DEI may not survive Trump’s first day

Jan 13, 2025

POLITICO'S West Wing Playbook: Transition of Power

By Jasper Goodman, Eli Stokols, Megan Messerly and Ben Johansen

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Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the preparations, personnel decisions and policy deliberations of Donald Trump’s transition. POLITICO Pro subscribers receive a version of this newsletter first.

President JOE BIDEN delivered a sweeping expansion of initiatives to boost diversity, equity and inclusion in the federal workforce.

President-elect DONALD TRUMP is poised to place them as one of the first items on his chopping block.

Trump attacked DEI on the campaign trail, and top Republicans expect him to issue at least one Day One executive order on the issue.

“That will not be the philosophy” under Trump, said Rep. PETE SESSIONS, a Texas Republican who has been a critic of DEI policies and sits on the House Oversight Committee.

Biden, who won election on the heels of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, issued multiple executive orders aimed at bolstering DEI in the federal government, including one on his first day in office and a second one in June 2021 that established “a government-wide initiative to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all parts of the Federal workforce,” led by the Office of Personnel Management.

The June order charged every federal agency “with assessing the current state of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within their workforces, and developing strategic plans to eliminate any barriers to success faced by underserved employees.” He also hired the first-ever White House diversity officer.

Those efforts may have only days to live. Eliminating agency-specific DEI initiatives under the second Trump administration was a priority among conservative groups, including the Heritage Foundation, which outlined plans to abolish them in its controversial “Project 2025.” Some efforts could go further, like cutting ties with third-party contractors that put an emphasis on diversity policies.

Trump-aligned Republicans say they expect the incoming president to get the ball rolling on executive orders as soon as next Monday.

“I would be surprised if we don’t see one or more directly addressing DEI and directing the federal government to unwind the woke policies of the last four years,” said Sen. TED CRUZ (R-Texas).

Because the core of Biden’s efforts on the issue came via executive order, rather than laws passed by Congress, they will be easily reversible.

“He can wipe this away,” NORMA RICCUCCI, a Rutgers University professor who has studied diversity in public administration, said of Biden’s EOs.

Trump’s transition team did not respond to a request for comment.

A DEI rollback would be one of the first major moves in Trump’s crusade to overhaul the federal bureaucracy — a major priority for the incoming administration and its so-called Department of Government Efficiency, run by ELON MUSK and VIVEK RAMASWAMY.

The shift would also cement a broader GOP effort to push the private sector away from diversity initiatives that Republicans say undermine merit. Some major companies have scaled back DEI programs in recent months. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, shuttered its DEI programs last week as part of a series of moves that have helped the firm and its CEO, MARK ZUCKERBERG, repair relations with conservatives.

It's a major concern for advocates and some Democrats who say that DEI initiatives are key to creating a diverse workforce and expanding economic mobility.

“The Trump administration is absolutely going to reverse the progress that’s been made with diversification,” said Rep. JUAN VARGAS (D-Calif.), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “I think we’re taking a bunch of steps backwards for civil rights, for human rights, for economic opportunities.”

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TOMORROW: Join POLITICO's Playbook team for The First 100 Days event at Union Station. Get a front row seat to lively conversations on the issues driving the agenda with the stakeholders at the helm of the transition. Hear from Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and more! Register here.

POTUS PUZZLER

What was WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON’s likely cause of death?

(Answer at bottom.)

Pro Exclusive

Here’s who Mike Waltz is bringing onto the National Security Council, via our ROBBIE GRAMER, DANIEL LIPPMAN and PAUL McLEARY

Dems set to pounce on Trump energy, environment picks, via our ANDRES PICON, HEATHER RICHARDS and KEVIN BOGARDUS

Warren details more than 180 questions for Bessent ahead of hearing, via our MICHAEL STRATFORD

The reporting in this section is exclusively available to POLITICO Pro subscribers. Pro is a personalized policy intelligence platform from POLITICO. If you are interested in learning more about how POLITICO Pro can support your team through the 2024 transition and beyond, visit politicopro.com.

Heads up, we're all transition all the time over on our live blog: Inside Congress Live: Transition of Power. Bookmark politico.com/transition to keep up with us.

THE BUREAUCRATS

JACK SMITH’S SWAN SONG: A federal judge has paved the way for the Justice Department to release the portion of special counsel JACK SMITH’s report on Trump’s effort to subvert the 2020 presidential election results, our JOSH GERSTEIN and KYLE CHENEY report. But U.S. District Judge AILEEN CANNON is prohibiting the agency from showing selected lawmakers another part of Smith’s report: his investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Attorney General MERRICK GARLAND has indicated that he plans to publicly release the details of Smith’s election-related probe. Cannon’s order means that volume of the report could become public as soon as Tuesday.

GUIDING RFK: Trump’s transition team has selected longtime GOP lawyer HEATHER FLICK as ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.’s chief of staff, our ADAM CANCRYN and DAVID LIM report. Flick, a former senior HHS official during Trump’s first term, has been serving as Kennedy’s de facto chief of staff for the past two weeks.

CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES: This week, lawmakers will kick off a flurry of Senate confirmation hearings for some of Trump’s most high-profile Cabinet posts, as CBS News’ KAIA HUBBARD reports. Here’s what’s scheduled so far:

Tuesday

9 a.m.: Former Georgia Rep. DOUG COLLINS, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, will appear in front of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
9:30 a.m.: PETE HEGSETH, one of Trump’s more controversial nominees, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hegseth can afford up to three defections from Republican senators and still be confirmed without any Democratic support.
10 a.m.: DOUG BURGUM — the former North Dakota governor and failed presidential candidate who Trump chose for Interior secretary — will make his pitch to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Wednesday

9 a.m.: South Dakota Gov. KRISTI NOEM, who was tapped to be Trump’s Homeland Security secretary, will appear in front of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
9:30 a.m.: Attorney General nominee PAM BONDI is slated to appear in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She’ll face the committee for a second time on Thursday morning.
10 a.m.: Florida Sen. MARCO RUBIO, Trump’s pick to lead the State Department, will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
10 a.m.: Trump's pick for CIA director, former Rep. JOHN RATCLIFFE, is set to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
10 a.m.: CHRIS WRIGHT, the Energy secretary nominee, is scheduled to appear before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
1 p.m.: RUSSELL VOUGHT, who’s up for Office of Management and Budget director, will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.

Thursday

10 a.m.: Former Rep. LEE ZELDIN, Trump's pick for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, will appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
10 a.m.: Housing and Urban Development secretary nominee SCOTT TURNER is slated to appear before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee.
10:30 a.m.: SCOTT BESSENT, Trump's pick for Treasury secretary, is set to appear before the Senate Finance Committee.

MORE BILLIONAIRES ON BOARD: MARC ANDREESSEN — the Silicon Valley venture capitalist who co-founded Andreessen Horowitz, the VC firm that invested in Facebook, Airbnb and Coinbase — has been quietly and successfully recruiting and interviewing candidates for positions in Trump’s incoming administration. He’s not only advised on tech and economics personnel, but also on candidates for posts in the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies, WaPo’s CAT ZAKRZEWSKI and JACQUELINE ALEMANY report.

In Trump, Andreessen — who had felt shut out of the Biden White House for the past four years — has also found an ally whose ambitions to beat China could further advance the American tech industry.

A message from McKinsey & Company:

McKinsey & Company has provided nonpartisan support to help guide federal and state transitions for more than 70 years. Through insights, trainings and playbooks, McKinsey helps leaders navigate their first 100 days with confidence and clarity. Learn more.

Agenda Setting

OVER AT MAR-A-LAGO … A group of House Republicans and the president-elect talked about tying wildfire aid to a debt ceiling increase during a gathering at Trump’s Florida resort on Sunday night, as deadly fires continued to spread in Los Angeles, our MEREDITH LEE HILL reports. Of the nearly two dozen House Republicans who attended the dinner where this was discussed, several are caucus leaders and appropriators who hold major sway in the upcoming budget reconciliation and government funding negotiations.

Speaker MIKE JOHNSON was not at the dinner, and no final decisions have been made on the matter. On Monday, when asked by reporters about the proposed move, Johnson replied that there’s “some discussion” but “we will see how it goes.”

LIFE ON MARS? Elon Musk wants NASA to drop its ambitious plans to return to the moon — and instead, head to Mars. But Congress is ready to put up a fight, our SAM SKOVE reports.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers who control NASA funding want the U.S. to return to the moon by 2027. And they’re not willing to give up on that mission despite Musk’s Mars obsession. This division sets up a potential showdown between Republicans and Musk over one of the most consequential space policy decisions this century.

Trump has, at least for now, stayed out of the conversation. His first administration launched NASA’s plans to land on the moon, but he has also pressed the agency on why it can’t go directly to Mars.

“To bypass the moon would be a mistake,” said Texas Rep. BRIAN BABIN, the Republican who leads the House committee focused on space.

A message from McKinsey & Company:

What We're Reading

Protest crowd estimates down, ticket demand high for Trump inauguration (WaPo’s Emily Davies, Ellie Silverman and Michael Brice-Saddler)

Donald Trump’s Rush For Ukraine Peace Talks Could Be A Giant Mistake (John Bolton for 19FortyFive)

"I can’t go toe to toe with social media.” Top U.S. health official reflects, regrets. (WaPo’s Dan Diamond)

A message from McKinsey & Company:

For nearly 100 years, McKinsey & Company has been a trusted advisor to organizations during transitions. In the first 100 days, leaders need to quickly solidify their missions, build the right team, and strengthen their resilience in an ever-evolving world. McKinsey's decades of experience provide valuable insights, trainings and playbooks for a successful transition. Learn more about our work.

POTUS PUZZLER ANSWER

During his 1841 inauguration, Harrison delivered a lengthy speech on a particularly frigid day. He refused to wear a coat, hat or gloves during the inauguration. Harrison died a month later from pneumonia, which made him the shortest-serving president in U.S. history.

To Trump and future commanders in chief: Wear a coat.

A CALL OUT! Do you think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best one about the presidents, with a citation or sourcing, and we may feature it!

Edited by Jennifer Haberkorn and Rishika Dugyala

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