The Department of Defense (DoD) is the latest agency that is disbanding all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs following President Donald Trump's executive order terminating all federal DEI programs.
"The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at Dept. of Defense," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a post on X.
In a handwritten note shared along with the post on X, Hegseth wrote: "The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays."
Hegseth added that "those who do not comply will no longer work here."
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., echoed Hegseth, writing: "The best way to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race or gender is to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race or gender," Kennedy wrote in a post on X. "Let DEI die."
Hegseth, 44, was sworn in on Saturday morning after he secured his confirmation to lead the Pentagon on Friday after weeks of intense political drama surrounding his nomination and public scrutiny into his personal life.
"All praise and glory to God. His will be done and we're grateful to be here," Hegseth said after taking the oath of office, surrounded by his wife and children.
Hegseth is a former Minnesota National Guard officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and a former Fox News host.
Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed up by Elon Musk, reported that approximately $420 million in current/impending contracts, mainly focused on DEI initiatives, had also been canceled.
On Inauguration Day, Trump signed an executive order that forced all DEI offices to close and placed all government workers in those offices on paid leave.
Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Charles Ezell sent a memo to heads and acting heads of departments and agencies directing them that by the end of business on Jan. 22, they were to inform all agency employees of the DEI shutdown. In addition, they were instructed to tell workers directly involved in DEI to take down all DEI-related websites and social media accounts, cancel any related contracts or training, and ask employees to report any efforts to disguise DEI programs by using coded or imprecise language.
The memo also directed the heads of agencies and departments that by noon on Jan. 23, they were to provide OPM with lists of all DEI offices, employees, and related contracts in effect as of Nov. 5, 2024.
By Friday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m., agency heads were required to submit to OPM a written plan for executing a reduction-in-force action regarding DEI employees and a list of all contract descriptions or personnel position descriptions that were changed since Nov. 5, 2024, to obscure their connection to DEI programs.
The president also signed an order making it "the official policy of the U.S. government to only recognize two genders: male and female."
Trump issued two other executive actions targeting DEI — an executive order to end discrimination in the workplace and higher education through race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of DEI and a memo to eliminate a Biden administration policy that prioritized DEI hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration.
In his executive order, Trump wrote that he sought to protect Americans from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. He said these civil-rights protections "serve as a bedrock supporting equality of opportunity for all Americans" and that he "has a solemn duty to ensure that these laws are enforced for the benefit of all Americans."
"Yet today, roughly 60 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, critical and influential institutions of American society, including the Federal Government, major corporations, financial institutions, the medical industry, large commercial airlines, law enforcement agencies, and institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) or 'diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility' (DEIA) that can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation," the order reads.
It adds that these "illegal DEI and DEIA policies also threaten the safety of American men, women, and children across the Nation by diminishing the importance of individual merit, aptitude, hard work, and determination when selecting people for jobs and services in key sectors of American society, including all levels of government, and the medical, aviation, and law-enforcement communities.
Prior to Trump's order, the FBI closed its DEI office in December.
Fox News' Brooke Singman, Brie Stimson, Michael Dorgan and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and Washington Commanders defensive back Marshon Lattimore had to be pulled apart as they got into a brouhaha in the NFC Championship on Sunday.
The incident occurred after Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ran into the end zone for a touchdown from the 1-yard line with under 2 minutes to play in the first half. Off to the right, Brown and Lattimore locked horns.
The two players were pushing each other in the helmet. Brown pushed Lattimore’s helmet off his face. Lattimore was penalized for unnecessary roughness, and it gave the Eagles a great opportunity for a 2-point try. However, Washington locked in and stopped Hurts’ sneak.
No other player was penalized for the flare-up.
Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler. Washington acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints in the middle of the season. He appeared in two games for the Commanders during the regular season and had three pass-breakups.
Lattimore is a fiery competitor. He’s been seen in multiple skirmishes with Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans as the two players competed during NFC South rivalry games when the cornerback was on the Saints.
Brown, Lattimore’s foe in this skirmish, ended up scoring on the Eagles’ following drive. He caught a 4-yard pass from Hurts to push Philadelphia’s lead even higher.
He went into the half leading Philadelphia in receiving with four catches for 61 yards and the touchdown.
Taylor Swift's one step away from another Super Bowl appearance ... 'cause if Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs win today, they're headed for the big game -- and, Swift's clearly bringing the team spirit to the affair. The pop star arrived at…
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. first took legal action against Unilever and its subsidiary, Conopco, filing a complaint in the US Southern District of New York in November.
In the initial complaint, Ben & Jerry's said Unilever blocked it from making statements supporting Palestinians, which the company said breached a settlement agreement and prevented it from pursuing its social mission.
"Specifically, Unilever has repeatedly failed to recognize and respect the Independent Board's primary responsibility over Ben & Jerry's Social Mission and Brand Integrity, including threatening Ben & Jerry's personnel should the company speak regarding issues which Unilever prefers to censor," the complaint said.
Ben & Jerry's said Unilever breached the settlement agreement "by threatening to dismantle the Independent Board, sue Board members, and intimidate Ben & Jerry's personnel."
The Vermont-based ice cream company has made political, social justice, and environmental activism part of its public identity. Most recently, Ben & Jerry's official TikTok account promoted the People's March in Washington, DC.
On Friday, Ben & Jerry's amended the complaint to include references to Trump, Musk, and Peltz.
Ben & Jerry's says Unilever censored a statement it made about Trump
Ben & Jerry's said its parent company stopped it from making a post mentioning President Donald Trump.
GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
In the amended complaint, Ben & Jerry's said it intended to publish a post on Inauguration Day "that identified several social issues Ben & Jerry's believed would be challenged during the Trump administration, including minimum wage, universal healthcare, abortion, and climate change."
However, Ben & Jerry's said Peter ter Kulve — the business group president of Unilever's ice cream division — prevented the post from going live.
"Despite weeks of working on the statement, including feedback from Unilever's Global Head of Litigation, on January 18, 2024, Peter ter Kulve unilaterally barred Ben & Jerry's from issuing the post because it specifically mentioned 'Donald Trump,'" the company said in the complaint.
Ben & Jerry's said the decision "ignored" the company's "consistent history of challenging the Trump administration."
Unilever's decision 'coincides' with Peltz's support for Trump, the complaint says
The complaint then mentions Musk and Peltz.
Musk has aligned himself with the Trump administration and leads the Department of Government Efficiency. Peltz is a wealthy investor and cofounder of Trian Fund Management whojoined Unilever's board as a non-executive director in 2022.
In its complaint, Ben & Jerry's said that Unilever's decision to block its post about Trump was related to Peltz's position on the board.
"Unilever's springing objection to mentioning 'Trump' coincides with its prominent board member, Nelson Peltz, publicly supporting Mr. Trump," Ben & Jerry's said. "Unsurprisingly, within twenty-four hours of Mr. ter Kulve blocking the Inauguration Post based off a hunch rather than evidence, he hosted an Ice Cream Townhall, where he publicly touted that Mr. Peltz had been the one to introduce Elon Musk to Donald Trump."
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk were mentioned in Ben & Jerry's amended complaint.
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ben & Jerry's said Unilever had shown a "pattern and practice" of "usurping" its board's authority while hindering the company's social mission and brand integrity.
"According to Mr. ter Kulve, despite four decades of progressive social activism — and years of challenging the Trump administration's policies specifically — criticizing Trump was now too taboo for the brand synonymous with 'Peace, Love, and Ice Cream,'" the company's complaint said.
Ben & Jerry's attorney told Business Insider in a statement that the company is trying to protect its values.
"The heart of this dispute is an American institution protecting the precise values that have made it so beloved over the past four decades: social justice, equality, and free speech," the statement said. "It is a shame that Unilever today has such a difficult time understanding these principles and the unique DNA of our company."
Representatives for Unilever, Trump, Musk, and Peltz did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
The Challenge alums Kaycee Clark and Nany González have called it quits more than a year after announcing their engagement.
“After a lot of reflection, Kaycee and I have decided to go our separate ways,” the couple wrote in a joint statement shared to Instagram Stories on Wednesday, January 25.
“This definitely wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s what’s best for the both of us,” they wrote.
It continued: “Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way — we’re both moving forward with love and kindness in our hearts & we ask that you respect our need for privacy at this time.”
Clark, 37, and González, 36, met while filming season 35 of The Challenge: Total Madness in 2019. The pair weren’t linked romantically until two years later, when they started posting photos with one another on Instagram.
During an interview with Us Weekly in August 2022, Clark and González revealed they were “super excited” about their future and said they had discussed the possibility of marriage and kids.
“We have talked about it a lot. The next step, obviously, would be marriage,” González told Us at the time.
“And then, of course, after that would be children and that, obviously, would, you know, come with IVF and all of that. So that’s definitely something that we’re going to look into eventually and we’re super excited about just our future together,” she added.
In the clip, which appears to have since been deleted, the pair could be seen walking, dancing, and embracing on a beach on Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands. The video ended with González getting down on one knee next to a sign lit up in a fire that read, “Will U Marry Me.”
“From the moment I met this woman, I knew that she was someone special,” the caption read.
“Our paths crossed in the most unexpected way, and I am forever grateful for that chance encounter. My heart is full of love and gratitude for the joy you have brought into my life, Kaycee Noelle.”
“Because 3 kids wasn’t chaotic enough ,” Compono, 32, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, January 25. “Baby #4 coming August 2025 .”
Compono uploaded a portrait of kids Anthony, 3, Liliana, 2, and Carmella, 11 months, sitting in order of their ages below balloons that read “1,” “2” or “3.” Below a “4” balloon was a framed sonogram photo with the words “Coming Soon.”
Nichols, 37, reshared the announcement via his own Instagram Story later that day.
Several of the couple’s Challenge costars shared their excitement in the Instagram comments.
“Congrats ,” Tori Deal replied, while Kailah Casillas asked, “When ya buying the school bus? so happy for you .”
Compono and Nichols met while filming The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2 in 2015, going on to date on and off. Nichols ultimately proposed in December 2019 before they said “I do” two years later in March 2021. Compono found out she was pregnant with son Anthony one month before their nuptials. He was born in September 2021.
“Zach got to see him before me while he held my leg and watched him come out,” she exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. “But when he was put on my chest and we both got to see him, it was amazing. We made this adorable little life. It’s truly the best feeling ever. We haven’t put him down once yet; we are completely obsessed.”
Zach Nichols and Jenna ComponoCourtesy of Jenna Compono/Instagram
Compono added, “We are looking forward to bringing Anthony home and just having fun being parents. Zach is super hands-on and I can honestly say I haven’t changed one diaper yet. He continues to impress me every day, and you can easily see that being a dad came so naturally for him.”
While the reality TV alums have their hands full with almost four kids, they might not be done expanding their brood. In 2020, Compono ruled out another Challenge stint because of their family plans.
“We want six kids,” she said in an Instagram Story Q&A at the time.
The actor and his daughter, 7, were spotted wearing their Eagles gear and rooting for Cooper's hometown team as they took on the Commanders on Sunday, Jan. 26
Jack Drury, one of the key acquisitions in the Colorado Avalanche's major trade last week with the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks, scored his first goal in his new uniform as his club outlasted the New York Rangers 5-4 on Sunday afternoon.
"Our rejection of the displacement of Palestinians is firm and will not change," Jordan Foriegn Minister Ayman Safadi said. "Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians."
A proposal document viewed by CNBC, which was shared with ByteDance and prospective new investors, detailed the creation of a new U.S. holding company, "NewCo."
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