John Ashcroft, as George W. Bush’s Attorney General, famously covered the “Spirit of Justice” statue that appears in the Department of Justice’s Great Hall.
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) LGBTQ+ employee resource group, DOJ Pride, shut itself down this week after existing for three decades, citing “protection of all members” as the reason for its self-imposed closure.
“In this time of uncertainty and concern, we have taken the extraordinary measure of ceasing operations of DOJ Pride,” a message sent by the group’s board to members said. “We have made this decision in the interest and for the protection of all members.”
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The email, shared with NBC News by two DOJ staffers, expressed hope that the group could “rebuild in the future.”
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The extraordinary act of self-censorship was taken in the wake of the Trump administration’s order last week to root out all diversity, equity, and inclusion measures from the federal government. Trump issued a similar order on Wednesday, purging “gender ideology” and its associated programs from federal offices.
Longstanding affinity groups at the DOJ include DOJ Pride, the DOJ Association of Blacks in Government, Federally Employed Women, DOJ Muslim Americans in Public Service, and the DOJ Native American Association, among others.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department said in reaction to DOJ Pride’s closure that the Trump administration “believes very strongly in the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of association.”
“If there are groups of employees at the department who want to organize like-minded communities, then I think that’s freedom of association,” the spokesperson said.
At least one other Justice Department resource group, the DOJ Gender Equality Network, has also closed down, with a banner on its website stating, “DOJ GEN is no longer an active organization.”
A DOJ employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the “mere presence of DOJ Pride made me feel that it was safe to be out at DOJ.”
The current political environment, they said, “echoes back to the days not so long ago that federal employees were fired or barred from employment for merely being gay,” adding, “If I could go back into the closet at work, I would.”
Trump’s Wednesday order purging “gender ideology” and its associated programs from federal offices directed agency heads to disband employee resource groups promoting trans dignity and rights.
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