FBI Closes Diversity Office in December Amid Trump's Demand for Records and Criticism from Blackburn

Jan 16, 2025, 11:26 PM

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) in December 2024, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The closure was confirmed by the agency to multiple news outlets, including Fox News and Forbes. President-elect Trump has demanded that the FBI preserve all records related to the ODI, alleging corruption and questioning the timing of the office's closure just before his administration's start in a Truth Social post. The FBI did not provide a specific reason for the closure, but it comes amidst criticism from Republicans, including Senator Marsha Blackburn, who have argued that the FBI's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has detracted from its core mission of national security. In a letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, Blackburn expressed concerns that the FBI's emphasis on DEI has endangered Americans, particularly following a terrorist attack in New Orleans. The FBI's website states that diversity is one of its core values, aimed at enhancing decision-making, driving innovation, and maintaining trust with the American public.