Former President Donald Trump has issued a direct order to the FBI to preserve all records related to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, which the bureau discreetly shut down last month. The move comes as Trump prepares to take office again, signaling his administration’s intent to investigate what he has labeled as “corruption” within the agency.
The FBI confirmed earlier in December that its DEI office had been closed, though it provided no detailed reasoning. Critics argue the closure was timed to preempt scrutiny under Trump’s incoming administration. Trump’s response has been emphatic, accusing the agency of acting in bad faith and demanding full accountability.
“We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now closing DEI Office,” Trump declared. “Never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago. Why is it that they’re closing one day before the inauguration of a new administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!”
The controversy surrounding the FBI’s DEI efforts has been further inflamed by a recent terror attack in New Orleans, which claimed 14 lives and injured dozens more, including two police officers. On New Year’s Day, an assailant drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street while in possession of weapons, improvised explosive devices, and an ISIS flag.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has been vocal in her criticism of federal law enforcement, questioning whether the FBI’s focus on DEI initiatives has undermined its ability to address domestic terror threats. In a pointed letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, Blackburn expressed her concerns.
“This horrific incident constitutes a blatant act of terror on the American homeland,” Blackburn wrote. “The people of our country deserve to know whether federal law enforcement agencies can sufficiently prevent and respond to such incidents.”
Blackburn’s letter called for an end to prioritizing DEI over core national security objectives, urging a reevaluation of resource allocation within the agency.
The abrupt shuttering of the DEI office, coinciding with the final days of Wray’s tenure, has fueled speculation about its timing. Wray announced his resignation in November, effective before Trump’s inauguration. The decision to close the office so close to a change in administration has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators, who view it as an attempt to shield the bureau from future scrutiny.
The DEI office was initially established to promote inclusivity within the FBI, but critics, including Trump and his allies, have argued that such initiatives divert attention and resources from the agency’s primary mission of ensuring national security.
Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel as FBI Director for his upcoming administration underscores the shift in priorities expected under the new leadership. Patel, a staunch critic of what he describes as “woke” policies, is expected to take a hard line on internal reforms within the FBI, including a full investigation into the DEI office’s operations and closure.
Patel’s nomination has been praised by conservatives as a move to restore focus on the FBI’s core mission. However, it has also drawn criticism from Democrats and progressive activists who view the rollback of DEI initiatives as a step backward for inclusivity and representation within federal agencies.
Trump’s directive to preserve DEI-related records reflects his administration’s broader agenda to scrutinize federal policies and practices that he believes have strayed from their intended purposes. The order could lead to a comprehensive review of DEI programs across various government agencies, sparking further debate about the balance between inclusivity efforts and operational priorities.
For Trump supporters, the move represents a long-overdue correction of what they see as the politicization of federal institutions. Opponents, however, argue that dismantling DEI initiatives undermines progress toward equity and diversity within government agencies.
As Trump prepares to take office, the fate of the FBI’s DEI-related records will be closely watched. If preserved and subjected to review, these documents could shed light on the office’s operations, its impact on the agency’s priorities, and the motivations behind its closure.
With tensions high and partisan divisions deep, the controversy over the DEI office closure and Trump’s directive is likely to remain a focal point in the early days of the new administration. For many, it represents a larger battle over the role of federal agencies and the priorities that should guide their missions.
