Overview

• The FBI confirmed it closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) in December 2024 but did not provide a specific reason for the decision.
• President-elect Donald Trump demanded that all records related to the office be preserved, suggesting potential corruption behind the timing of the closure.
• Republican lawmakers, including Senator Marsha Blackburn, have criticized the FBI’s DEI efforts, claiming they compromised national security and prioritized diversity over competence.
• The closure aligns with broader rollbacks of DEI initiatives across corporations and institutions following Trump’s election victory and his anti-DEI stance.
• Trump has nominated Kash Patel as the next FBI director, with plans to reform the agency, pending Senate confirmation.