President-elect Donald Trump has demanded that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) preserve all records from its recently closed Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). The FBI quietly shut down the ODI in December 2024, a move aligning with Trump’s campaign promise to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies.
Trump expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now closing DEI Office—Never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago.” He further questioned the timing of the closure, suggesting it was indicative of “CORRUPTION!”
Critics of the FBI’s DEI initiatives, including Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), have argued that such programs divert focus from the agency’s primary mission of ensuring national security. In a letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, Blackburn stated, “The FBI should be focused on catching criminals, not winning participation trophies.”
The closure of the ODI and the call to retain its records come amid broader discussions about the role of DEI programs in federal agencies. As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, these developments signal potential shifts in policy and priorities within the federal workforce.