EXCLUSIVE: FBI Closes DEI Office, Effective December 2024
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that it is closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024. The agency did not provide a reason for the closure, but many Republicans have been critical of the office, claiming that it prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion over national security.
The closure comes after Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, expressing concerns that the office’s “radical” practices had “endangered” Americans. President-elect Trump also commented on the closure, writing on Truth Social that the FBI should have never opened the DEI office and that its closure is a sign of corruption.
The FBI’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion was created in 2012 to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. The office’s mission was to provide guidance and implement programs that allow all employees to succeed and advance. However, many have criticized the office, saying that it has diverted resources away from the FBI’s core mission of protecting the American people.
Former FBI special agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker said that while she appreciates all forms of diversity, she believes that the DEI office is a “dangerous distraction” that has taken away from the FBI’s mission. She argued that the agency should focus on hiring the best and brightest based solely on meritocracy, rather than prioritizing diversity and inclusion.
The FBI’s closure of the DEI office comes as President-elect Trump is set to take office on Monday. Trump has been critical of the office and has promised to make changes to the FBI’s leadership and priorities.