A group of federal employees who were fired for participating in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities have filed a complaint to regain their jobs and their back pay. Why it matters: The complaint filed Wednesday before the Merit System Protection Board directly challenges President Trump's anti-DEI purge across the federal government and could be the first step in a class action lawsuit.

American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, D.C., private law firms, and Democracy Forward have filed a lawsuit on behalf of federal employees who argue they were unlawfully terminated as part of President Donald Trump's anti-DEI purge — and not being white men,