Trump's school funding restrictions challenged: Judicial rulings inhibit Trump from withholding funds due to DEI initiatives.
Fresh Take:
President Trump's administration took a hit as Federal judges in Maryland, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C., recently halted plans to cut off funding to schools promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
These rulings, including two handed down by judges appointed by Trump himself, were part of legal challenges filed by teachers unions and civil rights groups against the U.S. Department of Education for attempting to withhold funding from schools that didn't cease what it deemed as "discriminatory" DEI initiatives.
The education department hasn't commented on the matter yet, but it's expected that they'll move to appeal these decisions. The policy under dispute was outlined in a "Dear Colleague" letter sent in February, insinuating schools were promoting "pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences" and "toxically indoctrinating" students by teaching systemic racism history.
Judge Landya McCafferty in Concord, New Hampshire, found that the policy was unconstitutionally vague and violated educators' free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. McCafferty, a former appointee of Democratic President Obama, argued that the policy lacked clarity on what a DEI program even was.
Similarly, Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Baltimore issued an order halting the education department's policy on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, the American Sociological Association, and others. Gallagher, a Trump appointee, stated that the education department failed to adhere to proper rulemaking processes and lacked the authority to adopt the policy.
Meanwhile, in the Washington, D.C., case, Judge Dabney Friedrich sided with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, stating the policy was too vague, blocking the department from enforcing a certification requirement mandating compliance with the February policy by a specific date or risk losing federal funding.
Skye Perryman, who represents the plaintiffs in the Maryland case, cheered the ruling, stating, "This administration's attempts to censor schools, teachers, educators, colleges, and universities is unlawful."
It's worth noting that in states like Maine, the administration has already moved to cut federal K-12 funding over transgender sports policies[5]. While the legal battles surrounding the administration's education funding actions continue, the lack of direct citations on the rulings in Maryland, New Hampshire, or D.C., suggests the legal landscape remains fluid.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
- President Trump's appointed judge, Stephanie Gallagher, had agreed to halt the education department's policy, stating the department failed to adhere to proper rulemaking processes and lacked the authority to adopt the policy.
- In the Maryland case, Judge Dabney Friedrich, not appointed by Trump, blocked the department from enforcing a certification requirement, deeming the policy too vague and unconstitutional.
- Skye Perryman, representing the plaintiffs in the Maryland case, had emphasized that the administration's attempts to censor schools and educators concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were unlawful.
- The ongoing political debates and legal challenges in policy-and-legislation regarding education initiatives demonstrate the complexity and general-news importance of this topic.
