The Trump administration has taken decisive steps to dismantle federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, while also confirming the closure of the White House’s Spanish-language website and social media accounts. These actions signal a clear direction for Trump’s second term in office.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on X (formerly Twitter) that all DEIA programs across federal agencies are being terminated. A memo from the Office of Personnel Management instructed agencies to notify DEIA employees by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday of their immediate placement on paid administrative leave, as the administration proceeds with shutting down all related offices and initiatives.
From his first day back in office, Trump has reversed numerous executive orders promoting diversity in government, workplaces, LGBTQ+ rights, and inclusive healthcare. During his campaign, he criticized these policies as discriminatory against white men, vowing to eliminate them as part of his platform.
One of Trump’s new executive orders states:
“The Biden administration imposed illegal and immoral discrimination programs under the guise of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ in virtually every aspect of the federal government.”
Goodbye to Spanish-Language Outreach
Mirroring actions taken during his first term in 2017, Trump has removed the Spanish-language version of the White House website, which now displays a “Page Not Found” message. Official Spanish-language social media accounts have also been deleted, cutting off a vital communication channel with the nation’s Spanish-speaking population.
Critics have expressed frustration with what they perceive as a lack of effort to engage with the 43.4 million Americans who speak Spanish at home, according to 2023 U.S. Census estimates.
The administration has also declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying additional troops to tighten restrictions on refugees and asylum seekers. These moves have drawn backlash from human rights organizations, particularly as Trump received record-breaking support from Latino voters in the last election.
In a heartfelt sermon delivered at the National Cathedral in Washington, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde urged Trump to show compassion for migrants and the LGBTQ+ community, who she said now “live in fear.” Her remarks, which reportedly caught the administration off guard, elicited swift responses from the president, Vice President JD Vance, and other key officials.
