State lawmakers and companies are considering rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies present in various U.S. industries, including the military. The DEI topic gained attention recently during a House markup of the 'Dismantle DEI' bill, where tensions rose over differing views on DEI policies.
Former President Trump's administration took steps against DEI initiatives, such as banning 'divisive' training for federal contractors. The House Oversight Committee also discussed dismantling DEI policies.
Experts like constitutional and civil rights attorney Devon Westhill argue that DEI initiatives promote a left-wing ideological orthodoxy and focus on racial quotas rather than true diversity of thought.
In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has actively supported DEI initiatives, issuing executive orders to promote equal opportunity through DEI policies in federal agencies and embedding DEI principles in federal hiring.
The Department of Education has encouraged DEI on public university campuses, and the administration has invested in DEI programs within the U.S. military.
Many large corporations, including Accenture, Johnson & Johnson, Google, and Bank of America, have adopted DEI workplace policies. These initiatives were partly driven by federal pressure under the Biden administration, with threats of legal action or civil rights violations for non-compliance.
Consumer's Research executive director Will Hild highlighted concerns that DEI policies could shift companies' focus away from product quality. He predicted that red state attorneys general might start suing corporations for hiring based on racial quotas.
ESG and DEI benchmarks have influenced investment decisions and pension fund strategies, with pension funds increasingly considering ESG and DEI factors in their investment processes over the past four years.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird emphasized the need to protect pensions from being used for 'woke' ESG and DEI goals, ensuring that investments prioritize financial security over social engineering or political agendas.
