Apple’s board of directors has urged shareholders to vote against a proposal to eliminate its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a move pushed by the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR). The NCPPR argues that DEI policies create “litigation, reputational, and financial risks” for companies.

Apple’s leadership countered the proposal in a filing, stating that the company already has robust compliance measures in place and that the proposed rollback “inappropriately seeks to micromanage the Company’s programs and policies.”

The proposal will go to a vote during Apple’s annual general meeting on February 25.

The push to scale back DEI initiatives follows a broader trend among major U.S. corporations. Companies like Meta, Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald’s have recently reduced their DEI efforts, citing a changing legal landscape, including a 2023 Supreme Court decision that curtailed affirmative action in higher education.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced last week that it would scale back its DEI programs, affecting hiring, supplier diversity, and employee training. In an internal memo, Meta attributed the decision to “a shifting legal and policy landscape,” referencing the Supreme Court ruling.

The rollback coincides with efforts by some corporate leaders to align with incoming President Donald Trump, who has been a vocal critic of DEI policies. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, for instance, has taken steps to reconcile with Trump’s administration. Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, hired a Republican public affairs chief, and announced the discontinuation of fact-checking on its platforms.

These moves come amid mounting pressure from conservative groups threatening legal action against companies maintaining DEI initiatives. Apple’s board emphasized that dismantling its DEI programs would be unnecessary and potentially harmful, reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.