Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, Chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, said that President Donald Trump's actions are restoring a true meritocracy in the federal workforce by eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This statement comes amidst uncertainty faced by some federal employees in Illinois following an executive order that ended DEI initiatives. Rule made this statement to the Peoria Standard on January 31.

"President Donald Trump is leading the charge to restore fairness in the federal workforce, ensuring that hiring and promotions are based on skill, not political ideology," said Rule. "By eliminating DEI programs that favored identity over merit, he is putting qualifications and integrity back at the center of employment decisions. This shift means that hardworking individuals will finally be rewarded for their talent rather than checked boxes on a diversity form. America is getting back to what made it great—rewarding excellence, not playing identity politics!"

In a January 20 executive order published on the White House website, the Office of the President said, "The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government…. The public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination. That ends today. Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect, and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great."

According to Politico, federal DEI websites went offline on January 22 after the White House warned of "adverse consequences" for agencies failing to report DEI-related details within ten days. The shutdown followed a memo from the Office of Personnel Management ordering DEI workers to take paid leave and instructing agencies to remove DEI media by 5 p.m. Emails sent to multiple departments advised staff to report any disguised DEI efforts. Agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had previously highlighted DEI’s role in efficiency.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that some Illinois federal employees faced uncertainty after President Trump’s executive order ended federal DEI programs, affecting agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Railroad Retirement Board. The Office of Personnel Management directed agencies to lay off DEI employees and report affected staff while employees on administrative leave await termination. The Sun-Times further reported that a reporting system was set up for those hiding DEI ties.

Rule is a resident of Morton who was first elected as Chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans in 2018. According to the organization’s website, he is focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing party membership, and communicating party positions on issues important to Tazewell County voters.