JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order Tuesday that directs all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Executive Order 25-18 now prohibits the use of state funds for DEI initiatives and bars state agencies from factoring DEI into hiring decisions, according to Kehoe’s office.
The executive order comes amid a broader Republican effort to scale back DEI policies, which critics argue promote preferential treatment based on race, gender and other characteristics.
“Missourians deserve a government that treats all individuals equally, without preferential treatment or discrimination based on immutable characteristics,” said Gov. Kehoe via news release. “Our state agencies must operate under a framework that ensures fairness, equal opportunity, and merit-based decision-making. This order reaffirms Missouri’s commitment to a constitutional, color-blind approach that serves all citizens fairly.”
According to the Associated Press, DEI policies typically are intended to root out systemic barriers to the advancement of historically marginalized groups in certain fields or roles.
Missouri’s new executive order also calls for the following actions:
- State agencies are required to uphold a Missouri constitutional principle of equal treatment under the law.
- State agencies are barred from using public funds for DEI-related positions, organizational structures, policies, procedures, practices, activities, training, programs, or contracts
- State agencies are prohibited from considering DEI factors in hiring decisions
- State agencies must conduct a comprehensive review of existing contracts, programs, and policies within 90 days to ensure full compliance with the directive.