One of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow">Donald Trump&rsquo;s</a> first actions upon returning to office in January was a sweeping removal of &ldquo;woke&rdquo; language across federal government websites. According to an investigation by the New York Times, this directive has led to hundreds of terms being erased or avoided in official communications.
The Times reported that the list of banned words includes phrases such as &ldquo;sense of belonging,&rdquo; &ldquo;all-inclusive&rdquo; and &ldquo;at risk.&rdquo; However, the purge has also extended to seemingly neutral terms like &ldquo;women,&rdquo; &ldquo;institutional&rdquo; and &ldquo;systemic.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/youre-the-troublemaker-trump-snarks-at-reporter-for-asking-question-about-musk-rubio-clash-8834343">&lsquo;You&rsquo;re the troublemaker&rsquo;: Trump snarks at reporter for asking question about Musk-Rubio clash</a>
While critics argue this move is discriminatory, it shows a contradiction in Trump&rsquo;s administration. The president and his allies have often positioned themselves as defenders of free speech. Yet, they are now overseeing one of the most extensive language restrictions in recent history.
<h2>A push for &lsquo;free speech,&rsquo; but with limits</h2>
On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order titled &ldquo;Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship.&rdquo; The order declared, &ldquo;Government censorship of speech is intolerable in a free society.&rdquo; However, the language restrictions now in place appear to contradict that stance.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-clashed-with-marco-rubio-was-called-liar-in-trump-cabinet-meeting-us-president-denies-claim-8833392">Musk 'clashed' with Rubio, was called 'liar' in cabinet meeting, Trump denies claim</a>
According to The Times, additional words that federal agencies have been instructed to avoid include &ldquo;historically,&rdquo; &ldquo;Native American,&rdquo; &ldquo;health equity,&rdquo; and &ldquo;political.&rdquo; The list, compiled from various government memos, internal guidance documents, and official directives, shows a major shift in the administration&rsquo;s approach to language.
In some cases, agencies have been ordered to remove these words from public-facing materials, including websites and educational content. At other agencies, managers have been advised to exercise caution when using certain terms, though not all have been explicitly banned.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/transgender-women-being-forcefully-transferred-to-men-prisons-after-trumps-order-pawn-in-others-political-games-8833188">Transgender women being forcefully transferred to men prisons after Trump's order: 'Pawn in others' political games'</a>
Although&nbsp;every administration makes adjustments to official language to align with its policies, this latest purge shows an effort to reshape the way government communicates on social issues, diversity, and inclusion.
Here is the full list of words The New York Times identified as being targeted for removal or restriction across federal agencies:
accessible
activism
activists
advocacy
advocate
advocates
affirming care
all-inclusive
allyship
anti-racism
antiracist
assigned at birth
assigned female at birth
assigned male at birth
at risk
barrier
barriers
belong
bias
biased
biased toward
biases
biases towards
biologically female
biologically male
BIPOC
Black
breastfeed + people
breastfeed + person
chestfeed + people
chestfeed + person
clean energy
climate crisis
climate science
commercial sex worker
community diversity
community equity
confirmation bias
cultural competence
cultural differences
cultural heritage
cultural sensitivity
culturally appropriate
culturally responsive
DEI
DEIA
DEIAB
DEIJ
disabilities
disability
discriminated
discrimination
discriminatory
disparity
diverse
diverse backgrounds
diverse communities
diverse community
diverse group
diverse groups
diversified
diversify
diversifying
diversity
enhance the diversity
enhancing diversity
environmental quality
equal opportunity
equality
equitable
equitableness
equity
ethnicity
excluded
exclusion
expression
female
females
feminism
fostering inclusivity
GBV
gender
gender based
gender based violence
gender diversity
gender identity
gender ideology
gender-affirming care
genders
Gulf of Mexico
hate speech
health disparity
health equity
hispanic minority
historically
identity
immigrants
implicit bias
implicit biases
inclusion
inclusive
inclusive leadership
inclusiveness
inclusivity
increase diversity
increase the diversity
indigenous community
inequalities
inequality
inequitable
inequities
inequity
injustice
institutional
intersectional
intersectionality
key groups
key people
key populations
Latinx
LGBT
LGBTQ
marginalize
marginalized
men who have sex with men
mental health
minorities
minority
most risk
MSM
multicultural
Mx
Native American
non-binary
nonbinary
oppression
oppressive
orientation
people + uterus
people-centered care
person-centered
person-centered care
polarization
political
pollution
pregnant people
pregnant person
pregnant persons
prejudice
privilege
privileges
promote diversity
promoting diversity
pronoun
pronouns
prostitute
race
race and ethnicity
racial
racial diversity
racial identity
racial inequality
racial justice
racially
racism
segregation
sense of belonging
sex
sexual preferences
sexuality
social justice
sociocultural
socioeconomic
status
stereotype
stereotypes
systemic
systemically
they/them
trans
transgender
transsexual
trauma
traumatic
tribal
unconscious bias
underappreciated
underprivileged
underrepresentation
underrepresented
underserved
undervalued
victim
victims
vulnerable populations
women
women and underrepresented

World: Trump and his allies have often shown themselves as defenders of free speech. Yet, they are now overseeing one of the most extensive language restrictions in recent history.

One of President Donald Trump’s first actions upon returning to office in January was a sweeping removal of “woke” language across federal government websites. According to an investigation by the New York Times, this directive has led to hundreds of terms being erased or avoided in official communications. The Times reported that the list of banned words includes phrases such as “sense of belonging,” “all-inclusive” and “at risk.” However, the purge has also extended to seemingly neutral terms like “women,” “institutional” and “systemic.” Also read: ‘You’re the troublemaker’: Trump snarks at reporter for asking question about Musk-Rubio clash While critics argue this move is discriminatory, it shows a contradiction in Trump’s administration. The president and his allies have often positioned themselves as defenders of free speech. Yet, they are now overseeing one of the most extensive language restrictions in recent history. A push for ‘free speech,’ but with limits On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship.” The order declared, “Government censorship of speech is intolerable in a free society.” However, the language restrictions now in place appear to contradict that stance. Also read: Musk 'clashed' with Rubio, was called 'liar' in cabinet meeting, Trump denies claim According to The Times, additional words that federal agencies have been instructed to avoid include “historically,” “Native American,” “health equity,” and “political.” The list, compiled from various government memos, internal guidance documents, and official directives, shows a major shift in the administration’s approach to language. In some cases, agencies have been ordered to remove these words from public-facing materials, including websites and educational content. At other agencies, managers have been advised to exercise caution when using certain terms, though not all have been explicitly banned. Also read: Transgender women being forcefully transferred to men prisons after Trump's order: 'Pawn in others' political games' Although every administration makes adjustments to official language to align with its policies, this latest purge shows an effort to reshape the way government communicates on social issues, diversity, and inclusion. Here is the full list of words The New York Times identified as being targeted for removal or restriction across federal agencies: accessible activism activists advocacy advocate advocates affirming care all-inclusive allyship anti-racism antiracist assigned at birth assigned female at birth assigned male at birth at risk barrier barriers belong bias biased biased toward biases biases towards biologically female biologically male BIPOC Black breastfeed + people breastfeed + person chestfeed + people chestfeed + person clean energy climate crisis climate science commercial sex worker community diversity community equity confirmation bias cultural competence cultural differences cultural heritage cultural sensitivity culturally appropriate culturally responsive DEI DEIA DEIAB DEIJ disabilities disability discriminated discrimination discriminatory disparity diverse diverse backgrounds diverse communities diverse community diverse group diverse groups diversified diversify diversifying diversity enhance the diversity enhancing diversity environmental quality equal opportunity equality equitable equitableness equity ethnicity excluded exclusion expression female females feminism fostering inclusivity GBV gender gender based gender based violence gender diversity gender identity gender ideology gender-affirming care genders Gulf of Mexico hate speech health disparity health equity hispanic minority historically identity immigrants implicit bias implicit biases inclusion inclusive inclusive leadership inclusiveness inclusivity increase diversity increase the diversity indigenous community inequalities inequality inequitable inequities inequity injustice institutional intersectional intersectionality key groups key people key populations Latinx LGBT LGBTQ marginalize marginalized men who have sex with men mental health minorities minority most risk MSM multicultural Mx Native American non-binary nonbinary oppression oppressive orientation people + uterus people-centered care person-centered person-centered care polarization political pollution pregnant people pregnant person pregnant persons prejudice privilege privileges promote diversity promoting diversity pronoun pronouns prostitute race race and ethnicity racial racial diversity racial identity racial inequality racial justice racially racism segregation sense of belonging sex sexual preferences sexuality social justice sociocultural socioeconomic status stereotype stereotypes systemic systemically they/them trans transgender transsexual trauma traumatic tribal unconscious bias underappreciated underprivileged underrepresentation underrepresented underserved undervalued victim victims vulnerable populations women women and underrepresented

‘Free speech’ but with limits: ‘Equality’, ‘pregnant people’ among words banned under Trump’s ‘woke’ crackdown

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of United States has confirmed that several federal agencies were compromised by a threat actor last year through vulnerabilities found in virtual private networking software made by Pulse Connect Secure.

Ivanti, the parent company of the Pulse Connect Secure product line, said in a security update that they are working with CISA, FireEye, and Stroz Friedberg to investigate and respond to the exploit. In addition, the company is offering a tool for customers to use to test their appliances. Customers can also reach out to Ivanti for testing help and support.

Ivanti Inc said in a statement the hackers took advantage of the flaw in its Pulse Connect Secure suite to break into the systems of "a very limited number of customers."

Ivanti said that while mitigations were in place, a fix for the issue would be unavailable until early May.

Ivanti provided no detail about who might be responsible for the espionage campaign but, in a report timed to Ivanti's announcement, cybersecurity company FireEye Inc said it suspected that at least one of the hacking groups operates on behalf of the Chinese government.

"The other one we suspect is aligned with China-based initiatives and collections," said Charles Carmakal, a senior vice president of Mandiant, an arm of Fireye, ahead of the report's release.

Tying hackers to a specific country are fraught with uncertainty, but Carmakal said his analysts' judgment was based on a review of the hackers' tactics, tools, infrastructure and targets - many of which echoed past China-linked intrusions.

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said China "firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyberattacks," describing FireEye's allegations as "irresponsible and ill-intentioned."

FireEye declined to name the hackers' targets, identifying them only as "defence, government, and financial organizations around the world." It said the group of hackers suspected of working on Beijing's behalf were particularly focused on the U.S. defence industry.

In a statement, the cyber arm of the Department of Homeland Security said it was working with Ivanti "to better understand the vulnerability in Pulse Secure VPN devices and mitigate potential risks to federal civilian and private sector networks."

The US National Security Agency declined to comment. U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Chinese hackers of stealing American military secrets over the years through various means.

Lately, networking devices, which can be hard for companies to monitor, have emerged as a favoured avenue for digital spies.

In 2020 FireEye warned that Beijing-aligned hackers were targeting devices manufactured by Citrix Systems Inc and Cisco Systems Inc to break into a host of companies in what it described as one of the broadest campaigns by a Chinese actor that it had seen in years.

The timing of the latest series of hacks was not made explicit, although FireEye's report said it investigated them "early this year."

Carmakal added that the hackers were operating from U.S. digital infrastructure and borrowing the naming conventions of their victims to camouflage their activity so they would look like any other employee logging in from home.

"We are seeing pretty advanced tradecraft," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of United States has confirmed that several federal agencies were compromised by a threat actor last year through vulnerabilities found in virtual private networking software made by Pulse Connect Secure.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of United States has confirmed that several federal agencies were compromised by a threat actor last year through vulnerabilities found in virtual private networking software made by Pulse Connect Secure. Ivanti, the parent company of the Pulse Connect Secure product line, said in a security update that they are working with CISA, FireEye, and Stroz Friedberg to investigate and respond to the exploit. In addition, the company is offering a tool for customers to use to test their appliances. Customers can also reach out to Ivanti for testing help and support. Ivanti Inc said in a statement the hackers took advantage of the flaw in its Pulse Connect Secure suite to break into the systems of "a very limited number of customers." Ivanti said that while mitigations were in place, a fix for the issue would be unavailable until early May. Ivanti provided no detail about who might be responsible for the espionage campaign but, in a report timed to Ivanti's announcement, cybersecurity company FireEye Inc said it suspected that at least one of the hacking groups operates on behalf of the Chinese government. "The other one we suspect is aligned with China-based initiatives and collections," said Charles Carmakal, a senior vice president of Mandiant, an arm of Fireye, ahead of the report's release. Tying hackers to a specific country are fraught with uncertainty, but Carmakal said his analysts' judgment was based on a review of the hackers' tactics, tools, infrastructure and targets - many of which echoed past China-linked intrusions. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said China "firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyberattacks," describing FireEye's allegations as "irresponsible and ill-intentioned." FireEye declined to name the hackers' targets, identifying them only as "defence, government, and financial organizations around the world." It said the group of hackers suspected of working on Beijing's behalf were particularly focused on the U.S. defence industry. In a statement, the cyber arm of the Department of Homeland Security said it was working with Ivanti "to better understand the vulnerability in Pulse Secure VPN devices and mitigate potential risks to federal civilian and private sector networks." The US National Security Agency declined to comment. U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Chinese hackers of stealing American military secrets over the years through various means. Lately, networking devices, which can be hard for companies to monitor, have emerged as a favoured avenue for digital spies. In 2020 FireEye warned that Beijing-aligned hackers were targeting devices manufactured by Citrix Systems Inc and Cisco Systems Inc to break into a host of companies in what it described as one of the broadest campaigns by a Chinese actor that it had seen in years. The timing of the latest series of hacks was not made explicit, although FireEye's report said it investigated them "early this year." Carmakal added that the hackers were operating from U.S. digital infrastructure and borrowing the naming conventions of their victims to camouflage their activity so they would look like any other employee logging in from home. "We are seeing pretty advanced tradecraft," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

China-linked hackers used software flaws to target US federal agencies

As many as 12 U.S. Federal agencies and 18,000 users have been compromised in what is being called the biggest cyber raid in years. U.S. officials say Russian hackers were reading confidential emails for months.

Gravitas: Hackers attack U.S. federal agencies