Conservative Activists Lead Nationwide Backlash Against DEI Programs

Despite Success in Over 20 States, Activists Struggle to Gain Wider Support

Conservative activists and academics have been working to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the United States, with Texas approving legislation in May 2023 to ban all such programs from public institutions of higher learning.
Centered at the Claremont Institute, a California-based think tank, the group has formed a network of think tanks, political groups, and Republican operatives in at least a dozen states, seeking funding from right-leaning philanthropies and family foundations.
The group has been successful in passing laws against DEI in more than 20 states, even as polling has shown that diversity initiatives remain popular.
Despite their success in some Republican-dominated states, the documents reveal the activists' struggle to gain traction with broader swaths of voters and officials.
The backlash against DEI has been both cynical and naive, with those leading the charge being disingenuous about why they're doing so and how their efforts are playing out.