In a sweeping move, the General Services Administration (GSA) has rescinded 23 internal policies over the last two weeks, amounting to 74,727 words of regulatory text. This action, confirmed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), includes the elimination of a detailed policy aimed at fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
The policy in question, which ran to 4,890 words, outlined the GSA’s vision for a workplace that mirrors the diversity of the American public, promoting an environment where inclusivity and a sense of belonging are prioritized. The repeal of this directive, among others, signifies a major pivot in how government agencies approach workplace culture and public service.
This decision follows closely after President Trump’s executive orders aimed at dismantling what he described as “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. Critics argue that removing such policies could reverse decades of progress toward creating a federal workforce that represents the nation’s demographic tapestry and values fairness in employment practices.
Supporters of the policy repeal, however, contend that these measures were not only costly but also potentially divisive. They argue for a return to merit-based systems, suggesting that the focus on DEI might have led to preferential treatment rather than equality of opportunity. The move is seen by some as an attempt to streamline government operations, making them more efficient and less bureaucratic.
The sheer volume of text eliminated through these repeals—over 74,000 words—demonstrates the scale of the changes being implemented. This includes not just the DEI directive but policies covering various other internal directives that have shaped the GSA’s operations for years.
The implications of these repeals are vast. For employees who have worked under these policies, there’s uncertainty about how their roles and responsibilities will evolve. For the broader public, this move could signal a shift in how federal agencies engage with and represent the diverse populace they serve.
The GSA, responsible for managing federal real estate, procurement, and technology, is at the heart of government operations. Altering its internal policies could affect how it conducts business with private entities, manages federal buildings, and supports other government functions.
While the GSA has not detailed the specific reasons for each policy’s repeal, the overarching theme seems to be a push towards efficiency, perhaps at the expense of initiatives that aimed to create a more inclusive environment. This has sparked a debate on the balance between efficiency and equity in government, a conversation likely to continue as the effects of these changes become clearer.
