This move came ahead of President Trump's anticipated return to office.
According to Gateway Pundit, the closure of the ODI was preceded by a strongly worded letter from Senator Marsha Blackburn to the outgoing FBI Director, Christopher Wray. Blackburn expressed her deep concern over the New Year's Day terror attack in New Orleans and criticized the FBI's focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
In her letter, Blackburn detailed the horrific incident, stating, “In the early hours of New Year’s Day, an individual plowed a pickup truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, killing 14 innocent people and injuring dozens more. Among the injured are two heroic police officers who traded gunfire with the suspect, who is now deceased." She further emphasized the alarming discovery of weapons, improvised explosive devices, and an ISIS flag in the suspect's possession.
DEMOCRAT REP. CALLS TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION “WHITE SUPREMACISTS”
January 17, 2025
Blackburn's letter was scathing in its critique of Wray's leadership, accusing him of prioritizing DEI over the core mission of the FBI - protecting the American people. She cited a report by retired FBI agents, which suggested that the FBI's law enforcement and intelligence capabilities were degrading due to a shift in hiring practices. "The FBI is selecting [lower quality] candidates to become FBI Special Agents because they satisfy the FBI’s priority to meet Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates," she quoted from the report.
WATCH: TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE SPENT ON ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS
The FBI confirmed the closure of its ODI to Fox News Digital, stating, “In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024.” The agency, however, did not provide a specific reason for the closure. It's worth noting that many Republicans have criticized the FBI's focus on DEI, arguing that it has overshadowed the agency's primary responsibility of national security.
VICE PRESIDENT VANCE GIVES POWERFUL SPEECH AT MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE—WATCH!
Blackburn's letter, dated January 3, reiterated her concern about the FBI's priorities, particularly in the wake of the New Orleans terror attack. She wrote, “I am deeply concerned that—under your leadership—the Bureau has prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over its core mission of protecting the American people.”
WATCH: ADAM SCHIFF GOES OFF ON SHOCKING TIRADE AGAINST THIS TRUMP PICK!
In a related development, President Trump has nominated Kash Patel for the role of FBI Director in his next administration. Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his resignation before Trump's return to office. The closure of the ODI and the leadership changes at the FBI mark a significant shift in the agency's focus, reflecting a broader debate about the role of diversity initiatives in law enforcement agencies.