The Justice Department has launched sweeping civil investigations into the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in hiring and promotion at several major U.S. corporations. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, tech giants Google and Verizon are among those that have received demands for internal documents.
These probes represent a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle “woke” programs across the private sector. The administration moved rapidly after taking office to discourage discriminatory hiring practices that prioritize race over merit.
Federal authorities are conducting these investigations under the False Claims Act. The Justice Department contends that companies holding federal contracts are committing fraud if they claim to follow neutral hiring laws while actually utilizing diversity quotas.
The scope of the investigation extends far beyond Big Tech. It also includes major firms in the automotive, pharmaceutical, defense, and utilities sectors that receive taxpayer funding.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche recently issued a memo ordering the department to pursue claims against any recipient of federal funds that engages in race-based preferences. He described the False Claims Act as a “weapon” to be used against corporations that adhere to “racist policies.”
As the administration moves to enforce its executive orders, legal experts note that many companies are now scrambling to reevaluate their workplace policies. The goal is to return the American workforce to a system based strictly on individual achievement and merit.