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List of The Companies in the US That Have Dropped DEI Policies – What It Means for Corporate America
Bill Achola
February 11, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
Imagine building a house brick by brick.
Then, one day, you start removing those bricks, one by one, until the structure weakens.
That’s what’s happening right now with corporate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies across the US.
Companies that once championed diversity are now quietly—or not so quietly—abandoning their commitments. And people are noticing.
This shift isn’t just about policy changes.
It’s about the message it sends to employees, customers, and the world.
What happens when inclusion is no longer a priority?
How does it affect workplace culture?
And what does this mean for the future of corporate America?
Let’s dive into the details and explore 16 major companies in the US that have recently dropped or scaled back their DEI initiatives.
Google, once a leader in diversity hiring, has reportedly dropped its DEI-focused hiring goals.
The company quietly rolled back its commitments, making it clear that these initiatives are no longer a priority.
Employees and advocates are left wondering what this means for Google’s culture moving forward.
Aldi, the grocery giant, made a quiet but telling move—it erased all mentions of DEI initiatives from its careers page.
Without a public explanation, the company signaled that diversity and inclusion efforts may no longer be central to its hiring practices.
On January 24, Target announced the conclusion of its three-year DEI goals.
The company also plans to phase out its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) program.
The decision sparked discussions about whether the move was strategic or reactionary.
Amazon has quietly reduced mentions of DEI and LGBTQ+ rights from its public policies.
Once vocal about inclusion, the company’s shift raises concerns about its long-term commitment to workplace diversity.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reportedly dismantled its DEI efforts.
The decision aligns with a growing corporate trend of pulling back from diversity-focused initiatives.
McDonald’s has scaled back certain DEI policies, citing the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
The company claims its decision aligns with legal considerations, but critics argue it’s a step backward.
Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, has reduced its DEI focus after facing external pressures.
The rollback signals a shift in corporate priorities.
After backlash from conservative groups, Molson Coors pulled back on DEI initiatives.
This move follows a pattern of corporations reacting to political and social pressures.
John Deere has stopped promoting DEI-focused efforts. Critics say this leaves marginalized groups behind in the workforce.
Lowe’s decided to drop its DEI initiatives after receiving threats from extremist groups.
This highlights the growing pressure corporations face in maintaining diversity commitments.
Both Jack Daniel’s and Harley-Davidson have retreated from DEI programs after conservative backlash.
The companies have not issued strong public statements on the matter.
Tractor Supply has discontinued LGBTQ+ support and broader DEI initiatives in response to pressure from far-right groups.
Amazon has taken additional steps to remove references to racial equity and LGBTQ+ rights from internal policies.
Caterpillar has made changes to its DEI policies, continuing the corporate trend of stepping away from diversity-focused goals.
In its latest SEC filing, Disney announced it would cut two DEI programs, a move likely influenced by investor pressure.
Accenture, a global consulting firm, has abandoned its diversity goals amid increasing anti-DEI sentiment in corporate spaces.
Goldman Sachs has dropped its ban on underwriting companies with all-White, all-male boards, joining the trend of corporations pulling back on DEI policies.
Deloitte, the world's largest accounting firm, is the latest major company to phase out DEI initiatives across its private and public practices.
Ford has joined the growing list of companies scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Over the past year, the automaker has reassessed its DEI policies in response to the evolving legal and social climate, according to an internal communication shared with global employees.
Boeing Co. has eliminated its global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) department, becoming the latest major corporation to scale back DEI initiatives.
The move comes as the company’s new CEO leads a broader restructuring of its workforce.
The Smithsonian Institution is closing its Office of Diversity, halting federal hiring, and mandating a return to in-office work, according to an email from Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III.
Amtrak will discontinue dedicated resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives while enforcing a four-day in-office work requirement, a company spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
PBS is shutting down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office after last month’s executive orders from President Trump targeting workplace DEI initiatives.
Why Does This Matter?
These aren’t just small policy changes.
They represent a shift in how corporate America approaches diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Companies once celebrated for DEI leadership are now retreating, often without clear explanations.
Employees from marginalized communities are left questioning whether their workplace truly values them.
What happens when businesses prioritize backlash over belonging?
When diversity efforts are seen as expendable rather than essential?
These changes send a message, whether intentional or not.
What’s Next?
Will more companies follow?
Will this trend reverse in the future?
The corporate world is watching closely.
From my experience, DEI isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a strategy for long-term success.
Studies show that diverse teams perform better, drive innovation, and attract top talent.
Rolling back DEI may seem like a short-term fix, but it can create long-term problems, including lower employee morale and reduced brand trust.
If you care about diversity in the workplace, now is the time to pay attention.
Speak up.
Ask questions.
Challenge the companies that are quietly making these changes.
What do you think?
Have you seen changes in your workplace?
Drop a comment below and share this with your network to keep the conversation going.
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