President Donald Trump took aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion within the federal government this week, signing executive orders that rescind DEI programs and end race-based hiring requirements established in a 1965 executive order by then President Lyndon Johnson. The Office of Personnel Management sent a notice to agency heads informing them of the changes and ordered closure of any DEI programs by 5 p.m. Wednesday—employees of these offices were also put on paid administrative leave.
“President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “This is another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds. Promises made, promises kept.”
But what happens if the agencies try to undermine Trump’s orders? Despite the OPM memo instructing agency heads to ask employees if they know of efforts to conceal the DEI programs by using “coded or imprecise language,” it appears there’s an effort at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to do just that.
Gun Owners of America noticed ATF’s Chief Diversity Officer as of Jan. 21 became the agency’s Senior Executive on Jan. 22. Unsurprisingly, the deceit led to widespread calls to abolish the ATF.
🚨BREAKING🚨
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) January 22, 2025
ATF is circumventing President Trump's executive orders to crush racist DEI programs.
To hide its DEI, @ATFHQ quietly changed Lisa T. Boykin's job title from "Chief Diversity Officer" to "Senior Executive." pic.twitter.com/WKFCWv5ftZ
Congress needs to repeal every federal infringement & then abolish the ATF! https://t.co/JN2bWKaAx5
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) January 23, 2025
Reason INFINITY to ABOLISH THE ATF. https://t.co/BBPUoNtVXm
— Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) January 22, 2025
Another great reason to abolish the ATF!
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 22, 2025
Proud to cosponsor @RepEricBurlison’s legislation to get it done. https://t.co/zMZXKX94F3
Yet another reason to abolish the ATF. Committed to infringing on the 2nd Amendment and DEI. https://t.co/7KniW3MbNB
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) January 22, 2025
