Meta announced through a memo that it is terminating a majority of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The company thus joins a growing roster of major corporations modifying their diversity initiatives in response to shifting legal frameworks and market dynamics.

Meta’s Leadership and Policy Adjustments 

In an internal communications document obtained by Axios, Meta’s VP of Human Resources, Janelle Gale, attributed the decision to recent legal developments in the United States.

“The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made decisions signaling a shift in how courts will approach DEI. It reaffirms longstanding principles that discrimination should not be tolerated or promoted on the basis of inherent characteristics,” Gale wrote.

Meta’s Chief Diversity Officer, Maxine Williams, will transition to a role focusing on accessibility and engagement. In addition, the company has revised hiring practices and supplier diversity policies to eliminate DEI-specific requirements, replacing them with broader efforts to mitigate bias.

Strategic and Political Shifts

The policy changes accompany a notable reorganization of Meta’s leadership. Joel Kaplan, a Republican with close ties to conservative policymakers, was recently appointed Chief Global Affairs Officer, succeeding Nick Clegg. Meta also pledged $1 million to President-elect Trump’s inauguration and added UFC CEO Dana White, a Trump ally, to its board.

Meta head Mark Zuckerberg recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, signaling the company’s alignment with shifting political tides.

Industry-Wide Adjustments in DEI

Meta is not alone in scaling back DEI initiatives. Other corporations making similar moves include:

• McDonald’s and Ford: Reducing diversity program budgets.
• Amazon: Announcing plans to phase out “outdated programs” by the end of 2024.
• Walmart and John Deere: Revising their DEI frameworks.

However, some companies remain committed to diversity. Costco recently recommended shareholders reject a proposal to dismantle its DEI program, with board member Jeff Raikes emphasizing its economic and innovative benefits.

Legal Context and Corporate Implications

Meta cites recent Supreme Court rulings, particularly those impacting affirmative action and DEI initiatives, as key factors in its decision. The memo noted that the term “DEI” has become polarizing, with concerns about perceived preferential treatment.

Moving forward, Meta plans to implement “fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all” but will no longer mandate hiring managers to prioritize candidates from underrepresented groups or minority-owned vendors.

The DEI shift coincides with other significant changes at Meta, including the discontinuation of its U.S. third-party fact-checking program and adjustments to content moderation policies.