NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has formally called on Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to end its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, citing concerns over transparency and compliance with recent executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump.

In a letter addressed to VUMC President Dr. Jeffrey Balser, Blackburn wrote, “I write to you today to express my grave concern regarding reports that Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has begun concealing its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts instead of fully complying with President Trump’s executive action to end wasteful DEI programs in educational institutions.”

The senator highlighted claims that VUMC had recently scrubbed references to DEI and climate activism from its website, even password-protecting certain pages. Despite these actions, Blackburn noted that several offices tied to DEI work—including the Office of Health Equity, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office for Diversity Affairs—remain active, stating that “These offices have advocated for ‘collectively addressing systemic inequities’ and ‘confronting structural racism.’”

Blackburn also revisited past controversy surrounding the medical center, writing, “VUMC’s track record on embracing harmful woke initiatives is grim, as VUMC has previously performed sex change surgeries on minors before suspending the program after public outrage.”

According to Blackburn, the university has received millions in federal taxpayer funding, including more than $66 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards so far this fiscal year. She emphasized concerns about how these funds have been used, adding, “Over $17 million has been invested in VUMC’s DEI and Belonging Program, which was formed to hire ‘diverse biomedical researchers.’”

Referencing recent Trump administration directives, Blackburn wrote, “President Trump has been clear on this issue. His recent executive orders correctly prohibited DEI programs at federally funded research institutions and ended the recognition of gender identity apart from biological sex.”

She concluded her letter with a direct call for compliance: “As a beneficiary of federal funding, VUMC has a responsibility to align with the President’s executive orders and return to a focus on lifesaving research as opposed to woke DEI initiatives. Instead of covering up VUMC’s DEI initiatives, I urge you to comply with President Trump’s effort to responsibly allocate taxpayer dollars and immediately cease all DEI initiatives.”

• The full letter was released by Senator Blackburn’s office and can be viewed through her official website. Click Here for a direct link to the actual letter.