Judges Block Trump DEI Bans in Schools

Federal judges in Maryland and New Hampshire have temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in schools, especially regarding race-conscious admissions and programming. The rulings, prompted by lawsuits from the National Education Association and the ACLU, determined that the administration's directives were procedurally flawed and unconstitutionally vague. The Education Department had threatened to revoke federal funding from non-compliant schools and investigated universities for alleged race-based practices. Judges cited concerns that the directives could amount to viewpoint discrimination and restrict free speech for educators. The executive orders also targeted DEI requirements in medical school accreditation, raising fears of operational disruptions due to unclear definitions and funding threats. These legal setbacks highlight ongoing national debates over DEI in education and the scope of executive authority.