Indiana, West Virginia Governors Prohibit DEI In State Agencies

Indiana and West Virginia’s new GOP governors signed executive orders on Tuesday effectively prohibiting the use and funding of neo-Marxist policies throughout their respective governments.

Citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision barring affirmative action in institutions of higher education, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun ordered that all statewide agencies “shall not utilize state funds, property, or resources” to support so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs if they grant preferential treatment based one person’s particular race, color, ethnicity, or national origin, over that of another person.”

As The Federalist previously reported, DEI is a poisonous left-wing framework that dismisses merit and instead discriminates based on characteristics such as skin color and sex. Individuals who qualify for a certain position on merit but don’t meet the discriminating entity’s goal of being more “diverse” are often passed over in favor of those who meet institutionally preferred identitarian standards.

Braun’s directive prohibits Hoosier State agencies from using funds and resources to mandate individuals to participate in DEI-related trainings, provide DEI-related statements, or “disclose their pronouns.” All departments are additionally required to “initiate a review” of all DEI-related “positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs” to ensure compliance with the aforementioned Supreme Court decision.

The state’s chief equity, inclusion, and opportunity office was also eliminated under the order.

Much like Braun’s edict, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s order similarly bars entities that receive state funds from utilizing monies and resources to subsidize DEI-related positions, activities, and programs that “grant preferential treatment based on one person’s race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin over that of another.” These agencies are also prohibited from forcing individuals to make DEI-related statements for purposes of employment, issuing a “loyalty oath” favoring a particular race or gender, or disclose their pronouns.

Members of Morrisey’s cabinet and all department heads were similarly required to initiate a review of all DEI-related positions, activities, and programs under their watch. These officials must then report back to the governor their findings and devise a plan to eliminate all items identified in their search.

Braun and Morrisey’s directives cracking down on the pervasiveness of neo-Marxist ideology in state governments were two among several signed by the GOP governors since taking office this month.

One of the orders signed by Braun mandates that all state employees must return to full-time in-person work by July 1. The measure came in response to actions undertaken by Braun’s Republican predecessor during the Covid outbreak that granted state employees greater flexibility to work remotely.

Morrisey also issued a medical-related executive order, which authorizes religious exemptions for school vaccine mandates.