Greenville Reporter

North Carolina State Representative Gregory F. Murphy has expressed his views on meritocracy and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He said that meritocracy has returned and described DEI as "divisive, degrading, and destructive," further labeling it as "UnAmerican." Murphy shared these thoughts in a January 22 post on the social media platform X.

"Meritocracy is back," said F. Murphy. "We want ALL Americans to strive for excellence. DEI is divisive, degrading and destructive. It is UnAmerican.' Competition is good for everyone."

According to Fox News, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has instructed federal agencies to close all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) offices by January 22. Employees in these offices are to be placed on paid administrative leave. Agencies have been directed to notify staff, remove DEIA-related content from public platforms, cancel related contracts and training, and submit reports to OPM detailing DEIA offices, personnel, and expenditures.

Rep. Greg Murphy's post | X

This directive follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at eliminating DEI programs within the federal government. Additional executive actions were issued to prohibit race- and sex-based preferences in hiring and education and to reverse DEI-related hiring policies at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Murphy has also introduced the Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act. This legislation seeks to eliminate DEI mandates in medical education by halting federal funding to institutions enforcing specific beliefs or racial discrimination. It requires accreditation agencies to prevent DEI-related practices while allowing instruction on race-related health issues and research data collection without promoting discriminatory practices. The bill is co-sponsored by several representatives including Gus Bilirakis, Ralph Norman, Brad Wenstrup, Beth Van Duyne, Andy Harris, Brian Babin, Diana Harshbarger among others.

Murphy is currently serving his third term as the representative for North Carolina’s Third Congressional District. He is a member of several committees including the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Additionally, he co-chairs the House GOP Doctors Caucus. Murphy holds degrees from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine and is noted as the only practicing surgeon in Congress.