Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses Chairman Brandon Gill delivered his opening statement at a hearing on combating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in American institutions on July 14. In his remarks, Gill said that modern DEI policies go against the efforts of civil rights leaders to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all and fuel discrimination in schools and workplaces. He called for Congress and witnesses to find ways to end what he described as a harmful ideology that leads to unlawful discrimination.
Gill opened the hearing by saying, “Good morning and welcome to today’s hearing before the Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses on the discriminatory, harmful, and often illegal nature of so-called ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ or ‘DEI’ policies.” He continued by stating that DEI is “by its very nature, an affront to the principles and ideals that define our great nation” as well as “a rejection of the progress our predecessors made in ensuring civil rights protections for all Americans.”
Gill referenced historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., noting their work toward a society where people are judged by character rather than skin color. He said, “Today DEI has become a euphemism for a Marxist ideology which seeks to undo those very efforts by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King and his contemporaries.” According to Gill, DEI represents an effort “to specifically judge people by the color of their skin and other immutable characteristics,” which he described as both racist ideology and a violation of federal law.
He cited Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting employment discrimination based on race or other characteristics. He also referenced a 2023 Supreme Court decision regarding racial discrimination in college admissions practices. Gill questioned whether supporters believe individuals from diverse backgrounds lack skills without quotas or preferential treatment. Quoting New York Governor Kathy Hochul from 2024—“Black kids growing up in the Bronx [] don’t even know what the word computer is”—he criticized such statements as patronizing.
Gill named several companies including Macy’s, BlackRock, Starbucks, Disney, Google, and Amazon for instituting aggressive DEI policies. In higher education settings, he said institutions have rebranded their practices but continue seeking ways to categorize individuals racially despite Supreme Court rulings.
He concluded by expressing concern that proponents are waiting for another opportunity rather than abandoning these practices: “The behavior of the Radical Left indicates that DEI is not truly eradicated from our society but merely lying dormant… until it has an opportunity to rise again.” Gill said he looked forward to discussion about how society can eradicate what he described as insidious discrimination under DEI.