Federal workers protest DEI firings
Protesters gather outside the Office of Personnel Management in opposition to federal workforce reductions and anti-DEI policies on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Photo by Megan Engle
WASHINGTON— Dozens of protesters denounced the Trump administration’s termination of federal employees with past or perceived ties to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at a rally Tuesday outside the Office of Personnel Management.
“[T]hese targeted workers had no DEI duties. They are not even on any DEI committees. They're not DEI advocates. These workers merely attended a DEI training years ago because their management encouraged it,” said Kenny Roberson, the national vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees. “And that was enough for them to get targeted by this administration, and that ain't right.”
This rally, which was organized by the American Civil Liberties Union, comes two weeks after the group and partner organizations filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration and OPM. The complaint challenges the termination of federal employees under President Trump's January anti-DEI executive orders. The ACLU alleges that some employees were fired, not because they actively held DEI-related jobs, but rather because they had previous involvement with DEI initiatives or were perceived to support the concept. In firing workers for their actual or assumed beliefs, the ACLU argues the administration violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and workers’ First Amendment rights. The organization says that these firings reflect a broader assault on freedom of expression — one with troubling implications not only for federal employees, but for the American public at large.
“If they can fire people simply because they think their political beliefs and values clash with the president's agenda, they can come for anyone,” the organization wrote in the rally announcement.
As the agency responsible for managing the federal civil service, the OPM has become a key instrument in President Trump’s efforts to reshape the government workforce. With its name plastered on the infamous “fork in the road” email and countless termination notices, the once easily overlooked entity has gained significant political prominence and criticism in recent months.
For the protesters, the OPM building calls to mind both fond memories of their years of service and the weight of their newfound hardships. With wind-bitten cheeks and homemade signs held aloft, they filled the small stone courtyard. They somberly stood and listened to speakers share their stories, as an American flag buffeted and billowed overhead. Every now and then, chants, applause, and the determined metallic clamoring of a lone neon-green tambourine rose up to punctuate the speeches.
Quay Crowner, a career civil servant who spent three decades working for various federal agencies, said she was shocked to learn she’d been flagged as a DEI employee, as her job and office had no direct connection to such work. But she did once attend a DEI course recommended by management.
“[F]or years, agency leaders encouraged us to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion work. We followed the mission. We followed the leadership, and now we're being punished for it,” said Crowner, who has been placed on administrative leave and faces termination from the Department of Education. “This kind of retaliation is just plain wrong. It violates our constitutional rights. And we will keep moving forward together with purpose and resolve.”
DEI programs – which Trump has described as “absolute nonsense” as well as “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral” – were among the earliest targets of his administration’s federal workforce reduction campaign. Within his first week back in office, he ordered the termination of all DEI initiatives, placed program staff on paid leave, and suspended related trainings. The administration also instructed employees to report any ongoing DEI activities or face disciplinary action.
As it faces the ACLU’s lawsuit, the Trump administration continues to stand behind its DEI firings.
“President Trump has the authority to manage personnel within his Executive Branch, end unlawful DEI practices in government offices, and ensure hiring and firing decisions are based only on merit,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said earlier this week when asked about the lawsuit.
It is unclear how many employees have been fired or placed on leave in relation to these executive orders, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents around 800,000 federal workers.
While the administration has framed the crackdown on DEI as a means to return to a merit-based system, Roberson said it feels like an attempt to root out potentially disloyal workers.
“Targeting these workers and DEI is a pretext,” he said. “The real reason the Trump administration wants to get rid of these employees is to build a federal workforce that doesn’t uphold the Constitution, but instead pledges loyalty to Donald J. Trump.”
As the legal battle moves forward, the protesters said they plan to keep speaking out – both for their own jobs and the future of civil service.
