On Thursday, January 29, 2025, independent journalist Ken Klippenstein posted a photo of a physical memo from the Defense Intelligence Agency directed toward its workforce. The memo directs the DIA workforce to suspend observances of several holidays, including but not limited to, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Juneteenth, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s Equality Day and Pride Month.
“The agency is working internally with the department to implement the Executive Orders, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, dated January 20, 2025. We are receiving questions across the workforce on the way forward with Special Emphasis Programs, Special Observances, Agency Resource Groups, Affinity Groups, and Employee Networking Groups,” the memo reads. “DIA will pause all activities and events related to Agency Special Emphasis Programs effective immediately and until further notice. Additionally, Special Observances hosted throughout the year by Command Element, Directorates, and Special Offices are also paused.”
Despite the memo obtained by Klippenstein, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the White House still intends to celebrate Black History Month.
“American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion or creed, have made to our great country,” Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday, January 28.
Despite Leavitt’s comments, the memo obtained by Klippenstein falls in line with recently issued executive orders from Donald Trump seeking to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal departments. On Wednesday, January 29, newly-confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly authorized the creation of a task force that would promote “merit-based, color-blind” policies. Most recently, Trump suggested DEI was a contributing factor when discussing the fatal aircraft collision near Ronald Regan National Airport.
Intelligence officials are starting to leak to me now too. Here’s a memo Defense Intelligence Agency personnel received instructing them to suspend observances including:
– Holocaust Remembrance Day
– MLK Day
– Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/wQvGFxVfMD— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) January 29, 2025
