GOP Senator Jim Banks Champions End of DEI During CPAC Address

EXCLUSIVE: Indiana Republican Senator Jim Banks plans to address conservatives on Thursday, proclaiming a triumph over what he terms “wokeness.” In his remarks, he is expected to argue that the era of President Trump has ushered in a “Golden Age of America,” signaling the end of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

Banks will assert that despite the pervasive influence of DEI in institutions, Trump successfully dismantled this “Marxist ideology” with decisive executive actions during his presidency. He believes that the defeat of DEI is critical to restoring the American Dream.

During his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, Banks is anticipated to state that Democrats have actively sought to undermine American institutions through “wokeness,” which he describes as a primary tool to erode cultural values.

“Engaging in this fight against such harmful ideologies necessitates courageous action,” he will declare. “That’s exactly what President Trump has done.” Throughout his presidency, Trump sought to keep his campaign promise of eliminating DEI policies that critics argue divert attention from merit-based systems, thus jeopardizing national effectiveness.

In his executive orders from the early days of his term, Trump targeted what he referred to as “radical gender ideology” and specifically banned DEI initiatives across all branches of the military.

In an order entitled “Restoring America’s Fighting Force,” Trump noted that DEI programs threaten “leadership, merit, and unit cohesion,” compromising the military’s overall effectiveness and readiness. He firmly criticized those programs for engaging in race and sex discrimination against Americans.

“Most importantly, DEI has been eliminated from our armed forces,” Banks will tell CPAC attendees. He will argue that under Biden, the military wasted vital resources on social experiments instead of focusing on national security. “Does China’s military concern itself with diversity quotas or respecting individual pronouns?” he will question rhetorically.

As a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict, Banks stresses that diversity alone does not confer any strategic advantage. He believes that prioritizing what he labels as moral virtues distracts from the military’s crucial mission. “Under President Trump, we are refocusing our military efforts on lethality and effectiveness, which are paramount for our national safety,” he adds.

In addition to military policy changes, Trump’s collaboration with Tesla CEO Elon Musk is reportedly aimed at reducing waste in government spending, particularly related to DEI initiatives. Recently, the Department of Education canceled nearly $350 million in spending linked to what it described as “woke” practices.

The agency identified ten contracts with Regional Educational Laboratories, totaling $336 million, which it deemed wasteful and ideologically driven. In a press release, officials indicated these funds were not aligned with the interests of students or taxpayers.

During his upcoming address, Banks will emphasize that under Trump, the Education Department mandated schools to discontinue practices treating students differently based on race or risk losing federal funding. He will frame this action as a substantial victory for American children and a blow to DEI influence in education.

While Senator Banks praises Trump for his strong stance against DEI, he also warns that Congress has more work ahead. He expresses concern about complacent Republicans who may undermine progress in this area.

“Congress must fulfill its responsibility to reinforce the victories achieved by President Trump and his team,” Banks argued. “Legislation is necessary to codify and expand upon his revolutionary executive orders.”

Furthermore, he admonishes the presence of timid Republicans within the party, asserting that the New Right integrates genuine conservatism with the people’s interests. “President Trump and his administration represent this new political movement,” Banks asserts.

As Banks prepares for his keynote speech at CPAC, he embodies a significant segment of the Republican Party striving to define post-Trump conservatism. His remarks are poised to resonate with party members eager to elevate traditional values while combating perceived liberal ideologies.

Republican leaders have long debated the impact of policies influenced by social justice movements on American culture. With an election year approaching, the discourse around DEI efforts tends to intensify within conservative circles, as exemplified by Banks’ anticipated address.

The conference itself serves as a platform for conservative voices to rally against what they see as cultural threats while showcasing a unified front. Banks’ speech will likely be influential in shaping ongoing discussions about the role of DEI in American society.

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.