If 2025 has been anything, it’s been unpredictable. Businesses are navigating geopolitical tensions, the back-and-forth on tariffs, and political discourse permeating workplaces. As if that wasn’t enough to make business leaders somewhat queasy, the attacks on DEI have ramped up since the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action in college admissions in the summer of 2023, and have taken on new life since President Trump’s reelection in November. DEI practitioners and the millions of employees they support are being impacted by ongoing political rhetoric, government directives, and business fears. So far, at least 50 companies have adjusted DEI language or rolled back initiatives since January, while others have stood firm on their principles. President Trump issued at least four executive orders aimed at quelling DEI across the federal government and private sector since he returned to office in January, and several states, including Indiana, Arizona, and Kentucky passed anti-DEI measures. For more on the changing landscape for DEI and why many companies are turning to softer language, keep reading here.—KP |