Federal Judge Cites Procedural Violations in Blocking Trump's Anti-DEI School Directives

A federal judge in Maryland has permanently blocked two directives from the Trump administration aimed at curtailing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and universities. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, a Trump appointee, ruled on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Education acted unlawfully by failing to follow proper administrative procedures and by issuing guidance that violated constitutional rights. This decision delivers a significant setback to the administration's efforts to end DEI initiatives across educational institutions.

The blocked directives included a February 14 memo that threatened to strip federal funding from schools and universities maintaining DEI efforts, broadly interpreting a 2023 Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. A subsequent April memo demanded that K-12 school districts certify they were not using "illegal DEI practices" or face severe financial penalties and potential prosecution under the False Claims Act. These actions were part of a broader campaign by the administration to eliminate practices it views as discriminatory.

Judge Gallagher's ruling emphasized that the Education Department failed to adhere to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by not providing a notice and comment period for what constituted new policies. She also found the guidance unconstitutionally vague, stating it placed viewpoint-based restrictions on classroom speech and overstepped federal authority regarding curriculum. "The government did not merely remind educators that discrimination is illegal," Gallagher wrote, but "initiated a sea change" that caused educators to fear punishment for lawful actions.

The lawsuit challenging these directives was brought by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Sociological Association, and an Oregon school district. Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represented the plaintiffs, hailed the ruling as an "invaluable decision that will have a sweeping and positive impact on public schools, teachers, and students." The Education Department expressed disappointment, stating that judicial action "has not stopped our ability to enforce Title VI protections for students."

While the ruling provides temporary relief for educators, the legal battle over DEI is far from over. The administration's anti-DEI measures had already been temporarily paused by several federal judges, including Judge Gallagher, earlier this year. The Trump administration is widely expected to appeal this decision, suggesting the dispute will likely continue through higher courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.