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FBI Receives Lively Reactions after Quietly Shutting Down DEI Office

January 17, 2025

The walls of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that were built throughout the Biden administration appear to be crumbling right before our eyes. In recent days, numerous companies and institutions have been forgoing their DEI programs and offices. Shortly after taking office, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) used his new position to end all state-funded DEI programs. And now, in a decision opponents of DEI have long waited for, the FBI has officially announced that they closed their DEI office.

On Thursday, the agency told Fox News, “In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024.” Almost immediately, President-elect Donald Trump responded to the news in a post on Truth Social. He wrote, “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!”

As Fox noted, “The agency didn’t specify why it had closed the office, although many Republicans have been critical of it prioritizing [DEI], saying that had overshadowed national security.” In fact, both prior to and after the announcement that FBI Director Christopher Wray planned to resign once Trump takes office, multiple letters were sent from members of Congress stating their concerns.

In a January 3 letter, for instance, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) wrote of Wray: “I am deeply concerned that — under your leadership — the Bureau has prioritized … DEI initiatives over its core mission of protecting the American people.” In response to the FBI officially closing their DEI office, she wrote 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.”

In addition, former FBI special agent Nicole Parker explained how she appreciates “all forms of diversity,” but what she does “not appreciate is when there is a constant push for social justice weaponization at the FBI whose top priorities are to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution.” Parker also addressed how threats against America are “at an all-time high,” according to Wray himself. “There is no time for clubs, groups, or social agendas that divert time, attention and resources away from the mission of the FBI to protect the American people,” she contended. “DEI is a dangerous distraction.”

Parker’s comments come as DEI persists as a hot topic of discussion amid the fires in California. Many have argued that Los Angeles prioritized DEI policies over basic safety and security. As Family Research Council President Tony Perkins put it, “[T]he fires in L.A. should be causing more than fire alarms to ring. This is a wake-up call of where the godless policies of the Left are leading this country.”

Lt. General (Ret.) William Boykin, who serves as FRC’s executive vice president, agreed, sharing with The Washington Stand, “This is very welcome news not just for those like me who have been against this DEI program from the beginning, but it’s also good news for the agency.”

He went on to explain that “Director Wray should have mustered his courage long before now and recognized that the DEI program was not providing anything positive for the men and woman of the FBI.” But moving forward, Boykin believes “we will see all governance agencies unload this very disruptive program and get back to helping provide security and law enforcement to the nation.”

“I hope,” he concluded, “that we see the Department of Defense be the next one to unload DEI and get back to letting commanders handle their organizations and focus on winning the nation’s wars.”

Sarah Holliday is a reporter at The Washington Stand.



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