Google has become the latest major U.S. corporation to abandon its goals for recruiting workers from underrepresented groups.

The decision to discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruitment targets follows an annual review of corporate policies. Additionally, the tech giant is reassessing other DEI programs.

DEI Policy Shifts Under Trump Administration

The move comes amid growing political pressure, as U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies have frequently criticised DEI initiatives. Since returning to the White House just over two weeks ago, Trump has ordered government agencies to eliminate such programs.

“We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities,” a Google spokesperson stated.

“We’ve updated our [annual investor report] language to reflect this, and as a federal contractor, our teams are also evaluating changes required following recent court decisions and executive orders on this topic.”

The Wall Street Journal first reported the story.

Google’s Changing DEI Commitments

Between 2021 and 2024, Google’s investor reports prominently featured its commitment to making DEI “part of everything we do.” However, that statement was absent from the latest report published on Wednesday.

Google had previously been a strong advocate for DEI initiatives, particularly following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the subsequent protests. At the time, CEO Sundar Pichai announced a five-year goal to increase the number of leaders from underrepresented groups by 30%.

The company has reported progress in this regard, stating that the proportion of Black leaders nearly doubled between 2020 and last year, while representation of women and Latino employees in leadership also grew.

Broader Corporate Retreat from DEI

Google is not alone in rolling back diversity policies. Other major corporations, including Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald’s, and Walmart, have also scaled back DEI programs in recent months.

Apple, however, has taken a different stance. Last month, its board urged investors to vote against a proposal from the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) to end its DEI initiatives. The group argued that such policies expose companies to “litigation, reputational, and financial risks.”

Legal and Financial Implications

Last week, retail giant Target was sued by a group of shareholders, led by the City of Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund in Florida. The lawsuit claims that Target misled investors by allegedly concealing risks tied to its DEI policies. The suit references a backlash in 2023 over LGBTQ+ merchandise, which reportedly contributed to declines in sales and stock value.

Target has since announced that it is discontinuing its DEI hiring targets.

Political Pressure Continues

In a recent example of the Trump administration’s stance on DEI, the U.S. President speculated—without providing evidence—that diversity policies contributed to a recent air crash in Washington, D.C. His comments, made less than 24 hours after the crash, align with the White House’s broader efforts to dismantle DEI programs.

Google’s decision marks a significant shift in corporate diversity policies, reflecting a broader trend among major U.S. companies. As political and legal pressures mount, the future of DEI initiatives in corporate America remains uncertain.