The FBI has officially confirmed the closure of its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a move that has sparked political controversy and raised questions about the agency's direction under the incoming administration. The announcement, made public by the agency in a statement to Fox News, has drawn the attention of President-elect Donald Trump, who is calling for full transparency regarding the office’s activities and its funding, reports RT.
While the FBI did not provide specific reasons for the closure, the decision coincides with Trump’s pledge during his campaign to reduce or eliminate DEI initiatives across federal agencies once he assumes office as the 47th U.S. president. In a statement issued Thursday, the FBI said, "In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024."
Trump responded quickly on social media, demanding that all records of the DEI office be preserved. “We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now-closing DEI Office — Never should have been opened, and, if it was, should have closed long ago,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added, "Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!"
This move follows ongoing criticism from Republican lawmakers who argue that the FBI’s focus on diversity initiatives has compromised its core mission of ensuring national security. The closure comes amid a broader national debate about the role of DEI programs in both government and private sectors, with critics arguing that these initiatives detract from operational effectiveness.
Trump’s campaign repeatedly emphasized combating what his supporters have labeled the “woke virus,” with figures like tech mogul Elon Musk backing the push. Since Trump’s election, several U.S. corporations, including Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, and Ford, have rolled back or abandoned their DEI programs in response to pressure from conservative factions.
In a recent letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn expressed concerns that DEI initiatives were undermining the FBI’s competence. “Put simply, your focus on woke DEI initiatives at the FBI has endangered our national security and the lives of all Americans,” Blackburn wrote. “Americans now feel increasingly unsafe because of incidents like the January 1 terror attack, and the FBI’s prioritization of diversity over competence shows that their concerns are well-founded.”
Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 after the dismissal of James Comey during the ‘Russiagate’ scandal, announced in December that he would be stepping down. His departure comes just before the inauguration of the new president, with plans for a successor to be named. Kash Patel, a former White House national security official, is expected to be nominated to replace Wray, pending Senate confirmation.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
