United States Capitol police have ended their equity and inclusion office (OEI) after months of questions about its usefulness and the cost of approximately $ 1 million a year, the US press said last week. The decision occurs amid an offensive from the government of President Donald Trump and republican parliamentarians against programs linked to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in federal agencies.
The closure of the equity and inclusion office connects directly to a discussion started in May, when the US Senate examined the budget that would be destined for the agency in 2026.
At a May hearing, members of the Senate’s subcompliance have evaluated that the $ 1 million budget – which would be again for the office – could be better employee in hiring new police officers. In addition, congressmen criticized initiatives promoted by OEI, as community fairs, seen as deviations from the Central Central Mission, which is the security of the Capitol.
According to the portal Roll Callthe progressive sector was dissolved quietly and without official announcement. The corporation’s career page, which once brought a “diversity” tab, no longer displays this section. Capitol police chief Michael Sullivan, who took over in June, confirmed the closure.
Created in 2022, initially under the name Idea (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action), the office was mission to “promote an inclusive work environment and offer development training and programs”. The last director of the sector was Vilma Alejandro. According to the corporation, its functions were redistributed to the human resources and training sectors.
