Stephen A. Smith explains his ‘concern’ about the end of DEI measures.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith explained why the removal of the DEI measures feels “disturbing” after President Donald Trump signed several executive actions that rolled back earlier initiatives.

“I’m concerned about it. I certainly don’t respect it because I don’t like the way I believe the right is handling this particular issue,” Smith said on “The Will Caine Show” Wednesday afternoon.

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The ESPN host highlighted his and Cain’s early discussions at DEI, saying it’s “cool” to ask questions and talk about a merit-based community.

“But there are other people on the right who are trying to hide exactly how they’re communicating,” Smith said, adding that many conservatives are “trying to point out that everyone who was hired under DEI — which certainly meant you.” You are not eligible.

Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, he has signed several executive orders surrounding DEI measures, one of which is “”End radical and wasteful government DEI programs and choices..”

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“Let’s not forget why DPR exists. Because of the unfairness in the system, people who have never been hired before, qualified individuals from minority communities[didn’t]feel they were treated unfairly,” Smith said.

Smith also highlighted Rooney buys. He popped up in NFL recruiting practices. The rule aims to increase the number of minorities hired in head coaching, general manager and executive positions, according to the NFL Operations page.

“Certainly, you think you should be able to interview whoever you want. You shouldn’t be forced to interview an African-American candidate,” he said, before asking why the policy would be implemented in the first place.

“This policy has been implemented because of the injustices that have happened throughout the history of various NFL owners. All I’m saying is that we shouldn’t lose sight of that fact,” Smith argued.

The sportscaster said that if an organization fills “seven, eight, nine different positions” that employ all whites when the DEI measures are removed, “basically all these white people are better candidates, and we can’t find anyone who might be qualified.”

Smith also explained that by eliminating DEI programs and overhauling the hiring process, institutions should be careful to eliminate the all-white workforce.

“(If you have) you know, 40% of the candidates are African-American or Latino or a combination of both and 60% are white. Nobody has a problem with that. But if it’s 95 to 100% white since the DEI was repealed, then you’re the one sending the message. The only reason they got those opportunities was because of DEI as opposed to their merit,” he argued.

“What I’m saying is to be careful not to spread that message because it’s not right,” he continued. “And history has proven that in many different situations. That’s all.”

Smith, who didn’t vote for Trump, said his overall view of the president and whether he would vote for him if he did something was the basis for his success.

“I don’t know if I will vote for him because I believe chaos will not reign,” he said. “I don’t want to call him an authoritarian, but the White House, the Senate, you know, Congress, etc. That kind of total power worries me, especially in the hands of someone as powerful as he is. Little things like that.”

Smith, who says he’s independent, has voted Republican in the past and likes both some liberal and conservative policies.

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“For me, a successful presidency is good for America, not for him[President Trump]. And if that means voting right, I’m going to vote the right (election) and (the) election after that. And the election after that,” Smith said.