Federal Agencies Prohibit Black History Month and Other Cultural Observances
Several Federal Agencies Halt MLK Jr. Day, Women’s History Month, and Other Celebrations Under Trump’s Executive Orders
Washington, D.C. – Federal agencies are swiftly moving to comply with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within government institutions.
A series of internal memos and emails, obtained by NBC News, detail the modifications imposed across intelligence agencies, military branches, and civilian departments regarding employee resource groups and cultural awareness events.
This week, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) issued a directive pausing all activities related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and several other observances. The memo, reviewed by NBC News, listed 11 cultural events that are now prohibited and mandated the suspension of all affinity and employee networking groups.
The move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader agenda to dismantle programs perceived as supporting DEI initiatives. The DIA has not yet provided an official comment on the matter.
Widespread Federal Compliance
U.S. intelligence agencies have also begun reviewing and eliminating activities that may be interpreted as endorsing past DEI policies. Current and former officials report that agencies are erring on the side of caution to ensure full compliance with the executive orders.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence recently issued a memo stating that DEI-related boards and working groups have been “curtailed” and that no official work time or government resources should be used for such activities. Future travel related to DEI initiatives has also been canceled, per the memo’s guidance.
Similarly, the Pentagon issued an email Friday barring official resources, including personnel hours, from being allocated to cultural awareness events. However, military personnel and civilian employees may still attend such events in a personal capacity outside of work hours.
At the Central Intelligence Agency, a spokesperson confirmed compliance with the executive order, stating: “CIA is adhering to the Executive Order and remains focused on our foreign intelligence mission.”
Concerns Over Impact on National Security
Former intelligence officials warn that eliminating cultural and historical observances could have unintended consequences, particularly in recruitment and operational effectiveness.
“The intelligence community has long worked to attract diverse talent with specialized language skills and cultural knowledge that enhance our national security efforts,” a former senior official explained. “Restricting these efforts will shrink our talent pipeline, weakening intelligence operations abroad.”
Crackdown on Gender Identity References
In addition to curbing DEI programs, the Office of Personnel Management issued a separate directive ordering all references to “gender ideology” to be removed from federal communications by 5 p.m. Friday. This includes scrubbing references from public websites, social media, and internal Outlook prompts encouraging employees to list their pronouns.
The State Department has also instructed employees to remove gender-identifying pronouns from their email signatures, in line with the new policy. Ambassador Tibor P. Nagy, Under Secretary for Management, emphasized in an internal email that federal agencies are actively reviewing and eliminating any programs, contracts, or materials that promote gender ideology.
Elimination of Employee Resource Groups
The Justice Department also recently announced the termination of all its DEI programs, stating that such initiatives “divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination.”
A memo sent to employees at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last week confirmed that all affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups (ERGs), are being disbanded, and all related observances are being canceled.
ERGs, commonly found in both public and private sectors, offer voluntary, employee-led spaces for individuals with shared experiences. These groups have historically provided support for Black employees, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, women, and other communities within the workforce.
The Department of Justice’s long-standing LGBTQ+ employee resource group, DOJ Pride, which had been active for 30 years, has also been disbanded.
White House Response and Public Backlash
During a press briefing Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump would sign a proclamation recognizing Black History Month, despite the new restrictions on observances within federal agencies.
“The president looks forward to signing a proclamation celebrating Black History Month,” Leavitt said. “It’s currently being finalized for the president’s signature.”
Trump later signed the proclamation, calling Black History Month “an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many Black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our Nation’s history.”
However, the rollback of federal observances has sparked backlash among former officials and community advocates. Andrea M. O’Neal, a former White House official under President Joe Biden, emphasized the importance of cultural observances in acknowledging American history and fostering inclusivity.
“This rollback is deeply demoralizing for communities that were finally recognized for their contributions,” O’Neal said. “When governments decide whose history matters and whose doesn’t, the long-term impact can be significant.”
Troy Blackwell, a former Department of Commerce official under Biden, echoed these concerns, calling the policy shift “despicable.”
“Celebrating Black History Month isn’t just about history—it’s about acknowledging systemic barriers and recognizing the contributions of marginalized communities,” Blackwell said. “It’s disappointing to see these programs dismantled.”
A Shift in Federal Policy
Trump’s executive order, signed on his first day in office, mandates the elimination of all DEI-related mandates, policies, programs, and activities within the federal government. The order explicitly calls for an end to “discriminatory” initiatives and the reallocation of government resources to areas deemed more aligned with national interests.
The decision to curtail cultural observances comes just four years after Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday under the Biden administration. Recognized as Emancipation Day or Black Independence Day, the holiday commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States.
With the dismantling of DEI initiatives, the long-term impact on federal workforce morale, recruitment, and national security remains uncertain.