The Department of the Interior, known for its progressive stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), has begun implementing President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating DEI programs from government agencies.
Shortly after his return to office, Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.” The Office of Personnel Management followed up with a memo directing federal agencies to dismantle DEI offices and terminate related initiatives.
An internal email from Acting Secretary of the Interior Walter Cruickshank, obtained by The Daily Wire, confirms the department is complying with the directive. The email states, “We are taking steps to close all agency Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) offices and end all DEIA-related contracts in accordance with President Trump’s executive orders.” It further criticizes the DEI agenda, claiming it “divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination.”
The email also warns of attempts to disguise DEI efforts under alternative terminology, asking employees to report any such actions. Additionally, it announces the withdrawal of all DEIA-related documents, materials, and training programs.
Previously, the Department of the Interior had been recognized as one of the most progressive federal agencies. For example, it marked “Transgender Day of Visibility” by screening a documentary titled Diving for Rays: A Queer Conservationist’s Story, which highlighted the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in marine biology.
Woke Biden bureaucrats are celebrating ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’ by screening a film about a “queer conservationist” and a hosting panel of LGBT employees.
— Spencer Lindquist 🇺🇸 (@SpencerLndqst) April 2, 2024
The film complains that science is full of straight men and asks if a "queer woman" can join the field.
WATCH 🧵 pic.twitter.com/m2hGw2m3K4
An internal document instructed employees to use gender-neutral language, replacing terms such as “husband,” “son,” and “daughter” with alternatives like “spouse,” “child,” and “parent.” The 104-page guide also advised employees to use “they/them” pronouns for individuals whose gender was not explicitly known.
Additionally, at a DEI-focused “ally awards” ceremony, staff recited a poem promoting diversity. The poem included lines such as:
“I’m diversity, embrace me and we’ll journey far.
I’m diversity, include me and we’ll reach the shining star.”
I’ve just obtained footage of a "diversity poem reading" from a recent DEI “Ally Awards” show at the Department of Interior. However bad you assume this will be, I assure you that it's much worse. pic.twitter.com/NKwNmayAXx
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) April 9, 2024
These changes mark a significant shift for an agency once committed to promoting inclusion and equity, as the executive order ushers in a new era for government operations.
