In recent years Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs infiltrated all levels of government as well as schools and universities. Proponents say such programs are necessary to give people of all races and backgrounds an equal chance in securing government jobs and contracts and to produce a workforce that truly reflects society. Critics say DEI is wrong because it uses discrimination to try to eliminate discrimination.
One of the first acts of the Trump Administration in 2026 was Executive Order 14151, Ending Radical and Wasteful DEI Programs and Preferencing. The order was aimed at ending DEI initiatives in federal government offices by ending DEI positions, grants and activities. Another order, Executive Order 14173, sought to bring the same actions to federal contractors and private sector DEI programs.
DEI critics applauded the administration’s actions but say the executive orders have only changed DEI’s terminology and the driven many of the programs underground. They assert, DEI programs continue to operate in government, schools and universities across the country.
Last October, Nick Craig wrote in Carolina Journal about how investigative journalists at Accuracy in Media (AIM) exposed DEI work in Raleigh city government.
What’s happened since them? In recent months , AIM reporters sent out undercover reporters to government offices to Winston-Salem and Durham and found DEI operating under different names. See here and here.
As a side note, in early 2025, Republican lawmakers introduced various bills to eliminate DEI programs at the state and local level. The bills included: HB 171 (state agencies), SB 558 (higher education) and SB 227 (K-12 education). All three bills passed both houses of the General Assembly but were vetoed by Governor Josh Stein. The Senate has successfully passed override votes for SB 558 and S 227 but still needs to act on HB 171. The House has yet to vote to override any of the bills mentioned.
