The FBI closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) a one month before President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration on January 20.
In a statement to The New York Post, the FBI confirmed the closure on Thursday, stating, “In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024.” The agency did not provide a reason for the decision.
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While Trump has promised to eliminate DEI programmes during his presidency in the past, he alleged that corruption is involved in the closures. The President-elect demanded that “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.”
Further questioning the closure, he added, “Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!”
The FBI has faced scrutiny from Republicans following the January 1 New Orleans terrorist attack, with concerns that the agency prioritized DEI over national security. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) expressed her disapproval, stating, “The FBI should be focused on catching criminals, not winning participation trophies.”
In a letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, Blackburn argued that the FBI “has settled for lower quality candidates to satisfy DEI mandates” and that Wray’s focus on “woke DEI initiatives” has “endangered our national security and the lives of all Americans.”
Wray announced his resignation last month, effective upon Trump’s inauguration. The president-elect has nominated former White House national security official Kash Patel to lead the FBI, pending Senate confirmation.
Nicole Parker, a former FBI special agent and Fox News contributor, expressed her views to Fox News Digital, stating: “I appreciate all forms of diversity. Make no mistake of that. What I do 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.”
She noted that according to FBI Director Christopher Wray, national security threats have reached unprecedented levels, referring to his congressional testimony about ‘flashing red lights’. She emphasised that the FBI cannot afford to allocate time and resources to clubs, groups, or social initiatives that detract from its primary mission of protecting Americans.
“DEI is a dangerous distraction,” Parker stated. “I have no issue in celebrating whatever you would like regarding your heritage or gender or religion. But that should be done on your own time and not with the U.S. taxpayers’ dollars while on official Bureau time.”
She further added that, “The FBI should be focused on being one in fighting crime, not various groups and divisions that divide.”
Earlier this month, billionaire entrepreneur and Trump’s pick to be head of Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk blasted DEI policies. He blamed the initiatives for being a contributing factor the devastation caused by LA wildfires. He shared a post stating, “DEI means people DIE,” while endorsing conservative activist Robby Starbuck’s claim that DEI programmes contributed to increased fire damage by redirecting resources away from essential brush clearance and fire hydrant maintenance.
The concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is said to encompass organisational practices and policies designed to create a welcoming atmosphere where people from various backgrounds can thrive, receive fair treatment, and experience a sense of belonging.
