As Trump targets DEI, Republican-led states intensify efforts to stamp it out
Where are DEI efforts being targeted?
Limits on DEI initiatives in higher education recently approved by legislatures in Missouri and Oklahoma raise the total number of similar state laws and gubernatorial orders to two dozen since 2023. That includes bills passed earlier this year in Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming. More are under consideration in additional states.
The Missouri measures show the growth of the movement. A provision limiting DEI in higher education got left out of the state budget last year. But it got included this year after new Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe issued an order barring executive agencies from using state funds on DEI positions and activities.
New laws in Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming target DEI initiatives in state and local governments as well as higher education.
What have governors been doing?
More governors are issuing directives now.
On his first day in office in West Virginia in January, Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered an end to DEI staff positions and activities that grant preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity or sex in executive departments and state-funded institutions. On his second day, Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Braun issued a similar order. Kehoe's anti-DEI order came in his second month as Missouri governor.
Texas was among the first states in 2023 to legislate against spending on DEI programs in higher education. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott expanded upon that this year, ordering all state agencies to “comply with the color-blind guarantee” of the U.S. and state constitutions. His executive order described DEI concepts as “blatant efforts to divide people” with “new forms of racism.”
What's next in the anti-DEI crosshairs?
A new Idaho law signed by Republican Gov. Brad Little not only bans DEI offices and programs in higher education but also addresses what's taught in the classroom. It prohibits colleges and universities from requiring students to take DEI-related courses to meet graduation requirements, unless they're pursuing degrees in race or gender studies.
It's the first such law nationally, according to the Goldwater Institute, which teamed up with Speech First to develop a model they describe as the “Freedom from Indoctrination Act.” DEI opponents are hoping more states will soon follow.
“Our goal is to get rid of the DEI mandates for general education and programs in order to get a degree," Minella said.
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