Three federal judges in Maryland, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C., ruled that the Trump administration had overreached when it directed schools across the nation to discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The rulings prevent the U.S. Department of Education from withholding federal funding from districts that do not comply, affecting funds crucial for supporting low-income students and those with disabilities.
U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty expressed the importance of preserving academic freedom and exposing students to diverse perspectives. Her ruling emphasized that the executive branch’s actions could undermine these fundamental principles. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher, critiqued the administration’s policy implementation, leading her to block the enforcement temporarily. McCafferty and Gallagher’s rulings highlight concerns about the vague definition of DEI and the administration’s efforts to penalize non-compliant schools.
The Department of Education did not respond to requests for comment. The cases question whether the Trump administration’s anti-DEI actions align with legal standards. Federal law prohibits the Department from directing school curricula.
The rulings criticized the administration’s broad claims about DEI programs leading to discrimination without factual support. The creation of a portal to report perceived discriminatory teaching further raised concerns of enforcement beyond federal authority.
Judges highlighted the lack of clarity in the administration’s policies, which could instill fear among educators. McCafferty illustrated how common educational practices might be misinterpreted under the administration’s expansive definition of DEI.
The legal challenges emphasize the Department’s purported overreach, with Gallagher underscoring that federal law prohibits the Department from controlling educational content. The rulings suggest a need for the administration to reassess its strategy as it prepares to appeal the decisions.
