other BS.
Put the purse back into the State coffers to distribute to the City and State boards of education, run by likeminded individuals that want foundational education back.
I live in a state that 51% of the tax base is going to education but includes ridiculously high salaries for administrators. Clean house from top to bottom, cancel $300k+ salaries (plus then the ultra-high retirements) pay teachers more, and prepare kids to read, write, build, create and balance their banks accounts and lives.
SPOT ON STEPHEN! A PUBLIC EDUCATION IS EACH STATE’S RESPONSIBILITY, AND NONE OF THEM LIKE THE IDEA OF FEDERAL “STRINGS” TIED TO FUNDING.