Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration’s Ban on DEI Programs

The ruling pauses efforts to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in education, citing potential First Amendment violations.

A federal judge in Maryland issued a temporary injunction against the Trump administration's order to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, citing constitutional concerns.
The Department of Education had warned schools to end race-based practices or risk losing federal funding, prompting legal challenges from plaintiffs including the City of Baltimore.
The administration's memo claimed DEI initiatives constitute racial discrimination against white and Asian students, referencing Supreme Court precedent and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Maryland schools and universities are consulting legal counsel to navigate the implications of the memo and the court's temporary block, which leaves future compliance unclear.
The ruling is one of several legal setbacks for the Trump administration as courts weigh challenges to its broader DEI-related policies and executive orders.