Executive order removing government website content on DEI, gender identity, and vaccines
February 15, 2025
Multiple Guardrails
Founders' Principles Violated
Guardrails Violated
Why Level 3?
Multiple guardrails bypassed: transparency, separation of powers, due process. Removal of government content without proper process restricts public access to information. Measurable harm to government transparency and public access to information.
What Happened
Context
Administration instructed federal agencies to remove or modify government website content, documents, and pages promoting DEI, gender ideology, vaccines, and related topics. The order was part of broader efforts to eliminate 'woke' content from government resources.
Action Taken
Instructed federal agencies to remove or modify government website content, documents, and pages promoting DEI, gender ideology, vaccines, and related topics starting February 15, 2025. Agencies were required to review and remove content that promoted these topics. The order affected thousands of government web pages and documents. Critics argued the order violated transparency requirements and restricted public access to information. The removals created gaps in public information and raised questions about government transparency.
In His Own Words
"We need to remove woke content from government websites."
"Government should not promote gender ideology or DEI."
"We will clean up government resources."
What's Wrong
Removal of government website content without proper process or transparency requirements. Government websites are public resources that should provide accurate information. The removals created gaps in public information and raised questions about government transparency. Critics argued the order violated transparency requirements and restricted public access to information.
Impact
Institutional: Removal of government content created gaps in public information and raised questions about transparency. Operational: Thousands of government web pages and documents affected. Legal: Questions about transparency requirements and public access to information. Political: Critics argued removals restricted public access to information.