Overview

• U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher granted summary judgment in Maryland and struck down two February memos that threatened to cut Title I and other federal grants for schools retaining diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
• The blocked directives ordered institutions to end all “race-based decision-making” or risk losing tens of millions of dollars in federal funding as part of President Trump’s campaign against practices he characterized as discriminating against white and Asian American students.
• The American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association argued that the guidance misapplied Title VI, violated First Amendment and due-process protections, and exceeded the department’s statutory authority.
• Earlier rulings by district and appellate courts have produced a patchwork of injunctions and mixed decisions, leaving schools and universities divided on compliance and funding stability across jurisdictions.
• The Education Department plans to appeal to the Fourth Circuit, extending legal uncertainty over the reach and enforcement of its DEI policy directives nationwide.