NW Illinois News

Mike Koolidge, Chairman of Ogle County Republicans, said that President Donald Trump’s initial actions in office are aimed at restoring a true meritocracy within the federal workforce by eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Koolidge made this statement to NW Illinois News on February 10.

"For too many years, the federal government prioritized 'Diversity, Equity & Inclusion' and 'woke' identity politics over fairness, equal opportunity, and merit, and President Donald Trump has thankfully changed that," said Koolidge. "Now, the best and brightest can succeed based on the content of their character, their behavior, and their excellence, not artificial and divisive diversity mandates. We are truly adhering now to what our national motto has been since 1782: E pluribus unum: Out of Many, One. That is the future of the United States, and what a bright and unifying future it is!"

In a January 20 Executive Order published on the White House website, the Office of the President said, "The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government…. The public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination. That ends today. Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect, and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great."

According to Politico, federal DEI websites went offline on January 22 after the White House warned of "adverse consequences" for agencies failing to report DEI-related details within ten days. This shutdown followed a memo from the Office of Personnel Management ordering DEI workers to be placed on paid leave and instructing agencies to remove DEI media by 5 p.m. Emails sent to multiple departments instructed staff to report any disguised DEI efforts. Agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had previously emphasized DEI’s role in efficiency.

Koolidge, a Rochelle resident, was first elected Chairman of the Ogle County Republican Party in 2022. According to the organization's website, he is focused on increasing Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and effectively communicating the Party’s positions on key issues that matter to Ogle County voters.