West Virginia Governor Prohibits DEI Initiatives Through Executive Order

January 15, 2025 TruthUSA

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has added his state to the increasing number of jurisdictions that have prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within public institutions.

On his second day in office, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey took executive action to ban DEI initiatives at all public institutions throughout the state.

“DEI theories contradict the equal protection promises articulated in both the West Virginia and United States Constitution,” states one of the eight executive orders Morrisey enacted on Tuesday. “It is crucial for the citizens of West Virginia that the State government treats them equally under the law, rather than preferentially or discriminatorily based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.”

The order forbids state institutions from utilizing public funds or resources to support any DEI-related programs, staff roles, or initiatives. Additionally, it prohibits any mandates for individuals to undergo DEI training, affirm support for DEI initiatives, or disclose their “preferred pronouns.”

All state agencies and institutions must identify any of their current policies or positions that promote preferential treatment based on DEI theories. They are required to present a plan within 90 days detailing how they will eradicate such practices.

West Virginia now joins a rising number of Republican-led states implementing similar restrictions on DEI initiatives in public institutions, especially in higher education.

In 2024, Alabama, Iowa, and Utah followed Florida and Texas in banning DEI offices at public colleges. Moreover, states like Idaho, Indiana, and Kansas enacted measures last year to prevent colleges from requiring prospective students and job applicants to submit “diversity statements,” which typically ask them to explain how they can contribute to the institution’s DEI objectives.

DEI initiatives gained significant traction after 2020, particularly after George Floyd’s death, which spurred discussions regarding race and racism. Supporters believe these programs can help create a fairer environment for individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds, while opponents argue they unfairly give priority to characteristics like race or gender over qualifications, potentially denying more qualified candidates their educational and job prospects.

At their peak, DEI-related objectives were embedded within the missions of prominent universities and some of the nation’s largest corporations. However, recent months have witnessed a withdrawal, with companies such as Walmart, McDonald’s, and Meta reducing their emphasis on such initiatives.

An internal memo from Meta earlier this month disclosed the company’s decision to discontinue DEI practices related to hiring, development, and procurement, citing shifts in the “legal and policy landscape” concerning DEI in the U.S.

“The recent rulings from the Supreme Court signal a change in judicial attitudes towards DEI,” the memo noted. “Additionally, the term ‘DEI’ has become contentious as it is perceived by some as advocating preferential treatment for certain groups over others.”

This memo likely alludes to the Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision, which deemed it unconstitutional for colleges to consider race in admissions for the purpose of achieving racial diversity within the student body. Though this ruling directly impacts educational institutions, it has led several state attorneys general to caution Fortune 500 companies that employing race-based preferences in hiring or contracts could infringe upon federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

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