Updated Apr 24, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Judge blocks Education Department's DEI ban in K-12 schools

April Rubin

Trump sits at desk with several people behind him. Two red MAGA hats are on the table. — President Trump speaks to the media as (L-R) Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon look on after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 23 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A federal judge on Thursday paused the Department of Education's push to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 schools.

Why it matters: The National Education Association and American Civil Liberties Union sued the Trump administration to block the effort, arguing that the directive violated teachers' due process and First Amendment rights.

The Trump administration had set a Thursday deadline for states to comply with its directive.

Driving the news: U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty said in her Thursday order that the Trump administration's letter is "unconstitutionally vague."

"The letter does not even define what a 'DEI program' is," she wrote.
The court order blocks the Trump administration from enforcing use of its "End DEI Portal" and a certification requirement that it had imposed.

Catch up quick: Earlier this month, the Department of Education sent letters to K-12 agencies requiring them to comply with the administrations' anti-diversity policies to maintain their federal funding.

That followed a February warning that the department might cut federal funding for schools with policies related to race or diversity.
Trump called for the end of DEI and accessibility in schools and companies in a January executive order.

Go deeper: Education Department cuts threaten summer learning programs

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional context.

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Judge blocks Education Department's DEI ban in K-12 schools

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