Scalise cites DEI initiatives in law enforcement while discussing New Orleans attack

 House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) cited diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that he says have blurred the focus of law enforcement agents hired to keep the country safe while discussing what caused the Wednesday New Orleans attack.

“Some of these agencies have gotten so wrapped up in the DEI movement. You know, call it wokeness, call it whatever you want,” Scalise said during a Thursday interview with WWL Radio.

“But where their main focus is on diversity and inclusion as opposed to security. And they’re two very different things. And we’ve got to get back to that core mission.”

His concerns were raised amid an outpour of scrutiny from anti-DEI advocates including Robby Starbuck, who critiqued local leaders and the New Orleans Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for hosting DEI recruiting events. 

The crusade against inclusionary hiring practices and policies is being promoted by incoming GOP lawmakers who claim the effort is weakening the strength of federal defense agencies.

“And this has happened in the D.O.D. [Department of Defense] as well. And we pointed that out in D.O.D. We pointed it out in Homeland. We pointed it out in the FBI,” Scalise told host Tommy Tucker during the Thursday interview.

“And so, you know, if nothing else, let’s get back to these agencies focused on keeping Americans safe, period.”

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of defense, has adamantly raised concerns with “woke” practices and has pledged to purge proponents of DEI initiatives.

“Well, first of all, you got to fire, you know, you got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs,” Hegseth previously said on the “Shawn Ryan Show” podcast signaling an end to General Charles Q. Brown, Jr.’s military post. 

“Any general that was involved, general, admiral, whatever that was involved in any of the DEI woke shit, it’s got to go,” he added.

https://thehill.com/homenews/5066343-scalise-cites-dei-initiatives-new-orleans-attack/