Trump's Executive Orders Target Employee Resource Groups, Raising Concerns Among Federal Workers

"It feels like one step forward, two steps back," say employees as changes ripple through federal agencies.

Federal workers say they are witnessing a drastic shift in workplace culture following President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the government. Employee resource groups (ERGs)—voluntary, employee-led affinity groups designed to support marginalized communities—have been hit hard by the new mandates, leading to canceled events, paused activities, and even the disbanding of entire groups.

Several federal employees shared their concerns with NBC News, revealing that their ERGs have been either suspended or dismantled in response to the executive orders. Some employees have even taken it upon themselves to shut down their groups or delete communication channels to avoid potential repercussions for noncompliance with the new directives.

“I’ve been here for four years, and in that time, we’ve made progress helping employees feel more supported,” said one employee from the Treasury Department, who is involved in an LGBTQ-related ERG but requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. “Now, in the snap of a finger, all of that work is being undone. It feels like one step forward, two steps back. I’m feeling hopeless right now.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the orders, calling them a fulfillment of campaign promises. "President Trump campaigned on ending the waste and discrimination of DEI programs," Leavitt said. "This is another win for all Americans, ensuring people are hired based on merit, not race or background."

The changes began swiftly after Trump signed the executive order on his first day in office last week, which targets DEI programs within the federal government, labeling them as wasteful and discriminatory. The directive has also extended to the employee resource groups, which were often centered around fostering social connections, networking, and providing a sense of belonging for workers with shared backgrounds.

One employee in a science and technology-related federal agency, who also asked to remain anonymous, said that scheduled events such as a happy hour and group meeting were abruptly removed from her calendar. She also shared that a volunteer musical group, part of the Hispanic ERG, was informed that it could no longer perform at company events.

“The ERGs were much more than just groups of people with common backgrounds—they provided a space where employees felt like they truly belonged,” she said. “It’s disheartening to see how quickly things are changing.”

Another worker, who leads an LGBTQ-related ERG at a different federal agency, recounted being ordered to take down the group’s internal website. When he tried to do so, he discovered that the page had already been removed, replaced with an “access denied” message. He expressed concern that his group’s activities, which were never politically driven but rather aimed at providing social support, could now be used against him and his colleagues.

“We’ve been told to erase everything—to delete our communication lists and resources,” he said. “It feels like we’re being erased, and it’s a very sad moment. It’s like we’re being forced into the shadows.”

Some workers fear that the new changes signal a resurgence of discrimination. One employee from the Treasury Department, who uses they/them pronouns and is part of the LGBTQ-related ERG, expressed concern that this could lead to a new “Lavender Scare,” referring to the 1940s-1960s period when LGBTQ employees were purged from the federal workforce.

“We’re all on edge, not knowing if we’re being targeted because of our work with DEI programs or because of our identity,” they said. “It’s a difficult and uncertain time.”

These recent developments are part of a broader series of executive actions under the Trump administration, including orders to shut down DEI offices and eliminate programs across various federal agencies. Other directives include an order to the Federal Aviation Administration to end its DEI initiatives, citing concerns that such efforts were leading to the hiring of individuals with severe disabilities over other applicants.

At the State Department, mentors in internship programs have been instructed to report any DEI-related activities and separate interns involved in such projects. These sweeping changes are already altering the federal work environment, and employees are left grappling with uncertainty about the future of their workspaces.