State finance leader praises Trump’s crackdown on DEI policy
President Donald Trump’s executive order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government has been praised by OJ Oleka, CEO of the State Financial Officers Foundation, as a move that has returned financial power to the people. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Oleka emphasized that Trump’s decision represents a shift away from left-leaning policies and towards a more centrist approach that prioritizes merit-based incentives and financial returns.
According to Oleka, the elimination of DEI programs has empowered state financial officers and fostered greater trust with the American people. He believes that focusing on financial success and merit-based rewards, rather than DEI or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, ultimately benefits shareholders, employees, and consumers. By aligning financial policies with business priorities, companies can improve their performance, enhance workplace culture, and deliver better products to customers.
Oleka emphasized that the American people value individual success based on merit, skill, and ability, rather than on political ideologies or preferences. He argued that DEI programs, which prioritize racial or gender preferences, do not promote equal opportunity but instead perpetuate past grievances. In his view, equal opportunity should be about providing individuals with the tools to create their own success based on their talents and qualifications.
While some may view DEI programs as promoting diversity and inclusion, Oleka cautioned that these initiatives can harm businesses by prioritizing factors other than skill and ability in hiring and promotion decisions. As a result, companies may fail to fulfill their core responsibilities and achieve high returns for investors. Oleka stressed the importance of financial officers ensuring that companies focus on their business mandates and deliver strong financial performance to protect the investments of pension funds and public funds.
Drawing on his background as the son of Nigerian immigrants and a Ph.D. holder in higher education, Oleka rejected the idea of injecting political ideologies into government-funded programs, including public education. He argued that such policies do not benefit students’ learning experiences or academic performance and are not a good use of taxpayer dollars.
At a conference in Orlando, Oleka rallied state financial officers to resist DEI and ESG policies pushed by the Biden administration, urging them to prioritize financial returns and fiduciary duty over political agendas. By empowering state leaders to focus on financial success and return power to the people, Oleka believes that more Americans will benefit financially and contribute to a Golden Age in America.
In conclusion, Oleka’s support for President Trump’s decision to end DEI programs reflects a broader shift towards prioritizing financial success and merit-based incentives in government and business. By emphasizing the importance of sound financial policies and fiduciary responsibility, Oleka aims to ensure that state financial officers play a key role in advancing economic prosperity and empowering individuals based on their merit and abilities.
