Latest news with #pro-DEI
The Herald Scotland
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Despite Trump backlash, DEI rollbacks are slowing. Here's why.
The backlash against DEI gained steam during the 2024 presidential election but hit a fever pitch when Trump took office. His early executive orders aimed at eliminating "illegal DEI" in the federal government and the private sector were the single-largest driving force behind the reforms that swept corporate America, Gravity Research found. "President Trump's return to office created a seismic shift in the risk calculus for companies with DEI commitments," said Joanna Piacenza, vice president of thought leadership with Gravity Research, which advises companies on social, political and reputational risks. "Unlike earlier backlash driven by online activists which focused on reputational and social media pressure, Trump's administration brought policy levers and legal authority." Most of the policy shifts - 80% - tracked in Gravity Research's study of Fortune 1000 companies and sports leagues between June 2024 and May 2025 occurred after Trump's inauguration. But the rate slowed significantly following the post-inauguration push, Piacenza said. For example, 11 companies publicly announced in February they would make major changes to diverse hiring targets and workforce and executive representation goals, but only two made those changes in May. "The slowdown appears to reflect a 'wait-and-see' posture from companies," Piacenza said. "With those initial policy adjustments now set in motion, companies appear to be reassessing further changes." Corporations made these DEI changes Corporations that rushed to make changes following the inauguration were those with the most to lose: federal contractors and companies in highly regulated industries. Nearly three-quarters of the corporations that made post-inauguration DEI changes were federal contractors, the study showed. Of the DEI changes corporations made, the most significant was around hiring and representation goals, according to Gravity Research. Corporations also rebranded DEI efforts with more anodyne names such as "inclusion and belonging" and changed the chief diversity officer title to "vice president of talent strategy" or "head of people engagement" after Trump's inauguration. Mentions of "DEI" and related terms also vanished from corporate reports, regulatory filings and websites. Few companies dismantled employee resource groups but emphasized they are open to all employees and are aligned with business priorities such as professional development and networking. "With federal agencies signaling that ERGs could be investigated as discriminatory, this issue may resurface as a reputational risk in the months ahead," the Gravity Research study said. DEI retreat or 'head fake'? The Gravity Research study found that corporations are reframing but not retreating from DEI, with 80% affirming ongoing commitments to "inclusion," "belonging," or "accessibility." Business leaders are gaining confidence from pro-DEI shareholder votes and from the challenges faced by companies that have retreated on DEI, including declining sales, shrinking market caps and struggles attracting and retaining talent, said Carissa Romero, co-founder and managing director of the culture and inclusion platform Paradigm. Guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in March also reassured corporations that the Trump administration would not view their strategies as "illegal DEI." Corporations are also facing growing pressure from pro-DEI activists who have mounted a string of boycotts protesting DEI rollbacks. It's unclear how much of an impact these boycotts are having on the bottom line, but Target cited its decision to end some diversity policies as a contributor to a sharp first-quarter pullback in consumer spending. "Most companies know creating diverse workforces, fair processes that advance the best talent and inclusive environments where people who are different from one another can collaborate effectively is essential to long-term business success," Romero said. "These efforts aren't a 'nice to have,' they're strategic levers for innovation, performance and resilience." Corporations could quickly change their tune if the Trump administration ramps up DEI enforcement, Piacenza said. Last week the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a letter inviting federal contractors to voluntarily disclose what steps they have taken to "wind down" DEI programs. DEI critics like shareholder activist Paul Chesser accuse corporations of ducking Trump administration oversight and "snookering" customers and shareholders by making superficial changes to their policies while maintaining their commitment to diversity programs behind the scenes. Chesser, director of the National Legal and Policy Center's Corporate Integrity Project, calls it "the head fake across corporate America to give the impression - with little or no evidence - that companies are eliminating DEI." "Companies that outside parties perceive as having made only cosmetic changes could face renewed scrutiny," Piacenza said.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
McDonald's faces boycott over DEI rollback: Who's protesting and when
Where's the beef? This week, at McDonald's. A boycott targeting the fast-food chain slated to begin June 24 is the latest in a series of consumer actions from the grassroots advocacy group The People's Union USA. Led by John Schwarz, The People's Union began organizing 'economic blackouts' in February motivated by the corporate rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as other grievances. McDonald's was one of the corporations to roll back its DEI initiatives in January. Citing the 'evolving landscape around DEI,' it stopped setting goals to increase diversity in senior leadership and ended a program that encouraged diversity among its suppliers. McDonald's chief people officer for the U.S. market Jordann Nunn in June told a human-resources conference that the company changed some of its DEI language 'but at the core, none of our programming has changed.' Trump Juneteenth backlash Trump DEI attacks changed how companies celebrated Juneteenth Boycotts fight Trump war on DEI The backlash against DEI gained momentum during the 2024 presidential campaign but hit a fever pitch when President Donald Trump took office and issued a series of executive orders aimed at eliminating 'illegal DEI' in the federal government and the private sector. As the Democratic Party struggles to respond to the Trump-led culture war, pro-DEI consumers have emerged as the first line of defense for Democrats. Taking a page from activists who mounted effective anti-DEI campaigns against Bud Light and Target, Black churches and community activists have put pressure on companies rolling back DEI initiatives with a string of boycotts. It's unclear how much of an impact these boycotts are having on the bottom line. Target cited its decision to end some diversity policies as a contributor to the sharp pullback in consumer spending in the first quarter as church pastors and other community activists launched protests, spreading word of planned boycotts on social media. The retail giant said the boycotts dented its first-quarter performance but could not estimate by how much. Foot traffic declined for four straight months, according to data. McDonald's boycott comes after sales decline This week's boycott comes at an inopportune moment for McDonald's. Buffeted by economic headwinds, U.S. sales fell sharply in the first quarter – the largest drop in its home market since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – despite efforts to win back diners with menu changes and deals after hiking prices. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said at the time consumers were 'grappling with uncertainty' but that he remained optimistic his company can navigate 'even the toughest of market conditions." McDonald's did not respond to a request for comment on the boycott. Why is there a McDonald's boycott? On Instagram, Schwarz listed five reasons for The People's Union boycott of McDonald's. 'We're boycotting McDonald's because they've shown time and time again that profit matters more than people, from price gouging to tax evasion, from inequality in pay to exploitation in advertising,' he told USA TODAY. 'And yes, their DEI efforts feel more like promotional stunts than real systemic change. We're done funding companies that pretend to stand for something while doing nothing." More boycotts planned against Walmart, Amazon Schwarz also shared a flyer on social media that lists upcoming boycotts against Starbucks, Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart and Lowe's.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Navy to strip gay rights activist Harvey Milk's name from oil tanker
WASHINGTON − The Navy will rename an oil tanker that named after slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday, the latest move in the military under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to root out diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2016, the U.S. Navy said it would name one of its new class of oil tankers after Milk, a Navy veteran who later became one of the first openly gay people elected to public office in the United States. The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021, as part of the John Lewis class of tankers. More: Stonewall veterans sound alarm over Trump's attempt to erase trans history A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the directive for the change came from Hegseth's office. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth was committed to ensuring names of military installations and equipment "are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos. "Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete," Parnell said. The Pentagon and the U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The official said it was unclear when the renaming would actually take place, but noted that June is Pride Month, observed annually to honor the LGBTQ rights movement. More: Military schools threaten pro-DEI student protesters with disciplinary action Another official said it would not be surprising if additional ships in the John Lewis class were renamed, since other tankers honored civil rights and human rights leaders. The planned name change was first reported by military news website Milk served in the U.S. Navy in 1951 as a diving officer during the Korean War. Elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors as the first openly gay California politician, he was killed in office in 1978. Since taking office in January, Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has eliminated diversity initiatives at the Pentagon and ended observances of identity celebrations such as Black History Month. DEI programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates argue that such programs, generally backed by Democrats, are needed to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. They have come under attack from conservatives, who say race- and gender-focused initiatives are inherently discriminatory and fail to prioritize merit. In February, Hegseth chided past celebrations of the U.S. military's diversity in a broad address to Pentagon staff, saying: "I think the single dumbest phrase in military history is 'our diversity is our strength.'" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hegseth strips gay icon Harvey Milk's name from Navy ship
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Navy to strip gay rights activist Harvey Milk's name from oil tanker
Navy to strip gay rights activist Harvey Milk's name from oil tanker A U.S. official told Reuters the order for the vessel's change came from Hegseth's office. Show Caption Hide Caption Hegseth calls for 20% cut in four-star generals and admirals Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth announced a plan to cut 20% of active duty senior generals and admirals. WASHINGTON − The Navy will rename an oil tanker that named after slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday, the latest move in the military under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to root out diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2016, the U.S. Navy said it would name one of its new class of oil tankers after Milk, a Navy veteran who later became one of the first openly gay people elected to public office in the United States. The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021, as part of the John Lewis class of tankers. More: Stonewall veterans sound alarm over Trump's attempt to erase trans history A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the directive for the change came from Hegseth's office. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth was committed to ensuring names of military installations and equipment "are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos. "Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete," Parnell said. The Pentagon and the U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The official said it was unclear when the renaming would actually take place, but noted that June is Pride Month, observed annually to honor the LGBTQ rights movement. More: Military schools threaten pro-DEI student protesters with disciplinary action Another official said it would not be surprising if additional ships in the John Lewis class were renamed, since other tankers honored civil rights and human rights leaders. The planned name change was first reported by military news website Milk served in the U.S. Navy in 1951 as a diving officer during the Korean War. Elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors as the first openly gay California politician, he was killed in office in 1978. Since taking office in January, Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has eliminated diversity initiatives at the Pentagon and ended observances of identity celebrations such as Black History Month. DEI programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates argue that such programs, generally backed by Democrats, are needed to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. They have come under attack from conservatives, who say race- and gender-focused initiatives are inherently discriminatory and fail to prioritize merit. In February, Hegseth chided past celebrations of the U.S. military's diversity in a broad address to Pentagon staff, saying: "I think the single dumbest phrase in military history is 'our diversity is our strength.'"
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Tulsi Gabbard rips apart 'wokeness' in national intelligence
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is celebrating how many DEI policies she has been able to cancel in the Trump administration's first 100 days. During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Gabbard, 44, told all the president's people that her agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), is about 25 percent 'smaller and more lean' than when she started. 'During President Trump's first 100 days in office, I eliminated DEI programs and policies at ODNI, and revoked security clearances and access to classified information for numerous individuals who abused public trust for political purposes,' Gabbard said in a statement provided to the Daily Mail. 'We are saving taxpayers millions and ensuring President Trump's policymakers receive unbiased intelligence assessments to ensure the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.' The director has already canceled all DEI initiatives at the agency, cut over $150 million in spending, shuttered explicit employee chatrooms called the 'NSA sex chats' and more, ODNI staff shared with the Daily Mail. The agency also pulled security clearances from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Antony Blinken, Alvin Bragg and many other opponents of Trump. Now, the Daily Mail can exclusively report that Gabbard shut down the NSA's 'Pride Glossary,' an appendix 'filled with sexually explicit DEI terminology unrelated to protecting American security,' ODNI staff say. The glossary could be accessed by employees on intelligence servers, the lists were another canceled vestige of the previous pro-DEI Biden administration. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has shuttered all DEI programs within the ODNI, her aides told Daily Mail Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Executive Director Scott Turner and the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard attend a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden on Thursday The Daily Mail can also first report that the DNI is ending all non-merit-based recruitment for intelligence community professionals, a push prompted by an executive action signed within days of Trump taking office. According to a Biden-era article, titled 'Visibility Matters' in the Intelligence Community,' that remains up on the ODNI site, DEI was a major factor in hiring. 'ODNI seeks to hire and retain a diverse workforce to ensure that all Americans who want to join the ranks and serve their country are able to do so, without fear of retribution for living their truth,' a the 2022 release said. 'As the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the leader of all 18 agencies, ODNI is committed to lead the IC in advancing an inclusive, diverse, equitable and safe work place environment for employees to thrive,' it continued. The agency has also referred at least three leakers for prosecution at the Department of Justice, 'with more on the way,' ODNI staff told the Daily Mail. Addressing the extent of the diversity and inclusion policies on the Megyn Kelly show, Gabbard said when she arrived at the agency she was shocked at how many agency resources were allocated to DEI. 'When I came in here... DEI was such a priority, that it was baked into the incentive structure for people to advance professionally,' the former Hawaii congresswoman told the journalist. 'And I would imagine it was very similar across the federal government, where some employees told me that they were put in a position where they had to spend half of their time working on DEI initiatives in order for them to be able to advance professionally,' Gabbard added. President Trump and DNI Tulsi Gabbard in the Oval Office A pride flag flies outside of the FBI headquarters Gabbard said in a recent interview with Megyn Kelly that the Biden administration seemed to center their entire administration round DEI initiatives 'When we look at why this was a priority for the President, this is not some superficial thing,' the DNI told Kelly. 'There are national security implications to what the Biden administration was doing in centering almost their entire administration around DEI initiatives.' Eliminating the ODNI's DEI projects will save the the agency approximately $20 million annually, aides tell the Daily Mail. The ODNI's Human Capital Office has also been shuttered, which will save up to $150 million annually. In February it was shockingly revealed that employees in the intelligence community were using a chat room to discuss sex and gender reassignment surgeries. An image posted by the CIA on X celebrating pride month in 2023 Screenshots show workers casually referred to how much they enjoyed having sex upon having gender surgery in their work chat, saying 'I've found that I like being penetrated (never liked it before GRS), but all the rest is just as important as well.' Another bragged that having the surgery allowed them 'to wear leggings or bikinis without having to wear a gaff under it.' Gabbard vowed at the time that 'those involved will be held accountable.' Over 100 workers were fired as a result of the investigation.
