House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has launched an inquiry into the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Chairman Jordan expressed concerns about the FBI's emphasis on DEI initiatives over qualifications in recruitment and retention processes.

The letter highlighted the FBI's shift towards DEI initiatives following President Biden's Executive Order on Inauguration Day, which mandated DEI programs across the Executive Branch. It also noted the appointment of the FBI's first Chief Diversity Officer, Scott McMillon, in April 2021.

A report by retired FBI Special Agents and Analysts in October 2023 raised alarm about the FBI's recruitment and selection process. The report pointed out that the FBI's focus on DEI statistics has led to the acceptance of lower quality candidates as Special Agents, compromising the agency's law enforcement and intelligence capabilities.

Whistleblowers within the FBI revealed a significant decrease in the number of applicants for Special Agent positions, with only around 48,000 applications on file in February 2024 compared to over 100,000 in previous years. This decline in applicants is attributed to the public's diminishing trust in the FBI, exacerbated by incidents such as the FBI's controversial actions in cases like the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Chairman Jordan emphasized that the FBI's prioritization of DEI initiatives over qualifications poses a risk to the American public and civil liberties. The letter to Director Wray underscored the importance of maintaining high standards in selecting federal law enforcement officers to ensure the FBI can fulfill its mission effectively and impartially.

The full letter from Chairman Jordan to Director Wray can be accessed for further details on the inquiry into the FBI's DEI hiring practices.