In January 2025, freshly re-inaugurated into office, President Donald Trump called for a significant shift in how the federal government will treat diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). In rapid succession he issued three executive orders (DEI EOs), and then further guidance and communications from governmental agencies in early 2025 drove the point home. Then came court challenges to the DEI EOs, agency actions and voluntary settlements that have completely reshaped the DEI landscape, with future changes likely. In a recent webinar from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, four members of Miller & Chevalier discussed the practicalities of the federal DEI landscape. This first article in a two-part series examines the DEI EOs as well as the guidance and communication from federal agencies. The second article will cover the resulting agency actions and legal battles, and offer advice to companies on how to respond. See “Reference Guide to 2025 Executive Orders for Compliance Professionals” (Apr. 9, 2025).