Trump declares war on 'affirmative action': Call for whistleblowing among public officials
The Trump administration has called on public officials to report each other and their respective units in an effort to eliminate diversity programs.
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12punto FOREIGN NEWS
US President Donald Trump has taken action against the diversity, equity, and inclusion policy that has been implemented in the US for 60 years. Aiming to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs known as 'DEI', Trump had placed all personnel working in DEI programs in the public sector on mandatory leave. The Trump administration sent messages to civil servants with knowledge of DEI programs, calling on them to 'become whistleblowers'.
DEI programs aimed to create equal opportunity for women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The programs provided for 'affirmative action' for these groups, which were 'socially oppressed and forced to compete under unequal conditions'.
According to a Reuters report, messages were sent to civil servants in the names of certain figures in the Trump cabinet, and those with knowledge of 'secret DEI programs' were asked to come forward.
On Monday, the day he took office, Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI programs.
During his election campaign, the US President had argued that affirmative action was 'racism against whites' and said, 'I will fight this to the end.'
Civil rights advocates argue that such programs are necessary to address long-standing inequalities and structural racism.
Trump and his supporters, on the other hand, state that DEI programs unfairly discriminate 'against other Americans' and undermine the importance of merit in hiring or promotion for candidates.
'REPORT SECRET PROGRAMS'
In a message sent by the Trump administration on Wednesday, government employees were warned that they would face 'negative consequences' if they did not immediately report secret DEI programs.
The message stated, 'We are aware of the efforts of some individuals in the government to hide these programs by using coded or ambiguous language,' and added the following:
'There will be no negative consequences for reporting this information in a timely manner. However, failing to report this information within 10 days may lead to negative consequences.'
It is not yet known whether the Trump administration has any evidence regarding efforts to hide diversity programs.
US President Donald Trump
MESSAGES SENT IN THE NAMES OF TRUMP CABINET MEMBERS
The same messages were sent to employees of various ministries. The messages were attributed to different members of the Trump cabinet. The two names reflected in the press so far are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Acting Attorney General James McHenry from the Department of Justice.
Following the emergence of the incident, Democratic Representative for Georgia Hank Johnson accused Trump of 'turning back the clock and undoing decades of progress for Black people'.
Civil rights advocates also reacted to the incident, accusing the Trump administration of acting unconstitutionally.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio became the first official member of the Trump cabinet after receiving Senate confirmation last Tuesday
TRUMP IS ALSO BLACKMAILING PRIVATE COMPANIES
On the other hand, according to Reuters, Trump has threatened to terminate government contracts with private companies that implement DEI programs and prioritize race and gender equality in hiring.
Furthermore, the Trump administration has issued orders to government agencies, asking them to identify private companies that could be subject to legal investigation.
The White House did not provide a response regarding the allegations.