US Government Agencies Order Employees to Remove Gender Pronouns from Email Signatures

Federal employees across multiple agencies were instructed to remove gender pronouns from their email signatures by the end of the workday on Friday. The order was part of President Donald Trump’s broader initiative to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government.

Internal memos obtained by ABC News revealed that the directive came as a result of two executive orders signed by Trump on his first day in office. These orders aimed to eliminate DEI-related language and restore what the administration calls “biological truth” in federal communication.

Agencies affected by this mandate include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Energy. Employees were notified through internal messages, instructing them to remove pronouns from email signatures, grant applications, and official documents.

A memo sent to CDC employees stated:

“Pronouns and any other information not permitted in the policy must be removed from CDC/ATSDR employee signatures by 5 p.m. ET on Friday.”

The Department of Energy issued a similar notice, emphasizing the administration’s goal to remove DEI-related language from federal discourse.

The move has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters of the policy argue that it simplifies government communication and removes ideological bias. However, critics claim it undermines workplace inclusivity and restricts personal expression. Some employees expressed frustration over the sudden change.

“In my decade-plus years at CDC, I’ve never been told what I can and can’t put in my email signature,” said one employee, who spoke anonymously due to fear of retaliation.

In addition to email signatures, a memo from the Office of Personnel Management directed agencies to review their email systems and disable features that prompt users to include pronouns.

It remains unclear if more agencies will receive similar orders, as officials from multiple departments declined to comment. Meanwhile, workplace advocacy groups have voiced concerns that the policy could discourage employees from expressing their identities freely.

This directive is the latest in a series of measures aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives in the federal government. As agencies adjust to the new policies, discussions continue over the broader implications for workplace culture and employee rights.