Costco has engaged in productive discussions with Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird regarding the company's diversity policies, amidst legal challenges from President Donald Trump. Bird and 18 other Republican state attorneys general had previously requested Costco's CEO to cease what they considered discriminatory practices stemming from their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Following this letter, Bird and Costco have had positive dialogues about the company's hiring practices related to DEI, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Iowa's attorney general office's communications director, Alyssa Brouillet, mentioned that Costco confirmed its commitment to non-discrimination based on race during a meeting with Attorney General Bird. The letter from the attorneys general was sent shortly after Trump's directive to investigate companies with DEI policies, which gained prominence in 2020 with the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Costco did not respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours. The company faced opposition to DEI initiatives, exemplified when shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal from a conservative think tank calling for a risk report regarding these programs. Other companies like Meta Platforms, Amazon.com, and JPMorgan Chase have adjusted their diversity initiatives amidst increasing conservative opposition.

As per its 2024 annual report, Costco, a membership-only retailer, employs over 300,000 individuals globally, with a significant portion in the United States.