US judge limits Trump’s effort to block funding for pro-DEI public schools
A federal judge in New Hampshire has halted the Trump administration’s efforts to cut funding to public schools that promote diversity programs. U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty ruled that the Education Department’s attempt to block federal funding to schools that continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion likely violates the First Amendment.
The Education Department had sent a memo to public schools nationwide warning that Title I federal funds would be withheld from schools that promote DEI programs. This move sparked widespread concern and legal challenges from education groups, including the National Education Association and the Center for Black Educator Development.
Judge McCafferty’s ruling in New Hampshire is a setback for the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on DEI initiatives. The judge described the Education Department’s actions as “textbook viewpoint discrimination” and emphasized the importance of free speech and the promotion of diverse ideas in public schools.
The ruling does not impose a nationwide injunction but prevents the Trump administration from withholding Title I funds from schools involved in the lawsuit. The judge criticized the lack of a clear definition of DEI programs at risk and highlighted the need to protect foundational principles of free speech.
The court decision followed a temporary agreement between the Trump administration and the plaintiffs to delay the implementation of the funding cut. With the agreement expiring, the court stepped in to address the issue and protect schools’ access to critical funding.
This ruling is part of a series of legal challenges against the Education Department’s anti-DEI efforts, with other cases pending in different courts across the country. The decision underscores the ongoing debate over the role of diversity programs in public education and the government’s authority to regulate them.
Breanne Deppisch is a national politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, focusing on the Justice Department, FBI, and national news.
