Meta is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion program, according to an employee memo

Meta Platforms is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including those for recruiting, training and supplier selection, it said in a memo to employees posted at the company's internal forum Friday.

This action comes during the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, as the company is trying to mend relations with this leader who has criticized its political policies and threatened its CEO with arrest.

“The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” said Janelle Gale, vice president of human resources at Meta, in a memo, seen by Reuters.

'Shift' in how US courts deal with DEI programs

Gale cited recent Supreme Court decisions that “signal a shift” in how US courts will deal with DEI programs going forward.

“The term 'DEI' has also been charged, in part because some understand it as a practice that suggests special treatment for some groups over others,” he wrote.

Meta will continue to recruit job seekers from diverse backgrounds, but will stop using a “diverse draw,” Gale said.

The company will no longer have a dedicated team focused on DEI, he wrote. Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will take on a new role at Meta, focusing on outreach and engagement, per the memo.

One employee commented on Gale's memo, calling it “annoying to read.”

The American technology giant appointed three new directors to its board on Monday, including Dana White, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close friend of Trump.

Last week, Meta appointed Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican, to become its global news officer, replacing Nick Clegg.