Four Years of DEIA at CIA: A Failed Experiment Ends; Time to Refocus.
- Rick de la Torre
- Jan 25
- 2 min read
Four years of DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) initiatives have officially come to an end, thanks to recent executive orders from President Trump. These reforms mark a critical shift for the CIA and the broader federal workforce, moving away from policies that prioritized ideology over effectiveness and returning to a focus on mission and merit.
The CIA was once a bastion of meritocracy. After 9/11, the Agency shed its elitist tendencies and embraced a talent-driven ethos. It didn’t matter where you came from or how you sounded—what mattered was your ability to deliver. That singular focus on competence was instrumental in countering terrorism and safeguarding the nation. But over the past four years, DEIA policies unraveled that clarity of purpose.
Hiring and promotions became increasingly driven by ideological quotas rather than expertise. Leadership prioritized “equity” over operational excellence, fracturing the workforce and fostering resentment. Imagine the repercussions: a distracted, divided CIA grappling with internal compliance at the expense of its mission. President Trump’s executive orders are a lifeline, dismantling the bureaucracy of DEIA and restoring a focus on what matters most—defending the United States.
Consider the stakes. In a world where adversaries like China and Russia are testing the limits of U.S. resolve, operational efficiency at the CIA is non-negotiable. Imagine a coordinated cyberattack targeting critical infrastructure—a crisis that demands rapid, informed decision-making and expertise. Under DEIA’s ideological constraints, would the Agency have been prepared? Trump’s reforms ensure that the best minds and skills are back at the forefront, ready to confront the threats we face.
The repeal of DEIA also brings an overdue course correction to the federal workforce. These initiatives, while well-meaning, devolved into performative exercises that drained resources and eroded morale. Trump’s decisive actions send a clear message: national security requires unity, not division; competence, not compliance.
The CIA must now embody the best of America—resilient, innovative, and mission-driven. Trump’s reforms aren’t just about undoing bad policies; they’re about restoring the Agency’s ability to act decisively in a world fraught with geopolitical tension. From countering China’s influence to thwarting Russian aggression, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This isn’t just about the CIA; it’s about the preservation of American exceptionalism. The U.S. became a superpower by focusing on results, not by indulging in ideological experiments. It’s time to reclaim that spirit and ensure our intelligence community is equipped to defend our future.
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