US federal websites stay up after confusion over plan to remove diversity information
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A source familiar with the matter said Trump administration officials would put a pause on most sites after 5pm ET (6am on Feb 1, Singapore time).
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON - US government websites were online and accessible on Jan 31, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said media reports that the sites would be taken offline were based on misinterpretation of a memo.
The memo, dated Jan 29, had ordered federal agencies to scrub mentions of “gender ideology” from contracts, job descriptions and social media accounts in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring the government to recognise only two sexes.
The memo gave guidance on carrying out the executive order.
A source had previously said most government sites would not be available after 5pm ET on Jan 31 (6am on Feb 1, Singapore time), then clarified that the time was a deadline for removal of diversity-related content.
An OPM spokesperson added: The memo “may have been misinterpreted to mean we would shut down government websites who weren’t able to comply but that is not the plan for continuing to implement this important effort”.
Asked earlier if government websites would be shut down while information on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was removed, Mr Trump told reporters: “I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me.”
He added: “I think DEI is dead, so (if) they want to scrub the websites, that’s OK with me.”
Mr Trump has moved quickly to quash federal diversity initiatives since taking office on Jan 20. While Mr Trump’s orders have been celebrated by some supporters, they drew criticism from rights advocates who fear he is rolling back progress the US has made to overcome discrimination. REUTERS
