No More Cultural Observance Days

Federal agencies are swiftly implementing executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the government. Memos obtained revealed that intelligence agencies, the military, and civilian departments have paused employee resource groups (ERGs) and canceled cultural observances such as Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, and Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have halted DEI-related activities, with Pentagon leaders prohibiting the use of official resources for cultural awareness events. The State Department and the Office of Personnel Management have removed references to “gender ideology,” including pronouns in email signatures. The Justice Department has also shut down its DEI programs, calling them divisive and wasteful.

Critics argue that these rollbacks will hurt recruitment efforts, particularly in intelligence agencies that benefit from diverse linguistic and cultural expertise. Former government officials warn that limiting DEI efforts could narrow talent pipelines and negatively impact national security. Meanwhile, Trump signed a proclamation recognizing Black History Month, despite his administration’s broader efforts to eliminate DEI programs.

Advocates for DEI express concern that these actions will demoralize marginalized communities and reduce access to federal resources for underserved groups. Some see the moves as government overreach, while others view them as necessary to prevent division within federal agencies.