Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Attempt to Terminate DEI-Related Funding

Trump Administration's DEI Termination Blocked by Federal Judge

A federal judge in Maryland has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to terminate federal grants and contracts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI). The ruling, issued on Friday, bars the administration from requiring federal contractors and grant recipients to certify that they do not engage in any "equity-related" programs.

Judge Adam Abelson found the term "equity-related" to be too vague and susceptible to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. He noted that the administration's directive could potentially jeopardize billions of dollars in government funding for a wide range of programs and activities, leaving contractors, grant recipients, and their employees uncertain about the status of their funding and work.

The lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's order was filed by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, several other non-profit groups, and the mayor of Baltimore. They argued that the President was exceeding his authority by attempting to unilaterally halt funding for DEI programs without Congressional approval. They also raised concerns about the potential for discriminatory enforcement of the order, given the lack of a clear definition for "equity-related" programs.

In his ruling, Judge Abelson agreed with the plaintiffs, stating that the administration's actions amounted to an attempt to "seize" Congress' power of the purse and silence those who disagree with the President's policies. He also noted that the administration's failure to define DEI gave the Attorney General "carte blanche authority to implement the order discriminatorily."

The White House has not yet commented on the ruling. However, the Department of Education has previously stated that it has taken steps to comply with the President's executive order, including placing employees responsible for DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave and canceling DEI training contracts.

The judge's ruling is a significant victory for advocates of DEI programs and a setback for the Trump administration's efforts to curtail such initiatives. It remains to be seen how the administration will respond to the ruling and whether it will appeal the decision.