Today:

Governor Mike Kehoe Issues Executive Order to Eliminate DEI Programs in Missouri State Agencies

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. The order bars the use of state funds for DEI and prevents agencies from considering DEI in their hiring decisions.

“Missourians deserve a government that treats all individuals equally, without preferential treatment or discrimination based on immutable characteristics,” said Governor Kehoe. “Our state agencies must operate under a framework that ensures fairness, equal opportunity, and merit-based decision-making. This order reaffirms Missouri’s commitment to a constitutional, color-blind approach that serves all citizens fairly.”

The executive order includes the following key directives:

Equal Protection of All People: State agencies must uphold the constitutional principle of equal treatment under the law;
Elimination of Public Funds for DEI: State agencies are barred from using public funds for DEI-related positions, organizational structures, policies, procedures, practices, activities, training, programs, or contracts;
Prohibition on Considering DEI in State Hiring Decisions: Agencies are prohibited from considering DEI factors in hiring decisions; and
Compliance Review: Agencies must conduct a comprehensive review of existing contracts, programs, and policies within 90 days to ensure full compliance with the directive.
While this order directs the removal of DEI-based programs, it does not apply to any requirements in federal or state statute that uphold the rights and freedoms of Missouri citizens. State agencies will continue to enforce all laws that prohibit discrimination and ensure fairness for all citizens.
[….]

EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-18
WHEREAS, the principles that all people are created equal and entitled to equal protection under the law are enshrined in the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, all individuals should have the freedom to pursue their aspirations and participate in society without discrimination based on immutable characteristics; and

WHEREAS, in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181, 206, 230 (2023) the Supreme Court stated that the “Constitution is color blind” and “[e]liminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it[.]”; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri is dedicated to the compelling governmental interest of remedying unlawful discrimination in a manner consistent with state and federal law, in that business practices within the State of Missouri should not discriminate, through disparate treatment or disparate impact, against anyone in violation of any law, executive order, rule, regulation, or judicial decision; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce reflecting the citizens of Missouri and the customers which government serves; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE KEHOE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, hereby order the following:

I. Color Blind and Equal Treatment:

I hereby order all Executive agencies to comply with the principle of equal protection found in the United States and Missouri Constitutions and ensure that all rules, policies, employment practices and actions treat all persons equally.

II. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Prohibition:

a. I hereby order that no state funds shall be utilized by Executive agencies toward policies, procedures, practices, trainings, contracts, positions, organizational structures, programs, or activities that solely or primarily support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as defined in this Executive Order.

b. Executive agencies are prohibited from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion in their hiring decisions.

III. Definitions:

a. Diversity, equity, and inclusion” includes:

i. Efforts to manipulate or influence the composition of an organization based solely on race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

ii. Policies, procedures, practices, trainings, contracts, positions, organizational structures, programs, or activities intended to promote differential treatment of, or special benefits to, individuals based solely on the factors listed under subparagraph i. above, except as authorized by state or federal law.

b.“Executive agency” is any administrative governmental entity created by the Missouri Constitution or statutes of this state under the executive branch, including any department, agency, board, bureau, council, commission, or committee, supported in whole or in part by state funds, any subdivision of an executive agency, and any legally designated agent of such entity.

IV. Timelines:

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately, and all Executive agencies shall review and take appropriate action on existing policies, procedures, practices, trainings, contracts, positions, organizational structures, programs, or activities within their agencies within 90 days to ensure compliance with this directive.

[signature of Michael Kehoe]
MIKE KEHOE
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[signature of Denny Hoskins]
DENNY L. HOSKINS
SECRETARY OF STATE

Performative bullshit.

The reviews aren’t good:

Jess Piper ‪@piperformissouri.bsky.social‬

The governor of Missouri eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion in a ceremony with five white men and one white woman…

I’m surprised they let her in.
[….]
February 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM

Comments:

So Mike Kehoe was basically putting on a show to impress racist, sexist, and ableist people with how well he can kiss someone’s saggy orange keister? Color me unsurprised.

“…saggy orange felon keister…” Fixed it for you.

These people are going to be FOREVER remembered in history for their disgraceful behavior. Their future generations will be ashamed of them.

They’ll control history, too.

Is anyone surprised.
It’s MISSOURI.

The only thing missing is the “Mission Accomplished” banner.

We see what you did there.

Ah, the classic rewriting of history. Love the religious imagery, which in itself is a joke, considering that Jesus was a Palestinian…far from white and American lol. Also, the fact that Jesus himself said not to worship him or idols, but God. Weird. Gotta love the corruption.

Seems about white to me. JFC I am so sick of this shit and it’s just getting started.

This state is getting on my last nerve. Gee, wonder why folks aren’t just flocking to live here?

A ceremony? Did they bow to a statue of supreme leader Musk afterwards?

He literally said he wants equality, while removing equality? Dumb politicians need be removed ASAP.

What?! No sheets?!

I did not see that coming.

he dismantled DEI and, in the same breath, said the definition of DEI for future hiring practices. These people are truly dumb.

When is he going to put up the Whites Only signs?

I don’t even know what you call this level of exquisitely ironic un-self-awareness.

Our current reality.

Why are people proud of doing this? Because some yahoo who has zero business ruling this country said so?

“White People Butthurt Other Kinds Of People Exist, Makes Life Harder For Them”

It’s funny how 99.9% of all right wing postings in 2025 have Nazi marching music in the background if you listen closely enough.

I did not see that coming.

He literally defined the reason DEI exists in the second paragraph.

When I was in school, I thought the concepts of Newspeak and doublethink from 1984 were a bit over-the-top to make a point.
Nope. 100% accurate.
Now fairness and merit = mediocre white men only.

You read the book. That’s the difference.

Tell me you did NAZI that coming.

Heh.

It is so funny to me that in one line they say they’re eliminating “diversity equity and inclusion initiatives” and in the next they’re replacing them with practices that ensure “fairness and equal opportunities” like come on, honeyyyy… you have got to see how stupid this is.

Banning equity, with a tweet that demands equal opportunity. Now that’s profound leadership.

What kinds of terrible things fall under DEI? Braille lettering in elevators? Handicapped parking spaces? Service dogs?

Ah yes, nothing screams fairness and equal opportunity like a bunch of white people huddled around a table signing the death certificate for diversity. Next up: an executive order banning seasoning, rhythm, and cultural awareness in the great state of Missouri.