DEI language removed from Fresno County government job applications

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language is being removed from Fresno County government job applications. 

Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld announced this move Friday, following President Donald Trump’s DEI executive order signed last month. The Fresno County Human Resources teams have already started removing DEI language from applications. Additionally, they will conduct a full audit to ensure this language is eliminated across all hiring material.

“Not only is it unfair and discriminatory, but it’s also dangerous, as we’ve seen with the hiring practices for air traffic controllers,” Bredefeld said. He’s referring to President Donald Trump blaming DEI programs for the deadly crash between a military helicopter and a passenger airplane, which killed 64 people.

“The DEI system also puts people in categories as victims or victimizers, which creates division, strife, and conflict,” Bredefeld added. 

Bredefeld says they’ve specifically seen this language used in the Departments of Behavioral Health and Social Services. He provided a job application for an Unlicensed Mental Health Clinician and highlighted the text he believes is politically motivated.

“The hiring practices promoted by DEI initiatives have also been illegal under federal law, including Title seven of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment.”

From now on, in the hiring process in Fresno County, Bredefeld says diversity, equity, and inclusion will be replaced with equality, merit, and colorblindness.

YourCentralValley.com also spoke with supervisor Luis Chavez, who believes it’s possible to achieve both merit and diversity.

“Supervisor Bredefeld has his opinions, I have my own,” Chavez said.

Chavez has asked the County’s Chief Administrative Officer to review this change to ensure state funding isn’t jeopardized by removing DEI language, while also complying with Trump’s executive order.