The FBI has closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), sparking controversy after Republican lawmakers accused the agency of prioritizing DEI initiatives over qualifications and public safety.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) confirmed to The National News Desk (TNND) on Thursday that it closed its office dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) last month. According to an FBI spokesperson, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) was shut down effective by December 2024. The agency, however, declined to provide any explanation for this decision. Fox News was the first to report the closure.
This move comes amidst a barrage of accusations from Republican lawmakers alleging that the FBI wrongfully prioritizes DEI initiatives. In May, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, sent a letter to the FBI demanding information about its hiring and retention practices. Jordan claimed the agency had focused its recruitment efforts on 'DEI statistics,' citing a report by a group of retired FBI officials. This report, according to Jordan, detailed the agency's selection of special agents based on whether they 'satisfy the FBI's priority to meet mandates.' Jordan asserted in his letter that the FBI's 'hyper-fixation' on fulfilling Biden Administration-imposed DEI initiatives, rather than focusing on the qualifications of the most suitable federal law enforcement candidates, creates a dangerous environment within the FBI that jeopardizes both the American public and civil liberties.Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, also voiced concerns earlier this month regarding FBI Director Christopher Wray's leadership. She accused the agency of 'prioritizing' DEI over 'protecting the American people' under Wray's direction. Blackburn demanded to know the number of FBI employees hired based on 'DEI initiatives,' as well as the funding source for these initiatives. Wray announced his plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in December. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a former prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice, as the next FBI director
FBI Diversity Equity Inclusion Republican Christopher Wray Kash Patel Jim Jordan Marsha Blackburn
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