Trump officials cut $67M from school districts over diversity policies
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A sign marks the location of the U.S. Department of Education headquarters building on June 20 in Washington, D.C. Photo: J. David Ake/Getty Images
The Department of Education said Thursday it will withhold $67.2 million in magnet school funds from three districts over diversity policies that didn't eliminate diversity programs and transgender-inclusive policies.
Why it matters: The move tests how far Trump officials can use federal funds to force changes in local school districts, this time in New York City, Chicago and Fairfax, Virginia.
Driving the news: The Education Department accused the school districts of violating civil rights law on Sept. 16, giving them just three days to agree to remedial measures.
- In Chicago, the funds are being withheld partly because of a program designed to help Black students.
- Federal officials also targeted Chicago, Fairfax and New York City for guidelines allowing students to participate in sports and use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.
What they're saying: "These are public schools, funded by hardworking American families, and parents have every right to expect an excellent education — not ideological indoctrination masquerading as 'inclusive' policy," Education Department spokesperson Julie Hartman said in a statement.
- "If these entities are willing to risk federal funding to continue their illegal activity, that decision falls squarely on them."
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon said on X on Thursday that the three cities are "willing to sacrifice federal education dollars" for "illegal DEI."
- The White House deferred comment to the Education Department.
The other side: The Chicago Teachers Union said on X, "This fight is about more than one grant. It's about whether Chicago will be punished for daring to center equity and justice in our schools."
- New York City Public Schools said it was "deeply disappointed" that the federal government denied its request for an extension.
- "Cutting this funding — which invests in specialized curricula, afterschool education, and summer learning — harms not only the approximately 8,500 students this program currently benefits, but all of our students from underserved communities," the district's statement said.
Friction point: The Education Department required all three districts "adopt biology-based definitions for the words 'male' and 'female'." It gave further requirements to each district.
- Each district was also required to ban transgender girls from girls sports and to segregate locker rooms and bathrooms by biological sex.
- The Trump administration also demanded the Chicago district abolish its Black Students Success Plan.
By the numbers: Fairfax will miss out on $13.7 million in grants.
- New York City will lose $36 million.
- Chicago won't be awarded $17.5 million in grants.
Go deeper: Department of Education warns schools to cut DEI policies or lose funding
Axios' Avery Lotz contributed reporting.
