Nearly 60 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have been placed on paid administrative leave, resulting in over $8 million in combined salary savings. This action follows President Trump's executive order to eliminate DEI initiatives across the federal government.
The affected employees' average annual compensation, inclusive of base pay and additional earnings, is approximately $136,000, with one employee earning over $220,000. The VA is also reviewing DEI-related contracts worth over $6.1 million for potential cancellation. These contracts cover training, materials, and consulting services.
The VA intends to redirect these resources towards enhancing services for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. This includes removing DEI-related content from its online platforms. The VA's Director of Media Affairs, Morgan Ackley, affirmed the agency's commitment to prioritizing veteran care and abandoning what they consider divisive DEI policies.
This move aligns with actions taken by other federal agencies under President Trump's directive. His newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has reportedly cancelled approximately $420 million in current and planned contracts primarily related to DEI. Trump's executive order, signed on his inauguration day, mandated agencies to begin shutting down DEI offices and placing staff on paid leave. This action reverses President Biden's earlier executive order promoting diversity initiatives.
