Federal Health Workers Terrorized After "DEI" Website Publishes List of "Targets"
Fear and Alarm Among Government Workers
Federal health workers are expressing fear and alarm after a website called “DEI Watch List” published the photos, names, and public information of a number of workers across health agencies, describing them as “targets.”
It’s unclear when the website, which lists mostly Black employees who work in agencies primarily within the Department of Health and Human Services, first appeared.
"Offenses" Include Political Donations and DEI Initiatives
The website, which is being circulated among multiple private group chats of federal health workers across agencies, as well as through social media links, lists "offenses" such as working on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, donating to Democrats, and using pronouns in their bios.
Impact on Workers
A government worker, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, said they found out theirs was among the names on the website Tuesday afternoon after a former co-worker sent them the link on social media.
"It’s unnerving," they said. "My name and my picture are there, and in 2025, it’s very simple to Google and look up someone’s home address and all kinds of things that potentially put me at risk."
Expert Reacts
Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, suggested that the acts of online harassment are criminal and that law enforcement should look into them.
"This is a scare tactic to try to intimidate people who are trying to do their work and do it admirably," Benjamin said. "It’s clear racism."
Reaction from Federal Workers
A person who isn’t on the list but works at a federal health agency called the website "psychological warfare."
The link is being circulated in their private group chat of federal health workers, causing some to "freak out."
It’s hard to gauge whether it’s a legitimate threat. "I don’t know anything about the organization doing this or their parent association," they said. "People are just paranoid right now."
Background
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and focuses on fostering equitable environments in businesses and schools, particularly for historically marginalized communities. The American Accountability Foundation, the group behind the website, has been known for creating lists of "DEI targets" before. In December, it sent Pete Hegseth, then the nominee for defense secretary, a list of names of people in the military whom it deemed too focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Latest Development
In recent weeks, public health workers have received threatening memos from the Department of Health and Human Services, directing them to terminate any activities, jobs, and research with any connection to diversity, equity, and inclusion – and turn in co-workers who don’t adhere to the orders. The result is widespread paranoia and fear.
Conclusion
The "DEI Watch List" website is a disturbing and frightening development in the ongoing war against diversity, equity, and inclusion in federal health agencies. It’s crucial that law enforcement takes action against this harassment and that federal workers are protected from such online attacks.
FAQs
- Who is behind the "DEI Watch List" website?
The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative watchdog group. - What does DEI stand for?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. - What is the purpose of the website?
The website appears to be a way to intimidate and harass federal health workers who work on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. - How can I help federal health workers affected by this situation?
You can express your support for these workers and call on law enforcement to take action against the website’s creators.
