The outrage shown by Democrats and the mainstream media over President Donald Trump’s directive to return the federal government to a merit-based system proves it was the right thing to do, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Wednesday.
Since being sworn in Monday, Trump has directed federal agencies to focus on individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work when conducting hiring, promotions, and performance reviews and not such policies as diversity, equity, and inclusion.
"Donald Trump was very clear about this on the campaign trail, and in spite of his views on getting rid of DEI at the federal level, he had record number turnout among Hispanic Americans, among Black Americans, and among young Americans," Donalds told "Rob Schmitt Tonight." "Everybody has seen the downside of this radical leftist idea."
Trump also revoked an executive order issued in September 1965 by Lyndon Johnson that mandated affirmative action programs for companies doing contract work with the federal government. Although that was revoked, federal contractors and subcontractors are still required to comply with civil rights laws.
Further, the administration said federal employees working in DEI offices must be put on paid leave by Wednesday night and all agency heads must cancel DEI trainings, terminate related contractors, and take down websites and social media accounts promoting it by Wednesday night.
Donalds, who is Black, said no one is against a diverse work environment, including himself. But when equity matters more than merit in the government workforce, "you create major issues within our country."
"What Donald Trump is doing is the common sense thing," Donalds said. "It is the right thing. And looking at how the Democratic left and the media are responding, that lets you know that it is the absolute right thing. Merit does have to matter. You have to be qualified for the job.
"Let's be perfectly clear. I'm a Black man from New York City. When I was coming up in my career, I had to start at the bottom and learn my way and acquire the knowledge, going along with my college education to go and achieve higher positions. That's the way it works. Having a merit-based system in our country allows everybody to be able to be successful. That is the only pathway to success, not [what] the radical left has been doing in the federal agencies and quite frankly the military."
About NEWSMAX TV:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America!
- Find Newsmax channel in your home via cable and satellite systems – More Info Here
- Watch Newsmax+ on your home TV app or smartphone and watch it anywhere! Try it for FREE -- See More Here: NewsmaxPlus.com
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.