16 hours Ago By Tom Ozimek
A federal judge has expanded his previous ruling blocking President Donald Trump’s executive orders that seek to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, extending the prohibition to all federal agencies, departments, and commissions. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing lawsuit, National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump, in which higher education groups, civil rights organizations, and the City of Baltimore challenged Trump’s executive actions as unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs argue that the orders restrict free speech, exceed the president’s authority, and create confusion for grant recipients and contractors who rely on federal funding. Trump’s anti-DEI policies have triggered a number of lawsuits. In the clarified ruling issued on March 10, Abelson reaffirmed that Trump’s Termination Provision, which mandates agencies to cut off funding for “equity-related” grants and contracts, likely violates the First and Fifth Amendments.
The judge previously noted that the vague wording of the executive orders leaves organizations unsure about what constitutes an illegal DEI practice, making compliance difficult. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the clarified ruling by publication time. “Plaintiffs’ requested relief is neither in the public interest nor equitable,” attorneys representing the Trump administration wrote in their brief.
“The public would suffer harm if the Government is enjoined from following the President’s directive to enforce and effectuate antidiscrimination laws.” With the expanded injunction now in effect, the Trump administration could challenge the ruling in appellate court..
