The FBI closed its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion last month, weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office and a new FBI director he will appoint likely would have shuttered it anyway. “In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024,” the agency told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
The agency did not provide a specific reason for closing the office, although many Republicans have criticized it for prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, arguing that this focus had overshadowed national security concerns. Earlier this month, Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, alleging that “radical” DEI practices had “endangered” Americans in the wake of the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans.
“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,” Balckburn wrote in the Jan. 3 letter after referencing the attack. After the announcement from the bureau, Blackburn said in a post on X: “The question is why were they allowed to be focused on DEI in the first place? The FBI should be focused on catching criminals, not winning participation trophies.”
Trump also commented on its closure, writing on Truth Social: “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. Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!”
The FBI’s diversity and inclusion page, which was still available on its website as of Thursday, states that the agency is “committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce.” In 2015, during the waning year of the Obama administration, the FBI officially added diversity as one of its core values. Republican critics have accused the agency of being too focused on that rather than merit-based hiring and promotion.
It continued: “We believe that differences in thought and belief, in race and religion, in orientation, and in ability contribute to more effective decision making, drive innovation, and enhance the employee experience. We know that a more diverse workforce allows us to connect with and maintain the trust of the American people. We also understand we have work to do. We stand committed, as today’s FBI, to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity.”
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