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08/06/25
Fort Worth suspends DEI initiatives to comply with Trump orders, creates small business program
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A split Fort Worth City Council voted Tuesday night to suspend diversity, equity and inclusion-related initiatives in an effort to comply with requirements of the Trump administration and protect millions of dollars the city receives in federal grants.
The 7-4 vote came after about five hours of public comment and debate across the dais. The dissenting votes came from the council’s three Black members — Mia Hall, Chris Nettles and Deborah Peoples — and Elizabeth Beck, who is white.
Directly after voting for the suspension, council members voted 10-1 to create a small business development program meant to mitigate the impact of removing specific economic incentives for minority- and women-owned businesses. Peoples was the dissenting vote.
Before their votes, council members heard from 62 speakers, including local civil rights activists, business owners, faith leaders, political leaders and residents. Forty-five people spoke against suspending DEI, and nine in favor of it. It was unclear where other commenters stood on the suspension.
Speakers against the resolution largely implored the council to maintain the initiatives they feel are essential to creating a better Fort Worth. They argued the issue was bigger than “just DEI,” and that by ending the initiatives, the city is “bending the knee” to President Donald Trump’s directives seeking power. They warned that the suspension would set a dangerous precedent if federal officials were to seek further restrictions on local government and that it would damage the city’s relationships with communities of color.
Those speaking in favor of dismantling DEI mostly emphasized a desire to see “fiscal responsibility” from the council. Multiple speakers said they couldn’t stomach a potential property tax increase that might be necessary to make up for the loss of federal grants Fort Worth risked losing if DEI programs weren’t cut.
Immediately before voting in favor of the suspension, Mayor Mattie Parker said the vote was “not a ceremonial vote,” and that it was “not the time to virtue signal.” She said she could not in good conscience vote against the suspension and risk losing federal funds.
“On behalf of the citizens of this city, I am the chair of the board of one of the most well-run (and) managed cities in the entire nation, the fastest growing city in the country with over one million residents. One million residents,” Parker said. “And while I am so proud that we’ve had over 90 people come here tonight to speak or submit comment cards, there are one million people that this dais has to be responsible for.”
