
President-elect Donald Trump has demanded that the FBI retain all documentation from its recently shuttered Office of Diversity and Inclusion, calling the timing of its closure suspicious. The office, which the FBI quietly dissolved last month, was criticized by Trump as emblematic of misplaced priorities within federal agencies.
“We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now closing DEI Office—Never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago,” Trump declared on social media. He questioned why the office was closed just before the transition to his administration, labeling the timing as indicative of “corruption.”
The FBI confirmed that the office was closed but did not provide additional details regarding the decision. Previously, the DEI office promoted initiatives to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace within the Bureau, which some argued enhanced effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. Others, however, viewed the efforts as a politicized distraction from the FBI’s primary responsibility of protecting national security.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has been a vocal critic of the FBI’s DEI initiatives, accusing the agency of prioritizing ideological goals over public safety. “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 a recent letter.
Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker echoed similar sentiments, criticizing what she described as a “constant push for social justice weaponization” within the Bureau. “The FBI’s top priorities are to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” Parker emphasized, suggesting that DEI efforts had strayed from these objectives.
The FBI’s website still lists the DEI office, highlighting its mission to “promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that allows all employees to succeed and advance.” Former Chief Diversity Officer Scott McMillion stated that diversity efforts were integral to enhancing the Bureau’s efficiency in investigations and maintaining public safety. Critics, however, argue that such programs often serve as conduits for activist agendas rather than improving operational effectiveness.
While the FBI’s DEI office has been dissolved, it remains unclear if associated initiatives, such as employee resource groups, will also be discontinued. These groups, often identity-based, have drawn scrutiny for allegedly advancing left-wing activism within federal agencies.
Trump’s forthcoming administration has pledged to dismantle similar DEI initiatives across the federal government. With an estimated 500 actions promoting DEI under the Biden administration, Trump’s team sees this as an opportunity to redirect resources toward core agency missions and eliminate what it perceives as wasteful or ideologically driven programs.