Gov. Greg Abbott's office is warning Texas state agencies and public universities that it's illegal to use diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in hiring. Abbott's chief of staff issued a memo on Monday telling agency leaders that the use of D-E-I policies is a violation of state and federal employment law, and that hiring decisions can't be based on factors other than merit. Republicans nationwide are pushing back against D-E-I and critical race theory, pointing out that they result in discrimination against white people in schools and workplaces.