Does the Trump Administration Even Understand What DEI Is?

The letter insists that Harvard prioritise merit in its hiring and admissions processes – a principle that few would argue against. As experts in the field, we have long championed the idea that true Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is grounded in merit. D&I isn’t about making concessions or hiring individuals who are less qualified; it’s about ensuring that the most capable individuals aren’t overlooked due to systemic bias.

In truth, D&I is – and always has been – about enhancing meritocracy, not undermining it. It’s about uncovering and dismantling the barriers that prevent the best talent from being recognised, supported, and promoted. From unconscious bias to institutionalised stereotypes, the obstacles are numerous and persistent. If anything, DEI initiatives aim to remove those very barriers that distort our ability to make decisions purely on merit.

What makes the Trump administration’s letter particularly perplexing is its inherent contradiction. In one breath, it demands that universities base decisions on merit. In the next, it instructs Harvard to “immediately shutter all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, offices, committees, positions, and initiatives… and stop all DEI-based policies, including DEI-based disciplinary or speech control policies.”

This sweeping demand misunderstands what DEI programs actually do. These initiatives are not about enforcing quotas or policing thought – they’re about creating structures that allow talent from all backgrounds to thrive based on ability, not stereotype. They help foster environments where diverse perspectives are valued, not suppressed. Ironically, the administration’s insistence on “diversity of viewpoint” across academic departments is precisely what DEI seeks to cultivate.

We cannot have a true meritocracy without inclusion. That means recognising the historical and cultural forces that shape our perceptions of who is “best.” It means challenging assumptions, examining practices, and embracing perspectives that may not mirror our own.

DEI is not a threat to merit – it is its most loyal ally.

So before ordering the dismantling of DEI efforts, perhaps the Trump administration should pause to understand what they actually are. Because if they truly want to promote merit, fairness, and excellence in higher education, they’d find that DEI isn’t the problem – it’s the path forward.

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