Nicki Neily, founder of Parents Defending Education, has strongly criticized the Biden administration's allocation of over $1 billion to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in American schools. She argues that this expenditure is a misuse of taxpayer money, particularly given the current struggles with student literacy. Neily expressed her concerns on "Fox & Friends First," highlighting the statistic that 40% of American students are not proficient in reading.

A report from Parents Defending Education reveals that the Biden administration has granted substantial funding towards DEI initiatives between 2021 and the present. The report details $489,883,797 allocated to race-based hiring, $343,337,286 to general DEI programs, and $169,301,221 to DEI-focused mental health training and programs. This amounts to a total expenditure exceeding $1 billion.

The report cites specific examples of these grants, including a multi-million dollar grant to the School District of Philadelphia for a restorative justice program, a substantial grant for a "culturally responsive" computer science summer camp, and a smaller grant to a Michigan school district for DEI professional development. Neily contends that DEI initiatives are detrimental, fostering division and labeling individuals as either "oppressed" or "oppressors."

She referenced a study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Rutgers University, which indicated increased hostility and punitive attitudes among participants exposed to DEI principles. Neily emphasizes that these programs harm children rather than helping them.

Several states, including Texas and Florida, have taken legislative action to ban DEI in higher education. Neily anticipates a broader movement to eliminate these programs, particularly with the incoming Republican administration. She predicts a significant "clean-up effort" in the coming years.

Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed to President-elect Donald Trump's advisory board on government spending, also criticized the DEI spending as more than just wasteful. Both Ramaswamy and Elon Musk have expressed support for dismantling the Department of Education, a proposal Trump championed during his campaign. Trump has nominated Linda McMahon to lead the department in 2025.