Federal Agencies End Cultural Observances

Federal agencies scrambled Friday to comply with President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, leading to the cancellation of cultural awareness events and the disbanding of employee resource groups across the government.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) issued a directive halting observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, and Holocaust Remembrance Day, among others. A memo obtained by NBC News confirmed that all “employee networking groups” and affinity groups were also paused indefinitely.

“The administration is prioritizing the elimination of discriminatory programs and ensuring all federal resources are dedicated to mission success,” a senior official stated.

Federal Agencies Rush to Comply

In response to Trump’s executive orders, several agencies, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Pentagon, instructed staff to cease all DEI-related activities. A memo from ODNI confirmed that DEI boards and working groups have been “curtailed,” prohibiting the use of work time and spaces for such activities. Future travel for DEI events has also been canceled.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) went further, announcing the closure of all DEI programs, calling them “wasteful” and “divisive.” A DOJ memo stated, “These programs divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination.”

At the Pentagon, a Friday email ordered an immediate end to the use of official resources for cultural awareness months. Military personnel and civilian employees may still attend events privately but not in any official capacity.

A CIA spokesperson confirmed that the agency is following the executive order, saying, “We are laser-focused on our foreign intelligence mission.”

Impact on Federal Workforce and Morale

The Office of Personnel Management issued a separate order requiring the removal of all references to “gender ideology” by 5 p.m. Friday. This directive included deleting pronoun prompts from Outlook signatures and removing gender-inclusive language from all government websites and social media accounts.

Former intelligence officials warn that eliminating cultural observances and diversity programs could hinder recruitment efforts.

“From an intelligence community perspective, this could hurt our ability to do our job,” said a former senior intelligence official. “Strangling off talent pipelines that were already narrow deprives us of the skills and knowledge we need for national security.”

The federal government has long relied on diverse talent pools to enhance intelligence operations, particularly in areas requiring specialized language skills and cultural expertise.

Backlash and Retaliation Threats

The rollback has sparked criticism from civil rights advocates and former officials who argue the move erases progress in workforce inclusion.

Andrea M. O’Neal, a former White House official who worked on Black History Month observances under President Joe Biden, called the executive orders “demoralizing.”

“This rollback is devastating to communities who finally had a seat at the table,” O’Neal said. “When governments decide who matters and who doesn’t, the effects are far-reaching.”

Troy Blackwell, a former Department of Commerce official, called the move “despicable,” adding, “We celebrate Black History Month because African Americans’ contributions have been overlooked for centuries. This is government overreach at its worst.”

Canada and Mexico have already threatened trade retaliation in response to Trump’s policies, while advocacy groups are preparing legal challenges.

Trump’s Position on Cultural Recognition

Despite dismantling DEI initiatives, Trump signed a proclamation Friday recognizing Black History Month.

“I call upon public officials, educators, and all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities,” Trump wrote.

His administration’s broader stance on cultural recognition remains controversial, especially after dismantling DEI programs that promoted inclusion and representation across the federal workforce.

With sweeping changes already underway, federal agencies are now tasked with fully implementing Trump’s orders while navigating growing concerns about workplace morale and international relations.

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