Diversity, equity and inclusion programs have come under attack in American boardrooms, state legislatures and college campuses – and now broadly across the federal government.

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are being cut back amid backlash over the initiatives, but experts disagree on what is causing the revolt.

The president's sweeping executive order threatens investigations of universities with endowments over $1 billion.

A memo sent out by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management outlined steps to begin these changes: layoffs, dismantling websites and social media accounts.

The Trump administration is directing agencies to move to close federal diversity, equity and inclusion offices and place DEI staff on paid leave by 5pm Wednesday ET ahead of being laid off. The big picture: The memorandum that the Office of Personnel Management sent to federal agencies on Tuesday follows President Trump's signing of an executive order a day earlier to dismantle DEI initiatives within the federal government.