Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., urged Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to “end all DEI programs and fully comply” with President Donald Trump’s recent executive order.
Trump last month signed an executive order directing that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds do not advance DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) or gender ideology.
Blackburn on Tuesday sent a letter to VUMC President Jeffrey Balser regarding reports that the medical center has begun concealing its DEI programs instead of fully complying with Trump’s executive action.
“For the benefit of Tennesseans and all Americans who rely on VUMC for lifesaving care and research, I urge you to end all DEI programs and fully comply with the President’s executive action,” Blackburn wrote.
“VUMC has recently scrubbed its website of references to DEI initiatives at the institution, going so far as to password protect web pages tied to DEI and climate activism. Concerningly, though, offices such as the Office of Health Equity, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office for Diversity Affairs are seemingly still active. These offices have advocated for ‘collectively addressing systemic inequities’ and ‘confronting structural racism.'”
Blackburn said “VUMC’s track record on embracing harmful woke initiatives is grim, as VUMC has previously performed sex-change surgeries on minors before suspending the program after public outrage.
