The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken significant steps to align with President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies. On Thursday, the FTC granted Chairman Andrew Ferguson the authority to comply with these orders. This move follows Ferguson's strong criticism of DEI programs, which he described as detrimental to institutional integrity. The decision reflects a broader trend across federal agencies as the new administration seeks to reshape policies established under previous leadership.

Chairman Andrew Ferguson, who assumed his role at the FTC last month, has been vocal about his stance against DEI programs. In a statement on social media platform X, Ferguson emphasized that President Trump's commitment to ending these initiatives had materialized through three executive orders. Ferguson pledged that the FTC would no longer support any DEI-related activities, including offices or hiring practices influenced by such principles. He outlined a series of actions to purge the agency of these measures, noting that some changes required Commission votes for implementation.

Ferguson's efforts culminated in a 2-1-2 vote on Thursday, granting him the necessary authority to bring the FTC into compliance with the president's directives. Commissioners Rebecca K. Slaughter and Lina M. Khan abstained from the vote. The approval allows Ferguson to proceed with eliminating DEI programs at the FTC, reflecting a shift in policy priorities under the new administration. This action is part of a wider initiative to remove DEI-related initiatives from various federal agencies following President Trump's return to the White House.

President Trump signed an executive order on Monday to eliminate all DEI programs from the federal government. Two additional executive actions followed, targeting workplace and higher education discrimination based on race and sex preferences, and reversing a Biden-era policy that prioritized DEI hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration. These moves underscore the administration's intent to overhaul existing policies and implement new guidelines across federal institutions.

This series of executive actions marks a pivotal moment in federal policy, signaling a shift away from previous administrations' emphasis on DEI. The FTC's decision to comply with these orders highlights the broader impact of the new administration's agenda on governmental operations and institutional culture. As more federal agencies follow suit, the landscape of public sector policies is poised for significant transformation.