Staff Reports
PBS has officially taken a stand, and it’s not the one that diversity zealots might have expected. The network has decided to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, a move that aligns perfectly with the recent executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aimed at cutting the fat from these often questionable programs that have seemingly taken root across government sectors.
The PBS mission statement about maintaining inclusivity sounds lovely, but it didn’t save the DEI office from the chopping block. Affirmation came from PBS officials who communicated that, in light of Trump’s directives, they are parting ways with their DEI personnel. No longer will staff members engage in bureaucratic gymnastics to meet DEI goals. This closure signals a potential shift back to the basics of broadcasting rather than the latest social justice trend.
PBS Caves To Trump, Ousts Staffers: ‘We Have Closed Our DEI Office’
PBS has announced the closure of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, following executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at cutting DEI programs on a federal level, as well as among… pic.twitter.com/I710DczYxI
— Jeff pontz (@827js) February 11, 2025
In a memo that traveled faster than a CNN breaking news alert, PBS President Paula Kerger informed her staff that after consulting with legal advice regarding Trump’s executive order, the network will indeed comply. Following this directive, two staff members, Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow, who held leadership roles in the DEI structure, are out the door. While firm in her resolve, Kerger made it clear that the station would continue its mission to educate and engage audiences across the country. Who knew a little legal consultation could yield such a decisive move away from DEI?
Meanwhile, supporters of traditional American values may view this as a refreshing, albeit overdue, cleanup effort. DEI offices have often been criticized for fostering division under the guise of unity. With PBS redirecting its focus, the gesture suggests an organizational effort to fulfill its responsibilities as a public broadcaster without the unnecessary complexity created by forced diversity initiatives.
As for the soon-to-be job-hunting DEI executives, one can only hope they find positions that allow them to exercise their particular brand of social engineering elsewhere. The closure of this office at PBS may not be a revolution in the media landscape, but it does raise questions about the sustainability of DEI programs across other institutions. Will other organizations follow suit, or will they try to cling desperately to failed policies? For now, PBS’s pivot would indicate a cautious yet hopeful future for traditional American media viewers who yearn for a return to straightforward, quality programming without the layers of progressive ideology.
