In a recent internal memo, NASA has announced a significant policy shift involving the closure of all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) offices and the termination of related contracts. This action aligns with President Trump’s executive orders, which focus on ending programs deemed as promoting “radical and wasteful” government DEI initiatives. The directive also seeks to address what it calls the harmful effects of such programs on taxpayers and social cohesion.
The memo, signed by Janet Petro, emphasizes that DEIA programs have caused divisions among Americans, wasted government resources, and perpetuated discriminatory practices. Employees have been urged to report any attempts to obscure or rename DEIA-related contracts or personnel changes that occurred after November 5, 2024. Reports should be submitted within 10 days to a designated government email address to ensure compliance with the new guidelines.
The communication also reassures employees that there will be no penalties for timely reporting. However, failure to report such information within the specified timeframe may result in adverse consequences.
This directive represents a significant shift in NASA’s internal policy and is expected to affect various programs and contracts across the agency. Further updates on the implementation and impacts of this decision are anticipated in the coming weeks.
