In a big move ahead of Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, the FBI has announced the closure of its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). The agency confirmed the decision to Fox News, stating, “In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024.”

This decision comes as Trump has nominated Kash Patel for FBI director, following the announcement by current FBI Director Christopher Wray in December that he would step down before Trump assumes office. The shuttering of the ODI coincides with ongoing scrutiny of the FBI’s DEI initiatives, which lawmakers have criticized as undermining the agency’s effectiveness.

House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan had previously raised concerns about the FBI’s focus on diversity programs. In a letter to Wray earlier this year, Jordan claimed that DEI mandates were leading to a decline in candidate quality for special agent positions, writing, “The law enforcement and intelligence capabilities of the FBI are degrading because the FBI is no longer hiring ‘the best and brightest’ candidates.” He further alleged that lower-quality applicants, referred to as “bread crumbs,” were being hired to meet diversity benchmarks.

Senator Marsha Blackburn also weighed in, criticizing the Bureau’s DEI practices following a New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. In her letter to Wray, Blackburn stated that prioritizing DEI initiatives over national security had “endangered Americans” and undermined the FBI’s core mission of protecting the public.

Until its closure, the FBI’s diversity page claimed its commitment to fostering an inclusive workforce, stating, “We believe that differences in thought and belief, in race and religion, in orientation, and in ability contribute to more effective decision-making, drive innovation, and enhance the employee experience.” The page also highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust and acknowledged the need for continued progress in fostering inclusivity.