DOGE puts DEI on chopping block with termination of over $370M in education department grants

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made headlines recently for its drastic cost-cutting measures, particularly in slashing funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the Department of Education. In just 48 hours, DOGE, spearheaded by Elon Musk, eliminated a staggering $370 million in taxpayer dollars that were being allocated towards DEI programs within the Department of Education.

DOGE announced the termination of 70 DEI training grants, amounting to a total of $373 million. One of the grants that was cut reportedly funded training for teachers to address their biases and racism, and develop anti-racist mindsets. This move is part of DOGE’s larger strategy to streamline government spending and eliminate what they deem as unnecessary expenses.

In addition to the recent cuts, DOGE has been steadily canceling various DEI funding streams in education. For example, $9.7 million earmarked for UC Berkeley to develop enterprise-driven skills in Cambodian youth was also axed. These actions are part of DOGE’s mission to reevaluate government spending and prioritize areas that they believe will have a more direct impact on the public.

The Education Department has been at the forefront of these DEI budget cuts, with recent directives warning all state education departments to remove DEI policies within 14 days or risk losing federal funding. This crackdown on DEI practices in education has sparked both support and criticism, with some lauding the move as a win for every student, while others argue that it undermines efforts towards inclusivity and diversity.

President Donald Trump has been vocal in his support of DOGE’s actions, citing the need to eliminate racial discrimination in educational institutions. The Department of Education’s stance on DEI policies aligns with the administration’s goal of ensuring equal treatment for all students, regardless of race or background.

As the debate over DEI funding and policies continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the education landscape in the coming years. With DOGE’s cost-cutting measures and the Education Department’s push for equality, the future of DEI in education remains a contentious and evolving issue.

This article was written by Aubrie Spady for Fox News Digital.