Judge Blocks Large Parts of Trump's DEI Orders

A federal judge on Friday largely blocked sweeping executive orders from President Trump that seek to end government support for programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. US District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore granted a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from terminating or changing federal contracts they consider equity-related. Abelson found that the orders likely carry constitutional violations, including against free-speech rights, reports the AP. More:

• Background: Trump signed an order on his first day in office directing federal agencies to terminate all "equity-related" grants or contracts. He signed a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify that they don't promote DEI.
• The suit: The plaintiffs—including the city of Baltimore and higher education groups—sued the Trump administration earlier this month, arguing the executive orders are unconstitutional and a blatant overreach of presidential authority. They also allege the directives have a chilling effect on free speech.

• Opposing views: The Trump administration has argued that the president was targeting only DEI programs that violate federal civil rights laws. Attorneys for the government said the administration should be able to align federal spending with the president's priorities. "The government doesn't have the obligation to subsidize plaintiffs' exercise of speech," said Justice Department attorney Pardis Gheibi.
• The ruling: Abelson, who was nominated by Democratic President Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In his written opinion, Abelson found reason to believe the orders are unconstitutionally vague, leaving federal contractors and grant recipients with "no reasonable way to know what, if anything, they can do to bring their grants into compliance."

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• Hypothetical: He described a hypothetical scenario where an elementary school received Department of Education funding for technology access and a teacher used a computer to teach about Jim Crow laws. Or if a road construction grant covered the cost of filling potholes in a low-income neighborhood instead of a wealthy neighborhood, "does that render it 'equity-related'?" the judge asked.
• But: The Hill adds that the ruling won't prevent the DOJ from "compiling and probing schools and corporations' DEI efforts," but it blocks any enforcement.

(More President Trump stories.)