President Donald Trump has taken steps to dismantle federal diversity initiatives, signing an executive order on Monday that eliminates DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs across the government. The move aims to remove what Trump calls ‘illegal mandates’ and ‘wasteful policies’ that have proliferated under previous administrations.
The fallout from the decision is already making waves in the media, with ABC’s “The View” becoming the latest battleground in the national debate over DEI policies. Co-hosts Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin clashed in a heated exchange over the effectiveness and implications of Trump’s move.
“One of the criticisms against DEI is diversity, equity, inclusion—all great in theory,” Haines began during Friday’s segment. “But the DEI programs have not accomplished things. They’ve been a bureaucracy of money suck that have not gotten anywhere. When you say people are threatened, what do you think the removal of DEI is going to do to those people?”
Hostin pushed back, arguing that the issue extends beyond just jobs. “Well, they’re not only going to- they have put them on paid leave.” She continued, “But they also stopped this thing, these ridiculous, what do you call them? Executive orders. What they are doing is also eliminating the protections for discrimination in awarding government contracts. And to be clear, that is going to hurt women, that is going to hurt-”
Haines, however, pointed to what she believes are tangible failings of the initiatives: “University of Michigan spent 85 million in a five-year DEI plan, the Black Student Union said what? 85 million was spent, and yet Black students’ experience on campus has hardly improved, and enrollment has gone down… It’s a criticism of the programs being effective. And the one thing I will say is that as we push DEI…”
“They’re very effective!” Hostin claimed.
WATCH:
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order putting an end to DEI programs across the federal government. The move ordered the closure of DEI offices, halted taxpayer-funded DEI training, and canceled federal contracts tied to these controversial initiatives.
Federal agencies have 60 days to comply with the new directive. The executive order has left federal agencies and DEI proponents scrambling, as they relied heavily on government funding to sustain their operations.
Many argue that DEI programs prioritize identity over merit, foster division rather than unity, and impose ideological conformity. Politically, DEI has become a flashpoint in the culture wars, with conservative lawmakers pushing legislation to limit funding for DEI initiatives, arguing that they promote a divisive worldview.
On the corporate side, companies facing economic pressures have scaled back DEI roles and programs, with some executives questioning their return on investment and broader impact.
The order’s impact extends beyond Washington, as private companies with federal contracts are now reevaluating their DEI policies to avoid potential legal fallout. Many businesses are expected to roll back policies that prioritize race and gender over qualifications.
Despite the clear legal authority behind Trump’s move, left-wing groups are gearing up to challenge the order.
