Americans Divided in Their Views of DEI Initiatives

One of President Trump’s (many) first steps after returning to the White House was to sign an executive order ending DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs in the federal government. In the order, which describes DEI efforts as “radical”, “wasteful”, “illegal and immoral discrimination” programs, Trump ordered the immediate termination of all DEI and DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) programs and activities “under whatever name they appear”. On Wednesday, it was also confirmed that all federal employees in DEIA programs were placed on paid administrative leave immediately. 

Designed to address long-standing, systemic inequities, promote fair opportunities and build inclusive work environments, DEI initiatives focus on removing barriers, amplifying underrepresented voices and ensuring equitable access to career opportunities and resources. In recent years, however, such initiatives have come under fire from conservative figures who claim that DEI efforts run counter the principle of merit by disadvantaging people who do not meet DEI criteria. What these arguments tend to overlook is that the people who are supported by DEI programs are qualified as well but tend to be overlooked and denied equal opportunity due to deeply-entrenched biases and long-standing, systemic inequalities.

According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center in 2023 and 2024, Americans are deeply divided on whether they think DEI initiatives are a good or a bad thing. While 75 percent of Democrats (including leaners) thought that DEI was generally a good thing and only 4 percent said it was a bad thing, views were much more mixed among Republican voters. In 2024, 42 percent of Republicans said that DEI programs at work were a bad thing, while only 27 percent considered it a good thing. There was also a 12 percentage point increase in the share of Republicans having a negative view of DEI between 2023 and 2024, illustrating a shift in sentiment during the 2024 presidential campaign. 

Looking at all respondents, a slim majority of 52 percent of U.S. adults still thought that DEI programs at work were a good thing, down slightly from 56 percent a year earlier. 21 percent of all respondents had a negative view of DEI in 2024, while 26 percent saw it as neither good nor bad.