Veterans at State Department dispirited after DEI crackdown puts affinity group on pause
Since 2014, military veterans employed by the State Department have found kinship in a volunteer resource group known as Veterans@State.
For over a decade, military veterans employed by the State Department have found kinship in a volunteer resource group where they can connect with mentors, discuss their mental health and other issues, and perform community service activities unique to their experiences.
But President Donald Trump's executive order to end what he says are "discriminatory and illegal" government diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies has put Veterans@State and dozens of other so-called affinity groups on an indefinite pause across federal departments.
"We are required to cancel any planned events, meetings, announcements, or other activities," the Veterans@State board said in an email last week obtained by NBC News.
A State Department spokesperson said Monday that all employee organizations have been notified that there is a temporary pause on activities until further notice to ensure compliance with executive orders. The dozens of groups include ones focused on women, LGBTQ employees, people with disabilities and a Christian group called GRACE, which was formed during Trump's first term.
Across the federal government, employees who have worked on DEI initiatives within their respective departments have expressed fear and alarm at Trump's mandate. The Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the largest employers of military veterans within the federal government, announced last month it was placing 60 employees who worked solely on DEI activities on paid administrative leave, and was canceling related contracts.
Rating: 5