Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted new legislation Wednesday that blocks local governments throughout the state from supporting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, arguing these initiatives unfairly target white men.
The Republican governor’s action comes amid a broader conservative movement against DEI practices, with GOP officials and President Trump’s administration working to eliminate such programs nationwide.
“I would think with DEI the disfavored groups, number one obviously, would be white males and I think they’ve been discriminated against,” DeSantis stated Wednesday.
Civil rights organizations defend DEI programs as necessary tools to combat historical discrimination against women, LGBTQ individuals, and minority communities.
Under the new Florida law, municipalities cannot create or operate DEI departments or initiatives, according to the governor’s office. The measure also mandates that organizations receiving grants must confirm taxpayer dollars won’t advance diversity programs.
Officials who break the law face penalties through enforcement provisions included in the legislation.
Conservative lawmakers nationwide have targeted diversity programs, describing them as merit-based discrimination against white Americans and men. Meanwhile, Trump has issued federal directives dismantling DEI policies across government agencies and private contractors, while attempting to withhold university funding over such programs.
These diversity initiatives typically encompass anti-discrimination training, addressing wage gaps based on gender or race, and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities.
DeSantis simultaneously signed separate legislation targeting climate change programs, preventing new carbon emission-related taxes, fees or fines.
Advocacy groups have condemned Republican efforts to restrict DEI programs, climate action, transgender rights and pro-Palestinian demonstrations regarding Israel’s Gaza operations. These organizations argue such measures violate constitutional protections for free speech and due process, while Republicans characterize their actions as opposing “woke” and “far-left” ideologies.
Earlier this month, DeSantis approved another controversial measure granting him and state officials authority to classify organizations as “terrorist groups.”
