Judge blocks Trump’s executive order banning federal support for DEI programs
Trump orders all federal DEI employees put on leave
The White House’s Office of Personnel Management notified heads of agencies and departments that they must begin taking steps to close all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices by the end of the day Wednesday and place government workers in those offices on paid leave, Fox News Digital has learned.
WASHINGTON - A federal judge in Maryland on Friday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump that sought to ban government support for programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore found the directives by Trump likely violate free-speech rights and granted an injunction blocking the funding withdrawal as a lawsuit plays out.
Trump signs executive order on DEI
The backstory:
The news follows an executive order signed on his first day in office that mandated a sweeping dismantling of the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs – which could include everything from anti-bias training to funding for minority farmers and homeowners.
Trump has called the programs "discrimination" and insisted on restoring strictly "merit-based" hiring.
Trump signed a follow-up order requiring federal contractors to certify that they don’t promote DEI.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order. (Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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.
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The Trump administration has argued that it should be able to align federal spending with the president’s priorities.