In a surprising move, the Trump administration has directed federal agencies to put staff overseeing diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) efforts on paid leave. The order, effective by 5 p.m. Wednesday, requires all D.E.I. initiatives across the government to stop immediately.

The decision comes as part of President Trump’s broader push to dismantle federal diversity programs. In a memo from the Office of Personnel Management, department heads were told to plan staff reductions by Friday. A new executive order issued Tuesday also urged the private sector to end any practices seen as “illegal D.E.I. discrimination.”

While the federal government can’t directly control private companies, it can enforce rules on contractors and subcontractors. Notably, several major corporations, including Meta and McDonald’s, have already scaled back their D.E.I. efforts in anticipation of these changes.

The order criticized D.E.I. policies, claiming they “undermine our national unity” by promoting identity-based systems over traditional American values like hard work and individual achievement. This swift action marks a significant shift in federal policy under the Trump administration.