U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order late on Tuesday that directed government agency chiefs to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at federal agencies, federal contractors and in the private sector,

Find out more about the new executive order that requires agencies to terminate all discriminatory and illegal preferences, including DEI programs.

President-elect Trump intends to issue executive orders on his first day in office that will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and aim to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

President Donald Trump’s sweeping orders to end the government’s diversity, equity and inclusion effort mark a sea change for the country.

The orders cut funding for so-called DEI initiatives across all agencies in order to "end DEI inside the federal government," according to Trump administration officials. They also rescind numerous previous executive orders and actions from past administrations that aimed to promote diversity throughout the federal government.

Employees of diversity, equity and inclusion programs are to be placed on administrative leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Agencies were told to make plans for layoffs.