Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs

The basics

DEI is a broad label. Supporters call it inclusion work; critics often call it identity-based preferences. This page uses the neutral term DEI programs.

On January 20, 2025, President Trump ordered federal agencies to eliminate DEI offices, chief diversity officer positions and equity action plans¹. That order reversed an approach begun under a 2021 order from the previous administration, Executive Order 13985¹.

On January 21, 2025, a second order revoked Executive Order 11246, a 1965 order on federal contractor hiring². It requires federal contractors and grant recipients to certify that they do not run DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination laws². It also directed the Attorney General to plan investigations of large companies, nonprofits and universities with big endowments².

Supporters of DEI programs say they help students and workers from different backgrounds succeed. Opponents say they sort people by race or sex and that equal treatment is already required by civil rights law.

Key terms

DEI office

Under Texas SB 17, a university unit set up to influence hiring with respect to race, sex, color or ethnicity, to give special benefits based on race, color or ethnicity, or to run trainings designed in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation³.

DEI statement

A written statement about a person's commitment to diversity, sometimes requested in hiring. Texas public universities may not require or solicit one³.

Executive Order 11246

A 1965 order that required affirmative action plans by federal contractors. It was revoked on January 21, 2025².

Social transitioning

Changing a name, pronouns or presentation to match gender identity. Texas SB 12 bars public schools from assisting with it⁹.

In Texas

Senate Bill 17, signed on June 17, 2023, and effective January 1, 2024, bars Texas public colleges and universities from keeping DEI offices, requiring DEI statements, giving hiring preferences based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, or requiring DEI training³⁴. It does not apply to course instruction, research, student organizations' activities, or admissions and recruitment³.

Senate Bill 12, signed on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, extends similar limits to K-12 public schools⁵. It also bars schools from authorizing or sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity, and staff assistance with social transitioning⁹⁶. On February 20, 2026, a federal judge in Houston temporarily blocked four parts of SB 12 while the lawsuit proceeds, but only for the Houston, Katy and Plano districts named in the lawsuit⁶⁷. Other districts, including those in Tarrant County, are not covered by that order⁶.

Senate Bill 37, signed on June 20, 2025, changed university governance, including reviews of curriculum and degree programs and rules for faculty senates⁸.

How people see it

The strongest case for each view, in terms its supporters would recognize. We don't pick a side.

Questions to ask a candidate

• Should Texas keep, change or repeal its 2023 and 2025 DEI laws?
• Should public schools be allowed to sponsor clubs on sexual orientation or gender identity?
• How should schools support first-generation, low-income or struggling students?
• Should federal funding depend on whether a school or contractor has DEI programs?