Federal employees associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives under the Biden administration have faced significant professional and personal repercussions following a targeted campaign by the Trump administration, according to multiple accounts and a recent analysis of impacted individuals. The effort, which intensified after President Trump’s re-election in 2024, has led to widespread terminations, public exposure, and ongoing difficulties in securing employment, particularly for Black federal workers.

Dia Harris, a former federal employee who worked in DEI-related functions, recounted encountering a “DEI Watchlist” in early 2025. The watchlist, created by the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative group formed in 2020 aimed at obstructing Biden administration appointees, published names and photographs of dozens of federal workers leading DEI programs. Harris’s profile included details about his employment history and excerpts from public webinars where he advocated for equity initiatives.

The watchlist served as a public naming-and-shaming tool, framing these career civil servants as radical actors within the government. Harris said the campaign damaged his livelihood and subjected him to harassment, including unsolicited pizza deliveries perceived as intimidation tactics. Similar experiences were reported by at least three other federal employees listed, with some encountering direct confrontations by strangers and adopting heightened security measures. One former official noted a resurgence of “hypervigilance” learned during prior military service.

Harris’s federal employment ended in March 2025 during the administration’s broad dismissal of probationary federal workers who lacked full job protections. The process was marked by confusion and reversals, including periods of administrative leave without clear status. Attempts to re-enter the workforce proved challenging; Harris described receiving rejection notices from multiple employers who declined to interview him despite qualifications and extensive job applications.

A recruiter from a federal contractor reportedly advised Harris to revise or remove DEI-related language from his résumé, explaining that affiliation with the watchlist hindered hiring prospects due to the company’s federal ties. This experience highlights the extent to which DEI affiliations became a liability in certain job markets.

Data examined showed that of the 43 federal employees listed on the watchlist and subsequently separated from government jobs, approximately two-thirds remain unemployed 18 months later. The unemployment rates are notably higher among Black workers on the list—around 40 percent—compared with 10 percent for White workers.

Tom Jones, president of the American Accountability Foundation, expressed pride in the group’s work and dismissed concerns about racial disparities in employment outcomes, attributing them to alleged racism among hiring managers.

In August 2025, Harris was formally terminated when the ACF declined to certify his continued employment. He subsequently filed a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) alleging illegal discrimination and disproportionate impact on Black federal employees. After over a year of investigation, HHS found no evidence of discrimination. Harris’s attorney said a federal lawsuit would be filed, citing constitutional violations of equal protection.

Since losing his federal position, Harris’s financial and personal circumstances have deteriorated. He has taken lower-wage jobs, including positions at a grocery store and as a building concierge, despite his advanced degrees and previous corporate roles. Support from family has been crucial in meeting living expenses, while Harris continues to face challenges securing stable employment in his field.

Others named on the watchlist reported similar experiences of professional marginalization and personal hardship, with many opting not to speak publicly due to fear of ongoing harassment. Some have shifted career paths or sought certification in other fields to adapt.

The Department of Health and Human Services, when asked about the firings and related actions, stated it was implementing directives consistent with President Trump’s executive order targeting so-called “radical and wasteful” DEI programs and complying with applicable federal law.

This unfolding situation reflects the broader conflict over DEI efforts within federal agencies and the political and social ramifications for individuals involved in such initiatives during the Trump administration’s second term.