U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has raised concerns over the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) allegedly pushing the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda within federal agencies. In a letter addressed to Mark Greenblatt, the Chairman of CIGIE, Cruz asserts that the council’s endorsement of DEI initiatives, including advocating for race-based hiring practices and unconscious bias training, is both misguided and potentially illegal. Obtained exclusively by The Daily Wire, Cruz’s letter criticizes the council’s prioritization of DEI over its core mission of ensuring accountability and fiscal responsibility in federal agencies.
Cruz’s letter follows the release of a report from CIGIE in October 2023, which urged Offices of Inspectors General to factor race into their hiring practices and implement DEI training for employees. He expresses disappointment that instead of focusing on its primary role, CIGIE appears to be advancing the Biden administration’s partisan agenda. Cruz argues that the council’s endorsement of race-based employment practices undermines the merit-based principles that should govern federal hiring decisions.
The senator highlights the guidance provided by CIGIE, which includes directives to track workforce demographics, develop hiring plans aimed at increasing demographic diversity, and implement DEI elements in performance evaluations and training programs. Cruz condemns these measures as not only immoral but potentially illegal, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard as evidence of the unconstitutionality of race-based policies in employment.
Moreover, Cruz accuses CIGIE of attempting to coerce employees into accepting the far-left DEI agenda by mandating unconscious bias training and integrating DEI principles into performance evaluations. He argues that such initiatives are likely to infringe on employees’ First Amendment rights and create a hostile work environment for those who dissent from the prevailing ideological orthodoxy.
In response to CIGIE’s actions, Cruz demands transparency and accountability from the council, calling for the release of documents related to its DEI agenda, including training materials, newsletters, and course curriculum. He emphasizes the need for federal agencies to prioritize their core missions and refrain from engaging in partisan advocacy that undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in government institutions.
As federal agencies increasingly embrace the DEI agenda under the Biden administration, Cruz’s letter serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding principles of meritocracy, fairness, and equal opportunity in government hiring practices. He warns against the dangers of politicizing the civil service and calls for renewed efforts to restore accountability and integrity to federal oversight bodies.