1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The recent federal investigation into Disney and ABC News over so-called “DEI initiatives” is not only dangerous—it’s un-American. We live in a democracy that is supposed to protect free speech and private enterprise, not weaponize the federal government against organizations that promote inclusion and equity. The Constitution guarantees both equal protection under the law and freedom of association. Punishing companies for hiring diverse staff or airing inclusive content crosses a line no American government should ever approach (CNN, March 28, 2025). Let’s be clear: DEI isn’t some fringe idea. It’s the foundation of fairness in education, employment, and opportunity. Corporations, universities, and nonprofits across the country invest in DEI to help ensure people from all backgrounds—including veterans, people with disabilities, and rural Americans—have a fair shot. Attacking DEI programs under the false guise of rooting out “wokeness” is political theater, not governance. And it’s being done at the cost of our national values. Authoritarian regimes throughout history have used government power to attack dissent, shut down media, and control culture. We are watching this pattern unfold here in the United States. If federal agencies start policing hiring practices and programming decisions, what’s next? Banning books? Punishing journalists for asking the wrong questions? These tactics mirror the oppressive behaviors we have long condemned in other countries. I’m asking you—whether you serve at the state or federal level—to denounce this investigation and any effort to intimidate American businesses or media organizations for doing what’s right. Our country cannot function when one political faction uses the power of government to silence others. The Constitution still matters. Free expression still matters. It’s time for our leaders to act like it.