CBS News
Pittsburgh, PA (PTTP)- Nineteen Republican state attorneys general, including Texas Attorney
General Ken Paxton and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, have sent a letter to Costco urging
the company to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This comes in the
wake of President Donald Trump’s efforts to roll back DEI policies across federal agencies and
companies with federal contracts.
In the letter, the attorneys general demand that Costco either commit to ending its DEI policies or
provide an explanation for maintaining them. “We…urge Costco to end all unlawful
discrimination imposed by the company through diversity, equity, and inclusion (‘DEI’) policies,”
the letter states.
The pushback comes shortly after Costco shareholders overwhelmingly voted against a proposal
asking the company to assess the risks associated with its DEI efforts. In response, Costco’s
Board of Directors defended the company’s commitment to DEI, stating, “Our efforts at
diversity, equity and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our Company the
importance of creating opportunities for all. We believe that these efforts enhance our capacity to
attract and retain employees who will help our business succeed.”
Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day in office, directed federal agencies and
contractors to dismantle DEI programs, which has led several private companies to follow suit.
Target, one of the largest U.S. retailers, recently announced the conclusion of its Racial Equity
Action and Change program, which was launched in 2020 following the murder of George
Floyd.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, also announced plans to move away from
DEI-focused initiatives, opting instead for policies aimed at mitigating bias across the board. A
spokesperson for the company emphasized its commitment to fairness for all employees,
regardless of background.
As the national conversation around DEI continues to evolve, companies like Costco face
increasing scrutiny from both proponents and critics of such initiatives.