Late last week, employees at the Department of Labor received an email from an anonymous sender urging them to report instances of “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) discrimination. The department’s guidance emphasized that DEI-related discrimination includes actions motivated by race, sex or other protected characteristics.

The email also reminded workers that they have a three-year statute of limitations for reporting such incidents, dating back to January 2025 when Donald Trump took office. Employees were instructed on how to file whistleblower reports with the Office of Special Counsel.

During his second term, Trump’s administration aimed at DEI initiatives by signing an executive order in January 2025 titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which ordered agencies to end all DEI activities. Shortly after, employees were encouraged to report colleagues involved with DEI work.

Two anonymous DOL workers told WIRED that they were unsure of the email’s intent, suggesting it could turn DEI activities into punishable offenses and instill a culture of fear. The DOL recently appointed Kenneth Wolfe, head of their faith office, to lead the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

The OFCCP is set to be phased out and absorbed by a new Office of Civil Rights in 2027. Critics argue that this move could undermine DEI efforts within federal agencies.