On the heels of the Golden Gate Bridge’s decision to remove diversity, equity and inclusion language in policy documents to avoid backlash from the Trump administration, the directors had determined it was a $400 million decision. It was a decision between being eligible for a huge and much-needed federal grant and a program whose objectives should still remain a priority in decision-making, regardless of whether they are a written policy.
Yes, the district board is giving in to political pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, which has targeted DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – programs that many public agencies and businesses have in recent years built into their formal decision-making policies and priorities.
Earlier this year, Trump, by executive action, targeted DEI programs, calling them “dangerous, demeaning and immoral race and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity and inclusion.’”
His sweeping criticism is misguided. The goal of DEI is to promote diverse representation, fairness and impartiality, and a sense of belonging and value no matter an employee’s race, religion, gender or sexual identity.
But Trump has decided that federal funding and contracts should be denied to those agencies and businesses that have DEI programs on their books.
That leaves the bridge district with a decision – either drop its DEI program or lose a $400 million five-year grant needed to modern seismic-safety upgrades for the 88-year-old bridge.