DEI Chief Tries to Duck Trump’s Order at ATF

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has found itself at the center of a heated controversy, accused of circumventing a key executive order issued by President Donald Trump to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This alleged defiance has sparked fierce reactions from lawmakers, social media commentators, and advocates on both sides of the debate.

The Executive Order and Its Mandate

On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating DEI programs across the federal government. The order described DEI initiatives as “divisive” and claimed they “deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system.” The directive required federal agencies to terminate DEI offices, place all DEI employees on paid administrative leave, and dismantle any related programs.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) quickly followed up with a memo instructing agencies to notify affected employees by the end of the week. The memo stated, “Send a notification to all employees of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) offices that they are being placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately as the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs.” Agencies were also warned against using “coded or imprecise language” to bypass the directive, with the memo cautioning that failure to comply could lead to “adverse consequences.”

ATF’s Defiance

Despite these clear instructions, the ATF has been accused of attempting to circumvent the executive order by changing the job title of its Chief Diversity Officer, Lisa T. Boykin. On January 21, 2025—the day after Trump signed the executive order—Boykin’s title on the ATF’s official website was updated to “Senior Executive.” This change was spotted by online sleuths and quickly became a focal point of criticism.

Representative Eric Burlison, a Republican from Missouri, took to social media to voice his outrage, tweeting, “The ATF defied @realDonaldTrump’s order to place DEI workers on leave, instead giving their DEI officer a new title. They attack citizens’ rights, ignore leadership, and act as though they’re above the law. Enough is enough. Time to abolish the ATF!”

The ATF has defended its actions, claiming compliance with the executive order. An agency spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “ATF began implementing OPM’s Initial Guidance on DEIA immediately after its issuance in response to the President’s Executive Orders. We have proactively taken the necessary steps to ensure compliance with this guidance, including by placing impacted personnel on administrative leave.” However, the agency declined to provide specific details about Boykin’s title change and whether it exempted her from being placed on leave.

Who Is Lisa T. Boykin?

Lisa T. Boykin has been a key figure in the ATF’s DEI efforts. According to her 2023 biography, Boykin joined the ATF’s Human Resources Operations Division in 2016. By 2021, she had taken on the role of Chief Diversity Officer as a “collateral duty,” eventually transitioning to the position full-time. Her bio highlighted her role in “leading and implementing departmental programs and mandates, while bringing renewed vision and effective strategies to maintain an informed DEIA culture for the Bureau.”

Critics of the ATF’s recent actions argue that the title change is an attempt to shield Boykin from the executive order’s mandate. Fox News Digital reached out to Boykin for comment but received an automatic reply stating, “I am currently unavailable and unable to return emails at this time.”

Reactions from Lawmakers and the Public

The ATF’s handling of the situation has drawn sharp criticism from conservative lawmakers. In addition to Rep. Burlison’s comments, other politicians have voiced concerns about what they see as a broader pattern of defiance within federal agencies. Burlison, who has introduced a bill to abolish the ATF, described the agency as “emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence.”

Supporters of Trump’s executive order have praised the administration’s swift action to dismantle DEI initiatives, arguing that such programs waste taxpayer dollars and perpetuate division. Social media has been rife with debates, with some users accusing the ATF of “circumventing the law” and others defending the agency’s right to manage personnel as it sees fit.

A recent poll highlighted the divisive nature of the issue, revealing that three in ten voters consider ending DEI programs “extremely important.” Proponents of DEI argue that eliminating these programs undermines progress toward addressing systemic inequalities, while opponents view them as unnecessary and counterproductive.

Broader Implications and Future Developments

The controversy surrounding the ATF is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to reverse policies implemented during the Biden presidency. Trump’s executive orders have already led agencies like NASA to begin shutting down DEI programs. An internal memo from NASA warned employees against attempting to disguise DEI-related initiatives, stating, “We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language.”

This shift has also reignited debates about the role of diversity initiatives in government. While the Trump administration argues that DEI programs “violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws,” opponents contend that these measures are essential for fostering inclusion and equity.

NP Editor: Maybe no dismantle ATF just yet, but it could be time to fire the top layer of management. The fact that this kind of switch was allowed certainly means the leadership is Deep State (my opinion only)