EXCLUSIVE: Read the Frantic Memo Eric Holder Sent Clients After Trump Declared War on DEI

President Donald Trump has taken significant action through executive orders to dismantle the diversity, equity, and inclusion complex that has taken hold in federal departments and in much of corporate America. For example, he instructed the federal government to investigate private sector DEI initiatives involving the potentially illegal use of race-conscious preferences.

Many of the companies now scrambling to avoid running afoul of anti-discrimination laws—and an administration willing to enforce them—hired prominent law firms to conduct race and diversity "audits," a practice that ramped up in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. One of the so-called diversity experts in high demand was corporate lawyer Eric Holder, the controversial former attorney general under Barack Obama.

Starbucks hired Holder, who charges as much as $2,300 an hour for his time, to conduct a "civil rights audit" in 2018. He recommended a series of policy changes to promote "equity" at the company, which implemented many of Holder's suggestions only to be slapped with a shareholder lawsuit alleging the new policies violated non-discrimination laws. So it comes as no surprise that Trump's executive orders have caused "fear and confusion" among corporate leaders, according to the New York Times.

Holder, who is also rumored to be panicking as a result of Trump's action, recently circulated a memo to his corporate clients attempting to assuage their concerns. The memo, which was exclusively and semi-legally obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, is reprinted below for your immediate enjoyment:

DATE: January 24, 2025

TO: Valued corporate clients

SUBJECT: White supremacy strikes back / recommended course of action

Many of you have contacted me with questions regarding President Trump's recent executive orders and the legal implications for the DEI policies I allegedly advised your companies to implement. While stipulating that these policies were enacted solely at the discretion of a corporate executive who may or may not have been acting on the advice of outside legal counsel, I strongly urge you consider taking the following steps to reduce your risk of federal prosecution:

Note: By reading this memo you have authorized Eric H. Holder Jr. and Covington & Burling LLP to charge your company for legal services rendered. Please wire the full amount ($21,595) to account GB54CITI18500808924309, Cayman National Bank.