New report accuses bureaucrats of running ‘shadow government’ pushing DEI, gender ideology in red states

A conservative report alleged that red states still embrace liberal policies through national associations, like the National Governors Association, that promote DEI initiatives.

Rachel del Guidice is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to rachel.delguidice@fox.com.

"Conservative leaders are fond of declaring victory," the report reads. "They win elections, pass legislation, and appoint agency heads with great fanfare, yet, on issue after issue, the administrative state trudges forward in open defiance of their mandate: enforcing equity initiatives, embedding climate policy, and advancing bureaucratic priorities wholly alien to the voters who ostensibly elected the government. This disconnect is not incidental. It is structural."

The report claims that dozens of well-funded national associations — often branded as nonpartisan or professional groups — are responsible for this "shadow governance." These organizations set policy frameworks, distribute federal funding and provide "best practices" guidance that often aligns with left-wing values.