President Trump’s Executive Orders Prompt ACGME to End DEI Accreditation Requirements, White House Celebrates

The White House is commending a leading accrediting body in medical education for ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates and closing its DEI department, as reported by Fox News.

Liz Huston, White House assistant press secretary, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that:

“President Trump is protecting civil rights and restoring merit-based opportunity. Organizations like the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education are making the right decision by choosing to no longer waste resources on divisive DEI departments.”

Huston added:

“Individual dignity, hard work and excellence are the foundation of American greatness, and these demeaning ‘equity’ mandates have no place in our institutions.”

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), an independent nonprofit that oversees accreditation standards for graduate medical education, announced the change last week.

The organization sets standards for medical residencies and fellowships across the United States.

@acgme “has a monopoly” in medical education “and was making programs choose trainees… based on race.” @BreccanFThies breaks down ACGME’s temporary hold on diversity rules—and quotes me, thanks!

Time to END DEI discrimination in medicine!

Read @FDRLST in reply ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1wkSGjvVTj

— Travis Morrell, MD MPH (@MorrellMDmph) May 13, 2025

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In its statement, ACGME said recent federal directives influenced the decision.

“Recent federal directives, including executive orders and a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, have prohibited accrediting bodies from requiring or otherwise encouraging a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI),” the statement read.

“Similar directives apply to programs and hospitals receiving Medicare payments for GME.”

ACGME confirmed it would comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI requirements across federally influenced institutions.

“In alignment with these federal directives, the ACGME has taken several actions, including retiring DEI-specific accreditation requirements, updating the organization’s relevant policies and procedures, and closing the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” the accreditor said.

The council noted that it will work with affiliated programs and institutions throughout the transition.

“The ACGME will assist stakeholders through this transition, and guarantee their accreditation system reflects both the highest standards of medical education for all residents and fellows serving all patients and the current regulatory landscape,” the organization stated.

Fox News Digital reported that it also sought comment from the Department of Education.

The decision marks a significant shift in accreditation standards for graduate medical education programs nationwide, signaling the removal of DEI requirements in residency and fellowship accreditation.

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