Judge grants preliminary injunction on Trump executive orders targeting DEI
A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction over parts of the Trump administration’s executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The injunction blocks sections of President Donald Trump’s orders that aim to end federal support for programs considered to be DEI-related. It also prevents the administration from canceling contracts that promote diversity, equity, or inclusion.
U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson, a Biden nominee in Baltimore, ruled that parts of the executive orders likely violate the Constitution and free speech. He stated that the issuance of the orders was vague and threatening, discouraging businesses working with the government from openly supporting DEI.
The ruling came after Baltimore, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors, and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United sued the Trump administration. They argued that the orders were presidential overreach and anti-free speech, causing harm to citizens who receive federal funds to support various communities.
President Trump signed an order directing federal agencies to terminate all “equity-related” grants or contracts and a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify they don’t promote DEI. The administration argued that the president was only banning DEI programs that violate federal civil rights laws.
A second federal lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal on behalf of nonprofit advocacy organizations. This lawsuit targets Trump’s executive orders related to DEI programs and gender ideology extremism.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields called the lawsuits an extension of the left’s resistance and stated that the administration was prepared to face them in court. He emphasized that the administration was ready to work with President Trump to advance his popular agenda.
In conclusion, the legal battle over the Trump administration’s executive orders on DEI continues, with federal judges issuing preliminary injunctions and lawsuits being filed. The outcome of these legal proceedings will have significant implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government.
