Trump Slams FBI For Closing DEI Office Before Inauguration: Calls Move ‘Corruption’
President Donald Trump is demanding answers from the FBI after the agency quietly shut down its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) just before his return to the White House. Trump voiced his outrage on Truth Social, accusing the FBI of corruption and questioning the timing of the office’s closure.
“We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now closing DEI Office—Never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago,” Trump wrote. He further questioned, “Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!”
The FBI confirmed to Fox News that the ODI was shut down in December 2024 but offered no explanation for the decision. The sudden move has raised concerns about transparency, especially with Trump preparing to take office.
Trump has long criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, labeling them as unnecessary distractions from the federal government’s core responsibilities. During his campaign, he promised to eliminate “wokeness” and “leftist indoctrination” by dismantling diversity programs and penalizing universities that promote such initiatives.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) also recently attacked the FBI’s focus on DEI. In a letter to outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, she warned that these programs could be putting Americans at risk. “I am deeply concerned that—under your leadership—the Bureau has prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over its core mission of protecting the American people,” Blackburn wrote.
The closure of the FBI’s DEI office aligns with Trump’s push to refocus federal agencies on their primary missions. His nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, has also criticized DEI efforts as a distraction from national security.
Trump’s demand for the FBI to retain all records from the now-shuttered office signals that he may pursue further investigation into the agency’s internal operations once in office.
