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FBI Closes Diversity Office Effective December 2024 Amid Criticism and Ahead of Trump's Inauguration

Jan 16, 2025, 09:13 PM

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) effective December 2024, as confirmed by the agency to Fox News. This decision comes amid a national reevaluation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, with the closure occurring just days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The FBI did not specify the reasons behind the closure, but it follows criticism from Republicans who argue that the agency's focus on DEI has overshadowed its core mission of national security. Senator Marsha Blackburn expressed concerns in a letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, suggesting that the FBI's emphasis on DEI initiatives may have compromised its effectiveness, particularly in the wake of the New Orleans terrorist attack on January 1. Wray, appointed by Trump during his first term, announced his resignation before Trump's second term begins, with Trump nominating Kash Patel as his replacement.