The Mayo Clinic is scrambling to save its diversity agenda by renaming it—just weeks after President Trump signed an executive order banning all DEI-related programs tied to federal funding. But the rebrand may not be enough to dodge Washington’s crackdown.
The world-renowned nonprofit medical group has renamed its “Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” to the “Office of Belonging,” and is directing staff to drop all DEI-related titles. Instead, they’ll now be called “Belonging” employees. The shift was confirmed last week by the Minnesota Star Tribune, which reported that Mayo Clinic’s website and internal structures are being scrubbed of DEI language to avoid violating Trump’s order.
Trump’s executive action, signed on Inauguration Day, explicitly prohibits DEI, DEIA (adding “Accessibility”), and any rebranded version of these programs across federally funded institutions. The administration made clear that attempts to “mask” DEI policies under new names would still be targeted.
“The Director of the Office of Management and Budget … shall coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates… under whatever name they appear,” the order states.
The Mayo Clinic has received more than $4.4 billion from the federal government since 2008, including $500 million from the National Institutes of Health in just the past two years. That funding now appears to be in jeopardy.
In a statement, Mayo Clinic director of media relations Andrea Kalmanovitz admitted the change was tied to “recent national events,” acknowledging the pressure brought on by the Trump administration’s action. Still, she insisted the organization isn’t backing away from its core philosophy.
“Mayo Clinic’s commitment against racism remains,” she said. “We’re embracing an opportunity to accelerate Mayo Clinic’s belonging journey to reflect our culture of collaboration and respect and support positive patient experiences.”
The clinic’s “Office of Belonging” claims its mission is to build “a global environment of empowered belonging,” where “all staff can bring their authentic best selves.” But critics say it’s just DEI with a fresh coat of paint.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) ripped the rebrand on social media. “They aren’t fooling anyone! DEI is DOA,” she posted on X, calling out institutions trying to skirt the new federal rules.
That view is echoed by Trump’s allies in Congress and across the conservative movement, who say the time for tolerance of racial quotas and ideological indoctrination in taxpayer-backed institutions is over.
The executive order was part of a larger push by President Trump to uproot what he calls “radical and wasteful government programs,” especially those promoting identity politics. In his words, DEI policies are “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” that divide Americans instead of uniting them.
While Mayo Clinic is not a government agency, its heavy reliance on federal grants puts it under the microscope. Trump’s administration has already made clear that enforcement won’t stop at rebranding efforts. Institutions caught playing word games may lose federal contracts, grants, or partnerships.
Despite media-friendly language about “psychological safety” and “cultural collaboration,” it remains unclear whether the clinic has eliminated any staff, positions, or program content that existed under its previous DEI banner. The Star Tribune reported the clinic declined to answer questions about personnel impacts or any substantive changes beyond titles.
Trump officials have said more investigations into federally funded institutions will follow, and other nonprofits attempting similar rebrands may be next.
What’s unfolding at the Mayo Clinic isn’t just a name change—it’s a test case. And Washington’s message is clear: no more hiding DEI under new names. If it walks like DEI and talks like DEI, it’s going to be treated like DEI—and shut down.
