In a significant move, federal employees across multiple agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were instructed to remove pronouns from their email signatures by Friday afternoon. This directive follows executive orders signed by former President Donald Trump on his first day in office, aiming to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federal operations.
According to internal memos obtained by ABC News, employees at the CDC, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Department of Energy (DOE) were among those who received orders to eliminate pronouns and other DEI-related language from official communication.
New Policy Sparks Debate Among Federal Employees
Employees at the CDC were informed that all pronouns must be removed from their email signatures by 5 p.m. ET on Friday. A similar directive was issued to DOT employees on Thursday, the same day the agency was handling the aftermath of the plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The DOE also issued a notice stating that the directive aligns with Trump’s executive order to eliminate DEI-related language from federal discourse.
While the Trump administration's orders emphasize a return to what it calls "biological truth" in government communication, many employees are finding the directive restrictive. One long-time CDC employee, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration: "In my decade-plus years at CDC, I've never been told what I can and can't put in my email signature."
Broader Implications for Federal Agencies
It remains unclear whether all federal agencies received the same instruction. Spokespersons from the CDC, DOT, DOE, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have not yet commented on the matter. However, a memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Wednesday directed all agencies to "review agency email systems such as Outlook and turn off features that prompt users for their pronouns."
This directive reflects a broader initiative by the Trump administration to roll back DEI programs, which it considers "radical and wasteful." The administration's executive orders signal a shift in federal workplace culture, removing previously encouraged inclusivity measures in official communication.
Federal Employees Face Changes in Workplace Communication
For many government workers, the removal of pronouns may seem like a small change, but it signals a broader shift in workplace policies under the Trump administration. DEI advocates argue that pronoun visibility fosters inclusivity and respect in the workplace, while critics claim that these initiatives introduce unnecessary political ideology into government operations.
The debate over DEI in federal agencies is far from over. As the new administration enforces these changes, federal employees will need to adapt to evolving communication standards, even as some continue to voice their discontent.
A Step Away from DEI in Federal Workspaces
The decision to remove pronouns from email signatures is just one aspect of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reshape federal policies on diversity and inclusion. While supporters see this as a necessary return to traditional values, others believe it undermines workplace inclusivity. As agencies implement these new policies, the impact on workplace culture and employee morale remains to be seen.
