FBI’s Diversity Office Closed

President-elect Donald Trump has demanded the preservation of all records related to the FBI’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for potential review.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed, in a statement to Fox News, the closure of its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This prompted President-elect Trump to request transparency regarding the office’s operations and finances.

While the FBI hasn’t publicly stated the reason for the closure, it aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to curtail DEI initiatives across federal agencies upon his inauguration as the 47th U.S. President.

“In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024,” the agency stated, as first reported by Fox News on Thursday.

“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 posted on Truth Social Thursday night.

“Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!” he added.

The FBI’s action follows criticism from Republican lawmakers who contend that the agency’s focus on DEI has compromised national security. This closure is part of a larger national discussion about the role of DEI programs in government and the private sector. Critics maintain that these initiatives detract from core missions and reduce efficiency.

During his campaign, Trump vowed to fight what his supporters, including Elon Musk, have termed the “woke virus.” Since his election win, several U.S. corporations – including Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, Ford, and Walmart – have reduced or eliminated their DEI programs.

Earlier this month, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) expressed concerns about the FBI’s DEI initiatives in a letter to Director Christopher Wray. Blackburn argued that prioritizing diversity over competence could jeopardize public safety.

“Put simply, your focus on woke DEI initiatives at the FBI has endangered our national security and the lives of all Americans,” Blackburn wrote. “Americans now feel increasingly unsafe because of incidents like the January 1 terror attack, and the FBI’s prioritization of diversity over competence shows that their concerns are well-founded.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced his December resignation. Nominated by Trump in 2017 following the dismissal of James Comey, Wray will be succeeded by a yet-to-be-confirmed appointee. The incoming administration intends to nominate Kash Patel, a former White House national security official, subject to Senate approval.