Speaker 1: As we continue to look at President Trump's first days in office, let's turn to his executive orders ending diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, programs in all federal offices. For that, we're joined by Everett Kelly. He's the president of the union representing federal government workers. Thank you so much for joining us, sir. President Trump said that he's disbanding DEI programs to, quote, forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based. What are the current protocols for hiring, and do you see those changing under this executive order?

Speaker 2: Well, to be honest, I think that merit-based system requires fairness, you know, ensuring opportunity regardless of anyone's background, and I think that the federal government has done an outstanding job at getting at that. I think that this is a lot of smoke stream. DEI is not anything like what is trying to be portrayed it is. It's not even making sense what this administration is doing as it relates to DEI.

Speaker 1: What are some of the main functions of DEI programs, and who's most likely to be impacted by their closing?

Speaker 2: Well, you know, as a veteran myself, I recognize that, you know, when you look at the federal workforce, 2.2 million make up that workforce. Of that 2.2 million, that's 642,000 veterans, you know, that could be affected by this initiative, because DEI actually is designed to make sure that people that—I'm just going to use this as an example—that might have a disability, but that organization, the DEI organization, would ensure that that veteran, if you will, that was wounded, you know, and come back, came to work for the federal government, would be able to work in that job and do the full elements of that job with just a few accommodations. So that's what this is all about. So there will be a lot of veterans impacted in this initiative.

Speaker 1: And for people working in DEI offices across the federal government, what's happening right now? They're not coming to work?

Speaker 2: Well, the initiative that the president has issued says that, you know, you're on administrative leave, you're going to get paid, you know, just stay at home until we can figure out what to do.

Speaker 1: Yesterday, federal workers received a letter ordering them to report any remaining DEI-related programs in their offices. What response are you hearing from union members?

Speaker 2: Well, you know, union members are patriotic employees, OK? But what they won't do, because what this administration is asking them to do is begin to snitch on one another. But you know, they won't do that. They'll be honest if you ask them a question, but they're not going to go out and say, hey, you know, I know this is what's going on, this is what's going on. That's not going to happen, you know, because I don't think that, you know, there's anything being hidden from the administration or none of that, you know. But union members are very upset, number one. They are very concerned about which direction this administration is going. But one thing I know is that they will fulfill their responsibility and do their job every single day.

Speaker 1: American Federation of Government Employees, President Everett Kelly, thank you so much for your time.

Speaker 2: Pleasure is mine. Thank you.