Conservative Nonprofit Targets Federal Workers for Diversity Support

A conservative nonprofit has posted the names and photos of more than 50 federal workers on what it is calling a "watch list" related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, asking President Trump to fire them.

The group, the American Accountability Foundation, claims the workers on its "D.E.I. bureaucrat watch list" supported diversity, criticized Mr. Trump on social media, or made donations to Democrats. Many of the targets are Black workers at health agencies.

This nonprofit, founded in 2020, opposes Biden administration policies. It has intensified its focus on specific federal employees, including some career staffers with minimal power, whom it believes oppose the Trump agenda.

The list features "dossiers" detailing individual staff members' "D.E.I. offenses." For instance, a 24-year-old C.D.C. staff member was highlighted for a social media post on her 20th birthday discussing racism and for sharing information on pain equity.

This latest list, which includes employees from federal health agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, follows previous "watch lists" targeting workers at the Defense, Education, and Homeland Security Departments. The nonprofit labeled these federal workers as "woke D.E.I. devotees who need to be fired," raising concerns about the potential for harassment or violence against them.

The publication of this list reflects a broader backlash against diversity programs since Mr. Trump's election campaign. Efforts to undermine the legitimacy of pro-diversity initiatives have spread from the federal level to the private sector.

Many of the alleged offenses that led to their inclusion are linked to sentiments expressed during the Biden administration and backed by extensive research indicating poorer health outcomes for minorities.

Thomas Jones, the nonprofit's president, stated that the group was identifying individuals who were advocates for diversity policies, rather than just focusing on those in D.E.I. offices. He admitted to not verifying the accuracy of the published information.

Jones highlighted that the American Accountability Foundation aims to impede the Biden administration's agenda by exposing individuals who support it. His group has connections to other conservative organizations and has received significant funding from various conservative entities.

Workers mentioned in the list have expressed fears regarding their safety and potential repercussions. An employee who previously faced administrative leave commented on the adverse effects of the situation on her job security and safety.

Health experts criticized the list for targeting critical roles within agencies dedicated to serving vulnerable communities, asserting that these professionals work to ensure the health of all Americans, particularly those marginalized by systemic inequities.

Comments from various health professionals emphasize that the efforts of federal workers listed are aimed at advancing health outcomes and protecting communities in need, countering the notion that there is anything wrong with their commitment to public service.

The C.D.C. and N.I.H., which employed most individuals on the list, declined to comment.

One individual on the list, a white physician and researcher focused on climate equity, was singled out for previous work with an organization known for opposing conservative policies. This has underscored the breadth of the foundation’s targeting practices, which many view as unjust.

Dr. Georges C. Benjamin from the American Public Health Association condemned the list, emphasizing that many of the targeted C.D.C. employees are African American and have been unjustly labeled for advocating for underserved populations.

"Everybody is aghast at this," stated Dr. Benjamin.