Republican attorneys general pressure Costco to drop DEI policies

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Published 12:55 a.m. ET Jan. 28, 2025


Nineteen Republican attorneys general have called on Costco Wholesale to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, citing concerns about discrimination and legal risks.

This comes after 98% of the U.S. retailer's shareholders voted last week against a proposal requesting a report on the risks tied to its diversity and inclusion initiatives, pushing back against the growing scrutiny such policies face. Costco did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.

State officials in a letter to Costco's top boss Ron Vachris accused his company of doubling down on policies they allege violate merit-based principles and federal law.

The 19 Republican officials, co-led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird have demanded Costco notify the states within 30 days whether it will repeal its DEI policies or provide an explanation for maintaining them.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/01/28/costco-dei-policies-republican-attorneys-general/77986371007/

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"Inflation". "Price of eggs". "Working class".

[vishnura]

1. Costcos

Stand your ground!

[Hugin]

2. Clearly a violation of the First Amendment...

I doubt the SCrOTUS will see it that way. Where’s all of the Republicans shouting about big gubberment going after someone who has money?

[Klondike Kat]

6. I was thinking the same thing

Republicans are all about keeping government out of businesses until the business does something they don't like. The hypocrisy never ends.

[Deep State Witch]

3. So Much For

Getting the government off the backs of businesses.

[Probatim]

14. And "let the market dictate success and failure".

And "frivolous lawsuits are ruining America".

And probably 20 other instances of their hypocrisy.

[ancianita]

24. "off the backs of business" should exactly be Costco's response. 98% of this board's business decision outweighs

government interference with Costco's success and free market standing.

[Mike 03]

29. Completely agree!

Costco should issue a press release today, now, right this second!

They have to stand their ground and they have the moral and legal high ground!

[Intractable]

4. You wanna mess with Costco, you gotta go through me!

I'll be there on a checkout line making purchases.

Used to be there for the deals and excellent Kirkland products. Now it's to support my favorite store, which has a reputation for being good to its employees.

[KatyBR]

13. Exactly-Let's use our individual economic power to make a statement

Costco needs to know that we will keep shopping there (or won't if they change these policies). What ever is so wrong about policies that increase diversity, inclusiveness and equitable treatment of employees? Right is getting away with making this sound like affirmative action, when it is SO much more than that!

[Festivito]

5. Are they trying to run COSTCO's business, or campaigning using government funds?

[Buns_of_Fire]

7. It figures that paxton would one of the co-leaders.

To the other 18: F--k you. If Costco is doing something illegal, take 'em to court.

To paxton: F--k you. With a chainsaw.

[OldBaldy1701E]

16. Exactly.

Let's see those court dates. I would love it if Costco would sue the fuck out of those idiots for as many things as they can come up with in return. I also hope that they will draw it out so that these AGs will have to pony up the court costs, because you know damned well the state will be the one doing the paying. THAT might get some traction with those people in the red states who are not inhuman swine.

[Ojerly]

8. Hang Tough Costco.

We need a champion to get behind. When government tells you how to think, act, live, and love, it's no longer a government FOR THE PEOPLE. The people who are against Costco's DEI initiative, are the same ones that have a problem flashing their cards about 12" lower than they are used to. Screw them. Costco will continue to get my business.
Don't fold FIGHT!

[AverageOldGuy]

9. My comment is not related to the topic . . .

I clicked on the link to the USAToday article only to be greeted by some of the most gross, unattractive, ugly, vomit-inducing ads I have ever seen.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. You need some kind of ad-blocker on your browser

But I will say the person in the embedded video at the OP link was definitely what you describe!

[johnnyfins]

11. I will start doing ALL of my shopping at Costco

Fuck these Nazi assholes. It is not against Federal Law. Executive orders are not law.

Here's a question you can ask any MAGAt spewing about DEI: Ask them if they think that companies, that answer to boards and shareholders, are purposely hiring unqualified people to satisfy DEI requirements. They won't have an answer for you.

[3catwoman3]

19. Ask them what the 3 letters of DEI actually stand for...

…and most probably wont be able to answer that either.

[2naSalit]

12. Just tell them...

To FUCK ALL THE WAY OFF!

[Biophilic]

15. What heck are they so f'ing afraid of?

There is nobody, nobody, with smaller penis' than republicans.

[Escurumbele]

17. COSTCO's response should be simple, they will maintain DEI policies because of merits, those people who are

part of the DEI policies have earned their place at COSTCO...its as simple as that, on the other hand, most new trump officials do not deserve to be in positions trump has chosen them for because they have zero merit for the jobs and represent a danger to the country and the World, as a matter of fact, trump is the first to be sitting at a position he has zero merit for, but then again, the goal is to destroy the USA, these "ideas and orders" are coming from Putin, and the buffoon is complying with all of them, Putin's goal has always been to create chaos in the World, the buffoon is following the orders to the letter.

[33taw]

18. Maybe we should be asking why Trump thought it was a good idea to give $500 billion dollars to big Tech

when Deep Seek built and infrastructure for $5.6 million. He's got all these bloated tech gurus and wants to waste money on them.

[IowaUnionman]

20. Iowa atty general

Iowa attorney general Byrd is a dei hire . Byrd is probably the only homeschooled attorney general in the USA. Her idiot boss gov. Reynolds hired a homeschooled attorney to represent her policies.

[travelingthrulife]

21. Most petty, nasty people on earth, Republicans .

[3auld6phart]

22. Hope

Costco tells theose’ puke traitor AGs to go pound sand.

[AllaN01Bear]

23. who the @@@@ do you think you are.

[ificandream]

25. Republicans won't stop here ...

I can only imagine what they might try next. These weasels are nothing but persistent.

[Marthe48]

26. Part of training for any employee

As my daughter pointed out, DEI training doesn't just enhance diversity. Company DEI training lays out guidelines on how to treat fellow employees and customers, if respect isn't part of your upbringing.

Just imagine going into any store and asking a clerk for help, and the reply is "F**k off.* Find it yourself." Yeah, boy, I wanna shop in that atmosphere.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

27. On what basis are these idiots gop AGs doing this?

These AGs are idiots if they think that they have any legal basis for their efforts

[niyad]

28. Ever notice how "free markets" never apply to businesses making

decisions they don't like?

[bromeando]

30. DEI

A smart business won't hire anyone who can't do the job. They want people who are educated and experienced. When I worked for a major industry, we were told to respect all other employees. When employees feel they can work without fear of abuse, they will produce more. Good for business

[Ocelot II]

31. So government officials are telling a private corporation how to run its business?

And specifically telling it that it shouldn't do anything to prevent discriminatory employment practices? The problem, of course, is that DEI interferes with the GOP's own affirmative action program for mediocre white males.

[RobinA]

33. This Is Quite Frightening

if this stuff works. And I say that as a person who isn't a big fan of the way DEI is carried out. Nevertheless, Costco should be able to run its business in any legal way they want. If something they do makes them vulnerable to civil litigation that is for them to decide.

[cyndensco]

32. It was odd that Target would announce its support of DEI and then change course days later.

I figured someone threatened them. Now it makes sense.

[RobinA]

34. Coming From A Business

that pulled their Pride displays, I am not surprised.

[Ocelot II]

36. The Twin Cities Pride Festival just kicked Target out of its parade

and other events - they used to be a big sponsor but the festival has told them to fuck right off.

Twin Cities Pride has decided to exclude Target from its annual festival and parade after the retailer’s decision to scale back diversity initiatives.

For years, Target has been a visible — and generous — supporter of Pride events in Minneapolis and around the country, donating between $50,000 and $70,000 each year to Twin Cities Pride, Executive Director Andi Otto said. Target was expected to be a sponsor again this year.

But in a Sunday interview, Otto called the company’s decision to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming “the breaking point” that pushed festival organizers to temporarily cut ties with the Minneapolis-based corporation.

Target’s move comes as federal agencies dismantle their diversity programs after sweeping orders from President Donald Trump.

https://www.startribune.com/target-wont-be-at-twin-cities-pride-festival-organizers-say/601211617

[Ocelot II]

35. Target seems to cave pretty easily - it wasn't that long ago

that they folded like cheap lawn chairs and withdrew their Pride advertising and products in response to pressure from anti-LGBT people.

[Mosby]

38. There was one guy in Maricopa County AZ

That made videos of himself in various Targets pulling down signage and asking other customers about God and LGBT+ people. He was repeatedly asked to leave the stores, but Target in the Valley literally moved and took down some displays just because of that asshole. He's a real POS, lives with his mom in Scottsdale.

Eta his name is Ethan Schmidt.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arrest-warrant-issued-for-troll-ethan-schmidt-crockett-in-scottsdale-17926916

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

37. Maybe Costco should leave the states that have a problem with them

WalMart can pick up the slack with their sweatshop labor junk

[Clouds Passing]

39. WTF is wrong with these people? They can't let it go! They have to keep picking at other people's wounds.

[jgmiller]

40. I think the explanation from them to the AG's should be pretty short

"We are a public company and listen to our shareholders, the government has no place in dictating what a indenpendant company can do."

Actually based on what their response was to the group that put that on the ballot at Costco that might be very close to their response.

[SupportSanity]

41. We've sent some of our boys to have a visit with Costco and help them change their mind.

Right out of the mafia.

And Costco will feel the heat if they don't comply.

This is all very sickening.