Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing fierce criticism from conservatives after doubling down on controversial diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. During a recent Texas town hall, Walz claimed Democrats didn’t push hard enough for these programs, blaming their election struggles on a lack of courage. His comments sparked backlash from Republicans who see DEI as a toxic symbol of left-wing overreach.
Fox News’ “The Five” panel torched Walz as a “false prophet of identity politics,” arguing his extreme positions alienate mainstream voters. Co-host Jesse Watters highlighted Walz’s push for gender ideology in schools and race-based hiring practices, calling it “liberal indoctrination” that hurts American values. The segment showed clips of Walz praising DEI initiatives for helping veterans – a claim critics called dishonest.
Even some Democrats are backing away from DEI. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently rejected the term “Latinx” and called transgender athletes in women’s sports “deeply unfair.” Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg quietly removed pronouns from his social media profiles. These moves reveal a party in disarray, scrambling to distance itself from unpopular woke policies ahead of the 2026 midterms.
President Trump has delivered on his promise to eradicate DEI from federal agencies. Over 400 government workers tied to diversity programs have been suspended, with more terminations expected. The administration argues these initiatives wasted taxpayer dollars and promoted racial division over merit. “DEI created hostility and held back qualified Americans,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “We’re restoring fairness.”
JD Vance slammed Walz for “stolen valor,” accusing him of exaggerating his National Guard service to appear more masculine. This follows a pattern of Democrats using military backgrounds to push radical policies. Critics note Walz’s administration allowed biological males in women’s prisons and spent millions renaming landmarks to comply with DEI mandates – priorities conservatives call dangerous and wasteful.
Under Walz’s leadership, Minnesota’s budget deficit ballooned to $3.5 billion despite massive tax hikes. Crime surged in Minneapolis after he slashed police funding, and test scores plummeted as schools focused on gender theory over math and reading. “He turned a thriving state into a sanctuary for illegal immigrants and trans activists,” said local talk radio host Jason Lewis. “Regular families are fleeing.”
As Republicans unite against DEI, Democrats face a reckoning. Americans increasingly view these programs as unfair quotas that punish hardworking citizens. With Trump ending race-based college admissions and dismantling equity bureaucracies, the left’s obsession with identity politics appears headed for defeat. Walz’s stubborn defense of failed policies cements his role as a fading relic of the woke era – a warning to Democrats clinging to unpopular ideologies.
