The FBI has officially closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), according to a confirmation Fox News received from the agency. The closure, effective December 2024, comes amidst criticism from Republicans who argue that the focus on DEI initiatives has detracted from the Bureau's core national security mission.
While the FBI did not provide a specific reason for the closure, the move follows a letter from Senator Marsha Blackburn to FBI Director Christopher Wray earlier this month. Blackburn expressed concerns that "radical" DEI practices within the FBI were jeopardizing the safety of Americans, citing the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans as an example.
The closure also drew commentary from President-elect Trump, who demanded on Truth Social that all records related to the ODI be preserved, questioning the timing of the closure just before his inauguration and suggesting potential corruption.
The FBI's website, as of Thursday, still featured a page on diversity and inclusion, stating the agency's commitment to a diverse workforce and highlighting diversity as a core value adopted in 2015. The page emphasized the belief that diverse perspectives contribute to better decision-making and innovation.
Former FBI special agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker weighed in on the closure, expressing support for diversity while criticizing the emphasis on social justice initiatives within the Bureau. Parker argued that such initiatives divert resources from the FBI's primary mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution, particularly at a time when national security threats are high.
Parker also pointed out the existence of numerous other groups and committees within the FBI focused on various demographics and interests, suggesting that the DEI office was redundant and potentially divisive. She advocated for a merit-based hiring system and a focus on unity within the Bureau.
The ODI was established in 2012 during the Obama administration, with Scott McMillion becoming the FBI's first chief diversity officer in 2021 under the Biden administration. FBI Director Wray, who announced his resignation in December, cited President Trump's desire for new leadership as the reason for his departure.
