Facing the potential loss of $277 million in federal funding, the Fort Worth City Council has voted to delay a resolution that would dismantle its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department and associated programs, following an intense and often emotional two-hour debate.
The vote to postpone the decision until the August 5 council meeting passed 9–2.
The proposed resolution was drafted by city staff in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring all local governments to end DEI-related initiatives or face the loss of federal funding.
Fort Worth’s stakes are high—an estimated $277 million in funding could be revoked if the city fails to comply.
Tensions flared inside the council chambers, particularly among several members voicing opposition to the resolution.
“It’s the Black lives that has been killed and destroyed in our streets by white folks,” City Council Member Chris Nettles said.
“The reason why it’s important that we have programs like this is because we have not had the equity and the ability to even though we can do the work, but because we don’t look like you look or talk like you talk; that we don’t reach the qualifications,” Nettles said.
Another councilmember, Deborah Peoples, compared the removal of DEI initiatives as the persecution of socialists during the Nazi era.
“We cannot fold to an administration determined to eliminate and eradicate the contributions of Americans that I represent,” Peoples said.
Mayor Mattie Parker said that in August she plans to vote to ensure the city complies with the federal mandate, suggesting she supports dismantling the DEI programs if required to retain federal funding.
“I want this dais to have respectful debate, and we hear each other. I think you’ve done that today. I hear your hearts,” Parker said, according to the Fort Worth Report. “I know this is really hard, and I think we can ultimately, hopefully come up with a result in August.”
While some activists criticized the delay as a setback to equity initiatives, others from the community voiced support for removing DEI programs, citing fiscal responsibility, race neutrality, and equal access as reasons to move forward.
“My trust is not in a department,” said John Martinez, leader of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, according to FWR.
“My trust is the men and women will work at the city of Fort Worth, that they’re going to make sure that this community is reflected in the business that we do, and, more importantly, in the services that we provide.”