Trump’s Anti-Diversity Order Could End State Department Black History Observance

A new executive order from President Donald Trump targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs could prevent the State Department from publicly observing Black History Month, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The sweeping order is aimed at eliminating all DEI-related initiatives across the executive branch, a frequent focus of right-wing criticism. However, its strict language extends beyond recent diversity training policies, threatening decades-old anti-discrimination and sensitivity programs as well.

“The new public affairs guidance states that any communications should reflect President Trump’s priorities, which have included the closure of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices throughout the government and revocation of a six-decade-old executive order that required government contractors to proactively root out discrimination on the basis of race and sex,” said the report.

The directive’s impact is already being felt at the State Department, where officials sought clarity on whether they could issue public statements recognizing Black History Month and other cultural heritage events. According to the report, staff were advised to emphasize “the valuable contribution of individual Americans throughout U.S. history,” while adhering to the spirit of the new directive against DEI programs.

This guidance was interpreted by officials as a prohibition on directly acknowledging Black History Month. “The diplomats I spoke to today, with decades of experience, couldn’t remember a time we failed” to observe Black History Month publicly, one State Department official told The Wall Street Journal.

The order has sparked concern among career diplomats and civil servants who see it as a rollback of essential protections and recognition efforts. Black History Month has long been a staple of federal agency observances, highlighting the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and culture.

The controversy follows the confirmation of Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick to lead the State Department, in a rare unanimous bipartisan Senate vote. Rubio’s leadership will now face scrutiny as the department navigates the implications of the executive order.

Critics argue that the order undermines decades of progress in promoting diversity and combating discrimination within federal agencies. Supporters, however, contend that it aligns with Trump’s broader agenda of streamlining government operations and focusing on merit-based initiatives.

As the State Department grapples with these changes, the broader implications of the executive order are expected to reverberate across the federal government, affecting how agencies recognize and celebrate cultural heritage events. The order has already sparked debate over the balance between preserving tradition and aligning with the president’s priorities, setting the stage for further challenges in the months ahead.