The Biden administration’s latest move to roll back inclusivity measures has sparked backlash across several federal agencies, with a new directive from Donald Trump’s administration mandating that government employees remove pronouns from their email signatures. The policy is part of a broader effort to reduce the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which Trump has criticized as unnecessary and expensive.
On January 20, shortly after taking office, Trump signed an executive order that specifically targeted DEI initiatives within the federal workforce. The directive called for the immediate suspension of DEI personnel from their roles, describing them as “useless” and “overpaid activists” embedded in government agencies. This order set the stage for further actions aimed at reining in what Trump and his allies view as an overreach of progressive ideologies within public service.
A series of internal emails obtained by CNN have confirmed that employees at key government agencies, including the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), were instructed to remove pronouns from their email signatures. The move is in alignment with Trump’s executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth,” which seeks to reinforce the concept of biological sex over gender identity.
The order also mandates that government employees use the term “sex” rather than “gender” in official communications. “It will be the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female… these sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality,” the executive order reads. The move has been widely described as an attempt to align federal policy with conservative views on gender and biological sex.
State Department and ODNI Reactions
The new directive has generated significant concern within the federal workforce, particularly at the State Department, where employees have expressed fear over potential restrictions on free speech and expression. One employee, who spoke with CNN under the condition of anonymity, described the atmosphere as one of anxiety, with many staff members worried that they could face retaliation for expressing support for inclusive policies.
Internal communications from the department’s management included a statement from the head of management, who confirmed that the agency was reviewing all its programs, contracts, and grants that reference “gender ideology.” The email also noted that the department was actively removing “outward-facing media” that promotes inclusivity or gender ideology, signaling a shift in how government entities are approaching issues related to LGBTQ+ rights.
Several agencies, including the ODNI, have warned employees that any efforts to undermine or subvert the president’s directives would lead to disciplinary action, including potential termination. The push to eliminate references to gender inclusivity in government communications is part of a wider pattern of actions designed to reduce what Trump’s administration considers the influence of “political correctness” in federal operations.
Vice President JD Vance speaks about a collision involving an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, January 30, 2025. All 60 passengers, four crew members and three soldiers are believed to have died in the crash. Photo: Bonnie Cash/UPI / Shutterstock
Termination Threats and Backlash from LGBTQ+ Groups
The crackdown has extended beyond language use to include other forms of inclusivity. The Department of Health and Human Services has been directed to end contracts that involve references to pronouns, inclusivity, or LGBTQ+ advocacy, leading to further concerns about the future of programs designed to protect the rights of marginalized groups.
In addition to these policies, the executive order has had wide-reaching effects on the State Department’s treatment of transgender and non-binary individuals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently ordered that the department cease processing passport applications that include the “X” gender marker, a designation that has become an important symbol of gender identity for many trans and non-binary citizens. This decision has sparked outrage from LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it undermines the rights of transgender people to have their gender identity legally recognized.
Furthermore, several federal websites have reportedly removed resources related to LGBTQ+ rights, HIV awareness, and other related issues. These actions have prompted a swift response from LGBTQ+ charities and advocacy groups, which have condemned the policies as discriminatory and harmful to vulnerable communities.
A Broader Political Divide
The executive orders and their implementation have sparked a national conversation about the balance between inclusivity and conservative values. Critics of the Trump administration’s actions argue that removing gender-related terminology from government communications is a step backward in the fight for equality and recognition for all citizens, particularly those who identify outside of the traditional gender binary.
Supporters, however, frame the policy as a necessary correction aimed at restoring what they perceive as traditional values in federal institutions. They argue that the push for gender inclusivity and the normalization of pronouns in official government communications have become excessive and unnecessary.
The directive to remove pronouns from email signatures and other similar moves are just the latest in a series of executive actions that have raised concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ rights under the current administration. While some federal employees have voiced their opposition, the full impact of these changes will become clearer as they are implemented across various government agencies.
As the policy continues to unfold, LGBTQ+ organizations and government employees alike are watching closely to see how this new wave of directives will shape the future of inclusivity in the federal workforce and beyond.
