Meta and Amazon are canceling their diversity programs, joining companies across corporate America that are rolling back hiring and training initiatives that conservatives have criticized, citing legal and political risks.

The move comes just days after Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, announced it was ending a fact-checking program that was criticized by President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans.

In a memo to employees about her decision, which affects hiring, supplier and training efforts, Meta cited the “changing legal and political landscape.”

Walmart and McDonald’s are among other companies that have made similar decisions regarding diversity efforts since Trump won re-election.

In her memo to staff, which was First reported by Axios This was confirmed by the BBC, and cited the Supreme Court ruling on race in university admissions, while also noting that the term “DEI” (diversity, equality and inclusion) had become “fraught”.

The tech giant said it will continue to look for diverse employees, but will end its current approach, which seeks to select from a pool of diverse candidates.

In a memo to employees in December, Amazon said it was “retired outdated programs and materials” related to representation and inclusion, with a goal of completing the process by the end of 2024.

“Instead of individual groups building programs, we focus on programs with proven results — and we also aim to foster a truly more inclusive culture,” Candy Castleberry, vice president of inclusive experiences and technology at Amazon, wrote in the memo that was first reported. by Bloomberg on Friday.

Financial companies JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock also withdrew from groups focusing on risks from climate change this week.

These moves represent a sign of an acceleration of the decline that began two years ago Republicans have intensified their attacks on companies such as BlackRock and DisneyShe accused them of “woke” progressive activism and threatened political sanctions.

Big brands like Bud Light and Target have also faced backlash and boycotts related to their efforts to attract LGBTQ customers.

Several diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were launched following the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd.

Recent court decisions have strengthened critics of the programs, who say they are discriminatory.

Supreme Court in 2023 It revoked the right of private universities to consider the issue of race In admission decisions

Another appeals court ruling invalidated a Nasdaq policy that would have required companies listed on that exchange to have at least one woman, racial minority or LGBT person on their board or explain why not.

Meta said it would also end its efforts to work with “diversified” suppliers but would instead focus on small and medium-sized businesses.

It also plans to stop offering “equity and inclusion” training and instead offer programs that “reduce bias for everyone, no matter your background.”

Meta declined to comment on the memo, news of which was immediately met with criticism and celebration.

“I’m sitting back and enjoying every second of this,” said conservative activist Robbie Starbuck, who is best known for his successful campaign against policies at companies such as Ford, John Deere and Harley-Davidson.

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT advocacy group, said workplace inclusion policies helped attract and retain top employees and were “directly linked to long-term business growth.”

“Those who shirk these commitments are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers and shareholders,” said Rashawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of HRC’s Workplace Equity Program.

Meta’s move comes just days after the tech giant announced it was ending a fact-checking program criticized by Trump and Republicans and elevating conservatives to key leadership positions.

In a nearly three-hour interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s president, said he had always worried about being an arbiter of “truth” and was “unprepared” when the issue first escalated after the 2016 election.

He said demands to delete information have become unreasonable under the Biden administration. For example, he said the company faced pressure during the pandemic to remove content such as data about vaccine side effects.

He said that helped generate a broader political reaction, including his own.

“I feel like I now have a lot more control over what I think policies should be,” he said, adding that he feels the US government “should be defending its companies… not being the tip of the spear.”

“When the United States does this to its technology industry, it’s basically just open season on the rest of the world,” he added.