Kim Reynolds appalled by DEI talk, but not by stifled speech

It’s the disregard for progress and diversity that is pushing Iowans away. Guest columnist

Rekha Basu is a longtime syndicated columnist, editorial writer, reporter and author of the book, “Finding Your Voice.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds says she’s “appalled” by a University of Iowa staffer’s videotaped statements about negotiating around the DEI ban the state imposed on universities last month. In a press statement, Reynolds accused the employee of “defying DEI restrictions I signed into law." The staffer’s remarks were leaked and broadcast on Fox News recently. The governor has turned the matter over to Iowa’s attorney general for investigation.

What’s appalling here isn’t that a university staffer would puzzle over how to do her job in the face of a specious effort by government to impose i