Trump's DEI policy threatens already thin share of women and minorities in STEM, workers say

While President Donald Trump’s executive orders have labeled DEI as “discriminatory,” several women who occupy STEM-related positions in the federal government slammed his directives.

While President Donald Trump’s executive orders have labeled diversity, equity and inclusion programs as “discriminatory,” several women who occupy STEM-related positions in the federal government slammed his directives as policies that only seek to widen the existing gender and racial divides. 

Concerns ranging from limited access to STEM careers to feeling unwelcome under the new administration, women scientists, engineers and other women federal employees told NBC News that they fear for their professional future. 

“If we really have a society where there’s ‘equal’ participation and anybody can do anything, then where are the women in STEM?” said one woman who’s Hispanic and works in a science and tech-related federal organization. She requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. 

The Trump administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But previously, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the executive orders were an example of “promises made, promises kept.”

“President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin,” she said in the statement. “This is another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/trump-dei-women-minorities-stem-rcna189879

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