Overview
- Effective December 10, the Justice Department’s rule confines Title VI enforcement to deliberate discrimination and removes liability based solely on statistical disparities.
- The department said it will not pursue disparate-impact claims against recipients of federal funds, including schools, state and local agencies, nonprofits, and contractors.
- The Education Department has signaled parallel action by withdrawing a Biden-era agreement with Rapid City, South Dakota schools that targeted Native American discipline disparities.
- The move aligns with President Trump’s April executive order to end disparate-impact liability, and the DOJ noted that statistical data can still be used to help prove intent.
- Civil-rights advocates argue the shift weakens a key tool for addressing systemic disparities, supporters call it a correction to regulatory overreach, and legal challenges are expected.