The Department of Defense has been compelled to abandon a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program in the wake of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision impacting affirmative action.

The Biden-supported DEI pipeline program, previously designed to prioritize underrepresented and underserved cohorts in Pentagon hiring, has now been revised pursuant to the high court's decision, to eliminate race and sex-based criteria, as the Daily Wire reports.

The decision aligns with the Supreme Court's stance on affirmative action, particularly in light of the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case, which marked a significant shift in the law.

Defense Department's DEI Agenda Under Scrutiny

The Defense Department had initially allocated nearly $760,000 to the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) for the DEI career pipeline.

This program was specifically aimed at advancing “equity-focused” goals by prioritizing applicants from historically marginalized groups. However, following the Supreme Court's decision in June 2023, the internship criteria were swiftly revised.

Stacy Downs, the Director of Strategic Communications for UMKC, confirmed that the program's criteria were updated immediately after the ruling to ensure compliance. The current focus is now on objective measures such as applicants' status as full-time students, their GPA, and relevant coursework, removing any explicit race or sex-based requirements.

RAND Corporation's Role and Broader DEI Agenda

In addition to the direct impact on the DEI pipeline program, the Defense Department had also engaged the RAND Corporation to provide guidance on implementing the broader DEI agenda.

While the exact sum awarded to RAND remains undisclosed, their report highlighted growing resistance to DEI initiatives, coining terms such as “diversity defiance” and “White fatigue.”

The report warned the Defense Department of the increasing opposition to the DEI agenda, noting that some researchers describe the presence of “denial perspectives” that challenge the legitimacy of such programs.

This resistance underscores the complex and often contentious nature of implementing DEI policies within federal institutions.

Financial Commitments and Future Uncertainty

The DEI pipeline program was not the only initiative affected by the Supreme Court's ruling. According to the Functional Government Institute, the Pentagon had also entered into two additional contracts related to DEI initiatives.

These included a $2 million deal for a DEI Action Plan and a $202,000 contract with Cornell University for DEI training. These contracts reflect the substantial financial commitment the Defense Department has made toward advancing its DEI agenda.

The Biden-Harris administration has embedded DEI principles across various federal agencies, including the military and intelligence communities. This approach is evident in the Pentagon's request for nearly $270 million for the DEI agenda between 2022 and 2024. The administration's commitment to DEI has been further reinforced through multiple executive orders signed by President Joe Biden, which also include provisions for gender transition support among government employees.

Political Implications of DEI Debate

The future of the federal government's DEI initiatives remains uncertain as the nation approaches the November election. Former President Donald Trump has pledged to dismantle the administrative state and undermine the DEI agenda if re-elected. This potential shift in political leadership could significantly impact the continuation of DEI programs across federal agencies.

The Supreme Court's decision and the subsequent revisions to the Defense Department's DEI program have highlighted the ongoing debate over affirmative action and the role of DEI in federal hiring practices. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the future of these initiatives will likely depend on the outcome of the upcoming election.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court's 2023 ruling against affirmative action has had a profound impact on the Department of Defense's DEI initiatives.

The Pentagon was forced to revise its career pipeline program, eliminating race and sex-based criteria in favor of more objective measures.

The broader DEI agenda, supported by significant financial commitments, faces growing resistance and political uncertainty as the nation approaches the November election.

The future of these programs will be closely watched as the political landscape continues to shift.