**Google Reduces DEI Efforts Due to Political Influences**

Google has become the most recent large technology firm to decrease its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in light of political influences, especially from President Donald Trump’s administration.

As reported by *The Wall Street Journal*, Google notified its employees on Wednesday that it will no longer establish hiring goals intended to boost workforce diversity. In an internal communication, Fiona Cicconi, Google’s Chief Human Resources Officer, mentioned that the organization would cease prioritizing diverse representation and would reevaluate its DEI initiatives.

**Modifications to Recruiting Objectives and Company Policies**

Cicconi elaborated that in 2020, Google introduced “aspirational hiring objectives” and broadened its recruitment outreach beyond California and New York to improve representation. Nonetheless, going forward, the company has decided to discard such goals. While Employee Resource Groups will still exist, Google seems to be markedly diminishing its focus on DEI.

In the past, Google’s “Belonging” webpage specified commitments to disability inclusion, gender parity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, racial justice, and veteran inclusion. The page previously included a message from Chief Diversity Officer Melonie Parker about promoting an inclusive culture. However, it has since been revised, dropping references to these important topics and replacing them with broader, less detailed language regarding diversity.

Moreover, Parker’s designation on Google’s site has been altered from “Chief Diversity Officer” to “VP, People Operations,” and her pronouns have been eliminated.

**Google’s Position and Federal Adherence**

In her communication, Cicconi assured staff that Google remains dedicated to recruiting top talent and cultivating an inclusive workplace. She pointed out that, as a federal contractor, Google is evaluating its initiatives to ensure alignment with recent court decisions and executive directives.

President Trump has actively pursued the dismantling of DEI initiatives since assuming office, including enacting an executive order that abolished federal DEI programs. Although Google is not explicitly bound to adhere to this order, it may be aligning its practices to maintain positive relations with the administration and secure government contracts.

**Broader Trend Across Industries**

Google’s choice mirrors similar actions taken by other technology leaders, such as Meta and Amazon, both of which curtailed DEI programs prior to Trump’s inauguration. Additionally, Google’s parent entity, Alphabet, has recently excised mentions of DEI from its annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contrasting with previous years where it explicitly stated its commitment to diversity.

In a statement to *Mashable*, Google reaffirmed its dedication to workplace equity but acknowledged the adjustments made to its language and policies in response to legal and regulatory developments.

As leading tech firms continue to revise their DEI approaches, the overall effect on workplace diversity and inclusion is yet to be determined.