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The Defense Intelligence Agency has ordered a pause prohibiting all activities and events related to Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and other “special observances” to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order.
In a memo obtained by NBC News, Holocaust Remembrance Day and LGBTQ Pride Month were also listed among the 11 observances banned by the Defense Intelligence Agency. The memo stated that all affinity groups and “employee networking groups” were being put on pause as well.
These groups are typically formed among employees to connect people with similar backgrounds or life experiences. Common affinity and employee networking groups include ones for Black employees, Native Americans, veterans, women, and LGBTQ people.
The memo comes after Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office outlining “the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government.” Since the executive order, Trump’s administration has made it a top priority to dismantle any federal programs perceived to be related to DEI.
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday during the Biden administration to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983 to celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights hero.
Trump acknowledged MLK Day during his inauguration as they both fell on the same day this year.
“To the Black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote,” the president said during his inauguration speech. “Today is Martin Luther King Day. And his honor — this will be a great honor. But in his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true.”
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