The Trump administration has removed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training materials from the curriculum for U.S. diplomats. This includes courses covering topics such as "white privilege," systemic racism, gender identity, non-binary pronouns, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
On Thursday, the State Department announced the discontinuation of these materials within the Foreign Service, following an internal review of programs and resources implemented during the Biden administration.
Emphasizing a shift in focus, the department stated that future diplomatic training will prioritize "practical diplomatic skills," merit, rigor, and accountability.
The department aims to prepare diplomats to tackle foreign policy issues, security threats, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and challenges from hostile governments, excluding DEI content deemed unrelated to these duties.
Critical Race Theory Materials Removed
During the review, a reading list for instructors was found to include works related to Critical Race Theory. Notable texts such as "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo, "In Defense of Looting," and "The Case for Reparations" were among the materials, along with resources on anti-racism and humanitarian aid.
Additionally, training sessions that equipped Foreign Service officials with the skills to discuss "white privilege" and "systemic racism" in various languages were also removed.
Language-Specific DEI Content Eliminated
Examples cited by the State Department included a Bengali class focused on Black Lives Matter, a discussion on systemic racism in Urdu, and Hebrew exercises for incorporating terms related to the movement.
Another document withdrawn was an inclusion guide promoting the "International Pronouns Day" and instructing on integrating non-binary pronouns like "Ze," "Zir," and "Zirs" into educational materials.
Changes Extend Beyond the Classroom
The review also uncovered content on "microaggressions," "unconscious biases," and "microaffirmations." DEI principles had been a significant part of professional training, including a dedicated day and a half in a five-week orientation course for the Foreign Service, and a full day in a five-day public diplomacy fundamentals program.
Moreover, Biden-era documents included DEI objectives in professional promotion evaluations, criteria now discarded under the Trump administration, as confirmed by the State Department to Fox News.
These guidelines encouraged diplomats to address social inclusion, racial and gender equity, disability, and LGBTQI+ issues with high-level foreign officials, along with demonstrating allyship and expanding their DEI knowledge independently.
Focus on National Interests
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that American diplomats should focus on promoting national interests abroad rather than adhering to specific political doctrines.
The institution argues that its reforms aim to reinforce merit and professional capabilities in training and promotions.
This decision is part of a broader Trump initiative to dismantle DEI policies within the federal government. Since the beginning of his current term, Trump has ordered the dismantling of government diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and the reversal of Biden administration policies related to gender identity.
Measures implemented since January 2025 have also established the federal policy of recognizing only two sexes, male and female, and mandated the review of programs, forms, and government funds related to gender identity and DEI policies.
Understanding the Changes in Diplomatic Training
What topics were removed from the diplomatic training?
The training removed topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including "white privilege," systemic racism, gender identity, non-binary pronouns, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Why were these changes made to the diplomatic training?
The changes were made to refocus diplomatic training on practical skills, merit, and accountability, aligning with priorities such as foreign policy, security, drug trafficking, and dealing with hostile governments.
How has the State Department's training focus shifted under the Trump administration?
The focus has shifted towards practical diplomatic skills and away from DEI topics, with an emphasis on merit and professional capabilities in training and promotions.