A federal judge has issued a partial block on the Trump administration’s effort to withhold federal funding from public schools that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, ruling that the policy may violate constitutional protections.
The decision comes in response to a directive from the Department of Education threatening to revoke Title I funds from schools that continue to implement DEI programs. Title I funding supports low-income districts and is considered essential to educational equity.
The court’s ruling halts enforcement of the directive against the specific plaintiffs in the case, though broader challenges are now unfolding in multiple states. The judge indicated that penalizing schools for engaging in DEI-related efforts could constitute viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment.
While the administration argues that DEI programs promote divisive ideologies, opponents say they are critical to fostering inclusive learning environments and ensuring fair opportunities for historically marginalized students.
The legal setback is one of several hurdles the administration has encountered in reshaping education policy. The ruling highlights the ongoing national debate over the role of DEI in public education and the limits of executive power in directing federal funds.