President Donald Trump’s administration has escalated its campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, leading US researchers to make widespread changes to their grant renewal applications to safeguard government funding. According to the Wall Street Journal, over 600 grant renewals have been revised since October 2024, with terms associated with DEI removed. The Trump administration, which has consistently criticized these programs as ‘illegal and immoral discrimination,’ has pushed for their elimination, echoing its predecessor’s stance on DEI efforts. The shift has prompted scientists to realign their studies, often shifting focus away from minority-related research areas. This move aligns with Trump’s broader agenda of removing what he considers divisive leftist policies from public and private sectors.
Since taking office in January, Trump has taken numerous steps to eradicate such policies and associated language at the government level. His administration, which has long viewed DEI initiatives as promoting divisive leftist narratives, has also targeted elite universities like Harvard for their handling of anti-Semitic protests linked to Palestine and for not abolishing DEI policies. These actions have led to suspensions of federal funding and restrictions on international student enrollment. The Trump administration’s stance on DEI programs reflects a continued effort to prioritize competence and skill over race or gender in appointments, as he declared during a joint session of Congress in March.