Jan 10 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms ( META ) is ending its

diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including those

for hiring, training and picking suppliers, it said in a memo to

employees posted on an internal company forum on Friday.

The move comes in the run-up to U.S. President-elect Donald

Trump's inauguration, as the company attempts to mend relations

with the leader who has criticized its political content

policies and threatened its CEO with imprisonment.

"The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity,

equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,"

Janelle Gale, Vice President of Human Resources at Meta, said in

the memo, which was seen by Reuters.

Gale cited recent Supreme Court decisions "signaling a

shift" in how U.S. courts will approach DEI programs going

forward.

"The term 'DEI' has also become charged, in part because it

is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential

treatment of some groups over others," she wrote.

Meta will continue to source job candidates from different

backgrounds, but it will stop using a "Diverse Slate Approach",

said Gale.

The company will no longer have a dedicated team focused on

DEI, she wrote. Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will be

taking on a new role at Meta, focused on accessibility and

engagement, per the memo.

One employee comment on Gale's memo called it "upsetting to

read".

The U.S. tech giant elected three new directors to its board

on Monday, including Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting

Championship (UFC) and close friend of Trump.

Last week, Meta elevated prominent Republican Joel Kaplan to

be its chief global affairs officer, replacing Nick Clegg.