In a society that prides itself on the promise of the American dream, the notion that one’s merit and hard work should determine one’s success is foundational. Yet, during both the Obama and the Biden administrations, we witnessed a dangerous cultural shift. 

With President Donald Trump‘s return to office, America is witnessing a crucial course correction — reembracing meritocracy over the supposed “equity” of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The dangers of DEI are real and have had very tangible and negative effects on our society. Under DEI regimes, critical positions were filled based on demographic checkboxes rather than qualifications — and reached the highest levels of our federal government, compromising efficiency, effectiveness, and morale. The result? A less competent, more divided bureaucratic system that ultimately served none, especially not the minorities it purported to help.

The aftermath of prioritizing identity over ability has been destructive at a cellular level. The meritocratic foundation that once propelled our civil services to global admiration has been shaken. Bureaucratic inefficiencies and failures have spiked, not despite DEI but because of it. We need only look at the decline in standards within critical infrastructure roles and public safety positions to understand the gravity of these missteps.

Let’s consider the military, an institution where the stakes are life and death, where the efficiency and skill of our service members ensure national security. The infiltration of DEI mandates weakened our preparedness, with critical roles being filled under the guise of diversity quotas rather than battlefield competence. The outcome? Decreased unit cohesion, eroded trust in leadership, and a demoralized corps questioning whether their commanders ascended through merit or merely as tokens of diversity.

Even more concerning is the broader societal impact. In academia, the birthplace of DEI, initiatives have transformed campuses from bastions of intellectual diversity and independent debate into echo chambers of ideological conformity, where academic rigor is sacrificed at the altar of social justice and conformity. The corrosion of academic standards threatens our future as we continue churning out graduates ill-prepared for the realities of a competitive global economy.

Businesses and corporations were equally affected, bowing to similar pressures. By prioritizing diversity over capability in hiring and promotions, they risked operational integrity. The corporate world’s flirtation with DEI has not ushered in an era of innovation and growth as promised. Instead, it has stoked division, fostered resentment, and diluted competitive edge.

The Trump administration’s decisive action to curb these trends is not just a policy correction; it’s a restoration of American values. By reasserting meritocracy, we are not merely shifting administrative procedures; we are reaffirming the fundamental truth that individuals should be judged by their abilities and achievements, not their identity or the color of their skin.

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This return to meritocracy does not just benefit one group; it elevates our entire society. It ensures that the most capable among us, regardless of our background, are the ones to lead our institutions and businesses. It champions true diversity — the diversity of thought, experience, and approach. Most importantly, it restores faith in the American dream and the work ethic that goes with it: the belief that anyone, from anywhere, can rise based on their merits.

Trump’s renewed commitment to meritocracy is the antidote to the ills wrought by unchecked DEI policies. It is a reaffirmation of the principles upon which America was founded and must continue to thrive: liberty, individualism, and the pursuit of excellence. As we continue to exorcise the deep tentacles of DEI and the damage it has done at all levels of society, let us champion a system that truly reflects the best of America, ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to succeed based on merit alone — the cornerstone of a free, fair, and thriving society.

Robert Chernin is the chairman of the American Center for Education and Knowledge