Trump wants FBI to retain records related to DEI office closing
President-elect Trump said he wants to preserve records from the FBI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office after officials announced its closure in December.
“We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now closing DEI Office,” Trump wrote in a Friday Truth Social post. “Never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago."
He added, “Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) accused the agency of prioritizing diversity over safety in a letter addressed to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray.
“I am deeply concerned that—under your leadership—the Bureau has prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over its core mission of protecting the American people,” Blackburn wrote in the letter according to Mediate.
Her words echo the sentiments of Trump’s Cabinet picks who have harshly criticized DEI initiatives which they refer to as “wokeness.”
Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth also said he would rid the armed forces of similar policies if confirmed by the Senate for the role.
A slew of businesses followed suit, including Meta, Walmart, McDonalds and Lowe’s, which have rolled back diversity efforts in recent months. Democratic lawmakers and local governments alike have urged the companies to reconsider.