A federal judge issued a temporary block on the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) lessons in U.S. public schools. This ruling follows lawsuits filed by the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who argued that the government’s actions violated teachers’ due process and First Amendment rights.
The Education Department had previously instructed schools in February 2025 to end DEI programs that focus on differentiating individuals based on race, warning that failure to comply could result in the loss of federal funding. The department claimed that continuing these practices would be a violation of federal law.
However, education officials in states led by Democratic governors argued that DEI teachings are not illegal and that the Trump administration was overstepping its authority. The lawsuits contended that prohibiting DEI lessons would limit academic freedom and restrict what can be taught in classrooms.
The memo issued by the Education Department in mid-February stated that schools had been promoting DEI initiatives in a way that harmed white and Asian American students. The lawsuits sought to strike down the memo and prevent its enforcement, arguing that the guidelines were too vague, leaving educators uncertain about what could and could not be taught in classrooms.
