​Trump’s Anti-DEI Agenda Hits Legal Wall: Judges Block School Funding Threats

On April 24, 2025, multiple federal judges issued rulings that temporarily block the Trump administration’s directives aimed at limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 public schools. These directives, stemming from the administration’s interpretation of federal anti-discrimination laws, had threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that continued DEI programs.

In Maryland, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, a Trump appointee, criticised the administration’s approach, stating that the government failed to implement the policies lawfully. Similarly, Judge Landya McCafferty in New Hampshire restricted enforcement of the directives for institutions affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), highlighting potential constitutional violations.

The rulings respond to lawsuits filed by major teacher unions and civil rights organisations, including the NEA, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the NAACP. These groups argued that the administration’s directives were vague, overreaching, and infringed upon free speech rights.

While these are temporary injunctions pending further legal review, they provide immediate relief to schools facing pressure to dismantle DEI programs. The decisions also underscore the judiciary’s role in checking executive actions that may overstep legal boundaries.

As legal challenges continue, the future of DEI initiatives in public education remains a contentious issue, reflecting broader national debates over race, identity, and the role of government in education.