Governor Braun Ends DEI Initiatives, Prioritizes 'Level Playing Field of Merit, Excellence, and Innovation'

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun today released a report on his administration’s progress to replace the divisive DEI political ideology with the level playing field of MEI - Merit, Excellence, and Innovation. This report is the fulfillment of the Governor’s directive in his January 14, 2025, executive order. 

DEI mandates are divisive and often lead to inefficiency by focusing decisions on a political goal rather than on the goal of achieving the best outcomes for Hoosier taxpayers. 

“Indiana has replaced the divisive, politically-charged DEI ideology with Merit, Excellence, and Innovation: a level playing field where every single Hoosier has the chance to get ahead with hard work.” - Governor Mike Braun 

The executive order directed executive state agencies to review their DEI positions, departments, activities, procedures, and programs for compliance with the decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, a landmark Supreme Court case regarding race-based admissions and an update on how those programs have been revised or eliminated to comply with the executive order.

Governor Braun is releasing that report today, which outlines:

• 350+ examples of DEI initiatives in state government programs.
• 70 cases of DEI training, instruction, or programing for state employees which have been eliminated.
• Hundreds of hours of time that will no longer be spent on DEI trainings and can now be spent on serving Hoosier taxpayers.
• 34 grants within Indiana State Agencies that were conditioned on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which all Hoosiers can now compete for.
• 200 DEI initiatives in state agency policy and procedures which will now prioritize the values of merit, excellence, and innovation that bring us together rather than the things that divide us.

To read the full report click HERE.

Gov. Mike Braun's headshot is available for download HERE.