PBS Closes Diversity Office Following Trump's Executive Orders
PBS has decided to shut down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office in alignment with President Donald Trump's executive orders. The network confirmed the closure on Monday in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"In order to best ensure we are in compliance with the President's executive order around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion we have closed our DEI office. The staff members who served in that office are leaving PBS. We will continue to adhere to our mission and values. PBS will continue to reflect all of America and remain a welcoming place for everyone," the statement said.
Earlier in the day, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger sent out a memo to staff, stating that after consultations with legal counsel regarding the executive orders, the decision to close the office had been made.
"To ensure that we comply with the President's Executive Order, we have closed our DEI office, and Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow are leaving PBS. I know you join me in wishing them well in future endeavors," Kerger wrote.
Kerger emphasized the importance of PBS's mission to "educate, engage and inspire" a diverse range of American communities, affirming that PBS remains committed to being a welcoming place for all.
Cecilia Loving, who became Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in 2021, worked to "identify opportunities to build on PBS's internal commitment to DEI" and to collaborate on evaluating current business practices. Gina Leow, also hired in 2021, served as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Trump's administration took steps early in his term to ban DEI offices and programs within the government and federally funded public universities.
