Republicans Unveil ‘Dismantle DEI Act’ to Support Trump’s Agenda
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) have put forward a bill that builds upon the 2024 legislation introduced by Cloud and former Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
WASHINGTON—In a move to bolster the Trump administration’s efforts against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within the federal government, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) have introduced new legislation. This comes on the heels of a similar bill that was previously co-introduced by Vice President JD Vance when he was a Senator from Ohio.
Unveiled on February 4, the new “Dismantle DEI Act” aims to dismantle any existing federal DEI offices and eliminate federal funding allocated for DEI initiatives.
Moreover, DEI practices encompass workplace mandates requiring individuals to accept claims suggesting that certain races, colors, ethnicities, religions, biological sexes, or national origins hold inherent or systemic superiority or inferiority, are oppressive or oppressed, or are privileged or underprivileged, along with essential training that promotes such assertions.
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In a statement to The Epoch Times, Cloud remarked that his legislation is intended to “ensure that federal programs and funding prioritize merit, equal opportunity, and effectiveness rather than ideological litmus tests.”
The bill also establishes a framework for legal recourse against DEI practices.
According to the bill, “any person may bring an action in any United States district court” regarding alleged DEI practices, with civil damages available for successful plaintiffs.
While the Biden administration promoted a “whole-of-government equity agenda” under Executive Order 13985, the Trump administration shifted its rhetoric and initiatives from equity towards an emphasis on color-blind meritocracy.
“We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics,” the guidance specifies.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on Jan. 14, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
In a message to The Epoch Times, Damon Sidur, a representative for Cloud, clarified that the Dismantle DEI Act does not target black institutions or history.
Cloud asserted to The Epoch Times that “eliminating the DEI bureaucracy does not mean erasing history—it means rejecting divisive, race-based policies that undermine the principles of fairness and excellence.”
Pressley suggested an additional amendment to ensure the bill would not negate the acknowledgment that “the Federal Government has implemented policies that perpetuate systemic racism.” This amendment, however, was not approved.
During a protest outside the Treasury Department on February 4 against DOGE’s access to a payment system, Pressley remarked to The Epoch Times that “diversity, equity, and inclusion is legal.” She added, “Discrimination is not.”
