Acting Trump agency chiefs warn against disguising banned DEI programs 

By New York Post (Politics) | Created at 2025-01-24 00:28:02 | Updated at 2025-01-24 03:27:29 3 hours ago
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The acting heads of federal agencies warned government workers this week that they are aware efforts have been made to “disguise” diversity, equity and inclusion programs banned by President Trump – and employees that don’t report those obfuscations could face “adverse consequences.” 

“These programs divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination,” read a memo sent to NASA employees Wednesday by Acting Administrator Janet Petro.

Trump’s order aims to dismantle federal DEI programs implemented under the Biden administration. Getty Images

The memo, obtained by Space News, notified workers that the space agency is “taking steps” to implement Trump’s Day One executive order terminating government DEI programs and contracts. 

“We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language,” the notice continued. “If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances.” 

Petro’s memo was identical to a form letter included in a missive sent out to all federal agencies by the Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday in response to Trump’s executive order. 

“There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting this information,” read the NASA memo, which noted employees have 10 days to report disguised DEI programs to OPM. 

“However, failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences,” the letter warned. 

An identical note was sent out the same day to Department of Homeland Security employees by Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman, according to NewsNation

OPM, the government’s top human resources agency, has been tasked under Trump’s order with providing the White House Office of Management and Budget with a list of all DEI programs, positions and expenditures that have been “misleadingly relabeled in an attempt to preserve their pre-November 4, 2024 function.”  

Trump signed the DEI ban on his first day back in the Oval Office. AP

The DailyMail reported on Wednesday that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives may have attempted to shield a top DEI official from Trump’s order by switching her job title. 

ATF employee Lisa T. Boykin was listed on the agency’s website Thursday as a “’Senior Executive,” whereas her job title on Monday appeared as “Chief Diversity Officer.” 

Boykin is also referred to as ATF’s “Chief Diversity Officer” in her biography for June 2023 webinar titled, “Emphasizing Diversity and Inclusion in Workforce Modernization.” 

Her bio for the webinar, which was hosted by consulting firm Leadership Connect, explains that Boykin oversaw ATF’s Human Resources Operations Division beginning in 2016 and “as a collateral duty, in 2021, Mrs. Boykin also began serving as the Bureau’s Chief Diversity Officer.” 

Former President Joe Biden mandated workplace race-based diversity training programs in all federal agencies in 2021 through an executive order. 

“With the Bureau’s continued focus on enhancing DEIA, Mrs. Boykin currently assumes the work of the CDO in a fulltime capacity, leading and implementing departmental  programs and mandates, while bringing renewed vision and effective strategies to maintain an informed DEIA culture for the Bureau,” Boykin’s bio continued. 

It’s unclear whether Boykin, who was listed as ATF’s chief diversity officer earlier this week, has been placed on paid leave. ATF.gov

A spokesperson for ATF told The Post that the bureau “began implementing OPM’s Initial Guidance on DEIA immediately after its issuance on January 21, 2025, in response to the President’s Executive Orders.”

“We have proactively taken the necessary steps to ensure compliance with this guidance, including by placing impacted personnel on administrative leave,” the spokesperson added, refusing to confirm whether Boykin was placed on paid leave.

In accordance with Trump’s order, the Department of Education announced Thursday that it had cancelled over $2.6 million worth of DEI training and service contracts; placed all career staff working on DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave; and identified over 200 web pages promoting “harmful ideological programs” for removal. 

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