NASA is reportedly removing references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from its websites following President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting such programs in federal agencies. This move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate what it considers “wasteful” spending on diversity and inclusion programs.
According to a January 22nd memo obtained by 404 Media, NASA employees were instructed to “scrub” mentions of specific terms from agency websites by the end of the day. The list of prohibited terms included “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “DEIA” (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility), “underrepresented groups/people,” “environmental justice,” and “anything specifically targeting women.” This directive underscores the urgency and priority placed on complying with the executive order.
This action follows President Trump’s executive order and a subsequent memo from NASA’s acting administrator, Janet Petro, which characterized DEI programs as divisive and discriminatory. Petro’s memo, distributed to agency employees on January 22nd, echoed the administration’s stance on these initiatives.
Before these orders, NASA had been recognized for its efforts in promoting diversity within its workforce. In 2023, NASA was ranked as one of the best employers in the U.S. for diversity. A 2021 report from NASA’s Office of Inspector General indicated that approximately 35% of the agency’s workforce were women, and 30% were minorities.
However, a 2024 report by the same office revealed that despite various initiatives, NASA hadn’t made significant progress in increasing the representation of women and minorities in leadership positions. The report noted that the overall workforce demographics remained largely unchanged over the previous decade.
The removal of DEI-related content extends beyond specific terminology. SpaceNews reported that a 2023 article highlighting NASA’s 1978 astronaut class, which included the first female, Black, and Asian-American astronauts, was removed from the agency’s website. 404 Media further reported that terms like “inclusive” were replaced with “fair,” and “inclusion” was omitted entirely.
In addition to altering website content, NASA has temporarily suspended the activities of several astrophysics and planetary science committees while it reassesses their alignment with the now-obsolete DEI programs. This pause reflects the broader impact of the executive order on various NASA initiatives.
This action raises concerns about the potential erasure of significant milestones in diversity and inclusion within NASA’s history. The removal of references to these efforts could impact the agency’s ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce and potentially affect its future contributions to scientific discovery and exploration.
The changes to NASA’s online presence signify a shift in priorities under the Trump administration and raise questions about the future of diversity and inclusion efforts within the agency.
