The Trump administration has launched investigations into the use of diversity initiatives in hiring and promotion practices at major US companies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
According to the report, Google and Verizon are among a group of firms that have received demands from the US Department of Justice for documents and information related to their workplace programmes. The newspaper cited people familiar with the investigations.
Neither Google nor Verizon, nor the Justice Department, immediately responded to requests for comment.
The probes are being conducted under the False Claims Act, a federal civil statute that allows the government to recover funds lost through fraud. The report said companies under scrutiny span sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, defence and utilities, with some firms having held in-person meetings with Justice Department officials.
President Donald Trump moved swiftly after taking office in January to dismantle federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes and discourage their use in the private sector and education. His administration has directed federal agencies to eliminate diversity officer roles and has withdrawn grant funding from a range of related initiatives.
