Why are we still giving federal money to DEI-peddling consultants?

Fox News - Mar 28th, 2025
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President Donald Trump has taken significant steps to dismantle DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) requirements in federal contracting through executive orders. Despite these efforts, marquee consulting firms continue to receive billions in federal contracts while maintaining DEI programs that Trump aims to eliminate. Attorney General Pam Bondi has been directed to identify and investigate firms with discriminatory practices. This move has sparked a battle against firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, and McKinsey, which have embedded racial preferences into their hiring and HR decisions. These firms face scrutiny as they continue to run programs that promote diversity through racialized hiring processes.

The context of this development lies in the contrasting policies of the Trump and Biden administrations. While Trump's orders aim to reverse DEI-related mandates introduced by President Biden, many consulting firms are resistant, citing global business practices and demands. The implications are significant as these firms hold substantial influence in government and corporate sectors, acting as credentialers and social escalators. The ongoing investigations and potential legislative action could reshape how taxpayer dollars are channeled toward DEI initiatives, highlighting the tension between government policy and private sector practices. The story underscores a broader cultural and political clash over diversity efforts in American institutions.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a critical view of DEI initiatives in federal contracting, focusing on the involvement of consulting firms and the actions of the Trump administration. While it addresses relevant and timely issues, the article's accuracy is hindered by the need for verification of specific claims and a notable factual error regarding Pam Bondi's role. The narrative is one-sided, lacking balance and diverse perspectives, which limits its engagement and potential impact.

The article's readability is generally strong, with clear language and a logical structure, though its critical tone may affect neutrality. The absence of explicit citations and supporting evidence reduces source quality and transparency, impacting the article's credibility. Despite these weaknesses, the article engages with topics of significant public interest and has the potential to provoke debate and influence public opinion.

To enhance its quality, the article would benefit from a more balanced presentation of arguments, inclusion of diverse perspectives, and greater transparency in sourcing and evidence. This would improve its potential to engage a wider audience and contribute meaningfully to discussions on DEI policies and federal contracting.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims, such as the signing of executive orders by President Trump and President Biden regarding DEI policies. These claims are generally accurate, as both presidents have issued such orders, though the specifics of their impact may require further verification. The article also discusses the continuation of federal contracts with consulting firms that allegedly promote DEI programs, which is a claim that needs detailed verification through direct evidence of current contracts.

The mention of specific consulting firms and their DEI programs, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers' "Career Preview Program," requires verification to ensure these programs are as described. Additionally, the claim about Deloitte shutting down its DEI program needs substantiation. The article's assertion about Attorney General Pam Bondi's involvement is factually incorrect, as she is not the current Attorney General, highlighting a significant inaccuracy.

Overall, while the article is based on real events and actions, the accuracy is marred by the need for verification of specific claims and a notable error regarding Pam Bondi's role.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical view of DEI initiatives and the consulting firms involved. It emphasizes the negative aspects of these programs, such as racial preferences and discrimination, without providing contrasting perspectives or the potential benefits of DEI initiatives.

There is a noticeable lack of balance, as the piece does not include responses from the consulting firms mentioned or perspectives from DEI advocates. This omission creates a one-sided narrative that favors the author's critical stance on DEI policies and consulting firms' practices.

The article would benefit from a more balanced approach by including diverse viewpoints, such as the rationale behind DEI programs and the perspectives of those who support these initiatives.

6
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and direct style, making its primary criticisms of DEI programs and consulting firms easy to understand. The language is accessible, though it occasionally uses charged terms like "racialist programming" and "DEI commissars," which may affect the neutrality of the piece.

The structure is logical, with the article progressing from Trump's actions to the involvement of consulting firms and concluding with suggested actions for reform. However, the tone is consistently critical, which might bias the reader's interpretation.

For greater clarity, the article could benefit from a more neutral tone and a clearer distinction between opinion and factual reporting.

5
Source quality

The article lacks explicit citations or references to its claims, which diminishes the credibility of the information presented. While it mentions specific firms and programs, it does not provide direct quotes or evidence from these entities to support its assertions.

The article's reliance on a single perspective, primarily from the author, without attributing information to authoritative sources or providing evidence, affects its reliability. The absence of diverse sources or expert opinions further limits the article's source quality.

For improved credibility, the article should incorporate verified data, direct statements from involved parties, and references to official documents or studies related to DEI policies and their impact.

5
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the basis for its claims or the methodology used to gather information. It lacks transparency in explaining how the conclusions were drawn or what evidence supports the assertions made.

The author's position as the director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute is mentioned, but there is no discussion of potential biases or conflicts of interest that might influence the narrative. This lack of transparency can affect the perceived impartiality of the article.

To enhance transparency, the article should provide more context about the author's perspective, disclose any affiliations that might affect the narrative, and offer a clear explanation of the evidence supporting its claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.goodwinlaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/01/alerts-otherindustries-executive-order-mandates-termination
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-study-reveals-staggering-scope-of-how-much-dei-was-infused-into-government-under-biden
  3. https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/alerts/executive-order-ending-dei-and-affirmative-action-for-federal-contractorsgrant-recipients
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-administration-asks-scotus-approve-dei-related-education-cuts
  5. https://www.mcneeslaw.com/dei-executive-orders/