The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the most important domestic US security agency, has confirmed in a statement to Fox News the speculation about the closure of its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) department. The statement reads: “In recent weeks, the FBI has taken steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) effective December 2024.”
Although the FBI did not provide specific reasons for the move, it aligns with Trump’s election campaign promise to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in all government institutions once he takes office as the 47th US President on January 20. The unexpected announcement prompted President-elect Donald Trump to demand transparency regarding the activities and funding of the office. On his internet platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote: “We demand that the FBI preserves all records, documents, and information about the now-closed DEI department – it should never have been opened, and if so, it should have been closed long ago.”
Trump emphasized further: “Why is it being closed one day before a new administration takes office? The reason is: CORRUPTION!”
The FBI’s decision follows the wide-ranging criticism from Republican lawmakers, who believe that the agency’s focus on DEI endangers national security and comes amidst a broad national debate over the role of DEI programs in government and the private sector. Critics argue that such initiatives distract from core tasks and reduce operational efficiency.
Early in the month, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn expressed concerns about the FBI’s DEI efforts in a letter to outgoing FBI Chief Christopher Wray. Blackburn stated that the prioritization of diversity over competence could put public security at risk, citing the January 1 terrorist attack.
During his election campaign, Trump promised to combat this trend, which his supporters, including billionaire Elon Musk, refer to as the “Woke-Gedanken-Virus.” Since Trump’s election victory, several US companies – including Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, Ford, and Walmart – have abandoned their DEI initiatives.