In January, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey wasted no time in implementing an executive order that dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the state government. Just last week, he solidified his stance by signing a bill that made his order law. During a ceremonial bill signing, Morrisey proclaimed, “I pledged to root out DEI, and today, I can proudly say that we are delivering on that promise. DEI is dead in the Mountain State.”
This move comes as part of a broader cultural shift in the United States, with former President Donald Trump taking the lead in framing diversity initiatives as a battleground in the country’s culture wars. Republican-controlled states have begun to follow suit, introducing and passing legislation aimed at curbing DEI efforts. While many of these bills focus on higher education, a significant number of states from Louisiana to South Carolina are pushing through 101 measures aimed at reducing DEI in state and local governments, along with other publicly funded institutions, according to Bill Kramer, vice president and counsel of MultiState, a firm that tracks state and local government relations.
At the same time, blue states are firing back with bills that defend DEI initiatives. Kramer notes, “I definitely think state lawmakers have been emboldened by the actions on the federal level.” This year, nine states have enacted anti-DEI laws, with another nine having passed similar legislation through at least one chamber. Recently, Iowa sent a bill to Governor Kim Reynolds that would eliminate DEI offices and related activities within the state.
The objectives of these state laws align closely with the agenda of the Trump administration: to curb DEI across the public sector and to increase pressure on the private sector to follow suit. In April, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill banning DEI-related offices and policies at the local government level. Sanders’ spokesperson, Sam Dubke, defended the move by saying, “Government should be focused on serving the people and saving taxpayer dollars, not wasting time and money on woke nonsense.”
This growing movement to limit DEI has garnered significant support from Republican lawmakers, especially in states like Indiana, where Governor Mike Braun signed a law banning discrimination in public institutions based on identity factors like race or religion. Braun had previously issued an executive order in January to eliminate DEI initiatives in the state government.
Anti-DEI legislation has gained momentum, fueled by a long-standing backlash in red states against diversity policies, often lumped together with critical race theory (CRT). These terms began to appear in bills in twelve states in 2022, marking a shift in legislative priorities. Anti-DEI think tanks and foundations have been instrumental in drafting such bills, building on the resentment toward the DEI efforts that gained traction after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Critics, such as Russell Vought and Stephen Miller—both former Trump officials—have denounced DEI initiatives, claiming they promote race and gender preferences over individual merit.
Trump has embraced this contentious issue, making it a central part of his 2024 presidential campaign as he vowed to battle what he calls “anti-white” racism. On his first day in office, he issued executive orders dismantling DEI programs across the government, a move that conservative think tanks like the Center for Renewing America enthusiastically supported. Wade Miller, a senior adviser for the think tank, stated, “We welcome all bills aimed at dismantling DEI.”
According to Republican pollster Whit Ayres, this surge in anti-DEI bills in red states is likely to persist. He noted that the top four reasons voters supported Trump were concerns over inflation, the economy, illegal immigration, and a desire to reject what they see as “woke culture.”
However, Democrats have raised alarms over the growing anti-DEI wave. They argue that these measures could significantly undermine local and state government workforces, ultimately hurting the communities they serve. Eliza Leighton, executive director of Deliver the American Dream, expressed, “DEI work ensures that government employees understand the experiences of the people they serve and have the necessary skills to perform excellently in their jobs.”
Democrats in Indiana have strongly opposed the state’s new anti-DEI law, calling it a “step backward” for diverse communities who already face discrimination. State Senator Fady Qaddoura (D) remarked, “Everyone should be treated equally, but what this legislation ignores is that people have different starting points in their lives.”
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee signed the “Dismantling DEI Departments Act,” which bans DEI offices and departments from the state government. There are also bills pending that would prevent state and local governments, along with public colleges, from considering race or sex in hiring decisions. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Republican, said the legislation aligned with the Trump administration’s priorities.
However, critics, including Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, contend that such moves are not about fairness but are designed to suppress marginalized voices. Akbari argued, “What diversity, equity, and inclusion principles do is ensure that equally qualified people, who happen to be different, are given a fair shake.”
On the other side of the aisle, blue states are also ramping up efforts to defend DEI. In Arizona, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have banned DEI hiring practices in state and local governments, emphasizing the state’s commitment to a merit-based hiring system. This week, she also vetoed another bill that would have eradicated DEI offices and activities in government agencies and schools.
The national debate over DEI has led to complex and sometimes contradictory positions. In Michigan, a merit-based hiring bill, sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans, has sparked controversy. While the bill didn’t explicitly mention DEI, Republican lawmakers said it was aimed at removing DEI influence from government practices. Yet, for many, the push for merit-based hiring is seen as an attempt to shift the focus away from DEI’s foundational goals.