The reversal of diversity policies is part of Trump’s drive to “protect civil rights” and end what his administration has called “discriminatory initiatives.”

“Following President Trump’s recent Executive Orders and initial guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department removed or archived hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of DEI from its outward facing communication channels,” a Thursday news release from the department states.

President Trump is taking a broad approach to root out what his administration considers harmful diversity initiatives going back decades to the dawn

All federal employees in diversity, equity and inclusion positions are ordered to be placed on paid administrative leave by the close of business Wednesday, according to a memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Trump has called the diversity and inclusion programs “discrimination” and insisted on restoring strictly “merit-based” hiring.

President Donald Trump has ordered that all US government staff working on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) schemes be put on immediate paid administrative leave. On Tuesday, the White House confirmed that all federal DEI workers had to be put on leave by 17:00 EST (22:00 GMT) the following day,