DOGE Staffer Struggles to Define DEI as Trump Administration Faces Lawsuits Over Grant Cuts

Former staffers of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have provided testimony in a lawsuit alleging discriminatory practices in the termination of federal grants, revealing a lack of understanding of key terms like “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) within the department. The revelations reach after President Donald Trump moved to dismantle DEI initiatives upon taking office in January 2025.

Background: Trump’s Crackdown on DEI

President Trump signed an Executive Order on January 20, 2025, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” directing federal agencies to eliminate DEI programs and policies. The White House stated the order aimed to protect civil rights and expand individual opportunity by ending what it termed “illegal DEI.”

This action led to the termination of over 1,400 National Endowment for the Humanities grants and, according to reports, the layoff of hundreds of thousands of Americans, particularly Black women.

Lawsuit and Depositions

The massive funding cuts prompted the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), and American Historical Association (AHA) to sue DOGE in 2025, alleging discriminatory methods were used to determine which grants would be terminated. NBC News reported that DOGE has faced at least 11 lawsuits citing a lack of training and reckless terminations.

“I Don’t Remember It Off the Top of My Head”

During a deposition, Justin Fox, a former DOGE staffer, admitted he could not define DEI. He stated his understanding was limited to the language within the Executive Order itself, and that he would refer back to the EO when assessing grants. Fox also revealed that he frequently used ChatGPT to help make decisions about grant terminations.

In one instance, Fox stated a documentary was considered DEI if it explored historical events impacting Black civil rights, arguing it wasn’t “for the benefit of humankind” but focused on a “specific race.”

Lack of Expertise in Grant Review

Another DOGE staffer, Nathan Cavanaugh, testified that he and Fox were responsible for reviewing grants from the Biden Administration despite lacking academic or professional experience in grant evaluation. Cavanaugh explained that a grant focused on the experiences of LGBTQ military service was flagged and eliminated simply due to the fact that it “explicitly says LGBTQ.” The program aimed to bridge the gap between veterans and society, focusing on marginalized service members.

Ongoing Investigations

DOGE is currently under investigation by a government watchdog agency and members of Congress regarding allegations of misuse of sensitive Social Security information by at least one staff member.

About the Department of Government Efficiency

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established in January 2025 as an initiative of the second Trump administration, with the stated goal of modernizing federal IT, increasing productivity, and reducing government spending and regulations. According to Wikipedia, the department was dissolved in November 2025, after a little less than a year in operation.