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The ATF Was Just Caught Trying to Conceal a Key DEI Role

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  January 23, 2025 8:00 AM

President Donald Trump took aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion within the federal government this week, signing executive orders that rescind DEI programs and end race-based hiring requirements established in a 1965 executive order by then President Lyndon Johnson. The Office of Personnel Management sent a notice to agency heads informing them of the changes and ordered closure of any DEI programs by 5 p.m. Wednesday—employees of these offices were also put on paid administrative leave.

“President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “This is another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds. Promises made, promises kept.” 

But what happens if the agencies try to undermine Trump’s orders? Despite the OPM memo instructing agency heads to ask employees if they know of efforts to conceal the DEI programs by using “coded or imprecise language,” it appears there’s an effort at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to do just that.

Gun Owners of America noticed ATF’s Chief Diversity Officer as of Jan. 21 became the agency’s Senior Executive on Jan. 22.  Unsurprisingly, the deceit led to widespread calls to abolish the ATF.